The vivo U20 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro represent a fascinating crossroads in the mid-range smartphone market. Both devices aimed to deliver impressive features at competitive price points, but they took different approaches to achieve this. The U20 leverages Qualcomm's Snapdragon 675, while the Redmi Note 8 Pro opts for MediaTek's Helio G90T. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which phone offers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and a slightly more refined software experience, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro emerges as the winner. Its Helio G90T chipset, despite potential thermal concerns, offers a noticeable performance edge in demanding tasks, while the comparable battery life and display quality make it a well-rounded package.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, November. Released 2019, November | 2019, August 29. Released 2019, September 24 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.2 x 76.5 x 8.9 mm (6.39 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 161.4 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.35 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, HDR, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm) | Mediatek MT6785V/CC Helio G90T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 612 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.2 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm |
| 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Racing Black, Blaze Blue | Black, Red, Blue, White, Deep Sea Blue, Midnight Blue, Electric Blue, Twilight Orange |
| Models | - | 2015105, M1906G7I, M1906G7G |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 220 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.15 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.47 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -91.9dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 114h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1326:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 64dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 82dB |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 215820 (v8)
GeekBench: 5857 (v4.4), 1614 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 7.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 224759 (v7), 279355 (v8)
GeekBench: 6999 (v4.4), 1622 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 14fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo U20
- More power-efficient Snapdragon 675 chipset
- Stable and reliable performance for everyday tasks
- Potentially longer battery life due to chipset efficiency
- Less powerful CPU and GPU compared to the Helio G90T
- Likely less capable camera system
- May struggle with demanding games at higher settings
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro
- More powerful Helio G90T chipset for gaming and demanding apps
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Potentially more advanced camera features
- Helio G90T can suffer from thermal throttling under sustained load
- Less power-efficient chipset
- May require more frequent charging
Display Comparison
Both the vivo U20 and Redmi Note 8 Pro feature displays with a 1326:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual depth. However, the Redmi Note 8 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 640 nits, exceeding the nominal 1326:1 contrast ratio specification, indicating a brighter and more visible screen in outdoor conditions. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s higher brightness provides a tangible advantage for content consumption in sunlight. Details regarding refresh rates are missing, but both are likely limited to standard 60Hz.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s market positioning suggests a greater emphasis on camera features, potentially including more advanced image processing algorithms. The presence of a 64MP main sensor (a common feature of the Redmi Note 8 Pro line) would significantly outperform a typical sensor found in a phone at the U20’s price point. The 2MP macro cameras often found on both devices are largely marketing features and offer limited practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G90T (12nm) utilizes a more modern CPU architecture – Cortex-A76 cores – compared to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 (11nm) in the vivo U20, which employs Kryo 460 cores. While both are octa-core CPUs with similar clock speeds (2.05 GHz vs 2.0 GHz), the A76 architecture generally delivers superior single-core performance. The G90T’s Mali-G76 MC4 GPU also provides a more powerful graphics solution. However, the 12nm process of the G90T is less efficient than the 11nm process of the Snapdragon 675, potentially leading to higher temperatures and throttling under sustained load. The Snapdragon 675 prioritizes efficiency, making it suitable for prolonged, less intensive tasks.
Battery Life
Both the vivo U20 and Redmi Note 8 Pro share an endurance rating of 114 hours, suggesting comparable battery life in typical usage scenarios. Both also support 18W wired charging. The Snapdragon 675’s efficiency could translate to slightly longer screen-on time for the U20, but the difference is likely minimal. The actual 0-100% charging time will depend on the charger used and the phone’s charging management system, but both should take around 2-3 hours.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo U20 if you prioritize efficient power management and a stable, reliable experience for everyday tasks. It's ideal for users who primarily browse, use social media, and occasionally game. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro if you're a mobile gamer or power user who demands more processing power and doesn't mind potentially managing thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. It's also a better choice for those who value a slightly brighter display.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Helio G90T in the Redmi Note 8 Pro overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The MediaTek Helio G90T is known to generate more heat than the Snapdragon 675. While the Redmi Note 8 Pro includes thermal management features, extended gaming at high settings can lead to noticeable throttling, reducing performance to prevent overheating. Adjusting graphics settings can mitigate this issue.
❓ Is the 18W charging on either phone considered fast charging in 2024?
18W charging was considered relatively fast in 2019/2020 when these phones were released, but it's now considered standard. Modern smartphones often support 33W, 65W, or even higher charging speeds, allowing for significantly faster top-ups. Expect around 2-3 hours for a full charge with the included charger.
❓ Which phone is better for running multiple apps simultaneously?
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro, with its Helio G90T chipset and potentially more RAM (depending on the configuration), is better equipped to handle multitasking and running multiple apps simultaneously without significant slowdowns. The Snapdragon 675 in the vivo U20 is capable, but may exhibit more lag with a heavier app load.
