The Honor Play 3e and Oppo A5s (AX5s) represent the fiercely competitive entry-level smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point, but they differ significantly under the hood. This comparison focuses on the core performance differences stemming from their respective MediaTek Helio P22 and Helio P35 chipsets, helping you determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing slightly smoother multitasking and app loading, the Oppo A5s emerges as the better choice. Its Helio P35 chipset, with higher clock speeds, provides a noticeable performance edge over the Honor Play 3e’s Helio P22. However, the difference isn't massive, and the Play 3e remains a viable option for basic usage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September. Released 2019, September | 2019, March 18. Released 2019, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 147.1 x 70.8 x 8.5 mm (5.79 x 2.79 x 0.33 in) | 155.9 x 75.4 x 8.2 mm (6.14 x 2.97 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 146 g (5.15 oz) | 170 g (6.00 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~271 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.71 inches, 81.4 cm2 (~78.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.2 inches, 95.9 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | S-IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762R Helio P22 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 | Android 8.1 (Oreo), ColorOS 5.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.8, PDAF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/3.4", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 168 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 5 h | - |
| Type | Li-Po 3020 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 4230 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Magic Night Black, Platinum Gold, Aurora Blue | Red, Black, Gold, Green |
| Models | - | CPH1909, CPH1920, CPH1912 |
| Price | About 90 EUR | - |
Honor Play 3e
- Potentially better battery life due to the more efficient Helio P22.
- Likely more affordable price point.
- Reliable performance for basic tasks.
- Slower app loading and multitasking compared to the Oppo A5s.
- Less capable GPU for gaming.
- May struggle with demanding applications.
Oppo A5s (AX5s)
- Faster CPU and GPU performance thanks to the Helio P35.
- Smoother multitasking and app switching.
- Slightly better gaming experience.
- Potentially shorter battery life compared to the Honor Play 3e.
- May be slightly more expensive.
- Similar camera performance to the Play 3e.
Display Comparison
Neither Honor nor Oppo provide detailed display specifications in the provided data. Given their market positioning, both likely utilize LCD panels with 720p+ resolutions. The absence of information regarding peak brightness, color gamut coverage, or refresh rates suggests a focus on cost reduction. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both devices, typical for this price bracket. Color accuracy is expected to be standard, prioritizing visibility over fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Without sensor size or aperture data, a detailed camera comparison is impossible. Both phones likely feature a primary camera paired with depth sensors, common in this segment. The image processing algorithms will likely differ, potentially resulting in varying color profiles and dynamic range. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests reliance on software-based stabilization, which is less effective. Any 2MP macro or depth sensors are likely to offer limited practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo A5s boasts the MediaTek Helio P35, featuring an octa-core CPU clocked up to 2.3 GHz (4x Cortex-A53 at 2.3 GHz & 4x Cortex-A53 at 1.8 GHz). The Honor Play 3e utilizes the Helio P22, with an octa-core CPU clocked up to 2.0 GHz (4x Cortex-A53 at 2.0 GHz & 4x Cortex-A53 at 1.5 GHz). This 300 MHz clock speed difference, while seemingly small, translates to faster app launch times and smoother multitasking on the A5s. Both chips are built on a 12nm process, suggesting similar power efficiency, but the P35’s higher clock speeds will inherently draw more power under load. The GPU performance will also favor the A5s, allowing for slightly better frame rates in casual games.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified, but both phones likely house batteries in the 3000-4000 mAh range. The Helio P35 in the Oppo A5s, while more powerful, will consume more energy than the Helio P22 in the Honor Play 3e. This means the Play 3e *could* offer slightly longer battery life under similar usage conditions. Charging wattage is also unknown, but both are likely to ship with 5W or 10W chargers, resulting in relatively slow charging times (3-4 hours for a full charge).
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Play 3e if you need a reliably basic smartphone for calls, texts, and light social media use, and prioritize maximizing battery life due to the potentially more efficient P22 chipset. Buy the Oppo A5s (AX5s) if you prefer a slightly more responsive experience when switching between apps, browsing the web, or playing less demanding mobile games, and are willing to accept potentially slightly reduced battery longevity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Oppo A5s handle popular games like PUBG Mobile or Mobile Legends?
The Helio P35 in the Oppo A5s can run PUBG Mobile and Mobile Legends, but expect to play at lower graphics settings (Low or Medium) to maintain a playable frame rate. The Helio P22 in the Honor Play 3e will struggle more, requiring even lower settings and potentially experiencing noticeable lag.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Helio P22 and P35 noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the difference is noticeable, though not dramatic. The Oppo A5s with the Helio P35 will feel snappier when opening apps, switching between them, and scrolling through web pages. The Honor Play 3e will still handle these tasks, but with slightly more noticeable delays.
❓ Which phone is better for someone who primarily uses their phone for calls, texts, and WhatsApp?
For this use case, the Honor Play 3e is perfectly adequate and likely the better choice. The Helio P22 provides sufficient power for these basic functions, and the potential for longer battery life is a bonus. The extra performance of the Oppo A5s wouldn't be significantly utilized.
❓ Do either of these phones support fast charging?
Neither device is likely to support fast charging. Based on their market segment, they likely ship with 5W or 10W chargers, resulting in relatively slow charging times. Expect a full charge to take 3-4 hours.
