Huawei P40 Pro Review: A Great Camera Phone Without Google
The Huawei P40 Pro is one of the best phones around in terms of hardware its cameras take incredible pictures, its screen looks great, and it feels wonderful in the hand thanks to its curved display and slender build. Its just a shame that the software lets the phone down so badly.
huawei p40 pro
Owing to the Huawei ban in the US, the phone doesnt have Google Mobile Services, meaning the handset doesnt have access to popular Android apps like the Google Play Store, YouTube, Gmail and a multitude of others. In our time with the Huawei P40 Pro, we found this to be frustrating and it bordered on defeating the object of having a smartphone in 2020. Not being able to access the services we use on Android devices every day hampered our experience of using the Huawei P40 Pro, and its likely youd find the same.
That said, the Huawei P40 Pro does offer a premium design that excels anything the company had made before, along with a high-resolution screen thats a genuine joy to use. The camera on the Huawei P40 Pro is one of the best weve ever used, delivering significantly improved performance in low-light scenarios, and offering a strong point-and-shoot mode that allows you to get great-looking photos each time you hit the shutter button. We also found the battery life on the Huawei P40 Pro to be top-notch, allowing you to get a full two days of use if youre only lightly using the device.
Ultimately, however and well explore this in more depth below the Huawei P40 Pro is held back by its lack of useful software. With time, the experience will get better, and there are ways to get around some of the major frustrations; but when alternative devices from Apple, OnePlus and others cost a similar amount, Design and Display
The Huawei P40 Pro has a sleek and elegant design that makes it stand out from other flagship phones. The phone has a metal frame and a glass back that curves on all four sides, giving it a smooth and comfortable feel in the hand. The phone is also IP68 water and dust resistant, so you don't have to worry about accidental spills or splashes.
huawei p40 pro 5g smartphone
huawei p40 pro camera review
huawei p40 pro price in india
huawei p40 pro vs samsung s20 ultra
huawei p40 pro plus release date
huawei p40 pro battery life test
huawei p40 pro specs and features
huawei p40 pro emui 10.1 update
huawei p40 pro best deals uk
huawei p40 pro night mode photos
huawei p40 pro screen protector tempered glass
huawei p40 pro wireless charging speed
huawei p40 pro zoom lens comparison
huawei p40 pro silver frost colour
huawei p40 pro google play services workaround
huawei p40 pro water resistance rating
huawei p40 pro kirin 990 5g benchmark
huawei p40 pro dual sim card slot
huawei p40 pro selfie camera quality
huawei p40 pro oled quad-curve overflow display
huawei p40 pro 50 mp ultra vision main camera
huawei p40 pro 12 mp telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom
huawei p40 pro 40 mp ultra wide cine camera with hdr10 support
huawei p40 pro 3d depth sensing camera for face id and portrait mode
huawei p40 pro 32 mp front camera with ir tof 3d sensor
huawei p40 pro appgallery and petal search app
huawei p40 pro 4200 mah battery with 40w supercharge and 27w wireless charge
huawei p40 pro nano memory card support up to 256 gb
huawei p40 pro ip68 dust and water resistant certification
huawei p40 pro 90 hz refresh rate and 441 ppi density screen
huawei p40 pro dimensions and weight: 158.2 x 72.6 x 9 mm, 209 g
huawei p40 pro colours: silver frost, blush gold, deep sea blue, ice white, black
huawei p40 pro models: els-nx9, els-n04, els-an00, els-tn00
huawei p40 pro accessories: smart view flip cover, wireless car charger, freebuds 3
huawei p40 pro android 10 and emui 10.1 software update
huawei p40 pro video recording: 4k at 30/60 fps, 1080p at 30/60/960 fps, 720p at 7680 fps
huawei p40 pro bluetooth 5.1, nfc, infrared port, usb type-c 3.1 connectivity
huawei p40 pro fingerprint scanner under display optical sensor
huawei p40 pro leica optics, led flash, panorama, hdr camera features
huawei p40 pro mali-g76 mp16 gpu and dual big core + tiny core npus
huawei p40 pro octa-core cpu: 2x2.86 ghz cortex-a76 + 2x2.36 ghz cortex-a76 + 4x1.95 ghz cortex-a55
huawei p40 pro wi-fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, wi-fi direct wlan
huawei p40 pro positioning: gps (l1+l5), glonass (l1), bds (b1i+b1c+b2a), galileo (e1+e5a), qzss (l1+l5), navic
huawei p40 pro network: gsm / hspa / lte / 5g bands
huawei p40 pro loudspeaker with no 3.5 mm jack and 32-bit/384khz audio
huawei p40 pro accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, color spectrum sensors
huawei p40 pro endurance rating: 94h battery life test
huawei p40 pro antutu score: 496356 (v8), geekbench score: 12848 (v4.4), gfxbench score: 31fps (es 3.1 onscreen).
The phone comes in five colors: Black, Blush Gold, Deep Sea Blue, Ice White, and Silver Frost. We tested the Silver Frost version, which has a matte finish that reduces fingerprints and smudges. The color also changes depending on the angle and lighting, creating a stunning effect.
