Honor launches a new addition to its Play series alongside the 30S

Honor launched the 30S today (March 30, 2020), thus confirming that it is the world's first Kirin 820-powered device. This SoC does have 4 Cortex A76 cores as projected: 1 is clocked at the chipset's highest speed of 2.36GHz, whereas the rest have a speed of 2.22GHz. They are joined by 4 additional A55 cores, which are all set at 1.84GHz, on this module.

The new Honor phone also does indeed have a hexa-core Mali-G67 GPU to go with it. The processor is, as roundly teased by the Huawei brand, up-to-date connectivity as standard, meaning the device is technically called the 30S 5G.

It also exhibits the rumored 64MP main camera sensor, in a P40-esque rear-panel array with an 8MP telephoto lens capable of 3x optical, 5x hybrid and 20x digital zoom. They are rounded out with 8MP ultrawide-angle and 2MP macro sensors.

The Honor 30S 5G has 8GB of RAM, which is paired with either 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. The OEM has priced them at 2399 (~US$340) and 2699 yuan (~$375) respectively. They are available to order now via Chinese e-tailers such as JD.com, Suning, TMall and VMall. These stores also now stock the Honor Play 9a.

This new and much less leaked phone is a distinctly cost-conscious variant, even for its series. It has a 13+5MP set-up instead, along with a 6.3-inch HD+ LCD screen and a rear-facing fingerprint sensor. The Play 9a does not even get a Kirin processor: instead, the MediaTek Helio P35 is in evidence. It does, however, have a beefy 5000mAh battery.

This new low-end device has 4GB of RAM and internal storage that starts at 64GB. This SKU costs 899 (~$125) or 1199 yuan (~$166) to double this capacity. They are offered in Night Black, Bluewater Emerald or Jade Green, whereas the 30S is available in Night Black, Blue, Butterfly Green and Feather Red