Honor's Play and X series represent their commitment to accessible smartphones. The Play 40 focuses on providing a solid, reliable experience, while the X40 GT Racing aims to deliver a more performance-oriented package, particularly for gaming. This comparison dissects the key differences between these two devices to determine which one offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing fast charging and potentially better gaming performance, the Honor X40 GT Racing is the clear winner. Its 66W charging significantly outperforms the Play 40’s 10W, and while CPU details are limited, the 'GT Racing' branding suggests a focus on performance that the Play 40 doesn't match.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | LTE |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, July 05 | 2023, September 19 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, July 05 | Available. Released 2023, September 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) | 166.1 x 75.8 x 8.5 mm (6.54 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 199.5 g (7.05 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~385 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.81 inches, 112.3 cm2 (~89.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 144Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.9 GHz Kryo 460) | Octa-core |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4350-AC Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm) | - |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | - |
| OS | Android 13, Magic OS 7.1 | Android 13, Magic OS 7.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 66W wired, 90% in 30 min
5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5200 mAh | Li-Po 4800 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Mint, Black, Purple | Black, Silver |
| Models | WDY-AN00 | - |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 300 EUR |
Honor Play 40
- Reliable Snapdragon 480+ 5G chipset
- Affordable price point
- 5G connectivity
- Extremely slow 10W charging
- Limited performance for demanding tasks
- Likely basic camera system
Honor X40 GT Racing
- Ultra-fast 66W charging
- Potential for better gaming performance
- 5W reverse wired charging
- CPU specifications are unknown
- May be slightly more expensive
- Camera quality is unconfirmed
Display Comparison
Display specifications are currently unavailable for both devices. However, given the price points, we can anticipate both phones will utilize LCD panels. The X40 GT Racing’s ‘Racing’ moniker hints at a potentially higher refresh rate, which would be a significant advantage for gaming, but this remains unconfirmed. Bezels are likely to be comparable, focusing on maximizing screen real estate within the budget constraints.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse for both devices. It’s reasonable to assume both will feature multi-camera setups, but the quality will heavily depend on the primary sensor and image processing algorithms. The absence of details suggests neither phone will feature flagship-level camera hardware. The X40 GT Racing’s focus on performance might translate to slightly better image processing capabilities, but this is speculative. We anticipate both phones will include standard features like HDR and portrait modes.
Performance
The Honor Play 40 is powered by the Qualcomm SM4350-AC Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 cores and 6x1.9 GHz Kryo 460 cores. The X40 GT Racing’s CPU is also octa-core, but lacks specific details. The Snapdragon 480+ is a capable entry-level 5G chip, but the X40 GT Racing’s branding suggests a more powerful processor, potentially optimized for gaming. The 8nm process node of the Snapdragon 480+ offers reasonable efficiency, but the X40 GT Racing may benefit from a newer process node or more aggressive clock speeds. Without RAM specifications, it's difficult to assess multitasking capabilities, but faster LPDDR5x RAM would benefit the X40 GT Racing.
Battery Life
The most significant difference lies in charging speed. The Honor Play 40 supports a slow 10W wired charging, meaning a full charge will take several hours. In contrast, the Honor X40 GT Racing boasts 66W wired charging, capable of reaching 90% charge in just 30 minutes. This is a game-changer for users who need to quickly top up their battery. The X40 GT Racing also includes 5W reverse wired charging, allowing it to charge other devices, a feature absent on the Play 40. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the X40 GT Racing effectively mitigates any potential capacity disadvantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Play 40 if you need a dependable, basic smartphone with 5G connectivity and aren't concerned with rapid charging or demanding gaming. It's ideal for users who prioritize call quality, messaging, and light social media use. Buy the Honor X40 GT Racing if you prefer a phone capable of faster charging, potentially better gaming performance, and appreciate the convenience of reverse wired charging – making it a better choice for power users and mobile gamers.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ How much faster is the 66W charging on the X40 GT Racing compared to the 10W charging on the Play 40?
The 66W charging on the X40 GT Racing is dramatically faster. It can reach 90% charge in approximately 30 minutes, while the Play 40’s 10W charging will take several hours for a full charge. This difference is crucial for users who need a quick power boost.
❓ Will the Snapdragon 480+ in the Play 40 be sufficient for playing popular mobile games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Snapdragon 480+ can handle less demanding mobile games, but you may need to lower graphics settings for smoother gameplay in titles like PUBG or Call of Duty. The X40 GT Racing, with its 'GT Racing' branding, likely features a more powerful processor better suited for gaming, but specific details are needed for confirmation.
❓ Does the Honor X40 GT Racing support fast charging for accessories like wireless earbuds?
While the X40 GT Racing supports 5W reverse wired charging, this is primarily intended for charging other phones or small devices via a cable. It's unlikely to provide fast charging for accessories like wireless earbuds, but it can offer a trickle charge if needed.
