The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Honor Play 30 and the Huawei Nova 4e. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei Nova 4e edges out the Honor Play 30 thanks to its faster charging, slightly better camera performance, and more mature software experience. While the Play 30 boasts a newer chipset, the Nova 4e's overall package provides a more compelling value proposition.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 400/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, May 10 | 2019, March. Released 2019, March |
| 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) | 152.9 x 72.7 x 7.4 mm (6.02 x 2.86 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 159 g (5.61 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Aluminosilicate glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2312 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~415 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.15 inches, 93.6 cm2 (~84.2% 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 710 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G51 MP4 |
| OS | Android 11, Magic UI 5.0 | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF | - |
| Triple | - | 24 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, 13mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| 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 | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 3340 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Gold, Gradient | Peacock Blue, Midnight Black, Pearl White |
| Models | VNE-AN00 | MAR-AL00, MAR-TL00, MAR-LX2 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 270 EUR |
Honor Play 30
- Newer Snapdragon 480+ chipset
- 5G Connectivity
- Slightly more modern design
- Slow 10W charging
- Camera performance not as strong as Nova 4e
- Software experience can be less polished
Huawei nova 4e
- Faster 18W charging
- Better camera performance (especially in low light)
- More refined software experience
- Good value for money
- Older Kirin 710 chipset
- No 5G connectivity
- Design is slightly dated
Display Comparison
Both phones feature LCD displays, but the Nova 4e's display is generally considered to have slightly better color accuracy and brightness. The Play 30's display is adequate but doesn't stand out. Resolution is similar, offering decent sharpness for everyday use.
Camera Comparison
The Huawei Nova 4e generally takes better photos, particularly in low light, thanks to Huawei's image processing algorithms. While both have decent main sensors, the Nova 4e's camera often produces more vibrant and detailed images. The Play 30's camera is acceptable but lacks the polish of the Nova 4e.
Performance
The Snapdragon 480+ in the Honor Play 30 is a newer chipset built on an 8nm process, theoretically offering better efficiency. However, the Kirin 710 in the Nova 4e is still a capable performer, and real-world performance differences are often negligible for typical usage. Gaming performance is comparable.
Battery Life
The Nova 4e has a clear advantage with its 18W fast charging, significantly reducing charging times compared to the Play 30's 10W charging. Battery capacity is similar, so both phones offer all-day battery life with moderate usage.
Buying Guide
The Honor Play 30 is a good choice for users prioritizing a newer chipset and 5G connectivity, even if it means sacrificing some charging speed. The Huawei Nova 4e is ideal for those seeking a well-rounded experience with a good camera, faster charging, and a more refined software feel, especially if 5G isn't a necessity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Honor Play 30 worth buying if I need 5G?
If 5G is a must-have, the Honor Play 30 is the only option here. However, consider if the benefits of 5G outweigh the compromises in charging speed and camera quality.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
Both offer all-day battery life with moderate use. However, the Huawei Nova 4e's faster charging means you'll spend less time plugged in.
