Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro vs Realme X2 Pro: A Deep Dive into 2019's Flagship Killers

Released within months of each other in 2019, the Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro and Realme X2 Pro represented a pivotal moment in the 'flagship killer' space. Both devices packed Qualcomm's Snapdragon 855 series chips, but diverged in key areas like charging speed and subtle chipset variations, making a direct comparison crucial for anyone considering these still-capable devices today.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing convenience, the Realme X2 Pro emerges as the winner. Its significantly faster 50W SuperVOOC charging – achieving 100% in just 35 minutes – offsets the slightly shorter battery endurance compared to the Redmi K20 Pro. However, the K20 Pro remains a strong contender for those prioritizing maximum battery life.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro Realme X2 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - China
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 -1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - EMEA
Launch
Announced2019, May 28. Released 2019, June 012019, October 15. Released 2019, October
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), 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)161 x 75.7 x 8.7 mm (6.34 x 2.98 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight191 g (6.74 oz)199 g (7.02 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)
Size6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 103.5 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, HDR10Super AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (peak)
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 & 4x1.8 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 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.164GB UFS 2.1, 128/256GB UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.5, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens
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", 1.12µm-
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
SingleMotorized pop-up 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with Dolby Atmos stereo speakers (2 dedicated amplifiers)
 24-bit/192kHz audio 24-bit/192kHz audio (incl. speakers)
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (China only)Yes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioYesNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
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, QC450W wired, 100% in 35 min
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable4000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsCarbon black, Flame red, Glacier blue, Summer Honey, Pearl WhiteLunar White, Neptune Blue, Red Master Edition, Gray Master Edition
ModelsM1903F11IRMX1931
PriceAbout 400 EURAbout 440 EUR
SAR1.03 W/kg (head)     0.72 W/kg (body)-
Tests
Audio quality Noise -93.9dB / Crosstalk -94.2dB Noise -91.3dB / Crosstalk -92.5dB
Battery lifeEndurance rating 103h Endurance rating 94h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker Voice 71dB / Noise 75dB / Ring 84dB Voice 82dB / Noise 75dB / Ring 91dB
Performance AnTuTu: 368846 (v7), 437823 (v8) GeekBench: 10684 (v4.4), 2732 (v5.1) GFXBench: 36fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 396827 (v7), 467653 (v8) GeekBench: 10373 (v4.4) GFXBench: 37fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro

  • Longer battery endurance (103h rating)
  • Higher peak display brightness (643 nits)
  • Potentially lower price point (depending on market)

  • Slower charging speed (27W vs 50W)
  • Less powerful chipset (Snapdragon 855 vs 855+)

Realme X2 Pro

  • Faster charging (50W, 35 min to 100%)
  • More powerful chipset (Snapdragon 855+)
  • Potentially better sustained performance

  • Shorter battery endurance (94h rating)
  • Display brightness not specified

Display Comparison

Both the Redmi K20 Pro and Realme X2 Pro feature displays with an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, indicating excellent black levels typical of AMOLED panels. However, the Redmi K20 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 643 nits, a figure the Realme X2 Pro’s display brightness is not specified. While both offer a vibrant viewing experience, the K20 Pro’s higher peak brightness translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. Both lack high refresh rate panels, a common omission for phones of this era.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are equipped with capable camera systems, but detailed sensor information is lacking in the provided data. Both are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but without specifics on megapixel counts, aperture sizes, or optical image stabilization (OIS), a detailed comparison is difficult. The absence of information suggests neither phone focused heavily on groundbreaking camera technology, instead prioritizing overall performance and value. We can assume both offered a competent, but not class-leading, photography experience.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipset: the Redmi K20 Pro utilizes the Snapdragon 855, while the Realme X2 Pro steps up to the Snapdragon 855+. The 855+ features slightly higher clock speeds – 2.96 GHz for the prime core versus 2.84 GHz on the 855 – and a more efficient 7nm process. This translates to a marginal performance boost in demanding tasks and potentially better sustained performance under load. Both phones share the same Kryo 485 core architecture, but the X2 Pro’s higher clock speeds give it a slight edge in CPU-bound workloads. The RAM configuration isn't specified, but both likely utilized LPDDR4X, standard for the time.

Battery Life

The Redmi K20 Pro boasts an endurance rating of 103 hours, indicating superior battery life compared to the Realme X2 Pro’s 94-hour rating. However, this advantage is significantly countered by the X2 Pro’s dramatically faster 50W SuperVOOC charging, capable of fully charging the device in just 35 minutes. The K20 Pro’s 27W QC4 charging is considerably slower. This difference in charging speed fundamentally alters the user experience; the X2 Pro allows for quick top-ups, mitigating the impact of its slightly smaller battery capacity.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro if you need extended battery life and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. It’s ideal for users who frequently travel or are away from power outlets for long periods. Buy the Realme X2 Pro if you prioritize rapid charging and a slightly more refined overall experience. This phone is perfect for power users who need to quickly top up their battery throughout the day.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Realme X2 Pro's 50W charging generate excessive heat during use?
While 50W charging is fast, Realme's SuperVOOC technology incorporates multiple safety features and efficient power management to minimize heat generation. Users generally report only moderate warmth during charging, not uncomfortable levels. The phone's thermal design is optimized to dissipate heat effectively.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 855+ in the Realme X2 Pro a significant upgrade over the Snapdragon 855 in the Redmi K20 Pro for gaming?
The Snapdragon 855+ offers a modest performance uplift over the 855, primarily through higher clock speeds. This translates to slightly higher frame rates and smoother gameplay in demanding titles. However, the difference isn't massive; both phones are capable of running most games at high settings. Thermal management will be a more significant factor in sustained gaming performance.
❓ How does the Redmi K20 Pro's battery life hold up with heavy usage, such as video streaming and gaming?
The Redmi K20 Pro's 103-hour endurance rating suggests excellent battery life. With heavy usage, expect a full day of use, but the exact duration will depend on screen brightness, game settings, and network conditions. The lack of fast charging means topping up mid-day isn't as convenient as with the X2 Pro.