The Honor Play series focuses on delivering solid performance at an affordable price. The Play 40 Plus and Play 30 Plus both offer the Dimensity 700 chipset, but are there other key differences? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you choose the best option.
🏆 Quick Verdict
Surprisingly, the Honor Play 40 Plus and 30 Plus are incredibly similar. While the 40 Plus *might* offer slightly newer software and potentially minor design tweaks, the core experience is virtually identical. It likely comes down to price and availability.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | CDMA2000 1x |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 20 | 2021, December 16 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 28 | Available. Released 2022, January 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 167.5 x 76.9 x 8.3 mm (6.59 x 3.03 x 0.33 in) | 167.6 x 77.2 x 8.6 mm (6.60 x 3.04 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 196 g (6.91 oz) | 198 g (6.98 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, Magic UI 6.1 | Android 11, Magic UI 5.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 22.5W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Silver, Black, Purple | Black, Blue, Silver, Gold |
| Models | RKY-AN00 | CMA-AN00 |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 150 EUR |
Honor Play 40 Plus
- Potentially newer software
- Slightly updated design (possible)
- Good value for money
- Limited camera features
- LCD display (not OLED)
- 22.5W charging is not the fastest
Honor Play 30 Plus
- Affordable price
- Good battery life
- Reliable performance
- Limited camera features
- LCD display (not OLED)
- 22.5W charging is not the fastest
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature a similar 6.7-inch LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. Expect similar color accuracy and brightness levels. Differences, if any, would be in the display coating or minor software optimizations.
Camera Comparison
While specifications aren't fully available, both phones likely feature a triple-camera setup with a primary sensor around 48MP. Image quality should be comparable, with potential differences in software processing and low-light performance. The front-facing camera is also likely similar.
Performance
Powered by the same Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset and Octa-core CPU, performance will be nearly identical in both devices. Expect smooth multitasking and adequate gaming performance at medium settings. Software optimization could be a minor differentiator.
Battery Life
Both devices are expected to have a 5000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life under moderate usage. The 22.5W wired charging is consistent across both models, offering a reasonable charging speed.
Buying Guide
The Honor Play 40 Plus is ideal for budget-conscious users seeking a reliable smartphone with decent performance for everyday tasks and light gaming. The Honor Play 30 Plus is a great choice if you find it at a significantly lower price, as the core functionality remains the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are the cameras significantly different between the two phones?
No, both phones are expected to have very similar camera setups and image quality. Any differences would likely be due to software processing.
❓ Which phone has the better software experience?
The Honor Play 40 Plus *might* have a slightly newer version of Android and Honor's Magic UI, but the difference is likely minimal.
