The Honor Play 30 and vivo Y55s (2023) represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive sub-$200 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver connectivity at an accessible price, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison dissects the key differences between the Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ and MediaTek Dimensity 700, revealing which device offers the best overall experience for the price.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and slightly faster charging, the vivo Y55s (2023) emerges as the better choice. Its Dimensity 700 chipset, built on a more efficient 7nm process, provides a noticeable edge in CPU and GPU performance compared to the Honor Play 30’s Snapdragon 480+.
| 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, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, May 10 | 2023, January 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 27 | Available. Released 2023, January 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 75.1 x 8.7 mm (6.44 x 2.96 x 0.34 in) | 164 x 75.9 x 8.3 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Aluminosilicate glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.8% 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 (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4350-AC Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, Magic UI 5.0 | Android 12, Funtouch 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/1.8, (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 | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C, 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Gold, Gradient | Black, Blue |
| Models | VNE-AN00 | - |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 250 EUR |
Honor Play 30
- Reliable Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ 5G chipset
- Established brand reputation (Honor)
- Potentially longer battery life (depending on capacity)
- Slower 10W charging
- Less powerful CPU and GPU compared to Dimensity 700
- 8nm process less efficient than 7nm
vivo Y55s (2023)
- More powerful MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset
- Faster 18W wired charging
- 7nm process for improved efficiency
- Brand recognition may be lower in some markets
- Battery life may be slightly shorter (depending on capacity)
Display Comparison
Neither Honor nor vivo provide display specifications beyond resolution in their marketing materials. However, given the price point, both likely utilize LCD panels. The key difference lies in the underlying processing power driving the display. The Dimensity 700’s integrated GPU in the Y55s may offer slightly smoother scrolling and animations, though this is difficult to quantify without direct testing. Bezels are expected to be comparable, and color accuracy will likely be standard for this segment.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are scarce for both devices. However, it’s safe to assume both feature a primary camera and depth sensor. The image signal processor (ISP) within the Dimensity 700 may offer slightly better image processing capabilities, potentially leading to improved dynamic range and noise reduction in photos. Without knowing sensor sizes and apertures, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Dimensity 700’s superior processing power gives the Y55s a slight edge. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing gimmick and shouldn’t heavily influence purchasing decisions.
Performance
The core of the difference between these two phones is the chipset. The vivo Y55s (2023) boasts the MediaTek Dimensity 700, fabricated on a 7nm process. This translates to greater transistor density and improved power efficiency compared to the Honor Play 30’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ (8nm). The Dimensity 700’s CPU configuration – 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – offers a performance advantage over the Snapdragon 480+’s 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.9 GHz Kryo 460. While both are octa-core, the Cortex-A76 cores in the Dimensity 700 are architecturally superior, resulting in faster single-core performance. This impacts app launch times and overall responsiveness. The Dimensity 700 also features a more capable Mali-G52 MC2 GPU, providing a better gaming experience than the Snapdragon 480+'s Adreno 619.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the vivo Y55s (2023) has a clear advantage in charging speed with its 18W wired charging support, compared to the Honor Play 30’s slower 10W charging. This means the Y55s will reach a full charge significantly faster, reducing downtime. While a larger battery capacity on the Honor Play 30 could partially offset this, the faster charging of the Y55s is a tangible benefit for users who value convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Play 30 if you prioritize a brand with a strong track record in Europe and are comfortable with a slower charging speed. It’s a solid, reliable option for basic smartphone tasks. Buy the vivo Y55s (2023) if you value a more powerful processor for smoother multitasking and gaming, and appreciate the convenience of 18W fast charging. It’s the better pick for users who demand more from their budget smartphone.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Dimensity 700 in the vivo Y55s (2023) handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Dimensity 700 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. While it won't deliver a flagship gaming experience, it provides a noticeably smoother experience than the Snapdragon 480+ in the Honor Play 30, especially during intense firefights. Expect to adjust graphics settings for optimal performance.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the vivo Y55s (2023) with the 18W charger?
While the exact 0-100% charging time depends on battery capacity (which isn't officially specified), the 18W charging should take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours for a full charge. This is significantly faster than the Honor Play 30’s 10W charging, which could take upwards of 3 hours.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 480+ in the Honor Play 30 sufficient for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the Snapdragon 480+ is perfectly adequate for everyday tasks such as web browsing, social media, and messaging. It won't feel sluggish for these basic operations, but you may notice slower app launch times and occasional stutters when multitasking compared to the vivo Y55s.