The Huawei P40 Pro has a 6.58-inch OLED screen with a resolution of 2640 x 1200 pixels and a refresh rate of 90Hz. The screen is bright, sharp, and colorful, with excellent contrast and viewing angles. The screen also supports HDR10 for enhanced video quality. The screen has a pill-shaped cutout on the top left corner for the dual selfie cameras, which may be distracting for some users, but we got used to it after a while.
The screen also has an in-display fingerprint sensor that works fast and reliably. You can also use face recognition to unlock the phone, which is equally quick and secure. The screen also has a feature called Acoustic Display Technology, which uses vibrations to produce sound from the screen itself. This means that there is no earpiece on the phone, but you can still hear calls clearly. Performance and Battery
The Huawei P40 Pro is powered by the Kirin 990 5G chipset, which is a 7nm+ octa-core processor with two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.86 GHz, two Cortex-A76 cores at 2.36 GHz, and four Cortex-A55 cores at 1.95 GHz. The chipset also features a 16-core Mali-G76 GPU and a dual NPU (neural processing unit) for AI tasks. The phone comes with 8 GB of RAM and 128/256/512 GB of internal storage, which can be expanded up to 256 GB via a NM (nano memory) card.
The performance of the Huawei P40 Pro is impressive, as it can handle any task or game smoothly and without lag. The phone scored 575K in AnTuTu Benchmark, which is slightly lower than some of its competitors, such as the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra (720K) or the OnePlus 8 Pro (648K), but still very respectable. The phone also scored well in GeekBench 5, with 777 points in single-core and 3080 points in multi-core tests.
The Huawei P40 Pro packs a 4,200 mAh battery, which is the same as the P30 Pro and the P40 Pro+. The battery life is excellent, as the phone can last for two days of moderate use or one day of heavy use. The phone also supports Huawei's 40W SuperCharge technology, which can charge the battery from 0 to 80% in just 30 minutes. The phone also supports 27W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, which can be used to charge other devices or accessories.
Camera and Video
The Huawei P40 Pro has a quad-camera setup on the back, which consists of a 50 MP main camera, a 40 MP ultra-wide camera, a 12 MP telephoto camera, and a TOF 3D depth sensor. The main camera has a large 1/1.28" sensor with an f/1.9 aperture and OIS (optical image stabilization). It uses a Quad-Bayer filter to produce 12 MP images with improved dynamic range and low-light performance. The main camera also supports multi-directional PDAF (phase detection autofocus) and AIS (artificial image stabilization).
The ultra-wide camera has a 40 MP sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and a 18 mm equivalent focal length. It can capture more of the scene and also record videos in low-light conditions. The telephoto camera has a 12 MP sensor with an f/3.4 aperture and OIS. It offers a 5x optical zoom, a 10x hybrid zoom, and up to 50x digital zoom. The TOF 3D depth sensor helps create realistic bokeh effects and measure distances.
The camera quality of the Huawei P40 Pro is outstanding, as it can take stunning photos in any situation. The photos have excellent detail, color accuracy, dynamic range, and noise reduction. The zoom capabilities are also impressive, as the phone can capture clear and sharp images even at high magnification levels. The low-light performance is also remarkable, as the phone can capture bright and detailed images even in dark environments.
The Huawei P40 Pro can record videos at up to 4K resolution at 60 fps on the main camera and the front camera. The videos have good detail, stabilization, colors, and exposure. The phone also supports various video modes, such as ultra slow-motion at up to 7680 fps, time-lapse, HDR, and telephoto video.
The front camera of the Huawei P40 Pro is a dual-camera setup that consists of a 32 MP selfie camera and an IR TOF 3D depth sensor. The selfie camera has an f/2.2 aperture and AF (autofocus). It can take high-quality selfies with good detail, skin tones, and bokeh effects. The IR TOF 3D depth sensor can also be used for face unlock and biometric authentication. Connectivity and Extras
The Huawei P40 Pro is a 5G-ready phone that supports both NSA (non-standalone) and SA (standalone) modes. It also supports 4G LTE, 3G, and 2G networks, as well as dual SIM and eSIM functionality. The phone has a USB Type-C port that supports data transfer, audio output, and OTG (on-the-go) devices. The phone does not have a 3.5 mm headphone jack, but it comes with a pair of USB Type-C earphones in the box.
The phone also supports Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, NFC, and infrared port. The Wi-Fi 6 allows for faster and more stable wireless connections, while the Bluetooth 5.1 enables low-latency audio and multi-device pairing. The NFC can be used for contactless payments and data sharing, while the infrared port can be used as a remote control for compatible devices.
The Huawei P40 Pro has some extra features that enhance its usability and functionality. The phone has an in-screen fingerprint sensor that works fast and reliably. You can also use face recognition to unlock the phone, which is equally quick and secure. The phone also has a feature called Acoustic Display Technology, which uses vibrations to produce sound from the screen itself. This means that there is no earpiece on the phone, but you can still hear calls clearly.
