Honor's Play series consistently delivers value, but the Play 8T and Play 50 Plus represent slightly different approaches to the budget smartphone market. The 8T, with its newer Dimensity 6080, faces off against the 50 Plus and its Dimensity 6020. This comparison dives deep into the nuances of these chipsets and their impact on everyday use, helping you determine which phone offers the best experience for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Honor Play 8T emerges as the slightly better choice. Its newer Dimensity 6080, built on a 6nm process, offers a marginal performance advantage and potentially better thermal efficiency compared to the Play 50 Plus's 7nm Dimensity 6020. Both offer 35W charging, making the decision hinge on chipset efficiency and price.
| 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 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, October 17 | 2023, October 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, October 17 | Available. Released 2023, October 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 166.7 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm (6.56 x 3.01 x 0.32 in) | 166.7 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm (6.56 x 3.01 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~389 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~389 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 111.3 cm2 (~87.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 111.3 cm2 (~87.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 90Hz, 850 nits (peak) | TFT LCD, 90Hz, 850 nits (peak) |
| 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 6020 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13, MagicOS 7.2 | Android 13, MagicOS 7.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB 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 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, 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 | 35W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Green, Silver, Black | Green, Silver, Black, Purple |
| Models | CLK-AN00 | CLK-AN00 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 190 EUR |
Honor Play 8T
- Newer Dimensity 6080 chipset offers a slight performance edge.
- 6nm process potentially improves power efficiency and reduces throttling.
- Faster CPU clock speeds on the primary cores.
- May be slightly more expensive than the Play 50 Plus.
- Detailed display specs are unknown.
Honor Play 50 Plus
- Likely more affordable than the Honor Play 8T.
- 35W fast charging for quick top-ups.
- Acceptable performance for everyday tasks.
- Older Dimensity 6020 chipset with a 7nm process.
- Potentially more susceptible to thermal throttling under heavy load.
Display Comparison
Both devices lack detailed display specifications in the provided data. However, given their market segment, we can expect both to utilize LCD panels, likely with a 60Hz refresh rate. The absence of LTPO or high refresh rates is typical for this price range. Bezels are likely to be similar, prioritizing cost-effectiveness over premium aesthetics. Color accuracy will likely be standard for budget devices, focusing on acceptable rather than exceptional reproduction.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, but the quality will heavily depend on the main sensor and image processing algorithms. It's reasonable to assume both will include a standard wide lens and potentially a depth sensor. The presence of OIS is unlikely in this price bracket. Image processing will likely prioritize vibrant colors and boosted contrast, common in budget smartphones. The 2MP macro cameras often found in this segment are generally of limited utility.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor Play 8T’s Mediatek Dimensity 6080 (6nm) boasts a slightly higher CPU clock speed (2.4 GHz vs 2.2 GHz) on its Cortex-A76 cores compared to the Play 50 Plus’s Dimensity 6020 (7nm). While both utilize the same core configuration (2x A76 + 6x A55), the 6nm process of the 6080 should translate to improved power efficiency and potentially sustained performance under load. This means the 8T may exhibit less throttling during extended gaming sessions. The GPU performance is also likely to be marginally better on the 8T, though real-world differences will be subtle. RAM speed (likely LPDDR4X on both) isn't specified, but is unlikely to be a major differentiator.
Battery Life
Both devices support 35W wired charging, suggesting similar charging speeds – likely around 60-70 minutes for a full charge. The actual battery capacity isn't specified, but typical values for this segment range from 5000mAh to 5200mAh. The Dimensity 6080’s improved power efficiency in the Play 8T could translate to slightly longer battery life, offsetting any potential capacity differences. Real-world battery performance will depend heavily on usage patterns.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Play 8T if you prioritize slightly better performance for gaming and multitasking, and value the benefits of a more modern fabrication process. Buy the Honor Play 50 Plus if you find it at a significantly lower price point and are primarily focused on essential smartphone tasks like calling, messaging, and light social media use. The price difference will likely be the deciding factor for many.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Honor Play 8T handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Dimensity 6080 in the Play 8T should be capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with a stable frame rate. However, don't expect to max out the graphics settings. The 6nm process should help mitigate throttling during extended gaming sessions, providing a more consistent experience than the Play 50 Plus.
❓ Is the difference in chipset performance between the Dimensity 6080 and 6020 noticeable in everyday use?
For basic tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging, the difference will be minimal. The advantage of the Dimensity 6080 becomes more apparent during multitasking, app loading times, and more demanding applications. It's a subtle improvement, but noticeable for power users.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge both phones with the 35W charger?
Both the Honor Play 8T and Play 50 Plus are expected to charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 60-70 minutes with the included 35W charger. Actual charging times may vary depending on usage during charging and ambient temperature.
❓ Does either phone support 5G connectivity?
The provided specifications do not mention 5G support. Given the budget nature of these devices, it's likely both phones are limited to 4G LTE connectivity. Confirming 5G support requires checking the official product pages.
