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Honor Play 9A Specs Features and Value – All You Need to Know

Release Date
2020, April 03
Camera
13MP
Battery
5000mAh
Battery Type
10W
Processor
Helio P35
Screen
6.3"
Storage
64GB/128GB , microSDXC
Ram
4GB RAM
Operating System
Android 10, Magic UI 3.0

Key Features of Honor Play 9A

The Honor Play 9A is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers a decent set of features for its price. Released in April 2020, it comes with a variety of specifications that cater to everyday usage. The following sections explore the various features of this device in detail.

Design and Build

With dimensions of 159.1 x 74.1 x 9 mm and weighing around 185 grams, the Honor Play 9A is relatively easy to handle, fitting comfortably in the user's palm. The front of the device is made of glass, while the back and frame are crafted from plastic, ensuring that the phone maintains a lightweight and affordable profile. The phone can accommodate two Nano-SIM cards, allowing users to switch between networks seamlessly.

Display

The Honor Play 9A sports a 6.3-inch IPS LCD screen, boasting a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels and a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 81.3%. Although it is not a Full HD display, it provides reasonable clarity and color reproduction for the price range. The display size is adequate for streaming videos, browsing the web, and gaming.

Performance

Under the hood, the device is powered by the Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 chipset, built on a 12nm process. The CPU comprises an octa-core setup with 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 cores, and the PowerVR GE8320 GPU handles graphical tasks. Although it is not tailored for heavy gaming or intensive applications, it handles daily tasks and moderate multitasking efficiently.

Memory and Storage

The Honor Play 9A offers two internal storage options: 64GB and 128GB, paired with 4GB of RAM. These options allow users to choose a storage variant based on their needs. The device also supports microSDXC cards, providing additional storage for apps, media files, and documents.

Camera

Equipped with a dual-camera setup at the rear, the Honor Play 9A features a 13MP main sensor with an f/1.8 aperture coupled with a 2MP depth sensor to aid in capturing portrait shots with bokeh effects. The camera supports features such as LED flash, HDR, and panorama to enhance photo quality. For video recording, it can shoot 1080p videos at 30fps. The front camera is an 8MP shooter with an f/2.0 aperture, suitable for selfies and video calling.

Battery Life

One of the standout features of the Honor Play 9A is its large 5000mAh non-removable Li-Po battery, which ensures prolonged usage without frequent charging. It supports 10W charging, which, while not the fastest, is adequate for overnight charging. The impressive battery life makes it an excellent choice for users who spend a lot of time on the go.

Software and Connectivity

Running on Android 10 with Magic UI 3.0, the software experience is fairly smooth. However, it is important to note that the device does not come with Google Play Services. Connectivity-wise, the Honor Play 9A includes Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, and FM radio. While there is no NFC, the device features a microUSB 2.0 port with OTG support for additional connectivity options.

Additional Features

The smartphone includes a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor for added security, alongside standard sensors like an accelerometer and proximity sensor. Additionally, it retains a 3.5mm headphone jack for audio enthusiasts who prefer wired headphones.

Price and Availability

The Honor Play 9A was released with an approximate price of 120 EUR, making it an affordable option for budget-conscious consumers. It is available in three color variants: Blue Water Emerald, Jasper Green, and Dark Night Black, providing a range of choices for personal preference.

Key Features of Honor Play 9A

  • Supports GSM, CDMA, HSPA, and LTE networks providing efficient connectivity.
  • Large 6.3-inch IPS LCD display with a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 81.3% offers immersive viewing.
  • Powered by Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 chipset, ensuring efficient performance.
  • Dual camera setup with a 13 MP primary lens, and a 2 MP depth sensor enhances photography options.
  • 8 MP front camera with HDR support for quality selfies.
  • Long-lasting 5000 mAh battery for extended usage time.
  • Fingerprint sensor (rear-mounted) for added security and convenience.
  • Expandable storage via a dedicated microSDXC card slot, supporting larger memory needs.
  • Affordable price point at about 120 EUR, offering great value for money.
  • Available in multiple colors - Blue Water Emerald, Jasper Green, and Dark Night Black.

Honor Play 9A Disadvantages

  • No Google Play Services, limiting app availability for users outside China.
  • Low-resolution display at 720 x 1600 pixels, which may not be as sharp compared to Full HD screens.
  • Average camera performance with a 13 MP main sensor and limited features.
  • Lacks fast charging with only 10W charging support.
  • No NFC support for contactless payments and data transfer.
  • Uses microUSB 2.0 instead of the more modern USB Type-C.
  • No official IP rating for water or dust resistance.
  • Built using a plastic frame and back, which may not feel as premium as glass or metal designs.
Network
Technology GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
Speed HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
Launch
Announced 2020, March 30
Status Available. Released 2020, April 03
Body
Dimensions 159.1 x 74.1 x 9 mm (6.26 x 2.92 x 0.35 in)
Weight 185 g (6.53 oz)
Build Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
SIM Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Display
Type IPS LCD
Size 6.3 inches, 95.8 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~278 ppi density)
Platform
OS Android 10, Magic UI 3.0, no Google Play Services
Chipset Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
GPU PowerVR GE8320
Memory
Card slot microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 2 MP, (depth)
Features LED flash, HDR, panorama
Video 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Features HDR
Video 1080p@30fps
Sound
Loudspeaker Yes
3.5mm jack Yes
Comms
WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct
Bluetooth 5.0, A2DP, LE
Positioning GPS, GLONASS, BDS
NFC No
Radio FM radio
USB microUSB 2.0, OTG
Features
Sensors Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity
Battery
Type Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable
Charging 10W wired
Misc
Colors Blue Water Emerald, Jasper Green, Dark Night Black
Models MOA-AL00, MOA-TL00, MED-AL20, MOA-AL20
Price About 120 EUR

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