The budget 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Honor Play 20 and OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price point, but they take drastically different approaches to achieving this. The Honor Play 20 relies on the efficiency of Unisoc’s T610, while the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G leverages the more powerful, and modern, Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G. This comparison will dissect the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 695 chipset, built on a 6nm process, offers significantly better performance and efficiency than the Honor Play 20’s Unisoc T610. The 33W charging is a substantial advantage, offsetting the slightly smaller battery capacity.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 26 | 2022, April 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 01 | Available. Released 2022, April 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T610 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 10, Magic UI 4.0, no Google Play Services | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| 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, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | - |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 33W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Blue, Silver/Pink | Black Dusk, Blue Tide |
| Models | KOZ-AL00 | CPH2381, CPH2409 |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 220 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 0.71 W/kg (body) |
Honor Play 20
- Potentially lower price point
- Acceptable for basic smartphone tasks
- May have longer software support (Honor's recent track record)
- Significantly slower performance
- Extremely slow 10W charging
- Less efficient chipset
OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G
- Faster and more efficient Snapdragon 695 chipset
- 33W SuperVOOC fast charging
- 120Hz display for smoother scrolling
- Slightly higher price
- LCD display (not OLED)
- Software experience may not appeal to all users
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. While specific panel details (like peak brightness or color gamut coverage) are unavailable for the Honor Play 20, its market positioning suggests a basic LCD panel. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G also utilizes an LCD, but the focus here is on the 120Hz refresh rate, offering a smoother scrolling experience compared to the likely 60Hz panel on the Honor Play 20. The difference in refresh rate will be most noticeable during scrolling through social media feeds or playing compatible games.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature modest camera setups geared towards casual photography. Without detailed sensor information for the Honor Play 20, it’s safe to assume a primary sensor with limited capabilities. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G’s camera system is likely centered around a 64MP main sensor, offering more detail and potentially better low-light performance. While both phones may include auxiliary lenses (like depth or macro sensors), their utility is limited. Image processing will likely be more refined on the OnePlus device, leveraging Qualcomm’s ISP.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) is a significant step up from the Honor Play 20’s Unisoc T610 (12nm). The Snapdragon 695 features newer Kryo 660 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz, compared to the T610’s Cortex-A75 cores at 1.8 GHz. This translates to faster processing speeds and improved multitasking. The 6nm manufacturing process of the Snapdragon 695 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling under sustained load. The Honor Play 20 will handle basic tasks adequately, but will struggle with demanding applications or games.
Battery Life
The Honor Play 20’s 10W charging is a major drawback in today’s market. Expect a very slow charge time from 0-100%. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G’s 33W SuperVOOC charging is a game-changer, significantly reducing charging times. While the exact battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the faster charging of the OnePlus model effectively mitigates any potential capacity difference. Users who frequently find themselves needing to top up their phone will greatly benefit from the Nord CE 2 Lite’s charging speed.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Play 20 if you need a basic, functional smartphone for essential tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and are on an extremely tight budget. You’ll accept compromises in performance and charging speed. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G if you prioritize a smoother user experience, faster app loading times, better gaming capabilities, and significantly quicker charging – even if it means spending a bit more upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc T610 in the Honor Play 20 struggle with popular games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Unisoc T610 is a budget chipset and will likely struggle to run PUBG Mobile smoothly, even on low settings. Expect noticeable frame drops and lag. The Snapdragon 695 in the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G offers a much better gaming experience, allowing for playable frame rates on medium settings.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Honor Play 20 with its 10W charger?
Expect a full charge from 0% to 100% to take well over 3 hours, potentially closer to 4-5 hours. This is a significant inconvenience compared to the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G, which can reach a full charge in around an hour with its 33W charger.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G support carrier aggregation for improved 5G speeds?
While specific carrier aggregation support varies by region and carrier, the Snapdragon 695 generally supports carrier aggregation, which can lead to faster and more stable 5G connections. The Honor Play 20's Unisoc T610 may have limited or no carrier aggregation support.
❓ Is the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G a good choice for someone who frequently uses their phone for video streaming?
Yes, the Snapdragon 695's improved processing power and the 120Hz display make the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G a better choice for video streaming. You'll experience smoother playback and less buffering compared to the Honor Play 20.
