The GPU Turbo update is one of the most anticipated software updates for Huawei and Honor devices as it promises better GPU performance which is very handy when playing games. The Honor Play is one of those devices to ship with GPU Turbo. How does it perform? Let’s find out.
Before we get started, let’s have a refresher. The GPU Turbo was announced in June during CES Asia. It’s a software feature that will arrive as an update to supported devices and claims to increase GPU efficiency by up to 60%, reduce single frame SoC energy consumption by 30%, power consumption by about 20%, as well as reduce jitter rate and temperature for smoother performance when gaming.
Do note though, that the GPU Turbo initially supports PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) Mobile and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang so we’re going to use these games for testing.
Some important notes before we proceed:
* The Honor Play we’re using for testing is running on EMUI 8.2 based on Android 8.1 Oreo.
* The firmware build, COR-L29 8.2.0.111 (C900log), is in beta.
Let’s start with the benchmark tools we use for reviews.
| Honor Play | Honor 10 | |
|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu | 208,887 | 205,909 |
| 77,616 (GPU score) | 76,670 (GPU score) | |
| GeekBench | 1,884 (Single-Core) | 1,885 (Single-Core) |
| 6,627 (Multi-Core) | 6,542 (Multi-Core) | |
| 8,684 (RenderScript) | 8,641 (RenderScript) | |
| 3D Mark (SlingShot Extreme) | 2,956 (OpenGL ES 3.1) | 2,921 (OpenGL ES 3.1) |
| 3,289 (Vulkan) | 3,141 (Vulkan) | |
| PC Mark (Work 2.0) | 4,543 | 7,929 |
| AndroBench | 911.53 MB/s (Seq. Read) | 826.52 MB/s (Seq. Read) |
| 184.9 (Seq. Write) | 195.39 MB/s (Seq. Write) |
The Honor Play’s AnTuTu score is in the same range as other flagship devices especially those packing the same chipset, like the Honor 10. As mentioned earlier, the GPU Turbo currently works with PUBG Mobile and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and promises smoother and more stable performance. So we tested both games and used GameBench to measure frame rates. Check out the results:
PUBG Mobile (Graphics: HDR, Ultra)
The Honor Play got a respectable Median FPS of 40fps and an FPS Stability of 87%. Based on our usage, the performance is smooth and responsive. There were a few times that frames drop but it was able to recover quickly. When it comes to thermal performance, it warms up but nothing out of the ordinary.
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (Graphics: High + High Frame Rate Mode)
This is the part where GPU Turbo performance is noticeable. The Honor Play got a good 59fps Median FPS with a 93% FPS Stability. Based on our personal experience, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang on the Honor Play is noticeably smoother and more responsive compared to other devices without the GPU Turbo feature. When it comes to thermal performance, it warms up like other device but not too much to be a problem.
Based on the results and personal experience, Huawei’s GPU Turbo, even in its beta form, works. We just hope that the performance boost gets applied to other games as well. We’re looking forward to testing GPU Turbo in its final build.
The GPU Turbo update is coming to supported Honor and Huawei devices. Check out the roll-out schedule below:
| Huawei | Honor | |
|---|---|---|
| August 2018 (Europe incl. Russia, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa) | P20 P20 Pro Mate 10 Mate 10 Pro Mate RS | Honor 10 |
| September 2018 (Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa) | P20 Lite | Honor 9 Lite Honor V10 |
| September 2018 (All Overseas Markets) | P smart Nova 2i / Mate 10 Lite Y9 2018 | Honor 7X |
| November 2018 (All Overseas Markets) | Mate 9 Mate 9 Pro P10 P10 Plus | Honor 9 Honor 8 Pro |
Honor Play Specifications
| Specs | Honor Play |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.3-inch 2340 x 1080 display, 409ppi |
| CPU | HiSilicon Kirin 970 2.36GHz octa-core |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP12 |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB |
| Storage | 64GB internal storage |
| Expandable Storage | expandable via microSD up to 256GB (SIM Slot 2) |
| Rear Camera | 16MP + 2MP rear cameras, LED flash |
| Front Camera | 16MP front camera |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE |
| SIM | Dual SIM (nano) |
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.2, BLE, aptX, aptX HD, HWA |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, Beidou, GLONASS |
| USB | USB 2.0 Type-C |
| Audio Port | 3.5mm audio port |
| OS | EMUI 8.2 (Android 8.1 Oreo) |
| Battery | 3,750mAh battery (Fast Charge 9V/2A) |
| Dimension | 157.91 x 74.27 x 7.48 mm |
| Weight | 176 g |
The Honor Play will be available on Lazada, Shopee and stores nationwide, starting August 13, 2018, for only Php15,990. Pre-orders can be made at the ‘Game with the Brave’ event – in partnership with SM Cyberzone – at SM City Fairview on Saturday, August 11, 2018.
15990 for a fcking flagship level soc and not to mention the build quality looks impressive on paper! type C na din wooh!
Wakang comparison? Paano namin malalaman kung meron talagang improvement ung GPU turbo?
Lmao where’s the comparison with and without the GPU Turbo? Might as well included a device with the same SoC like the P20/Pro (currently has no GPU Turbo update yet) to determine the difference. So what’s the point?!
Price can’t be right. Most probably it’s 25990 not 15990
Actually in India it’s sold around thr same price of 16k. And PH is one of the places where Huawei is cheapest so 16k is very likely.
it seems I was wrong and the price is really 15990. Except for the camera, it is on par with the Honor 10 and at 8k cheaper. Really, this device will make every other mid-range device (Oppo F7, Vivo V9, even Huawei’s own Nova 3i a tough sell.
Shouldve compared it with GPU turbo on and off. Smh
Thumbs Up Sir Louie! (y) wanna get my hands on this beast!
This will eat the Nova 3i or other way around. And the Huawei Mate 20Lite is coming, so more choices for the consumers.