The PAX A920Pro has long been a go-to Android smart terminal, and for good reason: it packs a full payment acceptance suite, a barcode scanner, and a built-in printer into a handheld device. Now PAX has introduced the PAX A920Pro DUO, a substantially updated version built to the newer PCI PTS 7.x security standard. Along with the certification bump, the DUO adds a second customer-facing screen, Android 14, and an octa-core 2.0GHz processor.
Payment device security certifications advance over time, and new hardware is certified against the current version — the core reason the DUO exists. But the upgrade goes well beyond the certificate. This comparison is for ISOs, merchant services providers, and resellers deciding what to stock, as well as merchants choosing between the two devices.
A920Pro vs A920Pro DUO: The Quick Verdict
The A920Pro DUO is the clear choice for new deployments: you get PCI PTS 7.x with SRED certification, dual screens, Android 14, and an octa-core processor for $102 more than the classic model. The original PAX A920 Pro at $450 still makes sense for cost-sensitive rollouts, replacements within an existing A920Pro fleet, or software stacks not yet certified on the newer platform. For a fleet you expect to run for years, the DUO's current-generation certification is the safer bet.
PAX A920Pro vs A920Pro DUO: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | PAX A920Pro (PCI 5) | PAX A920Pro DUO (PCI 7) |
|---|---|---|
| Display(s) | 5.5" capacitive touchscreen, single screen | Dual screens: 6.5" HD+ main display + 1.99" customer-facing display |
| Operating system | Android 8.1 | Android 14 with PAXBiz layer |
| Processor | Cortex A53 | Octa-core 2.0GHz (dual-core Cortex A75 + six-core Cortex A55) |
| Memory / storage | Double memory configuration | 32GB eMMC Flash + 2GB DDR RAM |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE, WiFi, Bluetooth | 4G, dual-band Wi-Fi (incl. 5GHz), Bluetooth 5.0, GPS |
| Payment acceptance | EMV chip & PIN, NFC contactless, magstripe, mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay), PIN on glass | EMV chip, NFC contactless + mobile wallets, magstripe, QR-based transactions |
| Scanner / cameras | 5MP auto-focus rear camera with infrared barcode scanner; quick-scan side button | Front camera, rear camera, and dedicated scanner camera; integrated top-side scanner with dedicated scan button |
| Printer | Fast built-in printer | Integrated thermal printer, 80mm/s |
| Battery | 5,150mAh | 5,150mAh; magnetic charging system; optional charging bases |
| Security certification | PCI PTS 5.x SRED | PCI PTS 7.x with SRED |
| Price at All-Star Terminals | $450 | $552 |
Dual Screens: What the 1.99" Customer Display Changes
The biggest visible difference — and the reason for the DUO name — is the second screen. The classic A920Pro has a single 5.5" touchscreen that the merchant flips around whenever the customer needs to confirm anything. The DUO pairs a larger 6.5" HD+ main display with a dedicated 1.99" customer-facing display.
That small second screen does real work at the counter. Customers see transaction confirmations without the merchant turning the terminal around, which keeps checkout moving. It is also a branding surface, showing logos and promotional content alongside confirmations. For ISOs pitching against countertop terminals with customer displays, this closes a genuine gap in the handheld form factor.
Android 14 and Octa-Core Performance
The classic A920Pro runs Android 8.1 on a Cortex A53 processor. The DUO jumps to Android 14 with PAX's PAXBiz layer, running on an octa-core 2.0GHz chipset that combines a dual-core Cortex A75 with a six-core Cortex A55, backed by 32GB of eMMC Flash storage and 2GB of DDR RAM.
This matters in two ways. First, performance: a modern octa-core processor handles heavier payment applications, loyalty integrations, and multi-app environments far more comfortably than the older Cortex A53 platform. Second, software longevity: developers build against current Android versions, and Android 14 gives your software stack far more runway than Android 8.1. The DUO also supports PAXSTORE integration for remote app management and device monitoring — a meaningful operational advantage for anyone managing terminals across many locations. Connectivity gets a matching refresh: dual-band Wi-Fi including 5GHz, Bluetooth 5.0, and GPS alongside 4G.
