The Honor Play6C and Realme Q5 Pro represent distinct approaches to the budget 5G smartphone market. The Play6C aims for affordability, while the Q5 Pro prioritizes performance with a more powerful chipset and significantly faster charging. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme Q5 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 870 chipset delivers a substantially smoother experience for gaming and demanding apps, and the 80W charging is a game-changer. The Honor Play6C is a viable option only for those on the tightest of budgets.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | CDMA2000 1x |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 13 | 2022, April 20 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 15 | Available. Released 2022, April 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 75.1 x 8.7 mm (6.44 x 2.96 x 0.34 in) | 162.9 x 75.8 x 8.7 mm (6.41 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 194.5 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~398 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.62 inches, 105.8 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.9 GHz Kryo 460) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4350-AC Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 11, Magic UI 5 | Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 16mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 80W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Silver | Black, White, Yellow |
| Models | VNE-AN40 | RMX3372 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 330 EUR |
Honor Play6C
- More affordable price point
- 5G connectivity
- Decent for basic smartphone tasks
- Significantly slower performance
- Slower charging speed
- Likely lower quality camera
Realme Q5 Pro
- Much faster Snapdragon 870 processor
- Ultra-fast 80W charging
- Likely superior camera system
- Higher price tag
- Potentially more heat under sustained load (though mitigated by 7nm process)
- May be slightly heavier due to larger charging components
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Q5 Pro's positioning, it likely features a higher refresh rate panel (90Hz or 120Hz) compared to the Play6C's standard 60Hz. The Q5 Pro likely benefits from a brighter panel, enhancing visibility in outdoor conditions. Bezels are expected to be slimmer on the Q5 Pro, reflecting its more premium positioning.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, analysis is limited. However, the Q5 Pro, being a more premium device, likely features a larger main sensor and more sophisticated image processing algorithms. The Snapdragon 870’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is also more capable than the 480+'s, resulting in better dynamic range and low-light performance. The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is more probable on the Q5 Pro, further enhancing image quality. The Play6C likely relies on software processing to compensate for a less capable sensor.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme Q5 Pro’s Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) is a significant leap over the Honor Play6C’s Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8nm). The 870 features a Kryo 585 core clocked at 3.2 GHz, compared to the 480+'s 2.2 GHz Kryo 460 cores. This translates to roughly a 60-70% performance increase in CPU-intensive tasks and a substantial improvement in GPU performance. The 7nm process node of the 870 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during prolonged gaming sessions. The Q5 Pro is the clear choice for gamers and power users.
Battery Life
While battery capacities aren't specified, the Realme Q5 Pro’s 80W wired charging is a massive advantage. This allows for a full charge in under 40 minutes, a significant time saver compared to the Honor Play6C’s 22.5W charging. Even if the Play6C has a slightly larger battery, the Q5 Pro’s faster charging mitigates any capacity difference. The 80W charging also suggests the Q5 Pro employs more advanced battery management technology to minimize heat during charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Play6C if you need a basic, functional 5G smartphone for essential tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media use, and your budget is extremely limited. Buy the Realme Q5 Pro if you prioritize a responsive user experience, enjoy mobile gaming, and value the convenience of incredibly fast charging – even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 480+ in the Honor Play6C struggle with graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Snapdragon 480+ is an entry-level chipset. While it can handle less demanding games, Genshin Impact and similar titles will likely require significant graphics settings reductions and may still experience noticeable lag and frame drops. The Realme Q5 Pro’s Snapdragon 870 is far better equipped for these games.
❓ How much faster is the 80W charging on the Realme Q5 Pro compared to the 22.5W charging on the Honor Play6C in real-world use?
The Realme Q5 Pro can charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 35-40 minutes, while the Honor Play6C will likely take over 1.5 to 2 hours. This difference is substantial and significantly improves convenience, especially for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.
❓ Is the Realme Q5 Pro likely to overheat during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 870 is a powerful chip, its 7nm manufacturing process and Realme’s thermal management solutions should prevent significant overheating. Some warmth is expected during prolonged gaming, but it’s unlikely to cause performance throttling to the same extent as less efficient chipsets.
