The Honor Play10A and Honor 9A represent Honor's commitment to delivering affordable smartphones. While both target the budget-conscious consumer, they differ significantly in their internal hardware. This comparison dissects those differences, focusing on how the chipset and display impact real-world performance and usability, helping you determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Honor Play10A is the superior choice. Its Mediatek Helio G81 chipset provides a substantial performance uplift over the Helio P22 in the 9A, making it better suited for gaming and multitasking. While the 9A boasts a brighter display, the Play10A’s processing power offers a more impactful everyday experience.
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, October 23 | 2020, April 29. Released 2020, May 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, October 23 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 167 x 77 x 7.9 mm (6.57 x 3.03 x 0.31 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 | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 185 g (6.53 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~278 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 95.8 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G81 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762R Helio P22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 15, MagicOS 9 | Android 10, Magic UI 3.1, no Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| 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 |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio; built-in antenna |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5260 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ocean Cyan | Black, Blue, Green |
| Models | NLA-LX3 | MOA-LX9N |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.2 LUFS (Good)
|
Honor Play10A
- Significantly faster processor for gaming and multitasking
- More responsive user experience
- Potentially better image processing due to the G81’s ISP
- Likely lower peak display brightness than the 9A
- 15W charging is relatively slow
Honor 9A
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Lower price point (potentially)
- Sufficient for basic smartphone tasks
- Slow processor struggles with demanding apps
- Less responsive user interface
- Limited gaming capabilities
Display Comparison
The Honor 9A features a display measured at 546 nits of peak brightness and a 1583:1 contrast ratio. This indicates strong outdoor visibility, a key advantage for users frequently exposed to sunlight. However, the Play10A, while lacking published brightness data, likely has a lower peak brightness. The absence of detailed display specifications for the Play10A suggests a focus on cost reduction in this area. The contrast ratio is not specified for the Play10A, but it's reasonable to assume it's lower than the 9A. The 9A’s higher brightness is a clear win for outdoor use, but color accuracy and panel technology (likely IPS LCD on both) are not detailed enough to make a further comparison.
Camera Comparison
Neither device is expected to excel in photography. Detailed camera specifications are lacking, but both likely feature a primary camera alongside depth and macro sensors. Given the budget nature of these phones, sensor sizes are likely small, and image processing will be limited. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering minimal practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS). Without further information, it’s difficult to definitively declare a camera winner; however, the Play10A’s more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Helio G81 may offer slightly better image processing capabilities.
Performance
The core difference between these two phones lies in their chipsets. The Honor Play10A utilizes the Mediatek Helio G81, a 12nm processor with an octa-core configuration featuring two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.7 GHz. This architecture prioritizes performance with the A75 cores handling demanding tasks. In contrast, the Honor 9A is powered by the Mediatek MT6762R Helio P22, also a 12nm chip, but with a less powerful octa-core setup consisting of four Cortex-A53 cores at 2.0 GHz and four more at 1.5 GHz. The A53 cores are less efficient and offer lower single-core performance. This translates to noticeably slower app loading times, less responsive multitasking, and a less enjoyable gaming experience on the 9A. The G81’s architecture is a significant upgrade, benefiting users who engage in more than basic smartphone functions.
Battery Life
Both phones feature 15W wired charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Play10A’s more efficient processor could translate to slightly better battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity to the 9A. The 15W charging speed is relatively slow by today’s standards, meaning a full charge will take over two hours. The difference in charging time between the two will likely be minimal, as the bottleneck is the charging wattage rather than the battery capacity or processor.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Play10A if you prioritize smooth performance for gaming, social media, and everyday tasks. Its more powerful processor will handle demanding apps with greater ease. Buy the Honor 9A if your primary concern is outdoor visibility and you primarily use your phone for basic communication and light web browsing. The brighter display is beneficial in direct sunlight, but you'll sacrifice processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Honor Play10A run demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile smoothly?
The Helio G81 in the Play10A is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. The Helio P22 in the 9A will struggle with these titles, even on the lowest settings.
❓ Is the difference in processor speed noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the difference is quite noticeable. The Play10A’s Helio G81 will result in faster app loading times, smoother scrolling, and a more responsive overall experience when browsing the web or using social media apps. The 9A’s Helio P22 will feel sluggish in comparison.
❓ Does the Honor 9A’s brighter screen make a significant difference when using the phone outdoors?
Absolutely. The 546 nits of peak brightness on the 9A’s display makes it much easier to see the screen in direct sunlight compared to the Play10A, which likely has a lower peak brightness. This is a key advantage for users who spend a lot of time outdoors.
❓ Are there any significant differences in software features between the two phones?
Both phones likely run a customized version of Android, but specific software features and update schedules may vary. Honor’s software experience is generally similar across its budget devices, focusing on simplicity and ease of use. However, the Play10A’s more powerful processor may handle software updates and new features more smoothly.
