Looking for a budget-friendly smartphone that delivers a solid experience? The Honor Play 4T and Huawei nova 3i are both contenders, offering decent performance and features at an affordable price point. But which one comes out on top? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei nova 3i edges out the Honor Play 4T thanks to its slightly more efficient chipset (12nm vs 14nm), potentially better camera performance, and often a more competitive price. While both offer similar core specs, the nova 3i provides a more polished overall experience.
| 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 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat12 600/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 09. Released 2020, April 14 | 2018, July 18. Released 2018, July 27 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.8 x 76.1 x 8.1 mm (6.29 x 3.00 x 0.32 in) | 157.6 x 75.2 x 7.6 mm (6.20 x 2.96 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 176 g (6.21 oz) | 169 g (5.96 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Kirin 710 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Mali-G51 MP4 |
| OS | Android 10, Magic UI 3, no Google Play Services | Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 16 MP, f/2.2, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 24 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm
2 MP, depth sensor |
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | - |
| 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, EDR, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | 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 | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Ion 3340 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green | Black, Pearl White, Iris Purple |
| Models | AKA-AL10, AKA-TL10 | INE-LX1, INE-LX1r, INE-LX1, Sydney 6353, INE-LX2r, INE-AL00, INE-TL00 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 220 EUR |
Honor Play 4T
- Affordable price
- Reliable performance for basic tasks
- Decent battery life
- Slower charging
- Less powerful chipset than nova 3i
- Subpar camera compared to nova 3i
Huawei nova 3i
- Slightly more efficient chipset
- Better camera performance
- More modern design
- Potentially higher price
- 10W charging is slow
- Software support may be limited
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar display technology (likely IPS LCD) and resolution, around 6.2-6.3 inches. The nova 3i might have a slightly more vibrant display due to Huawei's display tuning. Expect similar viewing angles and color accuracy for everyday use.
Camera Comparison
The Huawei nova 3i generally boasts a superior camera system. It likely features a more advanced main sensor and potentially better image processing algorithms. Expect better low-light performance and more detailed photos from the nova 3i. The Honor Play 4T's camera is adequate for casual snapshots but won't match the nova 3i's capabilities.
Performance
While both utilize the Kirin 710 chipset with the same CPU configuration, the nova 3i's 12nm manufacturing process offers a slight advantage in power efficiency. This translates to potentially better sustained performance and less heat generation during demanding tasks. The Honor Play 4T's 14nm process might show slightly more throttling under prolonged load.
Battery Life
Both phones have a similar battery capacity (around 3900-4000 mAh). However, the nova 3i's more efficient chipset could result in slightly better battery life in real-world usage. Charging speeds are identical at 10W, which is relatively slow by modern standards.
Buying Guide
The Honor Play 4T is a good choice for users prioritizing a simple, reliable phone for basic tasks and those who find it significantly cheaper. The Huawei nova 3i is ideal for users who want a slightly better camera, a more modern design, and a generally smoother experience, even if it costs a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Kirin 710 a good chipset?
The Kirin 710 is a decent mid-range chipset that's capable of handling everyday tasks and some light gaming. However, it's starting to show its age compared to newer processors.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Huawei's software support has been inconsistent in recent years. Honor, now independent, may offer slightly better and more timely updates, but it's best to check current software versions before purchasing.
