The Honor Play4 and Realme 7 Pro represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. Both aim to deliver a balanced experience, but they take different approaches. The Play4 leverages MediaTek’s Dimensity 800, while the Realme 7 Pro opts for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 720G. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing fast charging and a slightly brighter display, the Realme 7 Pro is the better choice. Its 65W charging significantly reduces downtime, and the 585 nits brightness provides a more visible experience outdoors. However, the Honor Play4 offers a competitive chipset and may appeal to those seeking a different brand ecosystem.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - Asia |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, June 03. Released 2020, June 13 | 2020, September 03. Released 2020, September 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3+), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 170 x 78.5 x 8.9 mm (6.69 x 3.09 x 0.35 in) | 160.9 x 74.3 x 8.7 mm (6.33 x 2.93 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 213 g (7.51 oz) | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| | IP5X (dust), IPX4 (water) resistance | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3+ |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~386 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.81 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57MP4 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 10, Magic UI 3.1, no Google Play Services | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP | 32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, NavIC |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| 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 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired, 70% in 30 min | 65W wired, 50% in 12 min, 100% in 34 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4300 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Light Blue | Mirror Blue, Mirror Silver |
| Models | TNNH-AN00 | RMX2170 |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 190 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.73 W/kg (head) 0.52 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 8GB RAM | - | Rp 3,498,000 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 113h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-24.8 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 278414(v8)
GeekBench: 1811 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 14fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Honor Play4
- Potentially more power-efficient chipset (Dimensity 800, 7nm)
- Competitive CPU performance for the price
- Honor UI offers a distinct software experience
- Slower charging speed (22.5W)
- Missing display brightness specification
- Limited camera details available
Realme 7 Pro
- Incredibly fast 65W charging
- Brighter display (585 nits)
- Proven Snapdragon 720G performance
- Slightly less efficient chipset (Snapdragon 720G, 8nm)
- Realme UI may not appeal to all users
- Camera details are also limited
Display Comparison
The Realme 7 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 585 nits, a significant advantage over the unlisted brightness of the Honor Play4. While both feature an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for modern LCD/OLED panels), the higher brightness of the Realme 7 Pro translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. The lack of detailed display specifications for the Honor Play4, such as refresh rate or panel type, leaves a gap in the comparison, suggesting Realme prioritizes display quality as a key selling point.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, offering minimal insight. Without sensor size, aperture, or specific feature details, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the mid-range segment often prioritizes megapixel count over sensor quality. We can assume both phones will offer decent image quality in good lighting conditions, but low-light performance will likely be a differentiating factor dependent on sensor size and image processing algorithms. The absence of details suggests neither phone is positioned as a camera-centric flagship.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 7 Pro’s Snapdragon 720G (8nm) utilizes Qualcomm’s Kryo 465 cores, with a peak clock speed of 2.3 GHz. The Honor Play4, however, features the MediaTek Dimensity 800 (7nm). While clock speed isn’t everything, the Dimensity 800’s 7nm process *should* offer better power efficiency, potentially leading to longer sustained performance under load. The CPU architecture also differs; the Snapdragon uses Kryo cores, while the Dimensity 800 employs Cortex-A76 and A55 cores. Both phones have 8GB of RAM, but the RAM type (LPDDR4x vs LPDDR5) isn't specified, impacting bandwidth. The Snapdragon 720G is known for its balanced performance, while the Dimensity 800 often edges it out in raw GPU power.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 113 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The Realme 7 Pro’s 65W charging is a game-changer, achieving 50% charge in just 12 minutes and a full charge in 34 minutes. The Honor Play4’s 22.5W charging, while respectable, takes considerably longer, reaching 70% in 30 minutes. This difference in charging speed significantly impacts user experience, especially for those who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Play4 if you prioritize a potentially more efficient chipset for sustained tasks and prefer the Honor UI experience. It’s a solid all-rounder for everyday use. Buy the Realme 7 Pro if you value incredibly fast charging, a brighter display for outdoor visibility, and a proven track record of software updates within the Realme ecosystem. It’s ideal for users constantly on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Dimensity 800 in the Honor Play4 struggle with sustained gaming performance compared to the Snapdragon 720G?
While the Dimensity 800 generally offers higher raw GPU performance, sustained performance depends heavily on thermal management. Without specific thermal testing data, it's difficult to say definitively. However, the 7nm process *should* allow for more efficient heat dissipation, potentially mitigating throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Snapdragon 720G is known for its stable, if slightly less powerful, performance.
❓ How much of a difference does the 65W charging on the Realme 7 Pro make in real-world usage?
The 65W charging is a substantial benefit. Going from 0% to 50% in 12 minutes and fully charged in 34 minutes drastically reduces the time spent tethered to a wall. This is particularly useful for users who frequently travel or have limited time to charge their phones. The Honor Play4's 22.5W charging, while adequate, feels significantly slower in comparison.
❓ Are the camera differences between these phones noticeable for casual users?
Without detailed camera specifications, it's hard to say. However, for casual users primarily taking photos in good lighting conditions, the differences will likely be minimal. The image processing style of each brand (Honor vs. Realme) will be more noticeable than any hardware differences. If you frequently shoot in low light, a phone with a larger sensor and optical image stabilization (OIS) would be preferable, but neither phone explicitly advertises these features.
