Honor's Play series consistently delivers value, but the Play 8T and Play 40 Plus represent slightly different approaches to the budget smartphone market. The 8T prioritizes rapid charging, while the 40 Plus focuses on a more refined, albeit less powerful, chipset. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Honor Play 40 Plus is the better choice. While the 8T’s 35W charging is appealing, the 40 Plus’s Dimensity 700, fabricated on a 7nm process, offers superior power efficiency and a smoother overall experience, making it a more sustainable long-term investment.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 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 / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, October 17 | 2022, October 20 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, October 17 | Available. Released 2022, October 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 166.7 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm (6.56 x 3.01 x 0.32 in) | 167.5 x 76.9 x 8.3 mm (6.59 x 3.03 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~389 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 111.3 cm2 (~87.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 90Hz, 850 nits (peak) | TFT LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6080 (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13, MagicOS 7.2 | Android 12, Magic UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 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) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 35W wired | 22.5W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Green, Silver, Black | Blue, Silver, Black, Purple |
| Models | CLK-AN00 | RKY-AN00 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 170 EUR |
Honor Play 8T
- Faster 35W wired charging
- Potentially higher peak CPU performance due to clock speed
- More recent chipset (Dimensity 6080)
- Less power-efficient chipset (6nm vs 7nm)
- Potential for more thermal throttling under load
- Likely shorter battery life compared to the 40 Plus
Honor Play 40 Plus
- More power-efficient chipset (7nm)
- Better thermal management
- Potentially longer battery life
- Smoother overall experience due to efficient chipset
- Slower 22.5W wired charging
- Slightly lower CPU clock speeds
Display Comparison
Neither Honor provides detailed display specifications beyond resolution. However, the display is likely to be an LCD panel in both cases, typical for this price bracket. The absence of high refresh rates or advanced panel technologies like LTPO is expected. Bezels are likely comparable, focusing on maximizing screen real estate within the budget constraints. Color accuracy will likely be standard for the price point, prioritizing vibrancy over absolute fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specs are unavailable, but both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup with a primary sensor and supporting lenses. Given the price point, expect a focus on computational photography to enhance image quality. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is highly probable on both devices. The aperture of the main sensor will be a key determinant of low-light performance, but without specific data, it’s difficult to assess. Any secondary cameras (ultrawide, macro) are likely to be of limited quality and should not be a primary consideration.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor Play 8T utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 6080 (6nm), featuring a 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 configuration. The Play 40 Plus employs the Dimensity 700 (7nm) with a similar 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 setup. While the 8T boasts higher clock speeds on its primary cores, the 7nm process of the Dimensity 700 generally translates to better power efficiency and thermal management. This means the 40 Plus is less likely to throttle under sustained load. The 6nm node of the 6080 is more efficient than older nodes, but the 7nm process still holds an advantage. Both phones likely utilize LPDDR4X RAM, limiting memory bandwidth.
Battery Life
The Honor Play 8T’s 35W wired charging is a significant advantage, allowing for a much faster 0-100% charge compared to the Play 40 Plus’s 22.5W charging. However, battery capacity isn’t specified. The Dimensity 700’s 7nm process in the 40 Plus contributes to better power efficiency, potentially offsetting the slower charging speed with longer real-world battery life. Users prioritizing quick top-ups will favor the 8T, while those seeking all-day battery life may prefer the 40 Plus.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Play 8T if you absolutely prioritize the fastest possible charging speeds and frequently find yourself needing to top up quickly. It’s ideal for users who are constantly on the go and can’t afford downtime. Buy the Honor Play 40 Plus if you value a more balanced experience with better power efficiency, potentially longer battery life, and a slightly more refined chipset, even if it means sacrificing some charging speed. This is the better option for everyday users and those who enjoy moderate gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Dimensity 6080 in the Play 8T handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Dimensity 6080 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you may need to lower graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The 7nm Dimensity 700 in the Play 40 Plus will likely offer a more consistent experience, even if it doesn't have the same peak clock speeds.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Honor Play 8T with the 35W charger?
While a precise time isn't available, the 35W charging should fully charge the Play 8T in approximately 60-75 minutes, assuming a typical battery capacity for this class of device. This is significantly faster than the Play 40 Plus.
❓ Does the Honor Play 40 Plus get noticeably warm during extended use, like video streaming or gaming?
The Dimensity 700's 7nm process is designed to minimize heat generation. While some warmth is expected during intensive tasks, the Play 40 Plus should remain cooler than the Play 8T, reducing the risk of performance throttling.
❓ Is the difference in chipset performance between the Dimensity 6080 and 700 noticeable in everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
For basic tasks, the difference will be minimal. Both chipsets are more than capable of handling everyday usage. The benefits of the Dimensity 700 become more apparent during more demanding tasks and sustained workloads.
