Despite the Chinese-American disagreement, the Huawei firm does not stop surprising. Indeed, Huawei smartphones are always in the race to match and surpass the best of the market with their Kirin processor and their great autonomy. Versatile and recognized as a photophone, there is a wide range available. To help you choose the best Huawei smartphone, read this guide.
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Our selection
"Equipped with a 6.15" screen with FHD+ resolution, the P30 Lite XL seduces with vibrant colors while offering an unparalleled visual experience. It embeds a…"
"The P Smart 2021 combines elegance and performance for a price under 200 euros. Boosted by a powerful GPU, it is equipped with quad high…"
"Packed with remarkable performance, the P40 Pro Plus ranks among the best photophone references. 5G compatible, the smartphone impresses with a Kirin 990 base and…"
"The P30 Pro Silver Frost is the new version of the P30 Pro series with a slight upgrade in design and performance while maintaining compatibility…"
Equipped with a 6.15" screen with FHD+ resolution, the P30 Lite XL seduces with vibrant colors while offering an unparalleled visual experience. It embeds a 48 Mp wide angle sensor with a 2.2 GHz octo core CPU.
355 £ on CdiscountThe P30 Lite XL is a Huawei smartphone that aims to be a reference in the field of versatile smartphones. The Breathing Crystal design seduces with a glass look from the back. On the display, it embeds a Dewdrop panel that occupies 90% of the front panel with a FHD+ resolution of 2312 x 1080p. On the photo side, it has triple sensors at the back, the main one at 48 Mp, the second one at 8 Mp, and the last one at 2 Mp, at the front there is a 32 Mp sensor. For a weight of 159 g, it adopts a dimension of 153 x 72 x 7.4 mm.
Its performance is supported by an 8-core Kirin 710 processor with a frequency of 2.2 GHz with a 1 GHz Mali-G51 GPU. These are coupled with 6GB of memory as well as 256GB of internal storage expandable up to 512GB via microSD card. Running on Android 9.0, the smartphone offers up to 21 hours of talk time and 293 hours of standby time using a 3340 mAh lithium polymer battery. About connectivity, it has dual-band Wi-Fi 5 module and a Bluetooth 4.2 as well as USB-C and a jack.
The P Smart 2021 combines elegance and performance for a price under 200 euros. Boosted by a powerful GPU, it is equipped with quad high definition cameras and a high performance 5000 mAh battery.
149 £ on RueducommerceFeaturing 4G+ network, the Huawei P Smart 2021 packs a 6.67-inch LCD, FHD+ display with an aspect ratio of 20:9 for a definition of 2400 x 1080p. Based on Android 10, the smartphone performs with an 8-core 2.0 GHz Kirin 710A processor paired with 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage expandable via microSD. As far as endurance is concerned, it offers exceptional battery life thanks to a powerful 5000 mAh battery.
The Huawei smartphone features an ARM Mali G51 MP4 GPU to ensure optimal displays. The photo system consists of an 8 Mp selfie camera centered on the top edge of the screen. At the back, it has quadruple cameras managed with artificial intelligence, including a 48 Mp main sensor, an 8 Mp ultra-wide angle and a 2 Mp. It also embeds Wi-Fi 5 ac with Bluetooth 5.1 as well as a USB-C connector and 3.5 mm jack combo.
Packed with remarkable performance, the P40 Pro Plus ranks among the best photophone references. 5G compatible, the smartphone impresses with a Kirin 990 base and a 50 Mp quintuple photo sensor.
799 £ on FnacThe P40 Pro Plus is an ultra-premium version of the Huawei P40 series with a 5G compatible network. The smartphone sports a very elegant look with 4 curved edges and a ceramic back embedding a 90 Hz Oled FHD+ display at 2640 x 1200p 441 ppi. The photo quality is ensured by five sensors including a main module of 50 Mp, an ultra wide-angle of 40 Mp, a telephoto x3 of 8 Mp, a periscope x10 of 8 Mp and a Tof sensor. The front camera embeds an IR Tof sensor of 32 Mp.
Powered by a 4200 mAh battery, the P40 Pro plus is capable of providing up to 48 hours of use. To its performance, the smartphone takes advantage of a powerful Kirin 990 5G 8-core 2.86 GHz CPU coupled with 8 GB of RAM and 512 GB internal memory expandable via microSD. Even more powerful to the connection, it embeds the 6 ax dual-band Wi-Fi module with Bluetooth 5.1 as well as USB-C 3.1 compatibility. To its dimensions, it adopts a length of 158 mm, a width of 72.6 mm and a depth of 9 mm for a weight of 226 g.
