Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro vs Huawei P30 Pro New Edition: Which Flagship Still Holds Up?

The Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro and Huawei P30 Pro New Edition represent a fascinating clash of eras. The K20 Pro, released with a focus on raw performance at a disruptive price, now faces the P30 Pro New Edition, a phone that once defined premium mobile photography. This comparison revisits these devices to determine which offers the best experience in today's market, considering their strengths and weaknesses.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user in 2024, the Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 855 chipset delivers comparable performance to the Kirin 980, coupled with a longer endurance rating of 103 hours. While the P30 Pro boasts faster charging, the K20 Pro’s overall value proposition is more compelling.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro Huawei P30 Pro New Edition
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41LTE
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat21 1400/200 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2019, May 28. Released 2019, June 012020, May 12. Released 2020, June 01
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front (Aluminosilicate glass), glass back (Aluminosilicate glass), aluminum frame
Dimensions156.7 x 74.3 x 8.8 mm (6.17 x 2.93 x 0.35 in)158 x 73.4 x 8.4 mm (6.22 x 2.89 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight191 g (6.74 oz)192 g (6.77 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 2m for 30 mins)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5-
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~398 ppi density)
Size6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.47 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~88.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, HDR10OLED, HDR10
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)Kirin 980 (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 640Mali-G76 MP10
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, MIUI 12Android 10, EMUI 10.1, Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotNoNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLeica optics, color spectrum sensor, dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 53mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.4, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm40 MP, f/1.6, 27mm (wide), 1/1.7", PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom, 10x hybrid zoom 20 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.7", PDAF TOF 3D, (depth)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@960fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
SingleMotorized pop-up 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
 24-bit/192kHz audio 32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYes (China only)Yes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioYesNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging27W wired, QC440W wired, 70% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4200 mAh
Misc
ColorsCarbon black, Flame red, Glacier blue, Summer Honey, Pearl WhiteAurora, Black, Silver Frost
ModelsM1903F11I-
PriceAbout 400 EURAbout 820 EUR
SAR1.03 W/kg (head)     0.72 W/kg (body)-
Tests
Audio quality Noise -93.9dB / Crosstalk -94.2dB-
Battery lifeEndurance rating 103h-
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker Voice 71dB / Noise 75dB / Ring 84dB-
Performance AnTuTu: 368846 (v7), 437823 (v8) GeekBench: 10684 (v4.4), 2732 (v5.1) GFXBench: 36fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro

  • Superior GPU performance for gaming
  • Excellent battery endurance (103h)
  • More affordable price point

  • Slower charging speed compared to P30 Pro
  • Lacks wireless charging

Huawei P30 Pro New Edition

  • Faster 40W wired charging
  • Wireless and reverse wireless charging
  • Potentially better low-light camera performance

  • Slightly lower battery endurance
  • Potentially limited software support

Display Comparison

Both devices feature displays suitable for everyday use, but the Redmi K20 Pro’s measured 643 nits of peak brightness gives it a slight edge in outdoor visibility. While both boast an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for AMOLED panels), the lack of detailed display specifications like refresh rate or panel type (LTPO, etc.) for the P30 Pro makes a direct comparison difficult. The K20 Pro’s brightness is a tangible benefit for users frequently exposed to sunlight.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are advertised with capable camera systems, but detailed sensor information is lacking. The P30 Pro’s reputation centers around its low-light photography capabilities, likely stemming from a larger main sensor and sophisticated image processing. However, without specific aperture and sensor size details for either device, a definitive camera comparison is challenging. The focus should be on real-world image samples, as software processing plays a significant role. Ignoring the typical 2MP macro/depth sensors found on both devices, the primary camera performance will dictate the user experience.

Performance

The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi K20 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 (7nm) utilizes a tri-cluster architecture – 1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485, 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485, and 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485 – designed for efficient task allocation. The Huawei P30 Pro New Edition’s Kirin 980 (7nm) employs a different approach with 2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76, 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76, and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. While both are 7nm chips, the Snapdragon 855 generally demonstrates superior GPU performance, making the K20 Pro the better choice for mobile gamers. Thermal management, however, is an unknown factor without dedicated testing data.

Battery Life

The Redmi K20 Pro boasts an endurance rating of 103 hours, indicating excellent battery life. The P30 Pro New Edition counters with significantly faster 40W wired charging (70% in 30 minutes) and the addition of 15W wireless and reverse wireless charging. While the P30 Pro’s charging speed is a clear advantage for users who frequently need to top up quickly, the K20 Pro’s longer endurance means fewer charging cycles are required overall. The K20 Pro’s 27W QC4 charging is respectable, but doesn’t match the P30 Pro’s speed.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro if you prioritize raw processing power for gaming and demanding applications, and value exceptional battery life. It’s the ideal choice for users who want a flagship-level experience without the flagship price tag. Buy the Huawei P30 Pro New Edition if you prioritize faster charging speeds and a more established camera system, and are willing to accept slightly less battery endurance and potentially limited software access due to ongoing geopolitical factors.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 855 in the Redmi K20 Pro still hold up for demanding games like Genshin Impact or PUBG?
Yes, the Snapdragon 855 remains a capable chipset for most mobile games, including Genshin Impact and PUBG. While newer chips offer higher frame rates at maximum settings, the 855 can comfortably run these titles at medium to high settings with stable performance. The K20 Pro’s thermal management will be a factor, but it’s generally sufficient for extended gaming sessions.
❓ Is the lack of 5G connectivity on either of these phones a significant drawback in 2024?
For many users, the lack of 5G is not a dealbreaker. 5G coverage is still not ubiquitous, and Wi-Fi 6 offers comparable speeds in many areas. However, if you live in an area with widespread 5G coverage and prioritize future-proofing, these phones may not be the best choice.
❓ What is the software situation like for the Huawei P30 Pro New Edition, given the ongoing restrictions?
The Huawei P30 Pro New Edition originally launched with EMUI based on Android, but its access to Google Mobile Services (GMS) is limited. While Huawei has been developing its HarmonyOS, compatibility and app availability remain concerns for some users. Updates may also be less frequent compared to devices with full GMS support.