Looking for a budget-friendly Android phone? The Honor Play 30 and Huawei P20 Lite (2019) are both solid contenders, but cater to slightly different needs. This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei P20 Lite (2019) edges out the Honor Play 30 thanks to its faster charging, slightly better camera, and more mature software experience. However, the Honor Play 30 offers 5G connectivity and a more modern chipset, making it a viable option for those prioritizing future-proofing.
| 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, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20 |
| 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 | 2019, June. Released 2019, July |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 27 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 75.1 x 8.7 mm (6.44 x 2.96 x 0.34 in) | 159.1 x 75.9 x 8.3 mm (6.26 x 2.99 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 178 g (6.28 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Aluminosilicate glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2310 pixels (~398 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 101.4 cm2 (~84.0% 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 9.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
8 MP, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.2 |
| 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, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Gold, Gradient | Midnight Black, Crush Blue, Charming Red |
| Models | VNE-AN00 | - |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 280 EUR |
Honor Play 30
- 5G Connectivity
- Modern Snapdragon 480+ Chipset
- Potentially more RAM (depending on variant)
- Slow 10W Charging
- Less Polished Software
- Camera details are limited
- Performance may be slightly lower than P20 Lite
Huawei P20 lite (2019)
- Faster 18W Charging
- Better Camera Performance
- Smoother Performance (Kirin 710)
- More Mature Software Experience
- No 5G Connectivity
- Older Chipset
- May be harder to find new
Display Comparison
The Huawei P20 Lite (2019) features a 6.1-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, offering vibrant colors and decent sharpness. The Honor Play 30 likely has a similar sized display, but details are scarce. Both offer a notch design, which some users may find aesthetically unappealing. Overall, the P20 Lite's display is slightly better documented and generally considered a good quality panel.
Camera Comparison
The Huawei P20 Lite (2019) boasts a triple-camera setup (24MP + 16MP + 2MP) that delivers impressive photos, especially in well-lit conditions. The Honor Play 30's camera specifications are less clear, but it likely features a dual-camera setup. The P20 Lite's image processing and low-light performance are generally considered superior.
Performance
The Kirin 710 in the Huawei P20 Lite (2019) generally provides smoother performance for everyday tasks and multitasking compared to the Snapdragon 480+ in the Honor Play 30. While the Snapdragon 480+ is a more modern chipset, the Kirin 710's Cortex-A73 cores offer a performance advantage. However, 5G connectivity on the Honor Play 30 is a significant advantage for future-proofing.
Battery Life
The Huawei P20 Lite (2019) has a 3000mAh battery with 18W fast charging, allowing for quicker top-ups. The Honor Play 30 has a similarly sized battery but only supports 10W charging, a significant disadvantage.
Buying Guide
The Honor Play 30 is ideal for users who need 5G connectivity and are comfortable with a slightly less polished software experience. The Huawei P20 Lite (2019) is a better choice for those prioritizing faster charging, a more refined camera, and a generally smoother user experience, especially if they can find it at a competitive price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Honor Play 30 worth buying if I need 5G?
Yes, if 5G is a priority, the Honor Play 30 is a good option. However, consider the trade-offs in charging speed and camera performance.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
While both have similar battery capacities, the Huawei P20 Lite (2019)'s faster charging gives it an advantage in overall usability.