The P30 Pro Silver Frost is the new version of the P30 Pro series with a slight upgrade in design and performance while maintaining compatibility with the Google service. Running on Android 9, it has a remarkable camera.
513 £ on CdiscountThis is a Huawei P30 Pro New Edition 4G+ smartphone compatible with Google service. With an Android 9.0 Pie operating system, the smartphone performs on a Kirin 980 Octo-core base clocked at 2 x 2.6 GHz plus 2 x 1.9 GHz and 4 x 1.8 GHz. The processor is paired with 8GB of RAM with 256GB of expandable internal storage. It has a 6.47-inch FullView FHD+ Oled display at 2340 x 1080p 398 ppi.
About the camera and photo system, the P30 Pro Silver Frost consists of four lenses designed with Leica. The main sensor offers a definition of 40 Mp, the 2nd at 20 Mp, the 3rd at 8 Mp and the last one is a Tof sensor for more precision in depth. All backed by artificial intelligence, the Huawei smartphone also embeds a 32 Mp front camera. And for a flawless endurance, the smartphone embeds a 4200 mAh battery.
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The best Huawei smartphone in 2021
The best entry-level Huawei smartphone
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TOP OF THE TOP | CHEAP | TOP OF THE LINE | EXCELLENT | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
8/10 |
8/10 |
9/10 |
9/10 |
OUR SELECTION |
Huawei P30 Lite XL 256GB
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Huawei P Smart 2021 - 128 GB
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Huawei P40 Pro plus
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Huawei P30 Pro Silver Frost 256GB
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Equipped with a 6.15" screen with FHD+ resolution, the P30 Lite XL seduces with vibrant colors while offering an unparalleled visual experience. It embeds a 48 Mp wide angle sensor with a 2.2 GHz octo core CPU.
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The P Smart 2021 combines elegance and performance for a price under 200 euros. Boosted by a powerful GPU, it is equipped with quad high definition cameras and a high performance 5000 mAh battery.
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Packed with remarkable performance, the P40 Pro Plus ranks among the best photophone references. 5G compatible, the smartphone impresses with a Kirin 990 base and a 50 Mp quintuple photo sensor.
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The P30 Pro Silver Frost is the new version of the P30 Pro series with a slight upgrade in design and performance while maintaining compatibility with the Google service. Running on Android 9, it has a remarkable camera.
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Display
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6.15'' (2312 x 1080 pixels)
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6.67'' (2400 x 1080 pixels)
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6.58'' (2640 x 1200 pixels)
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6.47'' (2340 x 1080 pixels)
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Processor
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Kirin 710 at 2.2 GHz
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Kirin 710A at 2.0 GHz
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Kirin 990 5G at 2.86 GHz
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Kirin 980 at 2.6 GHz
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RAM & Internal Memory
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6 GB & 256 GB
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4 GB & 128 GB
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8 GB & 512 GB
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8 GB & 256 GB
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Camera
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48 Mp + 8 Mp + 2 Mp
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48 Mp + 8 Mp + 2 Mp
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50 Mp + 40 Mp + 8 Mp + 8 Mp + Tof
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40 Mp + 20 Mp + 8 Mp + Tof
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Battery
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3340 mAh
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5000 mAh
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4200 mAh
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4200 mAh
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On average, the Chinese manufacturer offers 4 to 6 GB of internal memory. On the SoC side, you won't find a Snapdragon on a Huawei smartphone. The brand is supplied by TSMC, the founder of the famous Kirin processors. For example, the Kirin 710 SoC is comfortable for everyday use: light games, emails, social networks ...
More demanding games such as Fortnite mobile and high quality photo remain the prerogative of high-end models. In this case, a mobile equipped with the Kirin 980 SoC, or even the Kirin 990 clocked at 2.36 GHz, will do. Don't forget to take into account the presence of GPUs, such as the Mali-G76 MP6 on the P40 Pro.
Huawei is not kidding with this criterion. The Chinese telecom giant has even made it a selling point. Compared to other manufacturers, we must recognize Huawei's know-how for photography, with x5 zooms (up to x10 in hybrid), as well as numerous sensors (up to 5) on its high-end smartphones.
You should know that the best smartphone cameras are not always those that multiply pixels. It's mostly to do with the editing software, autofocus, sensor size and light sensitivity. When in doubt, check out user reviews, an important mine of information.
Because of U.S. sanctions, Huawei cannot install Google services on its new smartphones. But they remain available on the old ones. In practical terms, this means that you won't have access to games on playstores or to the countless apps on Google Store. However, you can access and install them from a browser.
