Honor 30 vs. Honor 30 Pro+: A Deep Dive into Honor's 2020 Flagships
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Honor 30 Pro+ is the superior choice. The Kirin 990 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost, and the addition of 27W wireless charging adds convenience. However, the Honor 30 remains a compelling option for budget-conscious users who prioritize 5G connectivity and a capable camera system.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Honor 30 | Honor 30 Pro+ |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - International | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - International | 1, 3, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 1, 3, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 15. Released 2020, April 21 | 2020, April 15. Released 2020, April 21 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 160.3 x 74.2 x 8.1 mm (6.31 x 2.92 x 0.32 in) | 160.3 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm (6.31 x 2.90 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| - | Water-repellent coating | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~86.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.57 inches, 106.0 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED | OLED, 90Hz |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.58 GHz Cortex-A76 & 3x2.40 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.84 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Kirin 985 5G (7 nm) | Kirin 990 5G (7 nm+) |
| GPU | Mali-G77 | Mali-G76 MP16 |
| OS | Android 10, Magic UI 3, no Google Play Services | Android 10, Magic UI 3, no Google Play Services |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| UFS | UFS | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Laser AF, LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 40 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/1.7", PDAF 8 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (Periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.4, 17mm (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (Periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 16 MP, f/2.2, 18mm (ultrawide), AF Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@960fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 1080p@1920fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) |
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | - |
| Video | 4K, 1080p; gyro-EIS | 4K, 1080p; gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.0, 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 40W wired 5W reverse wired | 40W wired 27W wireless 5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Titanium silver, Emerald Green, Midnight Black, Icelandic Frost, Neon purple | Titanium silver, Emerald Green, Midnight Black |
| Models | BMH-AN10, BMH-AN20 | EBG-AN10 |
| Price | About 1170 EUR | About 650 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 99h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -23.8 LUFS (Very good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 510031 (v8) GeekBench: 3191 (v5.1) GFXBench: 37fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Honor 30
- More affordable price point
- Capable 5G connectivity
- Solid overall performance for everyday tasks
- Less powerful chipset compared to the Pro+
- No wireless charging support
Honor 30 Pro+
- More powerful Kirin 990 chipset
- 27W wireless charging support
- Potentially superior camera performance
- Higher price tag
- Similar battery endurance to the standard model
Display Comparison
Both phones feature OLED displays, but the Honor 30 Pro+ boasts a measured peak brightness of 586 nits, suggesting a more vibrant and visible screen in direct sunlight. While both have an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for OLED), the Pro+’s higher brightness is a tangible advantage. Details regarding refresh rate and resolution are missing, but given the 2020 timeframe, both likely feature a 90Hz or 120Hz panel and FHD+ resolution. The absence of LTPO technology in either model suggests they won't have the variable refresh rate benefits of newer displays.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are marketed as having strong camera systems, but specifics are limited to 'Photo / Video'. The Honor 30 Pro+ likely benefits from a more advanced image signal processor (ISP) within the Kirin 990, leading to better dynamic range and noise reduction. Without sensor size or aperture details, it’s difficult to make definitive claims, but the 'Pro+' designation typically indicates a more sophisticated camera setup. The inclusion of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is probable on the main sensor of the Pro+, further enhancing image quality, especially in low light. The lack of detail regarding secondary cameras suggests they are likely standard offerings, and their impact on overall camera performance is minimal.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor 30 utilizes the Kirin 985 5G, while the Pro+ steps up to the Kirin 990 5G. The Kirin 990, built on a 7nm+ process, features a more powerful CPU configuration – two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.86 GHz versus the 3x 2.40 GHz Cortex-A76 cores in the 985. This translates to faster application loading and smoother multitasking. The GPU in the 990 also offers a performance edge, benefiting gamers. While both support 5G, the 990’s more advanced modem may offer slightly improved connectivity and efficiency. The RAM configuration is not specified, but both likely utilize LPDDR4X.
Battery Life
Both phones share a 99-hour endurance rating, indicating similar real-world battery life despite unspecified battery capacities. The Honor 30 Pro+ gains a significant advantage with the addition of 27W wireless charging, a feature absent on the standard 30. While both support 40W wired charging, the wireless charging capability of the Pro+ offers greater convenience. A full charge from 0-100% with the 40W wired charger is estimated to take around 60-70 minutes for both devices, but the Pro+ offers the flexibility of topping up wirelessly.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor 30 if you need a solid 5G experience at a more affordable price point and are willing to compromise on peak performance and wireless charging. It’s ideal for everyday users and casual gamers. Buy the Honor 30 Pro+ if you prioritize raw processing power for demanding tasks like video editing or gaming, and value the convenience of wireless charging alongside a potentially more refined camera experience.