Honor Play 50 Plus: Unveiling The Marvel Of Mobile Technology

Design That Dazzles

The Honor Play 50 Plus boasts dimensions of 166.7×76.5×8.2 mm, fitting perfectly in your palm. Weighing just 199 g, it won't weigh you down. Plus, it comes in four trendy colors: Black, Green, Purple, and Silver. Your style statement just got an upgrade!

Here are the relevant specs:

Looking back at the Honor Play series, these phones have traditionally offered robust build quality. Usually, they're crafted from durable polycarbonate or a blend of metals, ensuring a sturdy feel without the hefty price tag. While specifics about the Play 50 Plus might be elusive, Honor's track record suggests reliability.

If we compare the Honor Play 50 Plus with its predecessor Honor Play 40 Plus, it's a hair smaller and 3 g heavier. (The Play 40 Plus was 167.5×76.9×8.3 mm and 196 g.)

The Conundrum of Missing IP Rating

(Related: IP ratings explained.)

It's not uncommon in the mid-range market to not have an IP rating. Phones in this price range often forgo the expensive certification process to keep costs down. However, this doesn't mean they're defenseless. Many mid-range phones boast some level of water and dust resistance, even without an official IP rating.

For the average consumer, it's not a deal-breaker. But if you're a bit of a klutz or plan to use your phone in extreme conditions (rainforests or underwater photography, anyone?), you might want to tread carefully. But fear not! There are ways to safeguard your precious device:

• Phone Cases: Invest in a sturdy, shock-absorbent case. They come in various styles and thicknesses, providing excellent protection against impacts and scratches.
• Screen Protectors: A good screen protector prevents scratches and cracks. Tempered glass protectors, in particular, offer extra durability.
• Avoid Water Exposure: While it might survive a splash, don't push your luck. Keep it away from water sources and, of course, the bathtub. Accidents happen!
• Cleanliness is Key: Regularly clean your phone with a microfiber cloth. Dust and dirt can wreak havoc, especially around buttons and ports.

While the lack of an IP rating might raise an eyebrow, it's not unusual in the price range of the Play 50 Plus. A little caution, a good case, and some common sense will go a long way in keeping your smartphone safe and sound.

Display: A Visual Feast

(Related: Know more about the various kinds of displays and screen specs.)

Get ready for a visual treat on the 6.8-inch TFT LCD display of the Honor Play 50 Plus. With a 90 Hz refresh rate and 850 nits peak brightness, every image pops with vividness. The 1080×2412 pixels resolution ensures clarity, making your videos and games lifelike.

Image credit: Honor

Here are the relevant specs:

While the TFT LCD display might not be as hyped as OLED screens, it has its own set of benefits and limitations. For one, it is more budget-friendly than the OLED displays, making the Honor Play 50 Plus accessible to a wider audience without compromising too much on quality. Secondly, TFT LCDs are known for their accurate color reproduction. Colors appear natural, making it great for viewing photos and videos as the creators intended.

TFT LCDs are generally more durable and less prone to screen burn-ins, which can be a concern with OLED displays over prolonged use.

However, there are some limitations too. TFT LCDs, while accurate, may not achieve the same deep blacks and high contrast ratios as OLED displays. This might affect the overall visual experience, especially while watching movies with lots of dark scenes.

For everyday use and video watching, the Honor Play 50 Plus's pixel density (389 PPI) ensures sharp and detailed visuals. The 850 nits brightness is impressive and more than adequate for using the phone outdoors. It ensures excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. Whether you're texting, browsing, or binge-watching your favorite series, this display ensures a delightful experience.

So the TFT LCD display of the Honor Play 50 Plus offers a balance between affordability, color accuracy, and excellent outdoor visibility. For everyday use and video consumption, including outdoor scenarios, this display does a commendable job, providing you with a vibrant and clear visual experience.

Compared to the older Play 40 Plus, the display is a substantial upgrade. The Play 40 Plus sported a 6.74″ TFT LCD display, with a 90 Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 720×1600 pixels (about 260 PPI).

Networks

The Honor Play 50 Plus supports GSM, CDMA, HSPA, EVDO, LTE, and the blazing-fast 5G. It's a global traveler, ensuring you're always connected.