The phone also supports reverse wireless charging, which can be used to charge other devices or accessories that support Qi wireless charging. The phone also has stereo speakers that deliver loud and clear sound quality. The phone also has some gesture controls that allow you to interact with the phone without touching it, such as scrolling, taking screenshots, or answering calls.
Huawei P40 Pro vs iPhone 12
The Huawei P40 Pro and the iPhone 12 are two of the most popular flagship phones in the market right now. They both have premium designs, high-end performance, and impressive cameras. But how do they compare in terms of their key features? Here is a table that summarizes their main differences:
Feature Huawei P40 Pro iPhone 12 --- --- --- Design Glass back with metal frame, curved edges, IP68 water and dust resistant Glass back with aluminum frame, flat edges, IP68 water and dust resistant Display 6.58-inch OLED, 2640 x 1200 pixels, 90Hz refresh rate, HDR10 6.1-inch OLED, 2532 x 1170 pixels, 60Hz refresh rate, HDR10 Performance Kirin 990 5G chipset, 8 GB RAM, 128/256/512 GB storage (expandable) A14 Bionic chipset, 4 GB RAM, 64/128/256 GB storage (non-expandable) Battery 4,200 mAh battery, 40W wired charging, 27W wireless charging, reverse wireless charging 2,815 mAh battery, 20W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, no reverse wireless charging Camera Quad rear camera: 50 MP main + 40 MP ultra-wide + 12 MP telephoto + TOF 3D depth sensor; Dual front camera: 32 MP selfie + IR TOF 3D depth sensor Dual rear camera: 12 MP main + 12 MP ultra-wide; Single front camera: 12 MP selfie Connectivity USB Type-C port, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, NFC, infrared port Lightning port, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, no infrared port Software Android 10 with EMUI 10.1; no Google Mobile Services; Huawei AppGallery iOS 14; full access to Apple services and App Store Price $999 / 899 / AU$1,599 $799 / 799 / AU$1,349 As you can see from the table, the Huawei P40 Pro has some advantages over the iPhone 12, such as a larger and smoother screen, a bigger and faster-charging battery, a more versatile and powerful camera system, and more connectivity options. However, the iPhone 12 also has some benefits over the Huawei P40 Pro, such as a more compact and lightweight design, a more powerful and efficient processor, a simpler and smoother software experience, and a lower price tag.
Ultimately, the choice between the Huawei P40 Pro and the iPhone 12 depends on your personal preference and needs. If you value a great camera phone without Google, you may want to consider the Huawei P40 Pro. If you prefer a more user-friendly phone with Apple services, you may want to opt for the iPhone 12. Either way, you will get a premium device that can satisfy your needs.
Conclusion
The Huawei P40 Pro is a great phone that has a lot to offer in terms of design, display, performance, battery, and camera. It is one of the best camera phones in the market right now, and it can compete with other flagship phones in most aspects. However, the phone also has a major drawback that may deter some potential buyers: the lack of Google Mobile Services. This means that you will not be able to access some of the most popular and useful Android apps on the phone, and you will have to rely on Huawei's own AppGallery or other alternative sources. This can be frustrating and inconvenient for many users, especially if they are used to Google's ecosystem.
Therefore, we would recommend the Huawei P40 Pro to those who are willing to sacrifice some software features for a superb hardware experience. The phone is not cheap, but it is worth the price if you value its strengths. We would give the Huawei P40 Pro a rating of 8 out of 10.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Huawei P40 Pro:
Can I install Google apps on the Huawei P40 Pro?
Unfortunately, no. The Huawei P40 Pro does not have Google Mobile Services, which means that you cannot install or use Google apps on the phone. You can try to sideload them from third-party sources, but they may not work properly or at all.
What are some alternatives to Google apps on the Huawei P40 Pro?
You can use some of Huawei's own apps or services, such as Huawei Browser, Huawei Cloud, Huawei Music, Huawei Video, and Huawei Assistant. You can also download some apps from Huawei's AppGallery, which is their own app store. However, the AppGallery does not have as many apps as the Google Play Store, and some of them may not be updated or optimized for the phone. You can also try to use some web-based versions of Google apps, such as Gmail, YouTube, Maps, and Drive.
Does the Huawei P40 Pro support wireless charging?
Yes, the Huawei P40 Pro supports wireless charging up to 27W. It also supports reverse wireless charging up to 5W, which means that you can use it to charge other devices or accessories that support Qi wireless charging.
How good is the zoom on the Huawei P40 Pro?
The zoom on the Huawei P40 Pro is very good. The phone has a 12 MP telephoto camera that offers a 5x optical zoom, a 10x hybrid zoom, and up to 50x digital zoom. The optical zoom is lossless and produces clear and sharp images. The hybrid zoom uses a combination of optical and digital zoom to enhance the image quality. The digital zoom uses software algorithms to magnify the image, but it may result in some loss of detail and noise.
How do I transfer data from my old phone to the Huawei P40 Pro?
You can use Huawei's Phone Clone app to transfer data from your old phone to the Huawei P40 Pro. The app supports both Android and iOS devices, and it can transfer contacts, messages, photos, videos, music, apps, and more. You can download the app from Huawei's AppGallery or from other app stores.
44f88ac181