To compensate for the absence of Google and Play Store services, Huawei offers its own app store called AppGallery. It has some essentials, but it is not as good as Play Store.
Netflix, Facebook or Snapchat are also affected by the retaliatory measures, although they remain accessible via a web browser.
Like the P30 Pro, the subsequent high-end Huawei smartphones take advantage of Android 10 with the EMUI 10 overlay. Things seem to be more unclear regarding the entry and mid-range mobiles. For now, they're running an EMUI 9.0 interface based on Android 9.0. It's mainly the discontinuation of updates provided by Google on the open source version of Android that poses a problem.
The design and finish quality on Huawei smartphones have nothing to envy to Apple or Samsung. Curved screen, with 90% occupancy rate on the P30 Pro, 92% in the case of the P40 Pro. Such ratios are simply staggering. Once in hand, it feels like you're just holding a screen!
At Huawei, the Oled or Amoled panels measure more than 6 inches. It is not only their size or their occupancy rate that impresses, since these screens have an exceptional brightness. However, the dimensions of Huawei smartphones make them difficult to handle with one hand. Take this into account if your hands are small.
When it comes to energy, autonomy is a criterion that should not be overlooked. At Huawei, batteries range from 3,400 to 5,200 mAh, with excellent power management. The Chinese brand makes some of the most enduring smartphones on the market.
Good to know, Oled screens consume less power than Amoled screens. With a Huawei smartphone, you will easily have 2 days of autonomy on a full charge. In addition, fast charging is available thanks to the 40W charger capable of providing a full charge in just 50-70 min.
Huawei's high-end mobiles also benefit from wireless charging, albeit a little longer.
The end of Google services
The sanctions taken by the U.S. administration for 2 years hurt Huawei. As a result, the Chinese manufacturer can no longer pre-install Google apps and services like Google Store and Play Store on its smartphones. Add to that the permanent stop of Android updates and you will understand the extent of the problem.
To remedy this, Huawei has launched its app store, App Gallery. Its catalog remains modest, but it's better than nothing. In parallel, it has developed an operating system, HarmonyOS, a serious rival for Android if the Chinese giant finds colors! The Honor TV was the first device sold by Huawei with HarmonyOS.
The smartwatches and Matebook laptops planned for this year will also run on HarmonyOS. As well as the headphones and connected speakers that will arrive in 2021. Still hoping for an end to the bans, Huawei is keeping its OS under wraps for its smartphones and continues to rely on Android Q and EMUI 10.
Towards the end of Kirin SoC for Huawei?
Under U.S. pressure, TSMC has given up on new orders for Huawei, which will run out of Kirin SoCs in mid-September. And since a problem never comes alone, the Taiwanese foundry took the opportunity to strengthen its partnership with Apple, a direct competitor of Huawei.
On paper, Huawei has a subsidiary, HiSilicon, which supplies the brand with processors. But this company is not a foundry and does not have the technologies of TSMC or Qualcomm. HiSilicon is mainly involved in customizing ARM chips and is content to pass on its designs to TSMC, its exclusive subcontractor.
Of course, other founders exist, such as MediaTek and the Chinese SMIC. But MediaTek is American. It needs the approval of its government to supply Huawei. SMIC, on the other hand, does not do 7nm. An adaptation of the facilities at the Chinese foundry will be necessary and will take time. A luxury that Huawei can not afford.
Xiaomi has the wind in its sails going up. The current number 4 smartphone maker in the world comes out with a new model every 3 to 6 months. The Redmi range, which has become a brand in its own right, is one of its greatest successes, as is the Mi range and the new Poco brand. Beyond its extensive offering, Xiaomi owes its success to its unbeatable prices.
Also worth noting is the performance and battery life of Xiaomi mobiles. Like most manufacturers, the Chinese added its own overlay under Android, called IMUI. Don't worry, the brand's very dynamic user community makes it easy to master the operating system.
However, Xiaomi's smartphones suffer from poor photo quality, although the manufacturer is banking on the new 108MP sensor to catch up. In addition, the brand's mobiles look too similar, to the point of competing with each other! Finally, the recent rise of the brand was accompanied by a price increase.
Huawei is the current world leader in smartphones ahead of Samsung and Apple. The Chinese manufacturer also owns Honor, a brand designed for Western markets. And Huawei mobiles will be among the best in 5G, as the company also manufactures the equipment needed to deploy the future network.
