Honor Play 20 Specs Prices Pros & Cons Unveiled

Smartphone Overview

The Honor Play 20 stands as a testament to the brand's commitment to delivering quality smartphones at an affordable price point. Released in May 2021, this device caters to users who seek essential smartphone functionalities without breaking the bank. Let's explore the various features and specifications that make the Honor Play 20 a noteworthy contender in the budget smartphone market.

Design and Build Quality

Starting with its physical attributes, the Honor Play 20 boasts dimensions of 164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm, making it a well-sized device that's comfortable to handle. Weighing in at 198 grams, it's substantial enough to feel solid yet light enough not to be cumbersome. The phone's build consists of a glass front, plastic back, and a plastic frame, a common design choice in budget smartphones to balance aesthetics with cost-effectiveness.

The device is available in a variety of colors, including Black, White, Blue, and Silver/Pink, allowing users to choose one that best suits their style. The inclusion of a Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) slot provides flexibility for users who need to manage two phone numbers or expand storage with a microSD card.

Display

The Honor Play 20 features a sizable 6.52-inch IPS LCD display, which offers vibrant color reproduction and good viewing angles, thanks to the inherent properties of IPS technology. The screen boasts a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels in a 20:9 aspect ratio, ensuring a satisfactory media viewing experience. With approximately 269 pixels per inch, the text and visuals appear sharp enough for everyday use.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the Honor Play 20 is powered by the Unisoc T610 chipset, a 12nm octa-core processor comprising two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 1.8 GHz for demanding tasks and six Cortex-A55 cores for energy-efficient handling of routine operations. This setup is paired with a Mali-G52 MP2 GPU, providing adequate graphics performance for casual gaming and media consumption.

The device runs on Android 10 with the Magic UI 4.0 skin. However, it's important to note that Google Play Services are not integrated, which may affect access to some applications and services commonly used in Android devices.

Memory and Storage Options

The Honor Play 20 offers multiple configurations to cater to different user needs. Internal storage options include 64GB and 128GB, paired with RAM options ranging from 4GB to 8GB. This flexibility allows users to choose a model based on their usage requirements and budget. Additionally, storage can be expanded using a microSDXC card, though it uses a shared SIM slot.

Camera Capabilities

Photography on the Honor Play 20 is handled by a dual-camera setup on the rear consisting of a 13 MP f/1.8 wide lens paired with a 2 MP f/2.4 depth sensor. This combination facilitates capturing images with depth effects, and features such as LED flash, HDR, and panorama enhance photographic versatility. For video recording, the rear camera supports 1080p at 30fps.

On the front, there is a 5 MP camera with an f/2.2 aperture suitable for selfies and video calls. While it may not offer the highest resolution, it suffices for basic photography needs.

Battery Life and Charging

A significant highlight of the Honor Play 20 is its 5000 mAh non-removable Li-Po battery, which promises extended usage times, making it an ideal companion for users who are always on the go. The device supports 10W wired charging, which is standard for smartphones in this category.

Connectivity and Additional Features

Connectivity options on the Honor Play 20 include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0, and GPS/BDS for navigation. Notably, the device supports FM radio, providing entertainment options directly through the phone. A USB Type-C 2.0 port is included for charging and data transfer, aligning with modern connectivity standards.

While NFC support is absent, the device contains essential sensors such as an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass. The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack is a bonus for users who prefer wired audio accessories.

Pricing and Market Position

The Honor Play 20 is competitively priced at approximately 110 EUR, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers looking for a smartphone that balances performance with essential features. This price positioning further cements the device's appeal in markets where cost is a significant factor in purchasing decisions.

Final Thoughts

In summary, the Honor Play 20 delivers a well-rounded smartphone experience tailored for users who prioritize affordability and essential functionality. With its robust battery, adequate performance, and flexibility in memory configurations, it stands as a solid choice for those entering the smartphone market or seeking a reliable secondary device. Despite certain limitations like the absence of Google Play Services, the Honor Play 20 manages to offer excellent value and is worthy of consideration in the competitive world of budget smartphones.