SIM

With dual Nano-SIM (dual stand-by), you can balance work and personal life seamlessly.

Under the Hood: Power Unleashed!

Running on Android 13 with MagicOS 7.2, powered by Mediatek Dimensity 6020 (7 nm) chipset, and an Octa-core CPU, this phone doesn't just run; it flies! The Mali-G57 MC2 GPU ensures your graphics are as smooth as butter.

Here are the relevant specs:

Inside the Honor Play 50 Plus, you'll find a CPU with a blend of two types of cores: performance cores and efficiency cores. These cores work in harmony to balance power and battery life, ensuring your phone runs smoothly under various circumstances.

Performance cores are the heavy lifters of the CPU. Think of them as the sprinters in a race. They handle demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and other CPU-intensive applications. With clock speeds slightly higher than efficiency cores in the Honor Play 50 Plus, they provide that extra boost of power needed for the casual high-performance tasks.

Efficiency cores are the marathon runners. They handle everyday tasks like sending texts, browsing the web, or checking emails. They do these tasks using considerably less power, ensuring your phone doesn't drain its battery unnecessarily during lighter activities.

Now, onto the gaming realm! Thanks to the blend of performance and efficiency cores, the Honor Play 50 Plus is well-equipped to handle gaming. While the performance cores might not be the fastest in the market, they're certainly no slouches. Combined with a capable GPU, this phone can handle a wide range of games smoothly, especially if you're not aiming for the highest graphical settings in the most demanding titles.

Who should opt for Honor Play 50 Plus? Well, casual gamers and everyday users. If you enjoy mobile gaming casually and use your phone for regular tasks like social media, emails, and browsing, the Play 50 Plus is a fantastic choice. Its CPU configuration offers a great balance for these activities without breaking the bank.

On the other hand, high-end gamers and power users may not be impressed with the Play 50 Plus. If you're a mobile gaming enthusiast who demands the absolute best performance in the latest games, you might want to explore higher-end models with more powerful CPUs and GPUs. Similarly, if you're into heavy multitasking, video editing, or 3D rendering on your phone, a more powerful device might suit your needs better.

Compared to the predecessor Play 40 Plus, there has not been much change in this department. The Play 40 Plus sported the same octa-core CPU and the same GPU, and it featured the Mediatek MT6833 Dimensity 700 (7 nm) chipset.

Memory and Storage Heaven

Here are the relevant specs:

Say goodbye to storage concerns with the phone offering 256 GB internal memory paired with 8 GB or 12 GB RAM. Your apps, photos, and videos find a home without a fuss.

The older Play 40 Plus came in three variants with these combinations of RAM / internal storage: 6 GB / 128 GB, 8 GB / 128 GB, and 8 GB / 256 GB.

Cameras: Capture the Moment

Equipped with a dual rear camera setup (50 MP wide and 2 MP depth), your photography reaches new heights. LED flash, HDR, and panorama mode add magic to your photos. The 8 MP front camera makes your selfies Instagram-ready!

Rear Camera

Image credit: Honor

The 2 MP depth lens, along with the LED flash, sits in one of the two circles at the top-left of the back of the phone. The other circle holds the 50 MP wide shooter. Here are the relevant specs:

Specification	Honor Play 50 Plus
Number of Cameras	2 (Dual)
Resolution (Megapixels)	50 MP (wide), 2 MP (depth)
Aperture	f/1.8, f/2.4
Autofocus	PDAF, N/A
Video Recording	1080p at 30 fps
Other Features	LED flash, panorama, HDR

Each of the two lenses plays a unique role, ensuring your photos are not just pictures but memories captured in vivid detail. The wide lens, with its 50 MP resolution, is your window to the world. It captures stunning landscapes, detailed portraits, and vibrant scenes, preserving every nuance of the moment. The depth lens, although modest in resolution, adds depth to your photos. It's the secret behind those beautiful portrait shots, creating a pleasing background blur (bokeh) effect that makes your subject pop.

