Honor Play - Front View
Honor Play - Image 2
Honor Play - Image 3

Honor Play

$250

Overview

Honor Play is a mid-range Android smartphone released in 2018 with a 6.3-inch IPS LCD, Kirin 970 chipset, 16 main camera, and 3750 mAh battery.

Priced at $250, it targets users seeking mid-range performance.

Specifications of Honor Play

The display of Honor Play measures 6.3 inches with IPS LCD technology. Peak brightness reaches 450 nits for excellent outdoor visibility. The screen renders at 1080x2340 pixels resolution.

Size
6.3 inches
Type
IPS LCD
Resolution
1080x2340 pixels
Refresh Rate
60Hz
Peak Brightness
450 nits
HDR
HDR10

The camera system of Honor Play features 2 rear cameras: 16 main, 2MP ultrawide. Video recording supports up to 2160p.

Main Sensor
16
Camera Count
2 cameras
Ultrawide
2MP, FOV: 120°
Max Video
2160p

The battery of Honor Play has 3750mAh capacity with 18 wired charging. A full charge takes approximately 120 min minutes.

Capacity
3750mAh
Wired Charging
18
Full Charge Time
120 min minutes

The performance of Honor Play is powered by the Kirin 970 chipset with PowerVR GE8320 600MHz GPU. Geekbench scores reach 1900 single-core and 6700 multi-core. AnTuTu benchmark achieves 117985.

Chipset
Kirin 970
CPU
4x Cortex A53 2.3 GHz + 4x Cortex A53 1.8 GHz
GPU
PowerVR GE8320 600MHz
Geekbench Single
1900
Geekbench Multi
6700
AnTuTu Score
117985

The memory of Honor Play offers 6GB RAM with 64GB storage options. RAM uses LPDDR4X technology. Storage is Independent SD slot.

RAM Options
6GB
Storage Options
64GB
RAM Type
LPDDR4X
Storage Type
Independent SD slot
Expandable
microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)

The connectivity of Honor Play includes 5G support, Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, and Bluetooth 4.2. NFC is supported for contactless payments.

5G
Yes
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Bluetooth
4.2
NFC
Yes

The build of Honor Play weighs 210g with Aluminum frame and metal back. Water and dust resistance is rated IP68. Dimensions measure 157.9 x 74.3 x 7.5 mm.

Dimensions
157.9 x 74.3 x 7.5 mm
Weight
210g
Frame
Aluminum
Back
metal
IP Rating
IP68

The software of Honor Play runs Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 with EMUI. Software support extends 2 years through 2028.

OS
Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1
UI
EMUI
Update Policy
2 years

Compare Honor Play

Honor Play vs Samsung Galaxy A54

Honor Play offers competitive value at $250 compared to Samsung Galaxy A54.

$250 price point
Kirin 970
6.3" display

Honor Play vs Google Pixel 7a

Honor Play offers competitive value at $250 compared to Google Pixel 7a.

$250 price point
Kirin 970
6.3" display

Honor Play vs OnePlus Nord 3

Honor Play offers competitive value at $250 compared to OnePlus Nord 3.

$250 price point
Kirin 970
6.3" display

Frequently Asked Questions about Honor Play

Honor Play has a 16 camera suitable for casual photography. For professional photography, consider phones with higher-resolution sensors.

Related: mobile photography

Honor Play with Kirin 970 can handle casual gaming. For intensive gaming, consider phones with flagship chipsets.

Related: mobile gaming

Honor Play receives 2 years of updates through 2028. Consider this when planning long-term device usage.

Related: software support

Yes, Honor Play supports 5G connectivity with both Sub-6GHz and mmWave bands for maximum network compatibility and fastest speeds. It works with major 5G carriers globally.

Related: 5G connectivity

Yes, Honor Play is water resistant with IP68 rating. It can withstand submersion in 1.5 meters of fresh water for 30 minutes. Avoid saltwater and high-pressure water.

Related: water resistance

Honor Play has a 3750mAh battery. Battery life varies based on usage patterns.

Related: battery life

Honor Play at $250 is a mid-range device. It's worth buying if you prioritize balanced performance and value.

Related: buying decision

Honor Play supports 18 wired charging with full charge in approximately 120 min minutes.

Related: fast charging

Honor Play is available in 64GB storage options. Storage is not expandable, so choose your capacity based on your needs.

Related: storage capacity

Honor Play has a 6.3-inch IPS LCD with 60Hz refresh rate and 450 nits peak brightness. HDR support includes HDR10.

Related: display quality

See how Honor Play ranks in these categories:

Verdict

The Honor Play delivers solid value for budget-conscious users who need reliable performance. Select this phone for reliable daily use, if you seek good value without compromising on essential features.

