Looking for a budget-friendly smartphone? The Honor Play 30 and Honor 9C are both contenders, offering decent features without breaking the bank. But which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor Play 30 boasts a newer, more efficient chipset and 5G connectivity, offering a performance edge. However, the Honor 9C might be more readily available and potentially cheaper. Ultimately, the Play 30 is the better performer, but availability and price are key factors.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, May 10 | 2020, April 29. Released 2020, May 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 27 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 75.1 x 8.7 mm (6.44 x 2.96 x 0.34 in) | 159.8 x 76.1 x 8.1 mm (6.29 x 3.00 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 176 g (6.21 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Aluminosilicate glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.9 GHz Kryo 460) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4350-AC Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm) | Kirin 710A (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G51 MP4 |
| OS | Android 11, Magic UI 5.0 | Android 10, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| 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 | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Gold, Gradient | Black, Blue |
| Models | VNE-AN00 | AKA-L29 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 160 EUR |
Honor Play 30
- Newer Snapdragon 480+ chipset
- 5G Connectivity
- Potentially better performance
- More efficient processor
- 10W charging is slow
- Availability may be limited
- Potentially higher price
Honor 9C
- Quad-camera setup
- Potentially more affordable
- Good availability
- Reliable performance for basic tasks
- Older Kirin 710A chipset
- No 5G
- Slower performance compared to Play 30
Display Comparison
Both phones feature LCD displays, likely around 6.5 inches. The Play 30 might have a slightly higher resolution or refresh rate, but detailed specs are needed for a definitive comparison. Expect similar color accuracy and viewing angles in both.
Camera Comparison
The Honor 9C typically features a quad-camera setup, while the Play 30 likely has a triple-camera system. While megapixel counts aren't everything, the newer image processing capabilities of the Play 30's chipset could result in better image quality, especially in low light. Expect similar video recording capabilities.
Performance
The Snapdragon 480+ in the Play 30 is significantly more powerful than the Kirin 710A in the 9C. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Play 30. The 8nm process also contributes to better power efficiency.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a battery capacity around 5000mAh, offering all-day battery life under moderate usage. However, the more efficient Snapdragon 480+ in the Play 30 could provide slightly better battery endurance.
Buying Guide
The Honor Play 30 is ideal for users who prioritize performance, 5G connectivity, and a more modern chipset. The Honor 9C is a good choice for those seeking a reliable, affordable option, especially if 5G isn't a necessity and availability is a concern.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Honor Play 30 worth the extra cost over the Honor 9C?
If performance and 5G connectivity are important to you, then yes. The Play 30's newer chipset offers a noticeable upgrade. However, if you're on a tight budget and don't need those features, the 9C remains a solid option.
❓ What is the charging speed like on the Honor Play 30?
The Honor Play 30 only supports 10W wired charging, which is relatively slow compared to modern smartphones. Expect a longer charging time to reach 100%.
