Honor 10 vs Huawei P20 – one stuffing, different price

Having one owner and two brands is not an uncommon phenomenon in the technology market, and it actually serves a purpose. The idea behind this approach is to capture a larger portion of the market. What is interesting is that devices from the main brand and its sub-brand are typically tailored to different price segments. However, in the case of Huawei, there are instances where the "cheap" Honor devices are just as good, if not better, than the "expensive" Huawei devices. The comparison between the Honor 10 and Huawei P20 is a perfect example of this.

Features

Before comparing the Honor 10 and Huawei P20 smartphones, it is important to acknowledge that the Honor 10 is considered a flagship device for the Honor brand, while the Huawei P20 is a simplified version of their flagship model, but not the weakest option available. One key distinction between the P20 and the Huawei P20 Pro is that the former has two main cameras instead of three, lacks IP67 protection, and only has a single stereo speaker. In terms of specifications, the Huawei P20 still offers impressive performance, though its price tag of 45,000 rubles is not surprising. On the other hand, the Honor 10 can be purchased for 27,000 rubles, making the price difference quite significant.

A description of the Honor 10 smartphone and its features is presented in the table below.

The Honor 10 has some intriguing features that are worth noting. Upon closer inspection, the devices appear nearly indistinguishable, with only minor variations in size and weight. The main distinction lies in the cameras. Unlike the P20, the Honor 10 lacks an infrared port and the capability to expand memory. This last point is of little concern since the Huawei P20 is exclusively available with 128 gigabytes of storage. It’s highly unlikely that anyone would feel compelled to increase the memory further.

The Huawei P20 smartphone is known for its sleek and stylish design.

Unique Design

When it comes to appearance, the Huawei P20 sets itself apart from its competitors. Unlike other models released during the same time period, such as the Honor 10 or Huawei P20 Lite, the P20 has a distinct and unique look. The front panel of the P20 is minimalistic and sleek, with all elements neatly arranged in a small area to maximize the usable display space. This design feature, known as FullView, sets the P20 apart from other models.

Smartphone Huawei P20 Lite

In the P20, despite its small size, the speaker produces a loud and bassy sound, creating a pleasant audio experience. The Honor 10, on the other hand, has slightly poorer sound quality but still performs at a decent level. The fingerprint scanner on both devices is touch-sensitive and elongated, located under the screen. Visually, they appear the same, but the P20 is also water-resistant, making it suitable for use with wet hands.

Important! Another noteworthy feature of Huawei is the presence of a face scanner. It has faster performance compared to the iPhone X, although it may struggle in low-light conditions.

To spot the differences between the phones, you need to turn them over. Firstly, the cameras have different orientations, with the P20 having a vertical position while the Honor 10 is horizontally aligned. Furthermore, the P20 includes laser focus, which the Honor 10 lacks. In terms of design, both models feature a glass body, but the Honor 10 utilizes nanotechnology for a shimmer effect, while the P20 has a matte finish. Despite not having the same level of brightness and beauty as its counterpart, the P20 still looks aesthetically pleasing. The Honor 10 offers a comfortable grip that prevents slipping, making it unnecessary to use a case. The glare of the color compensates for small scratches and scuffs. In contrast, the P20 lacks this level of protection and can easily be scratched, so it is advisable to purchase a case. Using a case also helps to improve the grip of the device. The Honor 10 comes in gray, black, green, and blue color options, while the P20 offers more versatility with blue for boys, pink for girls, and black for both genders. The final difference lies in the shape of the cases, with Huawei having a flatter design and Honor 10 being slightly curved, especially along the edges.

Summary. Overall, there is no clear winner in the design battle between the Honor 10 and Huawei P20, but when it comes to performance and security, the Honor 10 takes the lead. Both models have their own unique visual appeal.

