No Google services
Due to the US trade ban, all Huawei phones manufactured after 15th May 2019 do not include Google services, including the basics like Gmail and Maps, as well as access to the Play Store. If you pick one up you’ll have to rely on the app store, basic apps and AI provided by Huawei.
Finding the right Huawei phone
Nearly all of the phones we’ll be looking at today were released in 2020. For a fresh, speedy, modern phone, check out one of these below.
Huawei Mate40 Pro
Released in November 2020
The latest flagship device: the Huawei Mate40 Pro. Released just a month ago, this Huawei model is for those craving the latest, most up-to-date device.
Cost |
£1,099.99 from Huawei |
Display |
6.76 inches OLED edge-to-edge display 2772 x 1344 resolution |
Size |
H = 162.9mm |
Cameras |
Ultra Vision Camera - 50MP Ultra Wide Cine Camera - 20MP Telephoto Camera - 12MP, 10x hybrid zoom, 50x digital zoom Ultra Vision Selfie Camera - 13MP |
Processor |
5nm Kirin 9000 5G SoC |
Memory |
8GB RAM + 256GB ROM |
Battery |
4,400mAh |
Colours |
Mystic Silver and Black |
Water resistance |
IP68 |
5G compatibility |
Yes |
Huawei Mobile Services |
No Google integrations |
✔Large screen for playing multimedia
✔Large battery capacity - can last for more than a day with average use
✔Compatible with 5G
✔Impressive quad cameras
✘Expensive
✘Only two colours to choose from
✘No Google integrations, so have to use Huawei’s own system
Huawei P40 Pro
Released in June 2020
Still a fairly new addition to Huawei’s P40 range, the Pro is renowned for its ground-breaking camera. If you’re a photography enthusiast, or simply cherish the beauty of a well-balanced selfie, the P40 Pro might be the next option for you. Check out some more of its features below.
Cost |
£699.99 from Huawei |
Display |
6.58 inch OLED display 2460 x 1200 resolution |
Size |
H = 158.2mm |
Cameras |
Ultra Vision Camera - 50MP Cine Camera Ultra-Wide - 40MP Telephoto Camera - 12MP 3D Depth Sensing Camera Selfie Camera - 32MP |
Processor |
Kirin 990 5G |
Memory |
8GB RAM + 256GB ROM |
Battery |
4,200mAh |
Colours |
Silver Frost, Black, Blush Gold |
Water resistance |
IP68 |
5G compatibility |
Yes |
Huawei Mobile Services |
No Google integrations |
✔Large screen for playing multimedia
✔Large battery capacity - can last for more than a day with average use
✔Compatible with 5G
✔Impressive quad cameras
✘No Google integrations, so have to use Huawei’s own system
Huawei P40 Lite 5G
Released in May 2020
If you’re looking for a cheaper Huawei phone, the P40 Lite 5G is a good alternative to the more expensive models above, but without sacrificing much in the way of specs.
Cost |
£279.99 from Huawei |
Display |
6.5 inch LCD display 2400 x 1080 resolution |
Size |
H = 162.31mm |
Cameras |
High resolution lens - 64MP Ultra Wide Angle - 8MP Bokeh lens - 2MP Macro lens - 2MP Front camera - 16MP |
Processor |
Kirin 820 |
Memory |
6GB RAM + 128GB ROM |
Battery |
4,000mAh |
Colours |
Space Silver, Crush Green, Midnight Black |
Water resistance |
Not water resistant |
5G compatibility |
Yes |
Huawei Mobile Services |
No Google integrations |
✔Large screen and high resolution
✔Large battery capacity - can last for more than a day with average use
✔Compatible with 5G
✔Impressive 5 cameras!
✔Cheap for its features
✘No Google integrations, so have to use Huawei’s own system
✘No IP rating, so not safe around water or dust
Huawei Mate XS
Released in March 2020
The Mate XS remains a popular Huawei model, possibly due to its innovative design - the folding screen. Foldable phones are having a resurgence, due to increasing screen size without sacrificing portability. Foldable phones allow you to bend and curve the screen, making for a unique viewing experience.
Cost |
£1,799.99 from Huawei |
Display |
Unfolded: 8 inches Folded: 6.6 and 6.38 inches OLED display 2480 x 2200 resolution unfolded 2480 x 1148 and 2480 x 892 resolution folded |
Size |
H = 161.3mm |
Cameras |
Wide Angle - 40MP Ultra Wide Angle - 16MP Telephoto Camera - 8MP |
Processor |
Kirin 990 5G |
Memory |
8GB RAM + 512GB ROM |
Battery |
4,500mAh |
Colours |
Interstellar Blue |
Water resistance |
Not water resistant |
5G compatibility |
Yes |
Huawei Mobile Services |
No Google integrations |
✔Large screens and flexibility for double or single viewing experience
✔Large battery capacity - can last for more than a day with average use
✔Compatible with 5G
✔Powerful camera MPs
✘Expensive
✘No Google integrations, so have to use Huawei’s own system
✘No IP rating, so not safe around water or dust
✘Only available in one colour
Huawei P30 Pro
Released in March 2019
Our only 2019 entry goes to the Huawei P30 Pro, which remains a popular handset even today. The main features, like the camera, display, and battery life don’t differ drastically from the newest models, making the P30 Pro a great budget alternative.
Cost |
£499.99 from Huawei |
Display |
6.47 inch OLED display 2340 x 1080 resolution |
Size |
H = 158mm |
Cameras |
Wide Angle Lens - 40MP Front camera - 32MP |
Processor |
Kirin 980 Octa-core Processor |
Memory |
8GB RAM + 128GB or 512GB ROM |
Battery |
4,200mAh |
Colours |
Misty Lavender, Mystic Blue, Amber Sunrise, Breathing Crystal, Aurora, Black |
Water resistance |
IP68 |
5G compatibility |
No |
Huawei Mobile Services |
No Google integrations |
✔Large screen
✔Large battery capacity - can last for more than a day with average use
✔Powerful camera MPs
✔Water resistance - up to two metres for 30 minutes
✔Available in a variety of colours
✘Not compatible with 5G
✘No Google integrations, so have to use Huawei’s own system
There you have it - a selection of 5 of Huawei’s best phones on the market right now.
If you’re still not sure, but are set on an Android phone, check out some of the handsets we have in store or compare Samsung phones.
Fancy something completely different? Compare the latest iPhones and discover which one would be right for you.