And the Honor Play 50 Plus camera has features that enhance your photography:

• LED Flash for Lighting the Dark: The LED flash ensures your photos are well-lit even in low-light conditions. Say goodbye to grainy, unclear night shots!
• Panorama Mode to Capture the Whole Story: Panorama mode lets you capture breathtaking wide-angle shots. Whether it's a city skyline or a picturesque landscape, this feature ensures you don't miss a single detail.
• HDR (High Dynamic Range) for Balancing Light and Shadow: HDR mode balances the light and the shadow in your photos, ensuring both well-lit and dark areas are detailed and clear. This means your photos look fantastic, even in challenging lighting conditions.

The main camera setup of the Honor Play 50 Plus doesn't just excel in photography; it's also a video recording powerhouse. You can shoot Full HD videos at 30 frames per second. This ensures your videos are smooth and detailed, perfect for capturing life's moving moments.

The older Honor Play 40 Plus had a similar rear camera setup. Not much change here.

Battery that Lasts

(Related: Battery specs and charging types explained.)

A mammoth 6000 mAh non-removable battery keeps you going all day. Here are the relevant specs:

When it's time to charge, the 35 W wired charging gets you back in the game swiftly.

The predecessor Play 40 Plus featured a similar battery with the same capacity, but supported a slower, 22.5 W wired charging.

Audio Extravaganza

Here are the relevant specs:

Immerse yourself in audio bliss with stereo speakers and a 3.5 mm jack. The 24-bit, 192 kHz audio ensures every beat is crystal clear.

Hi-Res Audio (High-Resolution Audio) is an audio technology that goes beyond the limitations of standard audio formats, delivering a richer, more immersive listening experience. It achieves this by having a higher bit depth, higher sampling rates (96 kHz or even 192 kHz as opposed to the standard CD quality sampling rate of 44.1 kHz), and an expanded frequency range. The Hi-Res Audio transforms your listening experience from ordinary to extraordinary.

The Honor Play 50 Plus provides Hi-Res Audio support wirelessly as well. So, put on your headphones and get ready to be enchanted by the magic of Hi-Res Audio!

Seamless Connectivity

The Honor Play 50 Plus sports dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac for connecting to the Wi-Fi networks. Also, there's Wi-Fi Direct, a feature that allows direct device-to-device connections without the need for a router. It's perfect for fast file transfers and seamless collaboration.

The Play 50 Plus boasts Bluetooth 5.1, ensuring a seamless connection, whether you're connecting to headphones, speakers, or other devices. With features like A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) for high-quality audio streaming and LE (Low Energy) for power efficiency, your Bluetooth experience reaches new heights.

Lost? Not with the positioning capabilities of the Play 50 Plus! It supports GPS, GLONASS, and BDS. This means your phone always knows where you are. Whether you're navigating through bustling cities or remote wilderness, your phone's positioning technology ensures you're always on the right path.

The Play 50 Plus does not have NFC.

Last but not least, the trusty USB-C 2.0 - the universal connector. Whether you're charging your phone, transferring files, or connecting to external devices, USB Type-C 2.0 ensures a reliable connection. It's the jack-of-all-trades, allowing you to expand your phone's capabilities and stay connected to the wider world of technology. And the support for OTG (USB On-The-Go) enables your smartphone to act as host and connect to other USB devices, such as flash drives, keyboards, cameras, and more, without needing a computer as an intermediary.

Sensors and Other Features

The Honor Play 50 Plus comes equipped with the following sensors:

• Proximity Sensor: Detects the presence or movement of an object (say, with infrared, sound, light, or electromagnetic fields) without physically contacting it. It is used, for example, to turn off the screen when you position your device close to your ear while making a call.
• Fingerprint Sensor: Used for quick and secure unlocking. It is side-facing in the Play 50 Plus.
• Accelerometer: The accelerometer detects changes in the device's orientation and acceleration. If you tilt, shake, or move your device, the accelerometer knows.
• Compass: The compass determines your device's orientation. It is essential for navigation apps, map orientation, and augmented reality experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What is Honor Play 50 release date?

  The Honor Play 50 Plus has been released on the 10th October, 2023.

• What is Honor Play 50 Plus price?

  At the time of writing, the Honor Play 50 Plus is priced about USD 200.