Display, processor and battery life

Comparing the matrices of the models is pointless since they are exactly the same. The only slight difference is in size, with the Honor 10 being slightly larger by a fraction of millimeters. The quality and settings are identical, making it impossible to determine which phone is better in this aspect. However, considering the price difference between the P20 and the Honor 10, one might wonder why the devices with a price tag of 45 thousand rubles and 27 thousand rubles respectively have the same matrix. Perhaps Huawei simply doesn’t have a better option available and uses what they have. The battery in both devices is also identical. The figures for battery life show the same results:

• 20-24 hours of active usage with an average screen brightness of 5 hours;
• 5 hours for gaming;
• 9 hours for watching movies.

It’s worth noting that the main distinction between these models lies in their fast charging capabilities. While the Honor 10 boasts fast charging, which can charge up to 50% in just 30 minutes, the Huawei P20 takes it a step further with super fast charging, allowing for a 65% charge in the same amount of time. It’s also interesting to mention that the P20 can reach a full charge of 100% in 80 minutes, while the Honor 10 achieves the same feat in just 70 minutes.

The performance of the devices is delivered by the Kirin 970 processor, which boasts 8 cores and is specifically optimized for artificial intelligence (AI) tasks. Huawei describes it as neuromorphic, meaning it is capable of learning and possesses advanced intelligence. Although a new addition to the company’s lineup, the processor has already been used in several devices and has proven to perform well. Additionally, the Kirin 970 is paired with a twelve-core graphics chip that is capable of handling any task, whether it be gaming, web browsing, or shooting videos in 4K.

In conclusion, both devices demonstrate fast and high-quality performance. They remain cool during regular usage, but there have been reports of the case heating up to 44 degrees when recording extensive high-resolution videos, a fact that is often mentioned in reviews. Such reports are backed up by user feedback.

Camera

When it comes to determining which is superior – Huawei P20 or Honor 10, the ultimate factor lies in the camera. Although the specs of the Honor 10 may seem more remarkable, in reality, the P20 still outshines it in terms of camera performance. This can be attributed to the use of a Sony sensor and renowned Leica optics, as indicated by the caption accompanying the flash. It is these top-notch components that contribute to the higher price and superior camera capabilities of the P20.

Comparing the camera of Huawei P20 and Honor 10, it can be noticed that the P20 captures sharper images with a better dynamic range. Additionally, it produces photos with less noise and artifacts. When it comes to night photography, the P20 outshines the Honor 10 once again. While the P20 accurately renders colors, it does have a slight issue with noise. On the other hand, the Honor 10 seems to struggle with both sharpness and noise, which could be attributed to the absence of laser focus.

Here’s an example photo taken with the Huawei P20.

Honor 10 photo by example

Speaking of front cameras, both devices perform exceptionally well. They deliver high-quality selfies and videos. Both devices are capable of shooting HD videos with the front camera, while the main camera can capture in 4K. Interestingly, the P20’s shooting mode creates an HDR-like effect.

Here is a sample photo taken with the front camera of the Huawei P20.

Example photo taken with the front camera of Honor 10

In conclusion, the Huawei P20 has a superior camera. So why does the Honor 10, which has better specs, take worse photos? It’s most likely due to the subpar performance of the artificial intelligence system.

During the device’s presentation, a lot of attention was given to this aspect, with promises that it would greatly enhance photo shooting. However, as we can see, the actual implementation falls short of the lofty words. Nevertheless, given Huawei’s track record, we can be confident that they will refine the technology over time, and future models, such as the Honor View 10 from the V series, will showcase AI functionality at an even higher level.

Conclusion

So, the Honor 10 and Huawei P20 are nearly identical devices with a significant discrepancy in price. The sole advantage that Huawei possesses is its powerful camera. The question of whether it is worth shelling out nearly 20 thousand rubles for this feature is up for debate.

To recapitulate everything mentioned above, the Honor 10 is a more intriguing device for buyers, as it offers everything the same as the P20, but at a lower cost.

TIP! For those individuals who prioritize purchasing a device with an exceptionally impressive camera, it would be advisable to explore options from other brands. Within the price range of up to 30 thousand, there are models that would provide a more interesting experience in this aspect.