The Honor Play10A and Xiaomi Redmi 8A Pro represent two compelling options in the ultra-budget smartphone space. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at a price point that won't break the bank, but they achieve this with different approaches to chipset selection and feature sets. This comparison will dissect the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Honor Play10A emerges as the stronger choice. Its Mediatek Helio G81 chipset, featuring more modern Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Redmi 8A Pro’s Snapdragon 439, making it better suited for multitasking and light gaming. While the Redmi 8A Pro offers 18W charging and reverse wired charging, the performance gap justifies the trade-off for the average user.
| 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, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, October 23 | 2020, April 02. Released 2020, April 02 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, October 23 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 167 x 77 x 7.9 mm (6.57 x 3.03 x 0.31 in) | 156.5 x 75.4 x 9.4 mm (6.16 x 2.97 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G81 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 505 |
| OS | Android 15, MagicOS 9 | Android 9.0 (Pie), planned upgrade to Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| 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 | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM Radio, built-in antenna |
| 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 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 18W wired
2.5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5260 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ocean Cyan | Sky White, Sea Blue, Midnight Grey |
| Models | NLA-LX3 | - |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 90 EUR |
Honor Play10A
- Superior CPU performance with Cortex-A75 cores
- More responsive user experience
- Better suited for multitasking and light gaming
- Slower charging speed (15W)
- Lacks reverse wired charging
Xiaomi Redmi 8A Pro
- Faster charging speed (18W)
- Convenient reverse wired charging
- Potentially better battery flexibility
- Inferior CPU performance with Cortex-A53 cores
- Less responsive user experience
- Struggles with demanding tasks
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly impressive display. Both utilize 12nm chipsets, suggesting a focus on cost optimization over display technology. While specific display specs (resolution, panel type) are not provided, the focus here is on the processing power needed to drive the UI. The absence of high refresh rates on either device indicates a prioritization of battery life over visual fluidity.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the price bracket, it’s safe to assume both phones rely on budget sensors. The focus is likely on software processing to enhance image quality. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests a reliance on digital stabilization, which can introduce artifacts in low-light conditions. The Redmi 8A Pro’s inclusion of reverse wired charging suggests a slightly more feature-rich approach, but this doesn’t necessarily translate to superior image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor Play10A’s Mediatek Helio G81 utilizes a dual-cluster configuration with 2x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x 1.7 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This architecture provides a significant uplift in single-core and multi-core performance compared to the Redmi 8A Pro’s Snapdragon 439, which features 4x 1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 cores and 4x 1.45 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The Cortex-A75 cores in the Helio G81 are substantially more powerful than the Cortex-A53 cores in the Snapdragon 439, resulting in faster app launch times and smoother multitasking. The G81 is also better equipped for handling graphically demanding tasks, offering a more enjoyable gaming experience. The 12nm process node is shared, meaning thermal efficiency differences will be less pronounced, but the architectural advantage favors the Honor device.
Battery Life
The Redmi 8A Pro’s 18W wired charging offers a slight advantage over the Honor Play10A’s 15W charging. This translates to faster top-up times, which is beneficial for users who frequently find themselves with low battery. The Redmi 8A Pro also includes 2.5W reverse wired charging, allowing it to act as a power bank for other devices – a niche feature that may appeal to some users. However, the Helio G81 in the Honor Play10A is generally more power-efficient under load, potentially offsetting the charging speed difference in real-world usage scenarios.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Play10A if you prioritize smoother app performance and a more responsive user experience, even if it means slightly slower charging. This phone is ideal for students, casual social media users, and those who occasionally enjoy mobile games. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 8A Pro if you value faster charging speeds and the convenience of reverse wired charging to top up accessories, and your primary use case is basic communication and light tasks. It’s a good fit for users who prioritize battery flexibility over raw processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Honor Play10A handle popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Helio G81 in the Honor Play10A is capable of running PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to achieve a smooth frame rate. The Snapdragon 439 in the Redmi 8A Pro will struggle with these titles, even on the lowest settings.
❓ How much faster is the charging on the Redmi 8A Pro compared to the Honor Play10A in real-world use?
The 18W charging on the Redmi 8A Pro will shave approximately 20-30 minutes off a full 0-100% charge compared to the Honor Play10A’s 15W charging. However, the difference in charging time from 20% to 80% will be less noticeable.
❓ Is the reverse wired charging on the Redmi 8A Pro useful for everyday use?
The 2.5W reverse wired charging is primarily useful for topping up accessories like Bluetooth headphones or smartwatches in emergencies. It's not fast enough to significantly charge a smartphone.
