Looking for a budget-friendly smartphone that doesn't completely compromise on features? The vivo Y3s (2021) and Honor Play 40 Plus are both contenders, offering affordability and decent specs. But which one truly comes out on top? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor Play 40 Plus is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 700 chipset offers significantly better performance and 5G connectivity compared to the Y3s' Helio P35. Faster charging and a more modern design further solidify its advantage, making it the better value for money.
| 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, 40 | LTE |
| 5G bands | - | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 18 | 2022, October 20 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 18 | Available. Released 2022, October 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 76.3 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 3.00 x 0.33 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 | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition), Funtouch 11 | Android 12, Magic UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), AF | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/1.8 | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | Unspecified | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired
5W reverse wired | 22.5W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Starry Blue, Pearl White, Mint Green | Blue, Silver, Black, Purple |
| Models | V2044 | RKY-AN00 |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 170 EUR |
vivo Y3s (2021)
- Very affordable
- Simple and easy to use
- Decent battery life (usage dependent)
- Outdated chipset
- Slow charging
- Limited performance
- No 5G
Honor Play 40 Plus
- Faster performance (Dimensity 700)
- 5G connectivity
- Fast charging (22.5W)
- Modern design
- May be slightly more expensive than the Y3s
- Camera might not be top-tier
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar display sizes (around 6.5 inches) and resolutions (likely HD+). However, the Honor Play 40 Plus might offer slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to potentially more modern panel technology. Expect adequate viewing experiences on both, but don't expect flagship-level visuals.
Camera Comparison
While both phones likely feature a triple-camera setup (main, wide-angle, depth sensor), the Honor Play 40 Plus's more powerful processor should allow for better image processing and potentially improved low-light performance. Expect decent photos from both, but the Honor will likely produce more consistent results.
Performance
This is where the Honor Play 40 Plus shines. The Dimensity 700 chipset is a substantial upgrade over the Helio P35. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Honor. The Y3s will struggle with more demanding tasks.
Battery Life
The Honor Play 40 Plus's 22.5W fast charging is a significant advantage. The Y3s' 10W charging will take considerably longer to fully charge the battery. Both phones likely have similar battery capacities (around 5000mAh), so battery life should be comparable in terms of usage time, but charging speed is a key differentiator.
Buying Guide
The vivo Y3s (2021) is a good option for users prioritizing a very basic smartphone experience and extremely tight budgets. The Honor Play 40 Plus is ideal for those seeking a smoother performance, 5G capabilities, and faster charging without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the vivo Y3s (2021) good for gaming?
The Y3s is not ideal for gaming. Its chipset struggles with demanding games, resulting in lag and low frame rates. The Honor Play 40 Plus offers a much better gaming experience.
❓ Does the Honor Play 40 Plus support 5G?
Yes, the Honor Play 40 Plus supports 5G connectivity, providing faster download and upload speeds where available. The vivo Y3s (2021) does not.
