Both the Honor 8A 2020 and the Honor Play 8A are budget-friendly smartphones aiming to deliver value for money. But with similar specs, which one truly comes out on top? This comprehensive comparison will delve into their features, performance, and overall user experience to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor 8A 2020 and Play 8A are remarkably similar, sharing the same chipset and CPU. The 8A 2020 often edges out slightly due to potentially better software support and minor design refinements. Ultimately, the best choice depends on price and availability in your region.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 10. Released 2020, April 15 | 2019, January. Released 2019, January |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 156.3 x 73.5 x 8.2 mm (6.15 x 2.89 x 0.32 in) | 156.3 x 73.5 x 8 mm (6.15 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 150 g (5.29 oz) | 150 g (5.29 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.09 inches, 91.0 cm2 (~79.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.09 inches, 91.0 cm2 (~79.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9 | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.8, PDAF | 13 MP, f/1.8, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Po 3020 mAh | Li-Po 3020 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Black, Blue, Gold, Red |
| Models | - | JAT-L09, JAT-L29, JAT-AL00, JAT-TL00 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 100 EUR |
Honor 8A 2020
- Potentially newer software updates
- Slightly refined design
- Decent battery life
- Good value for money
- Performance limited by chipset
- Slow charging speeds
- Average camera quality
Honor Play 8A
- Very affordable
- Decent battery life
- Good for basic tasks
- Large display
- Potentially older software
- Performance limited by chipset
- Slow charging speeds
- Average camera quality
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels (HD+). While the panels are similar in quality, the 8A 2020 might offer slightly better color accuracy or brightness due to potential software optimizations. Viewing angles and overall clarity are comparable.
Camera Comparison
The Honor 8A 2020 typically features a 13MP main camera with an AI scene detection and a depth sensor. The Honor Play 8A also has a 13MP main camera. Image quality is generally similar, with decent performance in well-lit conditions. Low-light photography is where both phones struggle. Front-facing cameras are likely 8MP on both.
Performance
Powered by the Mediatek Helio P35 chipset and an Octa-core CPU, both devices offer adequate performance for everyday tasks. Don't expect blazing-fast speeds or demanding gaming capabilities. Multitasking is manageable, but resource-intensive apps may experience lag. The 8A 2020's software might offer slightly better memory management.
Battery Life
Both phones are equipped with a 5000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life for moderate users. Expect around 10-12 hours of usage on a single charge. Charging speeds are likely to be standard (5W-10W), so charging times will be relatively long.
Buying Guide
The Honor 8A 2020 is ideal for users prioritizing slightly newer software and a potentially more refined design. The Honor Play 8A is a great option for those seeking the absolute lowest price point and don't mind potentially older software. Both are suitable for basic tasks, social media, and casual photography.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones 5G compatible?
No, neither the Honor 8A 2020 nor the Honor Play 8A support 5G connectivity. They are both 4G LTE devices.
❓ What is the storage capacity of these phones?
Both phones typically come with 64GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD card.
