The Honor Play10A and Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price, but they diverge significantly in their core processing power. This comparison dissects those differences, focusing on how the chipset choices impact everyday use and light gaming.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and occasional gaming, the Honor Play10A is the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio G81 chipset, featuring Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Redmi 9A Sport’s Helio G25, despite the latter’s slightly lower price point. However, the Redmi 9A Sport remains a viable option for extremely basic usage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 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 | 2021, September 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, October 23 | Available. Released 2021, September 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 167 x 77 x 7.9 mm (6.57 x 3.03 x 0.31 in) | 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% 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 (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G81 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 15, MagicOS 9 | 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 |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| 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 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5260 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ocean Cyan | Carbon Black, Coral Green, Metallic Blue |
| Models | NLA-LX3 | - |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 100 EUR |
Honor Play10A
- Faster processor for smoother performance
- Faster 15W charging
- More efficient CPU architecture
- Potentially slightly higher price
- May not have significant camera improvements
Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport
- Lower price point
- Acceptable for basic tasks
- Decent battery life for light usage
- Slower processor leading to lag
- Slower 10W charging
- Less responsive user experience
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. While specific details like peak brightness and color gamut are unavailable, the focus here is on performance, not visual fidelity. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, and neither supports high refresh rates. The display experience will be largely similar, prioritizing functionality over aesthetics.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar in real-world usage, given the focus on cost reduction. Both phones likely feature a primary camera alongside basic depth or macro sensors. Without specific sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the image signal processor (ISP) within the Helio G81 of the Play10A is likely more capable, potentially leading to slightly better image processing and noise reduction. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing tactic and offers limited practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor Play10A’s Mediatek Helio G81, built on a 12nm process, features a dual-cluster CPU configuration with 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This architecture provides a significant boost in single-core and multi-core performance compared to the Redmi 9A Sport’s Helio G25. The G25 utilizes 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 cores and 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 cores – a less efficient and less powerful configuration. The A75 cores in the Play10A will translate to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. While both are 12nm, the architectural advantage of the G81 is substantial.
Battery Life
Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. While specific battery capacities are not provided, the 15W charging on the Honor Play10A is a clear advantage over the Redmi 9A Sport’s 10W charging. This means the Play10A will reach a full charge significantly faster, reducing downtime. The difference in charging speed will be more noticeable for users who frequently top up their phones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Play10A if you need a phone capable of handling multitasking, streaming video, and playing less demanding games without significant lag. It’s ideal for students or users who rely on their phone for productivity. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport if you primarily need a device for calls, texts, and very light app usage, and are prioritizing the absolute lowest possible price. It’s best suited for first-time smartphone users or as a backup device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Honor Play10A handle popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty?
The Helio G81 in the Honor Play10A can run PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty, but likely at lower graphics settings and frame rates to maintain a playable experience. Expect some frame drops during intense action. The Redmi 9A Sport’s Helio G25 will struggle significantly with these titles.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Helio G81 and Helio G25 noticeable in everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. The Honor Play10A with the Helio G81 will exhibit snappier app launches, smoother scrolling, and faster multitasking compared to the Redmi 9A Sport. This is due to the more powerful CPU cores and improved architecture of the G81.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge each phone?
With 15W charging, the Honor Play10A will likely take around 2.5 to 3 hours to fully charge from 0%. The Redmi 9A Sport, with its 10W charging, will likely take 3.5 to 4 hours or longer.
❓ Does either phone support fast charging standards like Quick Charge or Power Delivery?
Neither phone is officially advertised as supporting Quick Charge or Power Delivery. They both utilize standard USB charging, and while they *might* work with some chargers, they won't benefit from the faster speeds these standards offer.
