The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Honor Play 30 Plus and the Nokia C31. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor Play 30 Plus clearly takes the lead thanks to its significantly more powerful chipset and faster charging. While the Nokia C31 offers Nokia's reliability and a clean Android experience, the Play 30 Plus provides a smoother, more responsive user experience for the price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1x | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - South Africa, Egypt |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, December 16 | 2022, September 01 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January 02 | Available. Released 2022, September 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 167.6 x 77.2 x 8.6 mm (6.60 x 3.04 x 0.34 in) | 169.2 x 78 x 8.6 mm (6.66 x 3.07 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| | - | Splash resistant |
| 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 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 11, Magic UI 5.0 | Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP |
| Video | - | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | No | Wireless FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Silver, Gold | Charcoal, Mint, Cyan |
| Models | CMA-AN00 | TA-1499, TA-1497, TA-1493 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.35 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
Honor Play 30 Plus
- Significantly faster performance
- Faster charging (22.5W)
- Likely better camera quality
- Modern chipset (Dimensity 700)
- Potentially less durable build compared to Nokia
- Software support might be shorter than Nokia
Nokia C31
- Nokia's reputation for reliability
- Clean Android experience
- Potentially more durable build
- Longer software support (potentially)
- Significantly slower performance
- Slow charging (10W)
- Less capable camera
- Outdated chipset (Unisoc SC9863A)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature HD+ displays, likely around 6.5 inches. However, the Honor Play 30 Plus may offer slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to potentially higher quality panel technology. Expect similar viewing angles and resolution on both.
Camera Comparison
The Honor Play 30 Plus likely boasts a more capable camera system, potentially with a higher resolution main sensor and improved image processing. While the Nokia C31's camera is adequate for basic photography, the Honor should deliver sharper images with better dynamic range and low-light performance. Expect both to offer standard features like portrait mode and HDR.
Performance
This is where the Honor Play 30 Plus shines. The Mediatek Dimensity 700 is a substantial upgrade over the Unisoc SC9863A. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Honor. The Nokia C31 will feel noticeably slower, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both phones likely feature batteries around 5000mAh, offering all-day battery life for moderate users. However, the Honor Play 30 Plus's 22.5W fast charging provides a significant advantage, allowing for much quicker top-ups compared to the Nokia C31's 10W charging.
Buying Guide
The Honor Play 30 Plus is ideal for users who prioritize performance and speed, even on a budget. Gamers and those who frequently multitask will appreciate the Dimensity 700. The Nokia C31 is a good choice for users who value brand reputation, a clean Android experience, and a durable build, prioritizing longevity over raw power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Honor Play 30 Plus is the clear winner for gaming due to its significantly more powerful Dimensity 700 chipset.
❓ Is the Nokia C31 a good phone for basic use like calls and messaging?
Yes, the Nokia C31 is perfectly adequate for basic tasks. Its clean Android experience and reliable build make it a solid choice for users who don't need high performance.