Key Specifications

Display

6.3"

Main Camera

16

Chipset

Kirin 970

Full Specifications

Network

TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
2G BandsGSM /
3G BandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - India
4G LTE BandsLTE
5G Sub-6 Bands[]
5G mmWave Bands[]
SpeedN/A
Carrier Aggregation4x4 MIMO
SIMNano-SIM
Dual SIM ModeDual SIM
eSIM Support
VoLTE SupportN/A
VoWiFiN/A
NR CA Support

Launch

Announced2018
StatusDiscontinued
AvailabilityN/A
Model VariantsN/A
Launch Price$500

Body & Design

Dimensions (mm)157.9 x 74.3 x 7.5 mm
Weight (g)210
Build MaterialsAluminium alloy
FrameAluminum
Back Finishmetal
Colors["Midnight Black", "Navy Blue", "Violet", "Player Edition Red", "Player Edition Black"]
IP RatingIP68
Rugged Certifications[]
Ingress GasketsN/A
Form FactorBar
Hinge TypeN/A
Folded Dimensions0x0x0
Thermal SolutionGraphite Sheet
Notification/Alert
HapticsBasic

Display

Panel TypeIPS LCD
Size (inches)6.3
Resolution (px)1080x2340 pixels
Aspect Ratio6:13
Pixel Density (ppi)409
Screen-to-body Ratio (%)69
Refresh Rate (Hz)60
Adaptive Refresh Rate
Touch Sampling Rate (Hz)120
Peak Brightness (nits)450
HDR StandardsHDR10
Color GamutsRGB
Color Depth24
PWM Dimming (Hz)250
Glass ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6
Oleophobic CoatingN/A
CurvatureFlat
Always-on Display
Display Driver ICN/A
Cover Display

Platform (SoC)

OS at LaunchAndroid 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1
Update Policy2 years
ChipsetKirin 970
CPU4x Cortex A53 2.3 GHz + 4x Cortex A53 1.8 GHz
GPUPowerVR GE8320 600MHz
NPU/AI TOPs1.92 TOPS
ISP FeaturesDual ISP
ModemHiSilicon Balong
Wi-Fi/Bluetooth ChipN/A
Throttling BehaviorN/A
Geekbench Single-Core1900
Geekbench Multi-Core6700
AnTuTu Score117985
3DMark ScoresN/A

Memory & Storage

RAM6GB
RAM TypeLPDDR4X
Storage64GB
Storage TypeIndependent SD slot
Storage SpeedUFS 2.1
Expandable StoragemicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Slot TypemicroSD
USB OTG
Filesystem EncryptionFIPS 140-2

Main Camera System

Rear Cameras2
Main Sensor16
Main Sensor Size1/2.3"
Main Sensor ModelSony Exmor
Main Lensf/2.2, 26mm
OIS
AutofocusPDAF
Pixel Binning1.4 um
Ultrawide2MP, FOV: 120°
TelephotoN/A
Macro2
Depth/ToF/LiDAR
Flicker/Color SensorsN/A
FlashDual-LED
Video Resolution2160p
HDR/Dolby Vision Video
Video CodecsH.264, H.265
Slow Motion960fps
Video Stabilization
Night Mode FeaturesAI-enhanced
RAW/Pro ControlsN/A

Selfie Camera

Resolution16
Sensor Size1/3.1
Aperturef/2.0
AF/OIS
Secondary Front Cam
Front Flash
Video1080p@30fps
HDR/Dolby VisionN/A
Face Unlock2D

Audio

Loudspeakers
3.5mm Jack
Hi-Res Audio
Spatial Audio / Dolby Atmos
Microphones1
Bluetooth CodecsaptX, LDAC
DAC/AmpHiSilicon Hi6402

Connectivity

Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Wi-Fi FeaturesWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Bluetooth4.2
NFC
IR Blaster
UWBN/A
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS
Dual-Band GNSS
FM Radio
USBUSB Type C
Display Out
eSIM Capacity

Sensors

Fingerprint SensorFingerprint (Rear-Mounted)
3D Face IDN/A
Accelerometer
Gyroscope
Magnetometer
Proximity Sensor
Ambient Light
Barometer
Thermo/HygrometerN/A
UV SensorN/A
Hall Sensor
Color Temp Sensor
Health SensorsHeart Rate
Satellite SOS

Battery & Charging

Capacity (mAh)3750
TypeLi-Po
Removable
Endurance RatingN/A
Wired Charging18
Wired StandardUSB Power Delivery
0-50% Time (mins)60 min
Full Charge Time120 min
Wireless ChargingN/A
Wireless StandardN/A
Reverse WirelessN/A
Reverse Wired
Charger in Box18W
Battery Health FeaturesBattery Care

Software

OS at LaunchAndroid 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1
Update Window2 years
UI Skin / LauncherEMUI
Feature DropsN/A
App CloningN/A
Game ModeGPU Turbo
Privacy FeaturesApp Lock
Accessibilityscreen reader
Satellite Messaging UI

Miscellaneous

In-Box Contentscharger, cable, case, manual
Recycled Materials (%)N/A
Repairability ScoreN/A
WarrantyN/A

Reviews & Ratings

4.6

186 ratings

5 star
120
4 star
45
3 star
11
2 star
5
1 star
5

Showing 3 of 186 reviews

A

Alex R.

2 weeks ago

Absolutely love the camera on this phone! The zoom is incredible and the photos are so crisp. Battery life is also a huge plus.

B

Ben C.

1 month ago

Great performance and beautiful display. My only complaint is that it feels a bit heavy, but you get used to it. Solid phone overall.

C

Chloe D.

3 months ago

The best phone I've ever owned. It's fast, the software is clean, and the build quality is top-notch. Highly recommend!

Review

Honor Play Review: Solid Performance for the Price

6.2/10
Good

Our comprehensive review of the Honor Play covers display quality, camera performance, battery life, and overall value. A solid choice in its price segment.

(3.1 stars)
Pros
  • + IP68 water and dust resistance
Cons
  • - Display could be brighter or smoother
  • - Performance may struggle with demanding tasks

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