Honor Play
GPU Turbo gaming phone with flagship Kirin 970.
The Honor Play is a mid-range Honor smartphone released Aug 2018, with a launch price of $290. It pairs the Kirin 970 with a 6.3" FHD+ IPS, notch display, a 16 MP + 2 MP depth main camera and a 3750 mAh, 18W battery. In SpecEagle's editorial review it scores 70/100 — Flagship chip, gamer price. Standout strengths: flagship kirin 970 at a mid-range price and gpu turbo + 4d gaming haptics. Main trade-off: ips not oled.
Flagship chip, gamer price.
Honor Play packed the flagship Kirin 970 and Huawei's new GPU Turbo gaming optimisation into a $290 phone aimed at mobile gamers — flagship-class frame rates and 4D haptic feedback without the flagship price.
Read the full review- Flagship Kirin 970 at a mid-range price
- GPU Turbo + 4D gaming haptics
- Good battery and value
Full specifications
Benchmarks
How the Honor Play compares
| Honor Play | Galaxy S25 Ultra | Honor X9b | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SpecEagle score | 70 | 89 | 70 |
| Chipset | Kirin 970 | SD 8 Elite | Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 |
| Display | 6.3" FHD+ IPS, notch | 6.9" LTPO AMOLED | 6.78" curved AMOLED 120 Hz |
| Main camera | 16 MP + 2 MP depth | 200 MP · f/1.7 | 108 MP · f/1.75 |
| Battery | 3750 mAh, 18W | 5,000 mAh | 5,800 mAh |
| Launch price | $290 | $1,299 | $349 |
Frequently asked questions
When was the Honor Play released?
The Honor Play was released in Aug 2018.
How much does the Honor Play cost?
The Honor Play launched at $290 (manufacturer suggested price at release; street and second-hand prices vary by region, storage tier and time since launch).
What is the Honor Play screen size and type?
The Honor Play has a 6.3" FHD+ IPS, notch display.
What chipset does the Honor Play use?
The Honor Play is powered by the Kirin 970 chipset.
How much RAM and storage does the Honor Play have?
The Honor Play ships with 4/6 GB (RAM · base storage); higher configurations may be available.
What is the Honor Play battery capacity?
The Honor Play has a 3750 mAh, 18W battery.
What is the Honor Play main camera?
The Honor Play has a 16 MP + 2 MP depth main camera.
Does the Honor Play have a headphone jack?
The Honor Play has a 3.5 mm headphone jack.
How much does the Honor Play weigh?
The Honor Play weighs 176 g.
What colours does the Honor Play come in?
The Honor Play is available in 3 colours: Midnight Black, Navy Blue, Player Edition Red.
Is the Honor Play worth buying?
Honor Play packed the flagship Kirin 970 and Huawei's new GPU Turbo gaming optimisation into a $290 phone aimed at mobile gamers — flagship-class frame rates and 4D haptic feedback without the flagship price. SpecEagle gives the Honor Play an editorial score of 70/100.
Owner opinions
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