Choosing a new smartphone can be overwhelming. The Honor Play 4T and Huawei nova 5i Pro both offer compelling features, but cater to different needs. This comprehensive comparison will help you determine which device best suits your budget and priorities.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei nova 5i Pro is the clear winner, boasting a significantly faster Kirin 810 chipset, faster charging, and a generally more premium experience. While the Honor Play 4T is a budget-friendly option, the nova 5i Pro delivers superior performance and features for a reasonable price increase.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 09. Released 2020, April 14 | 2019, July. Released 2019, July |
| 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) | 156.1 x 73.9 x 8.3 mm (6.15 x 2.91 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 176 g (6.21 oz) | 178 g (6.28 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~412 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.26 inches, 96.2 cm2 (~83.4% 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 (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Kirin 810 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Mali-G52 MP6 |
| OS | Android 10, Magic UI 3, no Google Play Services | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 13 MP, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 20W wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 725 h (2G) / Up to 625 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 26 h (2G) / Up to 16 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green | Black, Aurora, Emerald Green |
| Models | AKA-AL10, AKA-TL10 | SPN-AL00, SPN-TL00 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 290 EUR |
Honor Play 4T
- Affordable price
- Large display
- Decent battery life
- Slower performance
- Slow charging
- Less advanced camera
Huawei nova 5i Pro
- Faster performance (Kirin 810)
- Fast charging (20W)
- Better camera system
- More premium design
- Higher price
- Potential software limitations (Huawei ecosystem)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, but the nova 5i Pro likely has a slightly better panel with improved color accuracy and brightness. The Play 4T's display is adequate for everyday use, but the nova 5i Pro offers a more immersive viewing experience. Resolution is likely similar, around 1080p.
Camera Comparison
The nova 5i Pro generally has a more advanced camera system, likely including a higher resolution main sensor and potentially additional lenses for wider angles or macro photography. Expect better image quality, especially in low-light conditions, from the nova 5i Pro. Both likely offer decent front-facing cameras for selfies.
Performance
The Kirin 810 in the nova 5i Pro is a substantial upgrade over the Kirin 710A in the Play 4T. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the nova 5i Pro. The nova 5i Pro's Cortex-A76 cores provide a significant boost in single-core performance.
Battery Life
While both phones likely have similar battery capacities (around 4000mAh), the nova 5i Pro's 20W fast charging significantly reduces charging times compared to the Play 4T's 10W charging. This is a crucial advantage for users who value convenience.
Buying Guide
The Honor Play 4T is ideal for budget-conscious users who prioritize basic functionality and a large display for media consumption. The Huawei nova 5i Pro is a better choice for those seeking a smoother performance, better camera capabilities, and faster charging, and are willing to spend a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Kirin 710A good for gaming?
The Kirin 710A can handle basic games, but demanding titles may experience lag or require lower graphics settings. The Kirin 810 in the nova 5i Pro is significantly better for gaming.
❓ Does the Huawei nova 5i Pro have Google Play Services?
Availability of Google Play Services on the nova 5i Pro can vary depending on region and updates. It's best to check the current status before purchasing.