The Honor Play 30 Plus is an entry-level smartphone from Honor aimed at budget-conscious consumers who want a well-rounded device. With a stylish design, large display, and 5G connectivity, the Play 30 Plus seeks to provide an affordable yet capable smartphone experience. However, like any smartphone, it comes with its own set of challenges and issues that can affect daily usability. In this article, we’ll cover some of the most commonly reported problems with the Honor Play 30 Plus, along with potential troubleshooting tips. We’ll also help you decide whether this phone is worth buying or if there are better alternatives in the same price range.
Phone Overview
Model: Honor Play 30 Plus
Release Date: December 2021
Display: 6.74 inches, 720 x 1600 pixels, 90Hz refresh rate
Battery: 5000 mAh with 22.5W fast charging
Operating System: Android 11, Magic UI 5.0 (no Google Play Services in some regions)
Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 700
Memory: Options of 4GB or 8GB RAM, 128GB internal storage
Primary Use Case: Designed for everyday use with light to moderate apps, social media, and browsing, with 5G connectivity for fast internet speeds.
Common Issues with the Honor Play 30 Plus
1. Battery Drain and Charging Issues
One of the most significant selling points of the Honor Play 30 Plus is its large 5000 mAh battery. This should theoretically provide long-lasting battery life, but some users experience faster-than-expected battery drain, especially when using 5G or high-refresh-rate displays. Additionally, some users have reported slow or inconsistent charging despite the device’s 22.5W fast-charging capability.
Possible Causes:
- Background Apps and Services: Apps running in the background can contribute to battery drain.
- 5G Connectivity: Using 5G consumes more power than 4G, especially in areas with weak signals.
- Fast-Charging Feature: The device may throttle charging if it detects overheating or if the cable and charger are not properly aligned.
Troubleshooting Tips:
- Monitor battery usage by going to Settings > Battery > Battery Usage to identify any apps that are using an excessive amount of power, and close or restrict them as needed.
- Use Battery Saver Mode for prolonged battery life, especially when you are not using power-intensive apps.
- Avoid using the device while it’s charging to prevent overheating and ensure consistent charging speed.
- Ensure you are using the original charger and cable, as third-party accessories may not support fast charging.
User Feedback: “The battery life is decent when I’m on 4G, but switching to 5G noticeably drains it faster. Battery Saver Mode helps a bit, but it still drains faster than I’d like.”
2. Slow or Lagging Performance
The Honor Play 30 Plus is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 700 processor, which is relatively powerful for a budget phone. However, some users experience lagging, stuttering, or slow response times when multitasking or using demanding apps. This can be frustrating, especially for users who want a smooth experience even on a budget device.
Possible Causes:
- Limited RAM: While the device has options for 4GB and 8GB RAM, the 4GB model may struggle with heavier multitasking.
- Background Processes: Apps running in the background consume RAM and processing power, leading to lag.
- Software Optimization: The Magic UI skin on Android may not be as optimized as stock Android, which could impact performance.
Troubleshooting Tips:
- Clear cached data periodically by going to Settings > Storage > Cached Data to free up memory.
- Avoid running multiple apps simultaneously if you experience lag, especially on the 4GB model.
- Disable animations to improve speed by going to Developer Options (enable it by tapping Build Number several times in the About Phone section) and setting Window animation scale, Transition animation scale, and Animator duration scale to 0.5x or off.
- Regularly restart the device to clear RAM and improve performance.
Pro Tip: If you’re experiencing frequent lag, try using lighter versions of apps (such as Facebook Lite) that are designed for lower RAM and processing power.
3. Display Brightness and Color Accuracy
The Honor Play 30 Plus features a large 6.74-inch display with a 90Hz refresh rate, which should provide smooth visuals. However, some users report brightness and color accuracy issues, particularly under direct sunlight or in low-light conditions. In certain cases, the screen may appear washed out or too dim, making it difficult to use in bright outdoor settings.
Common Complaints:
- Brightness does not adjust accurately in Auto-Brightness mode.
- Colors may look faded, affecting media consumption quality.
- Visibility issues in direct sunlight.
Possible Causes:
- Auto-Brightness Calibration: The sensor may not accurately adjust brightness to match the surrounding environment.
- Limited Display Resolution: With a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels, the screen may appear less vibrant compared to higher-resolution displays.
Troubleshooting Tips:
- Manually adjust brightness in settings or turn off Auto-Brightness if it’s not responsive to environmental light changes.
- Use Night Mode or Eye Comfort Mode in low-light conditions to reduce strain and improve color warmth.
