Honor 30i vs Honor 30 Pro: A Detailed Comparison

The Honor 30 series offered a range of devices catering to different budgets and needs. Two popular options were the Honor 30i, a more affordable choice, and the Honor 30 Pro, a premium offering. But which one is right for you? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Honor 30 Pro is the clear winner, boasting a significantly faster processor, superior camera system, and much quicker charging. However, the Honor 30i remains a viable option for budget-conscious users prioritizing affordability over top-tier performance.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor 30i Honor 30 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands-1, 3, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA-
Launch
Announced2020, September 11. Released 2020, September 122020, April 15. Released 2020, April 21
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions157.2 x 73.2 x 7.7 mm (6.19 x 2.88 x 0.30 in)160.3 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm (6.31 x 2.90 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight171.5 g (6.07 oz)186 g (6.56 oz)
 -IP54, dust and water resistant
Display
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~418 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~392 ppi density)
Size6.3 inches, 95.8 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.57 inches, 106.0 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 600 nits (typ)OLED
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetKirin 710F (12 nm)Kirin 990 5G (7 nm+)
GPUMali-G51 MP4Mali-G76 MP16
OSAndroid 10, Magic UI 2.1Android 10, Magic UI 3, no Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 4GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, LED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad-40 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/1.7", PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (Periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 16 MP, f/2.2, 18mm (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens-
Video1080p@30fps4K@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)
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm-
Video1080p@30fps4K, 1080p; gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging10W wired40W wired 5W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAhLi-Po 4000 mAh
Misc
ColorsUltraviolet Sunset, Turquoise, Midnight BlackTitanium silver, Emerald Green, Midnight Black, Icelandic Frost, Neon purple
ModelsLRA-LX1EBG-AN00
PriceAbout 200 EURAbout 670 EUR

Honor 30i

  • Affordable
  • Decent battery life
  • Good for basic tasks

  • Slow charging
  • Underpowered chipset
  • Mediocre camera

Honor 30 Pro

  • Powerful processor
  • Excellent camera
  • Fast charging (40W)
  • Premium display

  • More expensive
  • Potentially larger size/weight

Display Comparison

The Honor 30 Pro typically features a higher resolution display (likely FHD+ or higher) with a potentially higher refresh rate (e.g., 60Hz or 90Hz) compared to the Honor 30i's likely FHD+ display. The Pro often has better color accuracy and brightness. The 30i's display is adequate but lacks the premium feel of the Pro.

Camera Comparison

The Honor 30 Pro's camera system is considerably more advanced, likely featuring a higher resolution main sensor, improved image processing, and potentially telephoto and ultrawide lenses. Expect better low-light performance and overall image quality. The 30i's camera is decent for casual snapshots but lacks the Pro's capabilities.

Performance

This is where the Honor 30 Pro shines. The Kirin 990 5G chipset is a substantial upgrade over the Kirin 710F. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Pro. The 30i can handle everyday tasks, but struggles with demanding applications.

Battery Life

While both phones likely have similar battery capacities (around 4000mAh), the Honor 30 Pro's 40W fast charging is a game-changer compared to the 30i's 10W charging. The Pro will charge much faster, while the 30i will take considerably longer.

Buying Guide

The Honor 30i is ideal for users on a tight budget who primarily need a phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and social media. The Honor 30 Pro is perfect for power users, photographers, and gamers who demand high performance, a great camera, and fast charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Honor 30 Pro 5G compatible?
Yes, the Honor 30 Pro supports 5G connectivity thanks to its Kirin 990 5G chipset.
❓ How much RAM does the Honor 30i typically have?
The Honor 30i usually comes with 4GB or 6GB of RAM.
❓ What is the difference between the Kirin 710F and Kirin 990 5G?
The Kirin 990 5G is a significantly more powerful and modern chipset with better performance, efficiency, and 5G capabilities compared to the older Kirin 710F.