PAX A920Pro PCI 7: Why the Certification Version Matters
PCI PTS is the PCI Security Standards Council's certification program for PIN-entry payment devices. Each version raises the bar on physical and logical security requirements, and every terminal is approved against a specific version — the classic A920Pro against PCI PTS 5.x with SRED, the DUO against PCI PTS 7.x with SRED.
Why care about the version number? Because PCI PTS approvals have lifecycles. PTS POI v5 device approvals were originally set to expire on 30 April 2026, but in a September 2025 bulletin the PCI Security Standards Council extended that expiry to 30 April 2027, citing industry-wide deployment and supply chain challenges. The extension covers only models already approved under v5 — no new models are being approved to that version — and the Council strongly encourages migration to newer-generation devices. So the classic A920Pro remains PCI-approved through 30 April 2027 — but the runway is finite, and processors and acquirers set their own boarding policies as approvals age. Buying PCI PTS 7.x hardware today protects the lifespan of that investment; if you are planning a large classic-model order, confirm deployment timelines with your processor first.
Should You Upgrade to the A920Pro DUO?
For individual merchants: if your current A920Pro is working and your processor supports it, there is no urgent need to swap hardware — its PCI PTS 5.x approval runs through 30 April 2027. But if you are buying your first smart terminal or replacing an aging one, the A920Pro DUO is the smarter purchase: the customer-facing display, newer octa-core processor, and current certification add real value for the $102 difference.
For ISOs, merchant services providers, and resellers: the calculus is fleet lifespan. New merchant placements should default to the PAX A920Pro DUO so deployments are built on PCI PTS 7.x from day one. The classic A920Pro at $450 remains practical for like-for-like replacements inside existing fleets, for software stacks certified only on the classic platform, or where per-unit cost decides. Many portfolios will carry both for a while — just be deliberate about which device anchors your new-merchant offering.
PAX A920Pro DUO FAQ
What is the difference between the A920Pro and A920Pro DUO?
The A920Pro DUO adds a second 1.99" customer-facing display alongside a larger 6.5" HD+ main screen, upgrades from Android 8.1 to Android 14 with PAXBiz, and moves from a Cortex A53 processor to an octa-core 2.0GHz chipset with 32GB of storage. It is also certified to PCI PTS 7.x with SRED, versus PCI PTS 5.x on the classic model. At All-Star Terminals, the classic sells for $450 and the DUO for $552.
Does the A920Pro DUO have two screens?
Yes. The DUO has a 6.5" HD+ main touchscreen for the merchant and a separate 1.99" customer-facing display that shows transaction confirmations, branding, and promotional content, so the merchant does not have to flip the terminal around.
What Android version does the A920Pro DUO run?
The A920Pro DUO runs Android 14 with PAX's PAXBiz layer — a major jump from the classic A920Pro, which runs Android 8.1, and a much more current platform for payment app developers to build on.
Is the A920Pro DUO PCI compliant?
Yes. The A920Pro DUO is certified to PCI PTS 7.x with SRED, the newest generation of the PCI Security Standards Council's device certification program. The classic A920Pro carries a PCI PTS 5.x SRED approval, which the Council has extended through 30 April 2027 for already-approved device models.
Get the A920Pro or A920Pro DUO at Wholesale Pricing
All-Star Terminals stocks both devices for ISOs, merchant services providers, and resellers: the classic PAX A920 Pro at $450 and the PAX A920Pro DUO at $552. Whether you are refreshing an existing fleet or standardizing new placements on PCI PTS 7.x hardware, our Dallas-based team can help you spec the right mix — browse the product pages or contact us for volume pricing.
