Looking for an affordable smartphone? The Honor Play 9A and Honor 9A are both contenders in the budget market. But which one offers the best value for your money? This comprehensive comparison will delve into their key features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor 9A edges out the Play 9A thanks to its brighter display and slightly more modern chipset. While both offer budget-friendly pricing, the 9A's screen quality and marginally better performance make it the preferable choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 30. Released 2020, April 03 | 2020, April 29. Released 2020, May 04 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.1 x 74.1 x 9 mm (6.26 x 2.92 x 0.35 in) | 159.1 x 74.1 x 9 mm (6.26 x 2.92 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 185 g (6.53 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~278 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~278 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 95.8 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 95.8 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762R Helio P22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10, Magic UI 3.0, no Google Play Services | Android 10, Magic UI 3.1, no Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio; built-in antenna |
| 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 | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue Water Emerald, Jasper Green, Dark Night Black | Black, Blue, Green |
| Models | MOA-AL00, MOA-TL00, MED-AL20, MOA-AL20 | MOA-LX9N |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.2 LUFS (Good)
|
Honor Play 9A
- Very Affordable
- Decent Battery Life
- Reliable Brand
- Basic Performance
- Dim Display
- Slow Charging
Honor 9A
- Brighter Display
- Slightly Better Performance
- Good Value
- Still Entry-Level Performance
- Slow Charging
- Plastic Build
Display Comparison
The Honor 9A boasts a significantly brighter display (546 nits) compared to the Play 9A, offering better visibility in sunlight. The 1583:1 contrast ratio also contributes to a more vibrant and immersive viewing experience. The Play 9A's display is adequate but lacks the punch of the 9A.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are generally similar across both devices, featuring a multi-lens setup (likely a primary lens, macro, and depth sensor). Image quality will depend heavily on software processing and lighting conditions. Expect decent results in good lighting, but struggles in low-light scenarios. The 9A might have a slight edge due to potentially better image processing.
Performance
While both phones utilize Mediatek Helio chipsets, the Honor 9A's Helio P22 generally provides slightly better performance than the Play 9A's Helio P35. This translates to smoother multitasking and slightly faster app loading times on the 9A. Both are entry-level processors, so don't expect flagship-level speed.
Battery Life
Both phones likely feature a battery capacity around 5000mAh, offering all-day battery life for moderate users. Charging speeds are limited to 10W wired charging on both devices, meaning a full charge will take several hours.
Buying Guide
The Honor Play 9A is ideal for users prioritizing basic functionality and affordability above all else. The Honor 9A is a better fit for those who value a slightly better display and a more responsive experience, even within a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the difference between the Honor Play 9A and Honor 9A?
The Honor 9A has a brighter and more vibrant display, a slightly more modern chipset, and potentially better image processing. The Play 9A is generally more affordable.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
Neither phone is ideal for demanding games. The Honor 9A offers slightly better performance, but both will struggle with high graphics settings.
