The vivo U20 and Honor 20i represent compelling options in the budget-to-midrange smartphone space. While both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, they take different approaches under the hood. The U20 leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 675, while the 20i opts for Huawei’s Kirin 710. This comparison dissects these key differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and faster charging, the vivo U20 emerges as the stronger contender. The Snapdragon 675’s more efficient 11nm process and Kryo architecture provide a noticeable edge in demanding tasks, and the 18W charging significantly reduces downtime compared to the Honor 20i’s 10W solution.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, November. Released 2019, November | 2019, April. Released 2019, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 162.2 x 76.5 x 8.9 mm (6.39 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 154.8 x 73.6 x 8 mm (6.09 x 2.90 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 164 g (5.78 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~415 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.21 inches, 94.7 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm) | Kirin 710 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 612 | Mali-G51 MP4 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.2 | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | 24 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 13mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3400 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Racing Black, Blaze Blue | Gradient Blue, Gradient red, Magic Night Black |
| Models | - | HRY-TL00T, HRY-AL00TA, HRY-AL00Ta, HRY-AL00T |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 210 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 215820 (v8)
GeekBench: 5857 (v4.4), 1614 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 7.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
vivo U20
- Faster Snapdragon 675 processor
- More efficient 11nm process
- 18W fast charging for quicker top-ups
- Software experience may vary depending on region
- Camera details are unknown
Honor 20i
- Potentially refined EMUI software (regional variations apply)
- Slightly higher CPU clock speed on some cores
- May have a more established brand presence in certain markets
- Slower Kirin 710 processor
- Less efficient 12nm process
- Slower 10W charging
Display Comparison
Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, considering the market segment, both likely feature LCD panels with 1080p+ resolution. The Honor 20i, being a slightly older model, may have marginally larger bezels. Color accuracy will likely be similar, tuned for vibrant visuals rather than professional color grading. The absence of high refresh rate panels is expected in this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a definitive comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup with a primary sensor, ultrawide, and depth sensor. The image processing algorithms will differ, with vivo typically favoring brighter, more saturated images, while Honor often aims for a more natural look. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is expected on both devices at this price point. The quality of the main sensor will be the most significant factor, and without knowing the sensor sizes, it’s impossible to declare a clear winner.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo U20’s Snapdragon 675, built on an 11nm process, features a Kryo 460 architecture with a dual-cluster configuration (2x2.0 GHz Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Silver). This contrasts with the Honor 20i’s Kirin 710 (12nm) which utilizes Cortex-A73 and A53 cores. The 11nm process of the SD675 offers better power efficiency, translating to potentially lower temperatures and sustained performance during prolonged gaming sessions. While the Kirin 710’s Cortex-A73 cores boast a higher clock speed (2.2 GHz vs 2.0 GHz), the SD675’s architecture and process node give it an overall advantage in multi-threaded workloads and GPU performance. Users engaging in graphically intensive games will likely see smoother frame rates on the U20.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn’t specified, but both phones likely house batteries in the 3500-4000 mAh range. The crucial difference is charging speed. The vivo U20 supports 18W wired charging, allowing for significantly faster top-ups compared to the Honor 20i’s 10W charging. This means the U20 can go from 0-100% in a considerably shorter time, reducing downtime and making it more convenient for users on the go. While a larger battery capacity on the 20i could offset the slower charging, the 18W charging on the U20 provides a tangible benefit in real-world usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo U20 if you need a phone capable of handling moderate gaming and multitasking without significant slowdowns, and if quick charging is a priority. Its Snapdragon 675 chipset offers a more robust experience for power users. Buy the Honor 20i if you prefer a potentially more refined software experience (depending on regional variations of EMUI) and are less concerned with pushing the phone’s processing limits. It’s a solid choice for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light media consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 675 in the vivo U20 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 675 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. The Kryo 460 architecture and Adreno 610 GPU provide sufficient power for a smooth gaming experience, especially considering the phone’s price point. However, expect some frame drops during intense firefights.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Honor 20i with its 10W charging?
With 10W charging, the Honor 20i will likely take around 2.5 to 3.5 hours to fully charge from 0% to 100%, depending on the battery capacity. This is significantly slower than the vivo U20’s 18W charging, which can reduce charging time to around 1.5 to 2 hours.
❓ Does the Kirin 710 in the Honor 20i tend to overheat during extended use?
The Kirin 710, being built on a 12nm process, is more prone to thermal throttling compared to the Snapdragon 675’s 11nm process. While it won’t necessarily overheat to the point of being unusable, you may experience performance slowdowns during prolonged gaming or demanding tasks as the chip attempts to manage its temperature.
