Should You Upgrade from the Honor Play9A to the Honor Play20A?
A spec-by-spec look at what actually changes when you move from the Honor Play9A to the Honor Play20A, 2 years apart.
Yes — the Honor Play20A is a worthwhile upgrade
The Honor Play20A is 2 years newer than the Honor Play9A, and the BeastScore rises from 79.3 to 81.8. The biggest improvements: battery rated 9 points higher, display rated 5 points higher, newer helio g81 chipset (replaces helio g36).
What you gain with the Honor Play20A
- +Battery rated 9 points higher
- +Display rated 5 points higher
- +Newer Helio G81 chipset (replaces Helio G36)
- +800 mAh bigger battery
- +0.3" larger screen
| Spec | Honor Play9A | Honor Play20A | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| BeastScore (overall) | 79.3 | 81.8 | +2.5 (3%) |
| Performance score | 70 | 70 | No real change |
| Camera score | 80 | 80 | No real change |
| Battery score | 86 | 95 | +9 (10%) |
| Display score | 84 | 89 | +5 (6%) |
| Chipset | Helio G36 | Helio G81 | New generation chip |
| Battery capacity | 5,200 mAh | 6,000 mAh | +800 mAh (15%) |
| Screen size | 6.6" | 6.9" | +0.3" (5%) |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | No real change |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 50 MP | No real change |
| RAM | 4 GB | 4 GB | No real change |
Upgrade if…
- You regularly run out of battery before the end of the day
- You play demanding games or want the newest on-device AI features
- You use your phone outdoors a lot and want a brighter, smoother screen
Honor Play9A vs Honor Play20A: Upgrade FAQ
Is it worth upgrading from the Honor Play9A to the Honor Play20A?
Yes — the Honor Play20A is a worthwhile upgrade. The Honor Play20A is 2 years newer than the Honor Play9A, and the BeastScore rises from 79.3 to 81.8. The biggest improvements: battery rated 9 points higher, display rated 5 points higher, newer helio g81 chipset (replaces helio g36).
What is the biggest difference between the Honor Play9A and Honor Play20A?
Battery rated 9 points higher: 86 on the Honor Play9A vs 95 on the Honor Play20A.
Does the Honor Play20A have a bigger battery than the Honor Play9A?
The Honor Play20A has a 6,000 mAh battery versus 5,200 mAh on the Honor Play9A (+800 mAh (15%)).
Who should upgrade to the Honor Play20A?
Upgrade if: You regularly run out of battery before the end of the day; You play demanding games or want the newest on-device AI features; You use your phone outdoors a lot and want a brighter, smoother screen.