The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and Honor is a key player. The Honor Play 30 Plus and Honor X7a both offer compelling features at affordable prices. But which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor Play 30 Plus takes the lead thanks to its significantly more powerful Dimensity 700 chipset. While the X7a offers reverse charging and a potentially slightly better display, the Play 30 Plus's performance advantage makes it the better overall choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, December 16 | 2023, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January 02 | Available. Released 2023, January 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 167.6 x 77.2 x 8.6 mm (6.60 x 3.04 x 0.34 in) | 167.5 x 76.9 x 8.3 mm (6.59 x 3.03 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Mediatek MT6765H Helio G37 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11, Magic UI 5.0 | Android 12, Magic UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB 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 |
| Quad | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| 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 | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 22.5W wired
5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5330 or 6000 mAh (market/region dependent) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Silver, Gold | Titanium Silver, Ocean Blue, Midnight Black |
| Models | CMA-AN00 | RKY-LX1, RKY-LX2, RKY-LX3 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 120 EUR |
Honor Play 30 Plus
- Significantly faster performance
- Faster charging (22.5W)
- More modern chipset (7nm)
- Likely better gaming experience
- Potentially less vibrant display than X7a
- May have slightly shorter battery life than X7a
Honor X7a
- Reverse wired charging
- Potentially slightly better display color accuracy
- Good battery life
- Significantly slower performance
- Older chipset (12nm)
- Slower charging
- Struggles with demanding tasks
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, likely around 6.5-6.7 inches, with Full HD+ resolution. The X7a might have a slightly more vibrant color profile, but the Play 30 Plus should offer adequate viewing experience. Expect similar brightness levels.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, probably including a main sensor, ultrawide, and macro lens. The Play 30 Plus's more powerful chipset *could* lead to slightly better image processing, but camera quality will largely depend on the sensor size and software optimization. Expect decent, but not exceptional, camera performance from both.
Performance
This is where the Play 30 Plus shines. The Dimensity 700 is a substantial upgrade over the Helio G37. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother gaming, and better overall responsiveness on the Play 30 Plus. The X7a will handle basic tasks adequately, but will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a large battery capacity (around 5000mAh). The X7a's slightly less power-hungry chipset *might* give it a slight edge in battery life, but the difference is likely to be minimal. The Play 30 Plus's faster charging (22.5W) is a plus.
Buying Guide
The Honor Play 30 Plus is ideal for users who prioritize performance and smooth multitasking, even on a budget. The Honor X7a is a good option for those who value a longer battery life, reverse charging capabilities, and a slightly more vibrant display, and are less concerned about raw processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Honor Play 30 Plus good for gaming?
Yes, the Honor Play 30 Plus's Dimensity 700 chipset makes it significantly better for gaming than the Honor X7a. You'll experience smoother frame rates and less lag in most games.
❓ Can the Honor X7a charge other devices?
Yes, the Honor X7a features 5W reverse wired charging, allowing you to use it to charge other devices like earbuds or smartwatches.
