The Xiaomi Redmi K20 and Honor 20 Pro represent a fascinating intersection of value and performance. Released around the same time, both aimed to deliver flagship-like experiences without the flagship price tag. However, they took different approaches – the Redmi K20 focused on a balanced package, while the Honor 20 Pro leaned into camera capabilities and a more powerful chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right phone for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing overall performance and future-proofing, the Honor 20 Pro emerges as the stronger contender. Its Kirin 980 chipset, built on a 7nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Redmi K20’s Snapdragon 730, despite the latter’s efficiency. However, the Redmi K20 remains a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, May. Released 2019, June | 2019, May. Released 2019, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 156.7 x 74.3 x 8.8 mm (6.17 x 2.93 x 0.35 in) | 154.6 x 74 x 8.4 mm (6.09 x 2.91 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~412 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.26 inches, 96.2 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, HDR | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730 (8 nm) | Kirin 980 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G76 MP10 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, MIUI 12 | Android 9.0 (Pie), Magic 2.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.4, 28mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), 1/4.4", PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1"
2 MP (macro) |
| Triple | 48 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 | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | Motorized pop-up 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio
| 32-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE |
| NFC | Yes (China only) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 22.5W wired, 50% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Carbon black, Red flame, Glacier blue, Pearl White | Phantom Blue, Phantom Black, Icelandic Illusion |
| Models | M1903F10I | YAL-AL10, YAL-L41 |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 470 EUR |
| SAR | 1.07 W/kg (head) 0.72 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -92.9dB / Crosstalk -46.8dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 104h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 68dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 87dB |
Xiaomi Redmi K20
- Excellent value for money
- Good overall battery life
- Reliable performance for everyday tasks
- Less powerful chipset compared to the Honor 20 Pro
- Slower charging speed
Honor 20 Pro
- More powerful Kirin 980 chipset
- Faster 22.5W charging
- Potentially better camera performance
- May be slightly more expensive than the Redmi K20
- Similar battery endurance to the Redmi K20 despite faster charging
Display Comparison
The Honor 20 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 507 nits and a 1222:1 contrast ratio, suggesting a more vibrant and visible display in bright conditions compared to the Redmi K20, for which display specs are not provided. While the Redmi K20’s display quality is likely adequate, the Honor 20 Pro’s higher contrast ratio indicates deeper blacks and a more immersive viewing experience. The absence of detailed display information for the Redmi K20 makes a definitive comparison challenging, but the Honor 20 Pro clearly has the edge based on available data.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature capable camera systems, but detailed sensor information is limited. The Honor 20 Pro’s emphasis on ‘Photo / Video’ suggests a stronger focus on camera capabilities. While both likely offer versatile shooting modes, the Kirin 980’s integrated ISP (Image Signal Processor) is generally considered more advanced, potentially leading to better image processing and low-light performance. Without specific sensor size or aperture details for either device, it’s difficult to make a precise comparison, but the Honor 20 Pro’s chipset suggests a slight advantage in image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Honor 20 Pro utilizes the Kirin 980 (7nm) with its octa-core configuration (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55), while the Redmi K20 features the Snapdragon 730 (8nm) with its octa-core setup (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver). The Kirin 980, built on a smaller 7nm node, generally offers superior CPU and GPU performance. The Cortex-A76 cores in the Kirin 980 are more powerful than the Kryo 470 Gold cores in the Snapdragon 730, translating to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking. While the Snapdragon 730 is efficient, the Kirin 980 provides a more substantial performance boost for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing.
Battery Life
Both the Redmi K20 and Honor 20 Pro achieve an impressive endurance rating of 104 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the Honor 20 Pro offers significantly faster charging at 22.5W, capable of reaching 50% charge in just 30 minutes, while the Redmi K20 is limited to 18W wired charging. This faster charging speed is a significant convenience factor for users who need to quickly top up their battery. While both phones provide all-day battery life, the Honor 20 Pro’s charging speed gives it a practical advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi K20 if you need a reliable daily driver with good battery life and are primarily focused on everyday tasks and casual gaming. It’s the ideal choice for users who prioritize value and don’t demand the absolute highest performance. Buy the Honor 20 Pro if you prefer a more powerful processor for demanding applications, enjoy mobile photography, and appreciate faster charging speeds. This phone caters to users who want a near-flagship experience without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Kirin 980 prone to overheating under sustained load, like during extended gaming sessions?
While the Kirin 980 was a flagship-level chip, it did receive some criticism for thermal throttling under prolonged heavy use. However, the Honor 20 Pro’s cooling system was generally adequate for most gaming scenarios. It’s unlikely to experience severe overheating, but performance may dip slightly after extended periods of intense gaming.
❓ Does the Redmi K20 support high refresh rate gaming, such as 90fps in PUBG Mobile?
The Redmi K20’s display specifications are not detailed enough to confirm native 90Hz support. However, even if the display itself doesn’t support it, the Snapdragon 730 is capable of rendering games at higher frame rates. Whether PUBG Mobile will actually *run* at 90fps depends on the game’s settings and optimization, but the chipset isn’t the primary bottleneck.
❓ How does the camera performance of the Honor 20 Pro compare in low-light conditions?
The Honor 20 Pro’s Kirin 980 chipset features a more advanced ISP, which generally translates to better noise reduction and detail preservation in low-light photos. Expect cleaner images with more accurate colors compared to the Redmi K20, although the final result will also depend on software processing.
