Honor 30 Pro + review - the flagship smartphone for those who like to stand out
Devices / / January 06, 2021
The flagship smartphone Honor 30 Pro + arrived in Russia. The novelty relies on striking design and advanced cameras, but there are other aspects that it can be praised for. As well as disadvantages that can influence the purchasing decision. But first things first.
Table of contents
- Specifications
- Design and ergonomics
- Screen
- Software and performance
- Sound and vibration
- Camera
- Autonomy
- Outcome
Specifications
Platform | Android 10, firmware Magic UI 3.1 |
Display | 6.57 inches, 2,340 x 1,080 pixels, AMOLED, 90 Hz, 392 ppi, Always On |
Chipset | HiSilicon Kirin 990 5G, video accelerator Mali ‑ G76 |
Memory | RAM - 8 GB, ROM - 256 GB, support for NM memory cards |
Cameras | Primary: 50 MP, 1 / 1.28 ″, RYYB, f / 1.9, 23 mm, PDAF, OIS; 16 MP, RGGB, f / 2.2, 18mm (wide), AF; 8 MP, RGGB, f / 3.4, 125mm (5x zoom), PDAF, OIS; depth sensor 2 Mp Front: 32 MP, 1 / 2.8 ″, f / 2.2, 26 mm |
Communication | 2 × nanoSIM, Wi-Fi 6, GPS, GLONASS, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, GSM / GPRS / EDGE / LTE / 5G |
Battery | 4,000 mAh, fast charging (40 W), wireless charging (27 W) |
Dimensions | 160.3 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm |
Weight | 190 g |
Design and ergonomics
The brand's smartphones have always stood out for their design, and the novelty is no exception. Curved glass flows into a slender aluminum frame that grows along the edges and around the buttons. On the matte backrest there is a huge HONOR logo, which looks like an inscription on the frost-covered glass.
![Appearance Honor 30 Pro + design](/f/7fa46e68756f40ee7c1b613c1740c8b5.jpg)
Impressions from the sophisticated design spoil the cameras a little: the rear block protrudes decently above the glass level, and the screen surface is interrupted by a massive cutout for two lenses with different viewing angles.
Unfortunately, the places for the face recognition system as in Huawei P40 not found here - in the dark, the device twists the display brightness to see the user. It's hard on the eyes, so you have to rely on the on-screen fingerprint sensor. The latter is also not very convenient due to its low location.
![Ergonomics Ergonomics Honor 30 Pro +](/f/ceaeb2ea3ed966b3c4d91138dcecb93d.jpg)
Ergonomics was clearly less thought of than design. The body is very slippery, and the thin side edges cut into the hand unpleasantly. Moreover, the curved screen causes a lot of inconvenience. When typing, it is difficult to hit the side buttons on the keyboard; false presses on the edges also occur.
Partially these problems are solved by a complete silicone cover, although with it the lion's share of gloss is lost. It also comes with a 40W charging adapter and USB Type ‑ C cable.
Screen
Almost the entire front side is occupied by a 6.57 '' display. The matrix is made using AMOLED technology and has a resolution of 2,340 × 1,080 pixels, while the pixel density reaches 392 ppi.
![Screen Honor 30 Pro + screen](/f/47161301ef366959aa45feb674871909.jpg)
The pixels themselves are organized into a Diamond structure (there are twice as many green diodes as red and blue), which also reduces the clarity of the picture. While scrutinizing the small fonts, graininess can be seen, but not visible in standard use.
Otherwise, you can't find fault with the screen. Stock brightness high, viewing angles and contrast level are maximum, color rendition is natural. DCI ‑ P3 color space coverage declared. The smartphone displays any content correctly. We did not forget about the HDR10 standard for high dynamic range, as well as a refresh rate of 90 Hz.
![Brightness settings Brightness settings](/f/477cbaef2d5a3bddeae1fc10bdc64de5.jpg)
![Color temperature settings Color temperature settings](/f/aad8234136e9acb626ca8e2fe4febafe.jpg)
Finally, in the settings, you can adjust the color rendition, turn on the dark mode to save battery, and also hide the cutout with black fill. But there is no anti-flicker function in the smartphone, so sensitive users may experience discomfort.
Software and performance
The Honor 30 Pro + runs Android 10 with Magic UI 3.1 and no Google services. The hardware platform is the Kirin 990 chipset equipped with a 5G modem. Also, the smartphone received 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of permanent memory, expandable.
![Software and performance Honor 30 Pro + software and performance](/f/36de9f96109f75ac55ad22172290f198.jpg)
![Software and performance Honor 30 Pro + software and performance](/f/641cf699e8039c8c2fa5b7ff8cbbdcfa.jpg)
Instead of Google Play, the AppGallery app store is preinstalled. In addition to it, programs can be installed from third-party marketplaces or through APK files. Unfortunately, run on new Google pay not - you will have to look for alternative contactless payment services.
![Performance when playing World of Tanks: Blitz Performance when playing World of Tanks: Blitz](/f/5acab85d3a746972322c48a9fd31d921.jpg)
Flagship hardware provides high-speed performance both in the system and applications, and in games. World of Tanks: Blitz with maximum graphics settings produces 60 fps even in dynamic scenes.
