Powerful internals and an ample battery mean this ‘gaming phone’ is as good as its word
A middling screen and disappointing camera harm its broader appeal
There are people who play video games and there are 'gamers’. The Honor Play is made for that latter bunch. If you're obsessed with frame rates and pay for everything with V-Bucks then it could be the phone for you – as long as you don't demand an incredibly high-quality camera.
Truth be told, it's a respectable mid-range smartphone in its own right with a surprising number of flagship features cribbed from this year's Huawei P20. Why would anyone get it over the Moto G6 Plus, Samsung Galaxy A8 or even the Honor 10? Its huge screen, super-powerful processor and new GPU Turbo tech claim to make it an ideal companion for mobile gaming. If you know the difference between a PUBG chicken dinner and, well, the one you eat.
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Power and performance
There’s no denying the Honor Play’s credentials when it comes to the sheer computing heft that’s been packed into it. Its lightning-fast Kirin 970 processor is the same chip found in Huawei’s top-tier P20 and P20 Pro phones. Paired with a healthy 4GB RAM and 64GB storage, this is a phone that can zip between the likes of WhatsApp and Snapchat without breaking sweat. Not that those apps should prove much of a challenge to all but the most stunted of handsets.
Of course, the reason why the Honor Play has been blessed with such strength is so that it can squeeze the best out of top-tier mobile games such as Asphalt 9: Legends and PUBG Mobile. The ones whose demanding 3D graphics aren’t dissimilar from what you might have gleaned from an Xbox 360. Notably, neither of these apps rank among the Top 50 games in the Google Play Store at the time of writing, so rest assured the Play will also make light work more popular Word Link and Candy Crush Saga.
In addition to this hardware-related power, the Honor Play is also the first phone to come with Huawei’s GPU Turbo feature pre-installed as standard. A feat of largely software-based trickery, GPU Turbo promises plenty in impenetrable tech-speak. In essence, it focuses on delivering higher, more consistent frame rates when gaming and a lessened drain on battery life. It’s tricky to say to what extent this proved true during our usage, but aside from a couple of very occasional stutters speeding around in Asphalt 9 was a thrillingly smooth experience.
If you’re not gonna slap a case over this phone’s metal body, then be warned it’s liable to get toasty after around 15 minutes of intense play. Not to an uncomfortable extent, but it is a reasonably off-putting reminder of why most gaming apps aren’t so graphically intensive. At least the Play’s battery life is sound thanks to a 3,750mAh capacity that should trundle on for a solid day’s usage.
Design and screen
Not interested in playing Fortnite on the train into work? That shouldn't necessarily dissuade you from checking out the Honor Play. It's a smart-looking device that cribs heavily from Apple's iPhone 6S Plus design of old with a rounded metal body that’s only 7.5mm thin and weighs a breezy 176g. Certainly it doesn't scream “nerd” in the same way last year’s Razer Phone did with its chunky frame and grilled speakers.
You also get a generously sized 6.3in LCD touchscreen with a 1080 x 2340 resolution and a notch, because this is 2018 and the iPhone X seemingly represents the pinnacle of industrial design. Although the Honor Play’s display is fine for the latest Red Dead Redemption 2 trailer or even a video essay explaining why Bioshock Infinite’s ending wasn’t total nonsense, it’s not great for any serious viewing.
Its colour temperature skews towards a blue or yellow hue failing to hit a sweet spot between the two. Although there’s a chance this can be fixed with some software trickery, right now it’s a noticeable sign that the Honor Play’s priorities lie with raw power. As is the fingerprint scanner on the phone’s backside, which means you have to pick it up and stretch out your pinkie to unlock it. Face Unlock using the handset’s selfie camera somewhat compensates for this shortcoming, although it’s a far less secure alternative.
Camera
Although the Honor Play does a solid job of replicating the look and performance of an significantly more luxe smartphone, its camera is what’ll likely deter more mainstream bargain hunters flocking in its direction. A dual lens affair featuring a 16MP and 2MP sensor, it falls under the ‘fine in daylight, struggles in low light’ banner alongside so many of its similarly priced brethren.
In the absence of optical image stabilisation, there’s an obvious graininess to late-night snaps, while image sharpness is an issue unless you get right up close and personal with your subject. Something that’s especially noticeable given how the Play insists on amping up its colours to ultra-vivid levels.
So long as the best part of your Sunday brunch isn’t Instagraming it, the Honor Play’s camera isn’t so egregious as to be off-putting. It’s just very average, and best kept to the odd holiday snap or impromptu family photo. In a steady hand on a sunny day you’ll eke enough detail from the thing to get by just fine.
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Software
As with all other Honor phones, the Play runs on Huawei’s EMUI: a gaudy but good take on Android 8.1 Oreo. Faintly reminiscent of Samsung’s era of TouchWiz overkill, you’ll regularly be treated to two menu screens when one will do. Still, there’s nothing too onerous to deal with here and most gimmicks are easily amended once you’ve found the right setting. Case in point, you can get shot of this phone’s notch by just sliding a toggle.
Verdict
The Honor Play promises to be an affordable mobile gaming powerhouse, and on that front it delivers. Even the most demanding of downloads are little match for its souped up innards.
Much like the ill-fated Nokia N-Gage and Sony Xperia Play, it’s hard to put a finger on who this phone really appeals to. Especially since the vast majority of gaming apps are graphically simple enough to be played by as many people as possible. Not just those with the latest processor in their pocket.
If you are hankering for a superior incarnation of the Honor Play with a better screen and improved camera, the Honor 10 came out three months ago and fits the bill perfectly. So get that instead for the best of all worlds, virtual or otherwise.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
