The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Honor Play 40 Plus and the vivo Y3s (2021). Both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, but which one comes out on top?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor Play 40 Plus clearly wins this comparison. Its significantly more powerful Dimensity 700 chipset, faster charging, and likely improved camera performance make it the superior choice for most users seeking a budget-friendly smartphone. The vivo Y3s (2021) offers a basic experience at a potentially lower price.
| 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 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 20 | 2021, October 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 28 | Available. Released 2021, October 18 |
| 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) | 164.4 x 76.3 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 196 g (6.91 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12, Magic UI 6.1 | Android 11 (Go edition), Funtouch 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, f/1.8 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Unspecified |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 10W wired
5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Silver, Black, Purple | Starry Blue, Pearl White, Mint Green |
| Models | RKY-AN00 | V2044 |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 110 EUR |
Honor Play 40 Plus
- Significantly faster processor
- Faster charging (22.5W)
- Likely better camera performance
- Potentially larger/better display
- Potentially higher price than vivo Y3s
- May lack some vivo-specific software features
vivo Y3s (2021)
- Potentially lower price
- Reverse wired charging
- Simple and straightforward user interface
- Slow processor
- Slow charging (10W)
- Likely inferior camera
- Limited performance for demanding tasks
Display Comparison
While specific display details are scarce for both, the Honor Play 40 Plus likely features a slightly larger and potentially higher resolution display given its positioning. Both are expected to be LCD panels with standard refresh rates. Expect adequate viewing experiences for everyday use.
Camera Comparison
The Honor Play 40 Plus is expected to have a more capable camera system. The Dimensity 700 chipset often pairs with better image signal processors (ISPs), leading to improved image quality, especially in low light. While specific megapixel counts are needed for a definitive comparison, the Honor is likely to offer better results.
Performance
This is where the Honor Play 40 Plus shines. The Dimensity 700 chipset is a substantial upgrade over the Helio P35. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better overall responsiveness on the Honor device. The vivo Y3s (2021) will feel sluggish by comparison, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both phones likely feature batteries in the 5000mAh range. However, the Honor Play 40 Plus's 22.5W fast charging is a significant advantage over the vivo Y3s (2021)'s 10W charging and 5W reverse charging. Expect much quicker charging times on the Honor.
Buying Guide
The Honor Play 40 Plus is ideal for users who prioritize performance, smoother multitasking, and faster charging. It's a good choice for light gaming and everyday tasks. The vivo Y3s (2021) is best suited for users with very basic needs, primarily focused on calls, texts, and occasional social media browsing, and who are extremely budget-conscious.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Honor Play 40 Plus worth the extra money?
Yes, the performance boost from the Dimensity 700 chipset and faster charging make the Honor Play 40 Plus a worthwhile investment if your budget allows.
❓ Can the vivo Y3s (2021) handle basic social media apps?
Yes, it can handle basic social media apps, but performance may be slow and laggy at times.
