Huawei Enjoy 10e vs Honor Play 9A: Which Budget Phone Wins?

The Huawei Enjoy 10e and Honor Play 9A represent a fascinating case study in brand segmentation. Both devices target the ultra-budget market, and a glance at the specifications reveals an almost unsettling level of similarity. This comparison aims to dissect the nuances – however small – to determine which phone offers the best experience for the price-conscious consumer.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user, the choice between the Huawei Enjoy 10e and Honor Play 9A is largely inconsequential. Both offer identical performance thanks to the Mediatek Helio P35 chipset. The Honor Play 9A *slightly* edges out due to potential software optimizations and wider availability, but price will ultimately be the deciding factor.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Enjoy 10e Honor Play 9A
Network
2G bandsGSM 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 411, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
 -CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA
Launch
Announced2020, March 01. Released 2020, March2020, March 30. Released 2020, April 03
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions159.1 x 74.1 x 9 mm (6.26 x 2.92 x 0.35 in)159.1 x 74.1 x 9 mm (6.26 x 2.92 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight185 g (6.53 oz)185 g (6.53 oz)
Display
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~278 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~278 ppi density)
Size6.3 inches, 95.8 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 95.8 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetMediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320PowerVR GE8320
OSAndroid 10, EMUI 10, no Google Play ServicesAndroid 10, Magic UI 3.0, no Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotmicroSDmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM
 -eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
Dual13 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0-
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single8 MP, f/2.08 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS
RadioUnspecifiedFM radio
USBmicroUSB 2.0, OTGmicroUSB 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximityFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity
Battery
Charging10W wired10W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsPearl White, Emerald Green, Midnight BlackBlue Water Emerald, Jasper Green, Dark Night Black
ModelsMED-AL00, MED-AL20, MED-TL00MOA-AL00, MOA-TL00, MED-AL20, MOA-AL20
PriceAbout 120 EURAbout 120 EUR

Huawei Enjoy 10e

  • Identical performance to Honor Play 9A
  • Potential for lower price
  • Huawei brand recognition

  • Limited detailed specifications
  • Slow 10W charging

Honor Play 9A

  • Identical performance to Huawei Enjoy 10e
  • Potential for better software support
  • Honor brand aesthetic

  • Limited detailed specifications
  • Slow 10W charging

Display Comparison

Both the Enjoy 10e and Play 9A lack detailed display specifications in the provided data. Given their price point, we can assume both utilize LCD panels with a 720p+ resolution. The absence of information regarding peak brightness, color gamut coverage, or PWM dimming rates suggests neither device prioritizes display quality. Users sensitive to screen flicker should research independent reviews for PWM frequency data, as this is a common area of concern in budget phones.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is another area where detailed specifications are lacking. While both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, the provided data doesn’t specify sensor sizes or lens apertures. It’s safe to assume the primary sensor is a basic 13MP unit. The inclusion of lower-resolution sensors (often 2MP) for depth sensing or macro photography is probable, but their utility is limited. Image processing will likely be similar, focusing on basic scene optimization rather than advanced computational photography techniques.

Performance

The heart of both devices is the Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm). The CPU configuration – an octa-core setup with 4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 cores – is identical. This means performance in everyday tasks and light gaming will be virtually indistinguishable. The 12nm process node indicates moderate power efficiency, but don’t expect sustained high performance. Thermal throttling will likely be a factor during prolonged gaming sessions. The lack of information on RAM type (LPDDR3 vs LPDDR4) and speed prevents a deeper analysis, but it’s likely both utilize a standard configuration for this price bracket.

Battery Life

Both the Huawei Enjoy 10e and Honor Play 9A are equipped with 10W wired charging. This is a slow charging standard by today’s standards, meaning a full charge will take several hours. The actual battery capacity isn’t specified, but given the target market, it’s likely around 3000-4000 mAh. The slow charging speed means battery life will be a more critical factor than charging time. Users should prioritize power-saving features and moderate usage to maximize uptime.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Enjoy 10e if you prioritize brand familiarity within the Huawei ecosystem and find it at a significantly lower price point. Its core functionality is identical to the Honor Play 9A. Buy the Honor Play 9A if you prefer the Honor brand’s aesthetic or if it’s more readily available in your region, potentially benefiting from localized software updates and support. Both are ideal for basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Mediatek Helio P35 struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
The Mediatek Helio P35 is capable of running basic apps like WhatsApp and Facebook without significant issues. However, multitasking with several apps open simultaneously may result in slowdowns due to the limited RAM and processing power. It's designed for light to moderate usage.
❓ Is the 10W charging speed acceptable for daily use?
10W charging is quite slow compared to modern standards. Expect a full charge to take over 3 hours. This is acceptable if you charge your phone overnight, but inconvenient if you need a quick top-up during the day. Consider a power bank if you anticipate frequent charging needs.
❓ Can either of these phones play PUBG Mobile?
PUBG Mobile is likely playable on the lowest graphics settings, but expect significant frame rate drops and potential lag, especially during intense firefights. The Helio P35 is not a gaming-focused chipset and will struggle with demanding titles.