The Honor Play 3e and Xiaomi Redmi 7A represent the extreme end of the budget smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at the lowest possible price point. This comparison dissects their core components – specifically the Mediatek Helio P22 and Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 chipsets – to determine which device offers the best experience for users prioritizing affordability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a reliable, if basic, smartphone experience, the Xiaomi Redmi 7A edges out the Honor Play 3e. While the Helio P22 in the Honor Play 3e offers slightly higher clocked Cortex-A53 cores, the Snapdragon 439’s optimized architecture and 10W charging provide a more consistently smooth experience and a slight convenience advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September. Released 2019, September | 2019, May 24. Released 2019, July 04 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 147.1 x 70.8 x 8.5 mm (5.79 x 2.79 x 0.33 in) | 146.3 x 70.4 x 9.6 mm (5.76 x 2.77 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 146 g (5.15 oz) | 165 g (5.82 oz) |
| | - | Splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.71 inches, 81.4 cm2 (~78.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~74.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762R Helio P22 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 505 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.8, PDAF | 13 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF - China
or
12 MP, f/2.2, 1/2.9", 1.25µm, PDAF - Global, India |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 5 MP, f/2.2, 1/5.0", 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, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM Radio, built-in antenna |
| 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 | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 168 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 5 h | - |
| Type | Li-Po 3020 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Magic Night Black, Platinum Gold, Aurora Blue | Matte Black, Morning blue, Matte Blue, Matte Gold, Gem Red, Gem Blue |
| Models | - | MZB7995IN, M1903C3EG, M1903C3EH, M1903C3EI |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.12 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.56 W/kg (head) 1.17 W/kg (body) |
Honor Play 3e
- Potentially slightly faster CPU clock speeds
- Competitive price point
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Likely slower charging speeds
- Less optimized chipset architecture
- Potentially less refined software experience
Xiaomi Redmi 7A
- More efficient Snapdragon 439 chipset
- 10W wired charging for faster top-ups
- Qualcomm’s optimized ISP for slightly better image processing
- Slightly lower CPU clock speeds
- Similar display quality to the Play 3e
- Still limited by its budget price point
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Detailed specifications regarding brightness and color accuracy are unavailable, but expectations should be set accordingly – these are functional displays designed for basic visibility, not immersive viewing. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both models, maximizing screen real estate within a compact form factor.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices will be limited. Detailed sensor information is unavailable, but both likely feature a primary sensor paired with a depth sensor. Image quality will be acceptable in good lighting conditions, but expect significant noise and a lack of detail in low light. The Redmi 7A’s image processing algorithms may offer a slight edge due to Qualcomm’s ISP capabilities, but the difference will be marginal. Focusing on the primary sensor’s megapixel count is misleading; sensor size and image processing are far more critical at this price point.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor Play 3e’s Mediatek Helio P22 (MT6762R) features an octa-core configuration with four cores clocked at 2.0 GHz and four at 1.5 GHz, all Cortex-A53. The Xiaomi Redmi 7A utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 439, also an octa-core processor, but with a slightly lower peak clock speed of 1.95 GHz on four cores and 1.45 GHz on the remaining four. While the Play 3e has a clock speed advantage, the Snapdragon 439 benefits from Qualcomm’s architectural optimizations, potentially leading to better sustained performance and power efficiency. The Snapdragon 439’s Adreno 505 GPU is also likely to offer a slightly smoother graphical experience than the Helio P22’s PowerVR GE8320. RAM configurations are likely similar, further emphasizing the chipset as the primary differentiator.
Battery Life
Both devices likely feature batteries in the 3000-4000 mAh range, sufficient for a full day of light to moderate use. However, the Xiaomi Redmi 7A includes 10W wired charging, a significant advantage over the likely 5W or slower charging on the Honor Play 3e. This translates to a faster 0-100% charge time, reducing downtime and improving overall usability. While the Play 3e’s chipset *might* be slightly more power-efficient under certain workloads, the Redmi 7A’s charging speed provides a tangible benefit.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Play 3e if you prioritize a potentially slightly faster CPU for basic multitasking and are comfortable with potentially slower charging speeds. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 7A if you value a more refined software experience, a more efficient chipset for sustained performance, and the convenience of 10W wired charging. Both are excellent choices for first-time smartphone users or those needing a secondary device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 439 in the Redmi 7A handle basic games like Candy Crush or Subway Surfers?
Yes, the Snapdragon 439 is perfectly capable of running less demanding games like Candy Crush and Subway Surfers without significant issues. While it won't handle graphically intensive titles, it provides a smooth experience for casual gaming.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Xiaomi Redmi 7A with the 10W charger?
With the 10W charger, the Xiaomi Redmi 7A will likely take around 2.5 to 3.5 hours to fully charge from 0% to 100%, depending on battery capacity. This is significantly faster than the Honor Play 3e, which likely supports slower charging speeds.
❓ Is the Honor Play 3e a good choice for someone upgrading from a feature phone?
Yes, the Honor Play 3e is a viable option for someone upgrading from a feature phone. It provides essential smartphone functionality at a very affordable price, making it a good entry point into the world of Android.
❓ Can I expect to run multiple apps simultaneously on either of these phones without slowdowns?
Running multiple apps simultaneously on either phone will likely result in some slowdowns, especially with more demanding applications. Both devices have limited RAM and processing power, so multitasking should be kept to a minimum for optimal performance.
