Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The Honor Play 20 and Honor Play 4T are both contenders in the budget phone arena. But which one offers the best value for your money? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor Play 4T edges out the Play 20 thanks to its significantly more powerful Kirin 710A chipset. While both offer decent battery life and basic features, the 4T's performance advantage makes it the better choice for most users, especially those who multitask or play games.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1x | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 26 | 2020, April 09. Released 2020, April 14 |
| 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) | 159.8 x 76.1 x 8.1 mm (6.29 x 3.00 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 176 g (6.21 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~82.4% 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 (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T610 (12 nm) | Kirin 710A (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP2 | Mali-G51 MP4 |
| OS | Android 10, Magic UI 4.0, no Google Play Services | Android 10, Magic UI 3, no Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| 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, (wide) |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Blue, Silver/Pink | Black, Blue, Green |
| Models | KOZ-AL00 | AKA-AL10, AKA-TL10 |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 160 EUR |
Honor Play 20
- Large Display
- Affordable Price
- Decent Battery Life
- Weak Performance
- Basic Camera
- Slow Charging
Honor Play 4T
- Better Performance
- Improved Camera
- Slightly Better Build Quality (likely)
- Slightly Higher Price
- Slow Charging
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, likely around 6.5 inches, with HD+ resolution. Expect similar viewing experiences, though the Play 4T might have slightly better color accuracy due to its more advanced chipset. Screen protection is likely basic on both.
Camera Comparison
While both phones likely feature a triple-camera setup (main, wide-angle, depth sensor), the Kirin 710A in the Play 4T provides better image processing capabilities. Expect slightly better image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance from the 4T. Both will likely struggle with high-end photography.
Performance
This is where the Honor Play 4T shines. The Kirin 710A is a considerably more powerful chipset than the Unisoc T610. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better overall responsiveness on the 4T. The Play 20 will feel noticeably slower, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both phones are expected to have a large battery, likely around 5000mAh, providing all-day battery life under moderate usage. Charging speeds are identical at 10W, so expect relatively slow charging times on both devices.
Buying Guide
The Honor Play 20 is a good option for users prioritizing a large display and basic functionality on a very tight budget. The Honor Play 4T is ideal for those needing a smoother experience, better performance for everyday tasks and light gaming, and a slightly more capable camera system.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Honor Play 20 good for gaming?
The Honor Play 20's Unisoc T610 chipset is not ideal for demanding games. You'll likely experience lag and low frame rates. The Play 4T offers a significantly better gaming experience.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Generally, Honor devices receive decent software updates, but specific support timelines vary. It's best to check Honor's official website for the latest information on software updates for each model.
