The Honor Play 30 Plus and Samsung Galaxy A33 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive budget 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price point, they diverge significantly in their internal hardware and resulting user experience. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best overall value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G emerges as the stronger choice. Its Exynos 1280 chipset, built on a more efficient 5nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Honor Play 30 Plus’s Dimensity 700. While battery life is comparable, the A33’s brighter display and established brand reputation make it a more well-rounded package.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, December 16 | 2022, March 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January 02 | Available. Released 2022, April 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 167.6 x 77.2 x 8.6 mm (6.60 x 3.04 x 0.34 in) | 159.7 x 74 x 8.1 mm (6.29 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 186 g (6.56 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | Super AMOLED, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Exynos 1280 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G68 |
| OS | Android 11, Magic UI 5.0 | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | - | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 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 | No |
| 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Silver, Gold | Black, White, Blue, Peach |
| Models | CMA-AN00 | SM-A336E, SM-A336B, SM-A336B/DS, SM-A336B/DSN, SM-A336E/DS, SM-A336M, SM-A3360 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | £ 174.99 / € 187.50 / ₹ 21,999 |
| SAR | - | 0.35 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 1.59 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 104h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.5 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 354420 (v8), 394918 (v9)
GeekBench: 1900 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 20fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Honor Play 30 Plus
- Lower price point makes it highly accessible.
- Decent battery life for basic usage.
- Supports 5G connectivity.
- Less powerful chipset compared to the A33.
- Likely lower display quality.
- Less established brand reputation.
Samsung Galaxy A33 5G
- More powerful Exynos 1280 chipset.
- Brighter and potentially smoother display.
- Samsung’s established software and support.
- Higher price compared to the Honor Play 30 Plus.
- Battery life is comparable, not superior.
- May include unnecessary 2MP macro camera.
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A33 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 728 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Honor Play 30 Plus. This higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both displays are likely LCD panels given the price bracket, the A33’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a more refined panel with deeper blacks. The lack of refresh rate information for the Play 30 Plus suggests it likely operates at the standard 60Hz, while the A33 is expected to have a 90Hz panel, offering smoother scrolling and animations.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature a 'Photo / Video' camera system, but specifics are lacking. Given the market positioning, it’s unlikely either phone will excel in low-light photography. The A33 likely benefits from Samsung’s established image processing algorithms, potentially delivering more pleasing results. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the A33, if present, would be a significant advantage for video recording and low-light stills. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the small sensor size and lack of detail.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A33 5G’s Exynos 1280 (5nm) utilizes Cortex-A78 cores, offering a performance uplift over the Honor Play 30 Plus’s Dimensity 700 (7nm) and its Cortex-A76 cores. The 5nm fabrication process of the Exynos 1280 also contributes to improved power efficiency, potentially mitigating throttling during sustained workloads. While both CPUs feature a 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cluster for efficiency, the A33’s superior CPU architecture and process node will result in faster app loading times and a more responsive user experience. The GPU performance will also favor the A33, making it the better choice for mobile gaming.
Battery Life
Both the Honor Play 30 Plus and Samsung Galaxy A33 5G achieve an endurance rating of 104 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the A33’s 25W charging capability is slightly faster than the Play 30 Plus’s 22.5W charging. While the difference isn’t massive, it translates to a marginally quicker 0-100% charge time. The more efficient Exynos 1280 chipset in the A33 may also contribute to slightly better real-world battery performance, especially during demanding tasks.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Play 30 Plus if you prioritize a lower upfront cost and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G if you value smoother performance for gaming and multitasking, a brighter and more vibrant display, and the peace of mind that comes with Samsung’s software support and brand recognition.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1280 in the Galaxy A33 5G tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1280, built on a 5nm process, is generally efficient and manages thermals reasonably well. While some throttling may occur during extended, graphically intensive gaming, it's unlikely to be a severe issue. The larger surface area of the A33 also aids in heat dissipation compared to the more compact Play 30 Plus.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Unfortunately, the 2MP macro cameras on both the Honor Play 30 Plus and Samsung Galaxy A33 5G are largely marketing features. The small sensor size and fixed focus result in images lacking detail and sharpness. They are best avoided in favor of the main camera.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G reliably maintain 60fps in popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Galaxy A33 5G should be capable of maintaining 60fps in PUBG Mobile at medium graphics settings. However, achieving consistently high frame rates at higher settings may require some optimization and could lead to occasional frame drops. The Exynos 1280's GPU is sufficient for smooth gameplay in most mobile titles.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Honor Play 30 Plus from 0% with the 22.5W charger?
While the Honor Play 30 Plus supports 22.5W charging, a full 0-100% charge will likely take around 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on background processes and battery temperature. It's not a particularly fast charging solution compared to some competitors.
