The smartphone market is brimming with options, especially in the budget-friendly range. Today, we're pitting the Honor Play 30, a contender in the affordable 5G space, against the veteran Apple iPhone XR, a phone that still holds its own. Let's see which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPhone XR, despite its age, still edges out the Honor Play 30 thanks to its superior performance, camera quality, and faster charging. While the Play 30 offers 5G connectivity, the XR's overall polish and iOS ecosystem make it the better choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1x | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, May 10 | 2018, September 12. Released 2018, October 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 27 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Corning-made glass), glass back (Corning-made glass), aluminum frame (7000 series) |
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 75.1 x 8.7 mm (6.44 x 2.96 x 0.34 in) | 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm (5.94 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China) |
| Weight | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Aluminosilicate glass | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 828 x 1792 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 90.3 cm2 (~79.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 90Hz | Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 625 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.9 GHz Kryo 460) | Hexa-core (2x2.5 GHz Vortex + 4x1.6 GHz Tempest) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4350-AC Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm) | Apple A12 Bionic (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) |
| OS | Android 11, Magic UI 5.0 | iOS 12, upgradable to iOS 18.7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 256GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | NVMe |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF | 12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, PDAF, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR, stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 7 MP, f/2.2, 32mm (standard)
SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | Lightning, USB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min
Wireless (Qi) |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 2942 mAh, non-removable (11.16 Wh) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Gold, Gradient | Black, Red, Yellow, Blue, Coral, White |
| Models | VNE-AN00 | A2105, A1984, A2107, A2108, A2106, iPhone11,8 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.13 W/kg (head) 1.16 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.99 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 78h
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 341196 (v7), 422465 (v8)
GeekBench: 11437 (v4.4), 2690 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 58fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Honor Play 30
- 5G Connectivity
- Affordable Price
- Decent Display
- Android OS
- Lower Performance
- Slower Charging
- Less Polished Camera
- Potentially Lower Build Quality
Apple iPhone XR
- Powerful A12 Bionic Chip
- Excellent Camera
- Premium Build Quality
- iOS Ecosystem
- Fast Charging (15W)
- Wireless Charging (Qi)
- Older Design
- LCD Display (vs. OLED)
- No 5G
- Higher Price (compared to Play 30)
Display Comparison
The iPhone XR boasts a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina LCD display, known for its color accuracy and brightness. The Honor Play 30 likely features a similar-sized LCD, but with potentially lower brightness and color reproduction. The XR's display is generally considered superior.
Camera Comparison
The iPhone XR's single 12MP rear camera consistently delivers excellent image quality, especially in good lighting conditions. The Honor Play 30 likely has a multi-lens setup, but image processing and overall quality are unlikely to match the XR's. The iPhone's computational photography is a key advantage.
Performance
Here's where the iPhone XR truly shines. The A12 Bionic chip remains remarkably powerful, handling demanding tasks and games with ease. The Snapdragon 480+ in the Honor Play 30 is adequate for everyday use but will struggle with more intensive applications. The XR offers a significantly smoother and faster experience.
Battery Life
Both phones boast impressive battery life, with the iPhone XR achieving an endurance rating of 78h. The Honor Play 30's battery capacity is likely comparable, but the XR's power efficiency gives it a slight edge. The iPhone XR also supports faster charging (15W wired, PD2.0) and wireless charging (Qi).
Buying Guide
The Honor Play 30 is ideal for users prioritizing 5G connectivity on a tight budget and are comfortable with Android. The iPhone XR is a great pick for those seeking a reliable, well-supported smartphone with a strong camera and a premium feel, even if it means sacrificing some newer features.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the iPhone XR still worth buying in 2024?
Yes, the iPhone XR remains a solid choice, especially if you're on a budget. Its performance, camera, and iOS support are still excellent.
❓ Does the Honor Play 30 support 5G?
Yes, the Honor Play 30 is a 5G smartphone, offering faster data speeds where available.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
The iPhone XR benefits from Apple's long-term software support, ensuring updates for years to come. Android support for the Honor Play 30 may be shorter.
❓ What is the charging speed difference?
The iPhone XR supports 15W wired charging and wireless charging, while the Honor Play 30 is limited to 10W wired charging.