In terms of design and screen quality, Huawei has nothing to envy to Apple or Samsung. And its Kirin SoCs, melted down by STMC and supplied by its subsidiary HiSilicon, rival Apple's A12 and A13 Bionic chips as well as the famous Snapdragons that equip the Samsung Galaxy. As for the photo quality, it is simply the trademark of Huawei!
However, the American sanctions prohibit Huawei from accessing Google services. No Google Store or Google Play, except by accessing it from a web browser. The availability of updates to the open source version of Android 10 is also uncertain since the tightening of US measures.
If you're looking for a cheap, high-quality entry-level or mid-range smartphone with no restrictions to Google services, Xiaomi is the brand for you. If you're looking for a mid- to high-end smartphone with a beautiful design, well-calibrated screen, and great photo quality, choose Huawei.
Hit but not sunk. The Chinese telecom giant is even doing better than resisting since it is number 1 worldwide sales since the beginning of the year 2020. It must be said that Huawei has more than one trick up its sleeve.
Very competitive prices.
Huawei offers a quality/price ratio among the most interesting of the market. The Chinese manufacturer has even taken advantage of the pandemic of covid-19 to overtake Samsung. It must be said that in these times of crisis, we do not necessarily want or afford to spend more than 800 euros on a smartphone to replace after 1 or 2 years.
An exceptional photo quality.
The Chinese manufacturer is known for the photo quality of its smartphones. For example, the photo sensor of the P30 Pro, one of the best photophones of the moment, captures as much light or more than that of the iPhone 11 Pro Max and Galaxy S20 Ultra. Huawei has made photo performance a business case.
Proven performance and robustness.
Where Samsung and Apple spend $4 billion and $400 million a year respectively on marketing, Huawei limits itself to $11 million. Why? Because the Chinese manufacturer prefers to bet on innovation and manufacturing quality rather than on advertising. The performance and robustness of its smartphones prove him right!
A design always at the top.
Did you know that Huawei has a center in Paris dedicated to the design of its smartphones? The strong competition between high-end devices is not limited to performance and innovation. Huawei understands this. The brand's shell design and screens are among the best.
The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).
However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.
We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.
Install Google services on mobiles that do not have them.
Chat Partner allows you to install all Google services on Huawei smartphones in one click. Thus, you get a full Android experience. By the way, this is not the first time that developers circumvent US sanctions. In 2019, LZPlay offered the same service before disappearing from the Play Store.
Wait a few months until the price drops.
As with
any brand, the price of high-end Huawei smartphones is dropping rapidly. The arrival of a Pro version, or even a new smartphone (P30 Pro vs P40 Pro) brings down the price of previous models. It is not uncommon to find the best smartphones of one year at half price the following year.
Take pictures with your voice!
The
cameras on high-end Huawei smartphones obey voice commands! To do this, open the camera. Go to settings, then to Audio Control. By enabling this feature, you will see 2 options, one allowing you to take photos by saying the word "cheese". With that, no more need for a timer.
Take advantage of the cropping aid for the photo.
The
Huawei P30 Pro has redefined the rules of smartphone photography. In addition to its intrinsic qualities, the software makes your job easier with a composition grid that can be activated with the Automatic photo mode. This grid ensures perfect cropping. As for the Pro photo mode, it offers a level that keeps the horizon line always straight!
Save the battery.
To
do this, go to the Details section to check the impact of different apps on the battery. Block or uninstall the ones you don't need. You can also activate the power saver provided by Huawei. Or, disable the Wi-Fi connection once the screen is turned off.
The best Huawei smartphone depends on your needs and budget. Read our buying guide to find out more.
As of August 2020, Huawei no longer has access to Google's Android updates, including on its smartphones dating back to before the US sanctions. Obviously, the Chinese manufacturer is already looking for solutions to remedy this. If the sanctions are maintained, it is likely that the next Huawei smartphones will run HarmonyOS, already tested on some devices.
EMUI stands for Emotion User Interface, a software overlay based on Android. Huawei designed it to improve the user experience on its smartphones. Among other things, EMUI improves the performance, security and intelligence of the Android system and adds new features to Android Stock.
Photophone users will tell you that Huawei is one of the best brands in this field. The Chinese manufacturer has made photo quality its specialty. But its devices are also distinguished by their design, their performance (including for gaming) and their screen quality. By the way, there is no Huawei screen smaller than 6 inches.
Since Huawei was banned from the Google Store and Google Play for its smartphones, it didn't take long for it to launch its own app store. Called App Gallery, it offers many apps. However, there is less choice and Google's proprietary apps are unavailable.
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