The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Honor Play 20 and the Oppo A36. Both promise a solid experience without breaking the bank, but which one delivers the better overall package?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Oppo A36 takes the crown. While the Honor Play 20 offers a decent display, the Snapdragon 680's superior performance and more efficient 6nm process give the Oppo A36 a significant edge in speed, battery life, and future-proofing. It's a smarter investment.
| 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, 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 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 26 | 2022, January 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 01 | Available. Released 2022, January 14 |
| 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) | 164.4 x 75.7 x 8.4 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) | 185 g (6.53 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T610 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP2 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10, Magic UI 4.0, no Google Play Services | Android 11, ColorOS 11.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (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, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| 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, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Blue, Silver/Pink | Black, Blue |
| Models | KOZ-AL00 | PESM10 |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 220 EUR |
Honor Play 20
- Large Display
- Affordable Price
- Decent for Basic Tasks
- Weak Performance
- Slow Charging (10W)
- Mediocre Camera
- Outdated Chipset
Oppo A36
- Stronger Performance (Snapdragon 680)
- Better Camera
- Longer Battery Life
- More Efficient Chipset (6nm)
- Slightly Higher Price
- Design may be less distinctive
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large 6.5-inch displays, but the Oppo A36 likely has slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to Oppo's generally stronger display technology. The Honor Play 20's display is adequate for media consumption but may lack vibrancy.
Camera Comparison
The Oppo A36 generally boasts a better camera system. While both have multiple lenses, the Snapdragon 680's image signal processor (ISP) allows for better image processing, resulting in clearer, more detailed photos, especially in low light. The Honor Play 20's camera is serviceable but lacks the refinement of the Oppo.
Performance
This is where the Oppo A36 shines. The Snapdragon 680, built on a 6nm process, is significantly more powerful and efficient than the Unisoc T610 in the Honor Play 20 (12nm). Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Oppo A36. The Honor Play 20 will feel sluggish by comparison.
Battery Life
The Oppo A36's 6nm chipset contributes to better power efficiency. Coupled with a similar battery capacity (likely around 5000mAh for both), the Oppo A36 will likely offer longer battery life than the Honor Play 20.
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 Oppo A36 is ideal for those seeking a smoother, more responsive experience, better camera performance, and longer battery life, even if it means spending a little more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Honor Play 20 good for gaming?
The Honor Play 20's chipset struggles with demanding games. You'll likely experience lag and low frame rates. The Oppo A36 is a much better choice for gaming.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Oppo generally provides better software updates and support compared to Honor, especially in the budget segment. Expect longer software support for the Oppo A36.
