The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Oppo A1x and the Honor Play 40 Plus. Both promise solid performance and features, but which one truly comes out on top?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor Play 40 Plus edges out the Oppo A1x thanks to its significantly faster 22.5W charging. While both share the same Dimensity 700 chipset, the Honor's charging advantage makes it a more practical choice for users needing quicker top-ups. Both are solid budget options, though.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | LTE |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 31 | 2022, October 20 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 31 | Available. Released 2022, October 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.8 x 75.1 x 8 mm (6.45 x 2.96 x 0.31 in) | 167.5 x 76.9 x 8.3 mm (6.59 x 3.03 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| | IP54 | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) | TFT LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, ColorOS 12.1 | Android 12, Magic UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | 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 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 22.5W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Blue, Silver, Black, Purple |
| Models | PHJ110 | RKY-AN00 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 170 EUR |
Oppo A1x
- Potentially refined ColorOS software
- Decent performance with Dimensity 700
- Good value for money
- Slow 10W charging
- Camera performance may be average
- Potential for limited RAM/storage configurations
Honor Play 40 Plus
- Fast 22.5W charging
- Decent performance with Dimensity 700
- Potentially larger battery
- Likely good value
- Honor's UI might not be as polished as ColorOS
- Camera performance may be average
- Potential for limited RAM/storage configurations
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar LCD displays, probably around 6.5-6.7 inches with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. The Honor Play 40 Plus might have a slightly higher refresh rate (90Hz vs 60Hz) which would provide a smoother visual experience, but this is speculative without confirmed specs. Color accuracy and brightness will be key differentiators to look for in reviews.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is often a key differentiator in this price range. While both likely feature a multi-lens setup (main, ultrawide, potentially macro), sensor size, image processing algorithms, and software features will determine image quality. Expect decent daytime photos from both, but low-light performance could be a weak point. Detailed camera comparisons will require hands-on testing.
Performance
Powered by the same Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset, both phones should offer comparable performance for everyday tasks and light gaming. Expect smooth multitasking and responsive app loading. However, RAM and storage configurations could vary, impacting overall performance. The Honor might have an advantage if it offers more RAM.
Battery Life
The Honor Play 40 Plus has a clear advantage with its 22.5W fast charging. The Oppo A1x's 10W charging will take considerably longer to fully charge the battery. Assuming both phones have similar battery capacities (likely around 5000mAh), the Honor's faster charging makes it the winner in this category.
Buying Guide
The Oppo A1x is a good choice for users prioritizing a potentially slightly more refined software experience (Oppo's ColorOS is generally well-regarded) and are less concerned about charging speed. The Honor Play 40 Plus is ideal for those who value faster charging and a potentially larger battery (assuming similar battery capacity, which needs confirmation).
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the difference in charging speed between the Oppo A1x and Honor Play 40 Plus?
The Honor Play 40 Plus supports 22.5W fast charging, while the Oppo A1x only supports 10W charging. This means the Honor will charge significantly faster.
❓ Are the performance of these phones similar?
Yes, both phones use the same Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset, so performance for everyday tasks and light gaming should be comparable. However, RAM and storage configurations could influence real-world performance.
