Xiaomi Mi A2 vs Honor Play: intensifying the competition in the mid-range

“While the Mi A2 will appease the stock Android lovers, the Honor Play caters to the gaming enthusiasts”

Earlier this week, Honor launched the Honor Play (first impressions) in India, a gaming-centric smartphone that comes with all the bells and whistles, at an attractive starting price of Rs 19,999. And just yesterday, Xiaomi launched its much-awaited  Mi A2 (review) and priced its offering aggressively at Rs 16,999. There’s no doubt that both these smartphones are among the best buys south of Rs 20k. But if you are wondering which one of these is better, then here’s a closer look at how the Xiaomi Mi A2 and Honor Play stack up against each other.

Design and display

First things first, the Honor Play comes with a display notch while the Mi A2 doesn’t — so if you personally dislike the cut-out on top of the screen, then you know which phone be better for you. Xiaomi’s latest comes equipped with a 5.99-inch FHD+ display with an aspect ratio of 18:9. On the other hand, the Honor Play comes fitted with a larger 6.3-inch FHD+ panel with an aspect ratio of 19:9. 

As far as design is concerned, I personally liked the Honor Play. Despite the notch, the overall flow of the antenna lines and its finish is commendable. It also offers smaller bezels in comparison to the Mi A2, and thus offers more immersive experience. As opposed to that, the Xiaomi Mi A2 has an impressive build quality, but it has a noticeable camera bump at the back. The phone’s sleek frame also means that it’s quite slippery, and hence it’s advisable to use it with a protective case. 

Hardware and software

The Honor Play is powered by the brand’s Kirin 970 flagship chipset. The octa-core processor is paired with 4GB or 6GB of RAM. In contrast, the Mi A2 draws power from the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 SoC, which is clubbed with 4-gigs of RAM. It’s worth noting that Xiaomi will also be releasing the handset with 6GB RAM later. While the Honor Play is offered only with 64GB storage onboard, the Mi A2 is available with 64GB or 128GB memory, depending upon the RAM variant.  

On the software front, the Honor Play comes with EMUI based on Android 8.1. Being an Android One device, the Xiaomi Mi A2 runs stock Android, and the brand has already announced that the latest Android 9 Pie will soon be available. So if the latest iteration of Google’s OS is high on your priority list, then the Xiaomi Mi A2 is your best bet.

Camera and battery

The Honor Play offers a pair of cameras at the back, comprising 16-megapixel + 2-megapixel snappers. The module comes equipped with PDAF alongside EIS and AIS support. At the front, the Honor Play offers a 16MP sensor for selfies and video calling. In comparison, the dual-camera array on the Mi A2 consists of a 12MP shooter accompanied by a 20MP lens, both of which carry an impressive aperture of f/1.75. For selfies, Xiaomi’s latest boasts a 20-megapixel unit. Both the front and the rear cameras on the handset come with pixel binning technology that helps in reducing noise and offer better output in low light. It’s evident that the Xiaomi Mi A2 zooms past the Honor Play when it comes to the camera capabilities.

The Honor Play is backed by a larger 3,750mAh battery, while the Xiaomi Mi A2 comes fitted with a comparitively smaller 3,010mAh cell. Both smartphone also support fast charging, although the Mi A2 is compatible with Quick Charge 4.0.

Closing thoughts

Xiaomi always surges ahead of the competition when it comes to pricing, and the Mi A2 is no different. The Xiaomi Mi A2 is a good choice if you want stock Android with frequent updates to the latest build and better cameras. However, if you want a smartphone with a bigger battery, flagship-grade SoC and gaming-specific features, then the Honor Play makes the cut.

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