- Consider using a matte screen protector to reduce glare, especially for outdoor use.
Quick Fix: Setting the brightness manually to a higher level can help improve visibility in bright environments, although this will impact battery life.
4. Connectivity Issues (5G, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth)
Connectivity issues are a common complaint among users of the Honor Play 30 Plus, particularly with 5G stability and Bluetooth connectivity. These issues can be problematic for those who rely on the phone’s network connectivity for streaming, browsing, and app use on the go.
Common Symptoms:
- Unstable or weak 5G connection in certain areas.
- Difficulty connecting to Wi-Fi networks or frequent disconnections.
- Bluetooth connectivity drops when paired with audio devices or wearables.
Possible Causes:
- Network Availability: 5G networks may have spotty coverage in some areas, impacting connectivity stability.
- Interference: Other electronic devices or poor signal strength can cause connectivity issues.
- Software Bugs: Firmware issues can affect connectivity, especially if updates have not been installed.
Troubleshooting Tips:
- Restart the device to refresh network connections if connectivity issues arise.
- Go to Settings > Connections > Network Mode and switch to 4G/3G/2G (auto connect) if 5G is unreliable.
- Forget and reconnect to Wi-Fi networks that frequently disconnect.
- For Bluetooth issues, try clearing the Bluetooth cache by going to Settings > Apps > Bluetooth > Storage > Clear Cache.
User Tip: “In areas with weak 5G, switching to 4G actually gives me a more stable connection and saves battery life.”
5. Camera Quality and Focus Issues
The Honor Play 30 Plus is equipped with a dual-camera setup featuring a 13 MP primary sensor. While the camera is capable of taking decent photos in good lighting conditions, some users report focus issues, slow shutter speeds, and poor performance in low light.
Common Complaints:
- Blurry photos or slow focus, especially in low-light settings.
- Grainy or noisy images in dim lighting.
- Limited camera features for customization and manual adjustments.
Possible Causes:
- The camera hardware may struggle with low-light environments.
- Slow shutter speed and lack of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) lead to blurriness in photos.
Troubleshooting Tips:
- Ensure the lens is clean to prevent blurry images.
- Use Pro Mode to adjust settings like ISO and exposure if you want more control over your photos.
- In low light, stabilize the phone by resting it on a surface or using a tripod.
- Consider using third-party camera apps, which may offer better software optimizations and additional features.
Camera Insight: “The camera is okay for daylight shots, but the quality drops a lot in low light. I have to use another app for night photos to get decent results.”
6. Lack of Google Play Services (in Some Regions)
The absence of Google Play Services is a significant drawback for Honor devices in some regions, limiting app accessibility and functionality. Although alternative app stores are available, users accustomed to Google’s ecosystem may find this change inconvenient.
Common Issues:
- Difficulty accessing Google apps like Gmail, YouTube, and Google Maps.
- Limited app selection in non-Google app stores.
- Challenges in syncing contacts, calendar events, and other Google-related data.
Possible Solutions:
- Use Huawei AppGallery or other third-party app stores (such as APKPure or Amazon Appstore) to download popular apps.
- Look for web-based alternatives or third-party apps to replace missing Google services.
- If you’re tech-savvy, it may be possible to sideload Google Play Services, though this process can be complex and may void warranties.
Pro Tip: “I was able to install some Google apps using third-party app stores, but it’s not as smooth as having Google Play pre-installed.”
Conclusion: Is the Honor Play 30 Plus Worth Buying?
The Honor Play 30 Plus offers a good value for users looking for an affordable 5G smartphone with a large battery, decent display, and essential features. However, it comes with certain limitations, especially in terms of camera performance, connectivity stability, and potential lack of Google services. Here’s a summary of the pros and cons:
Pros:
- Affordable price for a 5G-enabled device.
- Large 5000 mAh battery with fast charging.
- Smooth 90Hz display for improved visuals.
Cons:
- Poor low-light camera performance and limited photo quality.
- Limited processing power and potential lag with heavy multitasking.
- Potential lack of Google Play Services in certain regions.
- Connectivity and display brightness issues may impact daily usability.
The Honor Play 30 Plus is a solid choice if you’re looking for a budget-friendly 5G phone for basic tasks, but it may fall short if you prioritize camera quality, performance, or seamless integration with Google services. If you’re open to alternatives, consider other budget 5G models like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G or Realme 8 5G, both of which offer better camera quality and similar pricing. These alternatives may offer a more balanced experience for users looking for improved performance and fewer connectivity issues.