Honor has officially unveiled its latest budget-friendly smartphone, the Honor Play 10C, in the Chinese market Designed to deliver strong everyday performance, a massive battery, and modern connectivity features at a low price point, the new Play 10C aims to capture the attention of cost-conscious consumers without sacrificing essential functionality.
Honor Play 10C Brings Premium Features at an Affordable Price
The Honor Play 10C launches with a high-refresh-rate display, a MediaTek Dimensity processor, and full 5G support features that are rarely found in smartphones within this price range Although the handset is currently exclusive to the Chinese market, industry insiders expect the Honor Play 10C to roll out to international markets in the coming months.
Display High Refresh Rate at an Affordable Price
One of the most surprising aspects of the Honor Play 10C is its display technology, which is more advanced than what’s typically found in entry-level devices.
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Type & Size: 6.61-inch LCD panel
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Resolution: 720 × 1604 pixels
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Refresh Rate: 120Hz for smooth scrolling and animations
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Brightness: Peak brightness of 1,010 nits — unusually high for an LCD, ensuring strong visibility in bright outdoor conditions
While it doesn’t offer the deep blacks of OLED screens, the high refresh rate and brightness give it an edge in daily usability, gaming, and video playback compared to many competitors in the same segment.
PerformanceMediaTek Power and 5G Connectivity
Under the hood, the Honor Play 10C is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset a modern 5G-ready processor designed to balance efficiency and performance.
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CPU: Octa-core setup capable of handling everyday tasks, light gaming, and multitasking with ease
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Connectivity: Full 5G support for faster mobile data speeds, alongside Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 for stable wireless connections
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Limitations: NFC and IR blaster are absent, which may matter for users who rely on contactless payments or remote control features
Camera System: Basic but Functional
The Honor Play 10C’s camera setup is straightforward, focusing on essential shooting needs rather than high-end photography.
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Rear Camera: 13MP main sensor with f/1.8 aperture, designed for daylight photography and casual snapshots
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Front Camera: 5MP selfie shooter with f/2.2 aperture for video calls and basic self-portraits
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Video Recording: Both front and rear cameras support 1080p video at 30 frames per second
While the camera hardware won’t compete with flagship devices, it’s adequate for social media sharing, casual photography, and video chatting.
Battery: Multi-Day Endurance
One of the biggest strengths of the Honor Play 10C is its battery life.
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Capacity: Massive 6,000mAh battery designed for extended use without frequent recharging
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Charging: 15W wired charging via USB Type-C 2.0, with the charger included in the box
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Endurance: Easily lasts more than a day and a half for most users, and potentially up to three days with light usage
This combination of a power-efficient chipset and a large battery makes the Play 10C especially appealing for users who prioritize longevity over ultra-fast charging speeds.
Design and Build
Honor has opted for practical materials and a lightweight build, without compromising on durability.
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Materials: Plastic rear panel and frame for weight reduction and improved resistance to drops
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Weight & Thickness: 197 grams, 8.4mm slim profile
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Water & Dust Resistance: IP64-rated for protection against splashes and dust particles
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Colors: Available in white, green, and black finishes
The phone supports dual SIM cards but lacks a microSD card slot, meaning users will need to choose their storage configuration carefully.
Software and User Experience
The Honor Play 10C comes with Android 15 out of the box, overlaid with Honor’s MagicOS 9 interface This ensures a modern software experience, long-term app compatibility, and access to Google services where applicable.
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UI Features: Streamlined navigation, improved privacy controls, and customization options
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Security: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button, alongside standard Android face unlock
Memory and Storage Options
Honor offers the Play 10C in multiple configurations to cater to different budget ranges:
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128GB storage + 4GB RAM
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128GB storage + 6GB RAM
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256GB storage + 8GB RAM
With no support for expandable storage, higher-capacity versions may be the better choice for users with larger app libraries or media collections.
Connectivity and Sensors
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Network Support: Dual SIM 5G connectivity
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Wireless: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 for fast and reliable connections
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Audio: 3.5mm headphone jack for wired audio a welcome inclusion for budget phone users
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Location Services: GPS and other global navigation systems for accurate positioning
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Sensors: Accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass included
Pricing and Availability
The Honor Play 10C is currently exclusive to China, with two main price points:
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128GB + 4GB RAM: Approximately $90 USD
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256GB + 8GB RAM: Approximately $128 USD
At these prices, the Play 10C offers an attractive mix of battery life, 5G connectivity, and modern design for budget-conscious buyers.
While Honor has not confirmed international release plans, the phone is expected to launch in select markets outside China in the near future, given the brand’s history of bringing affordable models to global audiences.
Early Verdict: A Strong Contender in the Budget Segment
The Honor Play 10C combines several high-value features a massive battery, high-refresh-rate display, 5G connectivity, and Android 15 into an affordable package.
Its strengths include:
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Exceptional battery endurance
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Smooth 120Hz screen at a low price
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5G support for future-proof connectivity
- Modern design and solid build quality
Drawbacks of the Honor Play 10C
While the Honor Play 10C delivers solid performance for its price, there are a few compromises worth noting:
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No NFC Support Limits contactless payment options.
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Lack of Expandable Storage No microSD card slot for additional memory.
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Average Camera Performance Adequate for casual shots but not ideal for photography enthusiasts.
Potential drawbacks are the absence of NFC, no expandable storage, and modest camera performance. However, for the target audience, these trade-offs are unlikely to be deal-breakers.
With its competitive pricing and well-rounded feature set, the Honor Play 10C is poised to appeal to students, first-time smartphone buyers, and anyone seeking a dependable secondary device