Sound and vibration
The Honor 30 Pro + is the first flagship of the brand to feature stereo speakers. And although the smartphone does not support Dolby Atmos, this does not prevent it from producing loud and clear sound. In the vertical orientation, the speakers work in two bands: the lower one is responsible for the reproduction of bass, the upper one - for the mid and high frequencies. When horizontal, the stereo mode is turned on.
But the vibration is weak and indistinct - they obviously saved on the motor. This problem still plagues Android smartphones in a wide variety of price segments. It's strange that manufacturers copy the worst Apple solutions, but are in no hurry to adopt the best ones.
Camera
The main camera of Honor 30 Pro + received a Sony IMX700 image sensor with a size of 1 / 1.28 ″ and a resolution of 50 megapixels. By default, photos are taken at 12.5 megapixels because the camera combines four neighboring pixels into one large one.
![Camera Honor 30 Pro + camera](/f/390e955b700772af1d5005e2413fe4e4.jpg)
Also, the novelty is equipped with an 8-megapixel periscope module with a five-fold zoom, a 16 megapixel "width" and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. Frontal cameras two: standard 32 megapixels and wide-angle 8 megapixels.
Daytime photos turn out to be rich and with the widest dynamic range, although the smartphone clearly embellishes reality. The wide-angle camera is equipped with autofocus, thanks to which you can take macro shots.
At night, everything is also fine, but the auto mode lifts the exposure, making the photo too bright. Sometimes HDR comes into play, and then you can forget about the naturalness of the picture. Fortunately, there is a professional mode in which you can control all the shooting parameters.
![Photo on Honor 30 Pro +](/f/c80140fd1a5e78d4d738453c3ddbbffd.jpg)
![Photo on Honor 30 Pro +](/f/a3f9597e28ca025581706e39fcaa1cbd.jpg)
![Photo on Honor 30 Pro +](/f/f38c08913cfed8565bb7623be3b2253e.jpg)
![Photo on Honor 30 Pro +](/f/2248f0834c46f5d8e862fd2117e0eff0.jpg)
![Photo on Honor 30 Pro +](/f/4dbb170975a45c1d2ee58d244773943a.jpg)
![Macro mode on Honor 30 Pro +](/f/69145a661b6155c138fc933a533a9e99.jpg)
![Macro mode on Honor 30 Pro +](/f/62411d9eaae847a65cb0f1f80734e276.jpg)
![Honor 30 Pro + wide-angle camera](/f/220c4eb400e896e5925ea9972d46fbac.jpg)
![Honor 30 Pro + wide-angle camera](/f/8e624cc18c7c30464f945eee79991876.jpg)
![Zoom 5X](/f/87d073cb09abae3ae0d776637f240c21.jpg)
![Zoom 5X](/f/111c8d10b7e7546f8c389436fef154af.jpg)
![Hybrid Zoom 10X](/f/f767c039a4536048043fb03c0ea3a8cc.jpg)
![Snapshot from Honor 30 Pro +](/f/9833b0bb6f20585870cd0e6400cef053.jpg)
![Snapshot from Honor 30 Pro +](/f/0196badb50a6bc70d8afe31ae1c0e638.jpg)
![Snapshot from Honor 30 Pro +](/f/b284fcd78b07bec0c63eb43166f23e2b.jpg)
![Snapshot from Honor 30 Pro +](/f/b436a4063b7c9fbe7d103e9cff30e356.jpg)
![Snapshot from Honor 30 Pro +](/f/26cf56c85534af3637390932596c8888.jpg)
![Snapshot from Honor 30 Pro +](/f/696ae0f986d0ccf4b99e2a899a1db6ff.jpg)
![Snapshot from Honor 30 Pro +](/f/d31f4b846e7f86f4842b2df85b653fb8.jpg)
![Snapshot from Honor 30 Pro +](/f/b1c390bf467a56712bff3116141c10db.jpg)
![Snapshot from Honor 30 Pro +](/f/ab091f4862c04b5109f3ade4966328f5.jpg)
![Selfie Honor 30 Pro +](/f/1b51dffb3c4f50547f77a9ace82b41ad.jpg)
![Honor 30 Pro + wide-angle selfie](/f/3ca0820e72683d0b1f142f035f826a64.jpg)
The video is recorded in the maximum 4K resolution with a frame rate of 60 FPS. Optical stabilization does not compensate for shaking as well as digital counterparts. Nevertheless, the result is decent.
Autonomy
The Honor 30 Pro + has a 4000 mAh battery inside. Thanks to the energy efficient platform and not the highest resolution of the display, this is enough for a day of active use. And if you do not get carried away with games and photography, the smartphone will last a day and a half. For an hour of playing World of Tanks: Blitz, the battery charge decreases by 11%.
The included adapter delivers up to 40 W of power and charges battery in 40 minutes. Fast wireless charging up to 27W is also supported, but for this you have to buy a docking station.
Outcome
The Honor 30 Pro + really stands out from the competition. The company was not afraid to make a unique design, however, they got carried away and forgot about ease of use - perhaps this is the main drawback of the novelty. Otherwise, we have before us a solid flagship with high performance, excellent camera and long battery life. And if style is the most important thing for you, the smartphone deserves attention.
The price of the device is 54,990 rubles. Sales will begin on June 5, and pre-order is available from May 29.
Buy
The author thanks Honor for the device provided for testing. The company had no way to influence the test result.
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