The Honor Play10C and Samsung Galaxy A25 represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive sub-$250 smartphone market. The Play10C aims for efficiency with its Dimensity 6300, while the Galaxy A25 leverages Samsung’s Exynos 1280 for a more performance-focused experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A25 emerges as the stronger choice. Its significantly brighter display, longer battery life, and more powerful Exynos 1280 chipset provide a smoother, more enjoyable experience, justifying the potential price premium. However, the Play10C remains a viable option for those prioritizing a lower initial cost.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 26, 28, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, August 08 | 2023, December 11 |
| Status | Available. Released Exp. release 2025, August 12 | Available. Released 2023, December 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.6 x 8.4 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 161 x 76.5 x 8.3 mm (6.34 x 3.01 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 197 g (6.95 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1604 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.61 inches, 105.3 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 120Hz, 1010 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6 nm) | Exynos 1280 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G68 |
| OS | Android 15, MagicOS 9 | Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | Market/region dependent |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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, gyro, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired
2.5W reverse wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Green | Brave Black, Personality Yellow, Fantasy Blue, Optimistic Blue |
| Models | NIC-AN00 | SM-A256E, SM-A256E/DS, SM-A256E/DSN, SM-A256B, SM-A256B/DS, SM-A256B/DSN, SM-A256U, SM-A256U1 |
| Price | About 80 EUR | € 175.99 / $ 120.32 / ₹ 18,399 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.46 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body) |
Honor Play10C
- Lower price point makes it accessible.
- Mediatek Dimensity 6300 offers decent efficiency.
- Reverse wired charging for accessories.
- Likely lower display brightness and quality.
- Slower charging speed (15W).
- Less powerful chipset compared to the A25.
Samsung Galaxy A25
- Brighter, higher-quality display (1030 nits).
- More powerful Exynos 1280 chipset.
- Faster 25W wired charging.
- Longer battery life (10:19h active use).
- Higher price compared to the Play10C.
- May have bloatware (typical for Samsung).
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A25 boasts a substantial advantage in display quality, achieving a measured peak brightness of 1030 nits. This is a critical difference, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Honor Play10C’s display specifications are not provided, it’s reasonable to assume it falls significantly below this level, typical for its price bracket. The A25’s higher brightness translates to a more immersive viewing experience for videos and photos. We can expect the A25 to have a more modern panel, potentially with better color accuracy and viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are limited, but the Samsung Galaxy A25 is expected to offer a more versatile and capable camera system. While both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, Samsung’s image processing algorithms and potentially larger sensor size (based on brand history) will likely result in superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The inclusion of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) in the A25, a common feature in Samsung’s A-series, would further enhance image and video stability. The 2MP macro cameras often found on both devices offer limited practical benefit.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A25’s Exynos 1280 (5nm) chipset offers a clear performance edge over the Honor Play10C’s Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6nm). Both CPUs feature a similar core configuration – 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76/A78 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – but the Exynos 1280’s more advanced 5nm fabrication process allows for greater efficiency and sustained performance. This means less throttling during demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. The A25 is likely to handle multitasking and graphically intensive applications with greater ease. The 6nm process of the Dimensity 6300 is still efficient, but the A25 has a clear advantage.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A25 demonstrates a significant advantage in battery endurance, achieving an active use score of 10:19 hours. This suggests a well-optimized combination of battery capacity and power efficiency. While the Honor Play10C’s battery capacity is unknown, the A25’s longer runtime is further bolstered by its 25W wired charging, significantly faster than the Play10C’s 15W charging. This translates to quicker top-ups and less downtime. The Play10C also offers 2.5W reverse wired charging, a niche feature for topping up accessories, but the A25’s faster charging is more impactful for daily use.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Play10C if you need a highly affordable smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and are willing to compromise on display quality and performance. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A25 if you prioritize a vibrant display, longer battery life, and a more responsive user experience for everyday tasks and occasional gaming, and are willing to spend a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1280 in the Galaxy A25 tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1280, built on a 5nm process, is generally efficient and well-managed in the Galaxy A25. While some heat generation is inevitable during intensive gaming, Samsung’s thermal management system is typically effective at preventing significant throttling, allowing for sustained performance over extended periods. It's unlikely to reach critical temperatures under normal use.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget smartphones offer limited practical benefit. The low resolution results in images lacking detail and sharpness. They are often included as a marketing feature rather than a genuinely useful photographic tool. You'll likely get better close-up results using the main camera in 'close focus' mode.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A25 reliably run PUBG Mobile at 60fps with high graphics settings?
The Exynos 1280 in the Galaxy A25 should be capable of running PUBG Mobile at 60fps with high graphics settings, though some settings adjustments may be necessary for optimal performance. The chipset's processing power and GPU are sufficient for a smooth gaming experience, but sustained performance will depend on thermal management and background app activity.
