Looking for a budget-friendly smartphone that doesn't completely compromise on features? The Honor Play 20 and Honor 8X Max are both contenders, offering large displays and decent specs at affordable prices. But which one truly comes out on top?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor 8X Max generally wins due to its superior Snapdragon 660 chipset, faster charging (including reverse charging), and slightly better overall performance. While the Play 20 is a solid budget option, the 8X Max offers a more refined experience for the price.
| 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 | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1x | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 26 | 2018, September. Released 2018, September |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 01 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 177.6 x 86.3 x 8.1 mm (6.99 x 3.40 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 210 g (7.41 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2244 pixels, 18.7:9 ratio (~350 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 7.12 inches, 127.8 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x1.95 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T610 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP2 | Adreno 512 |
| OS | Android 10, Magic UI 4.0, no Google Play Services | Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9 (Pie), EMUI 9 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 16 MP, f/2.0, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired
5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Blue, Silver/Pink | Black, Blue, Red |
| Models | KOZ-AL00 | ARE-AL00, ARE-L22HN, ARE-AL10 |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 250 EUR |
Honor Play 20
- Large Display
- Affordable Price
- Decent Battery Life
- Weak Processor
- Slow Charging
- Basic Camera
Honor 8X Max
- Powerful Snapdragon 660
- Fast Charging (18W)
- Reverse Charging
- Large Display
- Slightly Higher Price
- Older Design
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays – the Play 20 with a 6.5-inch screen and the 8X Max with a 6.8-inch display. While both are LCD panels, the 8X Max's larger size might be preferable for media consumption. Resolution is likely similar, around 1080 x 2340, offering decent sharpness.
Camera Comparison
The Honor 8X Max likely has a more versatile camera system, potentially including a dedicated depth sensor. While specific megapixel counts are needed for a definitive comparison, the Snapdragon 660's image signal processor (ISP) generally provides better image processing than the Unisoc T610. Both likely offer a standard triple camera setup.
Performance
This is where the Honor 8X Max shines. The Snapdragon 660 is significantly more powerful than the Unisoc T610. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the 8X Max. The Play 20 will handle basic tasks adequately, but will struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones boast large batteries (likely around 6000mAh). However, the Honor 8X Max's 18W fast charging is a significant advantage over the Play 20's 10W charging. The 8X Max also includes reverse charging, allowing it to charge other devices.
Buying Guide
The Honor Play 20 is ideal for users prioritizing a large display and basic functionality on a very tight budget. The Honor 8X Max is a better choice for those needing more processing power, faster charging, and the added convenience of reverse charging, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Honor Play 20 good for gaming?
The Honor Play 20 can handle basic games, but it will struggle with more demanding titles due to its weaker processor. The Honor 8X Max is a better choice for gaming.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
Both phones have large batteries and offer similar battery life. However, the Honor 8X Max charges significantly faster.
❓ Can the Honor 8X Max charge other devices?
Yes, the Honor 8X Max supports reverse wired charging, allowing you to use it as a power bank for other devices.
