Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro vs OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren: A Deep Dive Comparison

Released within months of each other in 2019, the Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro and the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren represent peak Snapdragon 855-series performance. While both aimed for the flagship space, they approached it with different philosophies – the K20 Pro prioritizing value and the 7T Pro 5G McLaren leaning into a more premium, 5G-enabled experience. This comparison revisits these devices to determine which holds up better today.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user in 2024, the Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro emerges as the stronger recommendation. Its impressive 103-hour endurance rating, coupled with a comparable Snapdragon 855 processor, delivers excellent performance and longevity at a significantly lower price point than the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71
5G bands-71 SA
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA 800 / 1900 & TD-SCDMA
Launch
Announced2019, May 28. Released 2019, June 012019, October 23. Released 2019, November 05
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions156.7 x 74.3 x 8.8 mm (6.17 x 2.93 x 0.35 in)162.6 x 75.9 x 8.8 mm (6.40 x 2.99 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight191 g (6.74 oz)206 g (7.27 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~516 ppi density)
Size6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 108.8 cm2 (~88.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, HDR10Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 640Adreno 640 (700 MHz)
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, MIUI 12Android 10, OxygenOS 10.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
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", 1.12µm48 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), AF
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
SingleMotorized pop-up 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µmMotorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio -
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYes (China only)Yes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioYesNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
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, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging27W wired, QC430W wired
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4085 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsCarbon black, Flame red, Glacier blue, Summer Honey, Pearl WhitePapaya Orange
ModelsM1903F11IHD1925
PriceAbout 400 EURAbout 800 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

  • Exceptional 103-hour battery life
  • Excellent value for money
  • Capable Snapdragon 855 performance

  • Lacks 5G connectivity
  • Charging speed is slower than the competition

OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren

  • Faster Snapdragon 855+ processor
  • 30W fast charging
  • 5G connectivity

  • Likely shorter battery life
  • Higher price point

Display Comparison

Both devices feature displays designed for immersive content consumption, but key differences exist. The Redmi K20 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 643 nits, a respectable figure for outdoor visibility. While the 7T Pro 5G McLaren’s display specs aren’t provided, OnePlus historically prioritized color accuracy and smoothness. The K20 Pro’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a typical AMOLED panel, delivering deep blacks. The absence of refresh rate data for both devices means neither can compete with modern 120Hz+ displays, but they were competitive for their time.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are equipped with capable camera systems, but detailed specifications are limited. Both are described as having Photo/Video capabilities. Without sensor size or aperture data, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given OnePlus’s history, the 7T Pro 5G McLaren likely emphasizes computational photography and image processing for a more polished, albeit potentially less natural, look. The Redmi K20 Pro, typical of Xiaomi, may offer more manual control and a wider range of shooting modes. The lack of information regarding OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is a significant omission, impacting low-light performance and video stabilization.

Performance

The core of both phones is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 platform, but the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren utilizes the slightly enhanced Snapdragon 855+ variant. This translates to a marginal CPU clock speed increase – 2.96 GHz on the 7T Pro 5G McLaren versus 2.84 GHz on the K20 Pro. While this difference is measurable in benchmarks, real-world performance gains will be subtle for most users. Both phones share the same Kryo 485 core configuration (1x2.84/2.96 GHz, 3x2.42 GHz, 4x1.78 GHz). The 7T Pro 5G McLaren’s inclusion of 5G connectivity adds a layer of future-proofing, but its relevance depends on 5G availability in the user’s region.

Battery Life

Battery life is a key differentiator. The Redmi K20 Pro achieves an impressive endurance rating of 103 hours, indicating excellent efficiency. The OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren’s battery capacity isn’t specified, but its 30W wired charging is faster than the K20 Pro’s 27W QC4 charging. This means the 7T Pro 5G McLaren can replenish its battery more quickly, but the K20 Pro’s superior endurance means it requires charging less frequently. The 3W difference in charging speed is unlikely to be a major factor for most users, given the K20 Pro’s longer runtimes.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro if you prioritize exceptional battery life and value for money, and don't require 5G connectivity. It's ideal for users who heavily consume media, game casually, and want a reliable daily driver. Buy the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren if you specifically need 5G support and are willing to pay a premium for slightly faster processing speeds and potentially better software support (though this is diminishing with age).

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Redmi K20 Pro still a good gaming phone in 2024?
Yes, the Snapdragon 855 is still capable of handling most mobile games at medium to high settings. While it won't match the performance of newer chipsets, the K20 Pro's thermal management and battery life make it a viable option for casual to moderate gaming.
❓ Does the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren's 5G connectivity still matter?
The value of 5G connectivity depends entirely on your location and carrier support. If you live in an area with widespread 5G coverage and a compatible plan, it offers faster download and upload speeds. However, if 5G is unavailable or limited, the feature is largely irrelevant.
❓ Which phone is likely to receive more software updates in 2024?
Neither phone is likely to receive significant software updates at this point. Both were released in 2019 and have likely reached the end of their official support cycles. Community-driven custom ROMs may be available for both devices.