Huawei Enjoy 20e vs. Motorola Moto G Play (2021): A Deep Dive into Budget Smartphone Performance

The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Huawei Enjoy 20e and the Motorola Moto G Play (2021) aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with Huawei offering a potentially more powerful chipset in some configurations, while Motorola focuses on a newer, more efficient platform. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you choose the right device.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing long-term software support and a more modern, efficient chipset, the Motorola Moto G Play (2021) is the better choice. While the Enjoy 20e’s Kirin 710A variant offers a theoretical CPU performance edge, the Snapdragon 460’s superior efficiency and Motorola’s cleaner Android experience provide a smoother, more reliable daily experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Enjoy 20e Motorola Moto G Play (2021)
Network
2G bandsGSM 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 38, 41, 66, 71
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
 -2, 4, 5, 12, 14, 30, 66
Launch
Announced2021, October 282021, January 08
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, November 11Available. Released 2021, January 14
Body
Build-Plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions159.1 x 74.1 x 9 mm (6.26 x 2.92 x 0.35 in)166.6 x 76 x 9.4 mm (6.56 x 2.99 x 0.37 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight185 g (6.53 oz)204 g (7.20 oz)
 -Water-repellent coating
Display
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~278 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size6.3 inches, 95.8 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~80.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) - 128GB 6GB RAM onlyOcta-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240)
ChipsetMediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm)Kirin 710A (14 nm) - 128GB 6GB RAM onlyQualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320Mali-G51 MP4 - 128GB 6GB RAM onlyAdreno 610
OSHarmonyOS 2.0 (China), EMUI 10.1 (International), no Google Play ServicesAndroid 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM32GB 3GB RAM
 -eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
Dual13 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF Auxiliary lens
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0-
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single8 MP, f/2.05 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioUnspecifiedUnspecified
USBmicroUSB 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximityFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity
Battery
Charging10W wired 6W reverse wired10W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Green, VioletMisty Blue
ModelsMLD-AL10XT2093-3, XT2093-7, XT2093-DL, XT2093DL
PriceAbout 130 EURAbout 60 EUR

Huawei Enjoy 20e

  • Potentially higher CPU performance (Kirin 710A variant)
  • 6W reverse wired charging
  • Larger RAM option (6GB)

  • Less efficient chipset (Helio P35 variant)
  • Huawei’s EMUI software (potential bloatware)
  • Uncertainty regarding long-term software updates

Motorola Moto G Play (2021)

  • More power-efficient Snapdragon 460 chipset
  • Clean Android experience
  • Likely better long-term software support

  • Lower peak CPU performance
  • Basic camera system
  • Slower charging speed

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature 720p+ LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. However, detailed panel specifications like brightness (nits) and color gamut coverage are unavailable. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but rather basic usability. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, contributing to a larger overall footprint. The lack of high refresh rates is standard at this price point.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is likely to be similar on both devices, leaning towards basic functionality. Both will struggle in low-light conditions. Detailed sensor information is scarce, but both likely feature a primary sensor around 13MP. The presence of 2MP macro/depth sensors on both is largely marketing fluff. Image processing will differ – Huawei’s EMUI tends towards more saturated colors, while Motorola aims for a more natural look. The Snapdragon 460’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is generally more refined, potentially leading to slightly better image quality in favorable conditions.

Performance

The performance disparity is the core of this comparison. The Huawei Enjoy 20e is offered with two chipsets: the older Mediatek Helio P35 and the newer Kirin 710A (only with the 128GB/6GB RAM configuration). The Helio P35, built on a 12nm process, features a Cortex-A53 cluster, while the Kirin 710A (14nm) utilizes a more modern Cortex-A73/A53 configuration. The Motorola Moto G Play (2021) employs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 (11nm). This process node advantage, combined with Qualcomm’s Kryo 240 cores, gives the Snapdragon 460 a significant edge in power efficiency. While the Kirin 710A may show a lead in CPU-intensive benchmarks, the Snapdragon 460’s sustained performance and smoother multitasking are more valuable in real-world usage. The Snapdragon 460’s Adreno 610 GPU also provides a more capable graphics experience.

Battery Life

Both phones feature 10W wired charging, indicating a similar charging experience – slow by modern standards. The Motorola Moto G Play (2021) benefits from the Snapdragon 460’s superior power efficiency. This translates to longer battery life on a single charge, despite potentially having a slightly smaller battery capacity (specific mAh figures are unavailable). The Enjoy 20e’s Kirin 710A, while more powerful, consumes more energy, reducing overall endurance. The 6W reverse wired charging on the Enjoy 20e is a niche feature unlikely to be heavily used.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Enjoy 20e if you prioritize raw CPU performance for occasional demanding tasks and are comfortable with Huawei’s EMUI software. This is especially true for the 128GB/6GB RAM variant with the Kirin 710A. Buy the Motorola Moto G Play (2021) if you value a clean Android experience, better long-term software updates, and a more power-efficient processor for all-day battery life, even if it means sacrificing some peak CPU power.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Huawei Enjoy 20e’s Kirin 710A chipset overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Kirin 710A, while offering a performance boost over the Helio P35, is built on a 14nm process. This means it’s more prone to thermal throttling during extended gaming. While it can handle casual gaming, demanding titles may experience frame drops and reduced performance after a short period. The Motorola Moto G Play (2021)'s Snapdragon 460, with its 11nm process, manages heat more effectively.
❓ How does Huawei’s EMUI software compare to the stock Android experience on the Moto G Play (2021)?
Huawei’s EMUI is a heavily customized version of Android. It includes pre-installed apps (bloatware), a different user interface, and altered notification management. While EMUI offers some unique features, many users prefer the cleaner, more streamlined experience of the near-stock Android found on the Moto G Play (2021). Motorola also promises faster Android updates and security patches.
❓ Is the 10W charging on either phone sufficient for quick top-ups throughout the day?
No, 10W charging is quite slow by today’s standards. Expect a full charge to take over 2 hours. Neither phone is ideal for quick top-ups. The Motorola Moto G Play (2021)'s better battery efficiency mitigates this somewhat, as you may not need to charge as frequently.