HUAWEI PURA 70 ULTRA
Huawei’s journey in smartphones started in 2009 with the U8220, their first Android phone. But it wasn’t until the Ascend series in 2012 that they really started making a name for themselves. Here’s a quick timeline of some key milestones:
Early Android Phones (2009-2012): Huawei’s first Android phone, the U8220, came out in 2009. They experimented with different names like Ascend and Ideos before settling on their current branding.
Rise of Ascend Series (2012-2015): This period saw the introduction of well-received models like the Ascend P1 and Ascend Mate. The Ascend P6 was the world’s first LTE Cat4 smartphone at the time.
Flagship P and Mate Series Emerge (2015-Present): In 2015, Huawei simplified their naming with the P series for sleek flagship phones and the Mate series for larger, more powerful devices. They also partnered with Google on the Nexus 6P.
Recent Years (2015-Present): Huawei’s P and Mate series continued to innovate, known for their cameras and design. They also launched the foldable Mate X series and the budget-friendly Nova series. In recent years, they’ve faced challenges due to trade restrictions, but continue to develop their own app ecosystem.
Huawei makes a wide variety of phones to suit different needs and budgets. Here are some of the top contenders for the best Huawei phones in 2024, categorized by their strengths:
1. Best Overall: Huawei Mate 50 Pro
The Mate 50 Pro is a powerhouse phone with a gorgeous design, a top-of-the-line camera system, and a powerful processor. It’s also one of the few Huawei phones to still support Google Mobile Services (GMS), which means you’ll have access to all the apps you love, like Gmail, YouTube, and Google Maps.
2. Best Camera Phone: Huawei P40 Pro
The P40 Pro is all about photography. It has a Leica quad-camera system on the back that takes stunning photos and videos, even in low light. The phone also has a long-lasting battery and a beautiful OLED display.
3. Best Midrange Phone: Huawei P30
The Huawei P30 is a mid-range Android smartphone that was released in March 2019. It has a 6.1-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, a Kirin 980 processor, 6GB or 8GB of RAM, and 128GB or 256GB of storage
4. Best Budget Phone: Huawei Nova 10 Pro
The Nova 10 Pro is a great option for those looking for a powerful phone at a more affordable price. It has a sleek design, a long-lasting battery, and a triple-camera system that takes good photos. However, keep in mind that it doesn’t support Google Mobile Services.
5. Editor’s Pick: Huawei Nova 5T
The Huawei Nova 5T is a mid-range smartphone that was released in August 2019. It has a 6.26-inch display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, a Kirin 980 processor, 6GB or 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage.
Ultimately, the best Huawei phone for you will depend on your individual needs and budget. Consider what features are most important to you, such as camera quality, battery life, and price, before making a decision.
01. Best Overall: Huawei Mate 50 Pro
4.1 out of 5 Star Rating
The Huawei Mate 60 Pro is a high-end smartphone released in September 2023. It is part of the Huawei Mate series and is known for its excellent camera system and powerful processor.
Here are some of the key specifications of the Huawei Mate 60 Pro:
- 6.82-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate
- HiSilicon Kirin 9000S processor
- 8GB to 16GB of RAM
- 256GB to 1TB of storage
- Quad-camera system on the back, consisting of a 50MP main sensor, a 40MP ultra-wide sensor, a 64MP telephoto sensor, and a ToF sensor
- 13MP ultra-wide front-facing camera
- 5000mAh battery with support for 88W fast wired charging and 50W wireless charging
- HarmonyOS 4.0
The Huawei Mate 60 Pro is a great option for users who are looking for a powerful and feature-rich smartphone with an excellent camera. However, it is important to note that Huawei phones do not have access to Google Play Services, which means that you will not be able to download and install many popular apps from the Google Play Store. There is Huawei’s own app store, AppGallery, but it does not have the same selection of apps as Google Play.
02. Best Runner Up: Huawei P40 Pro 5G
4.4 out of 5 Star Rating
The Huawei P40 Pro 5G is a high-end smartphone that was released in 2020. It has a 6.58-inch OLED display with a 1200 x 2640 resolution, a Kirin 990 5G processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB or 256GB of storage. It also has a quad-camera system on the back, consisting of a 50MP main sensor, a 40MP ultra-wide sensor, an 8MP telephoto sensor, and a ToF sensor. The front-facing camera is 13MP.
The P40 Pro 5G runs Android 10 with Huawei’s EMUI 10.1 skin on top. However, it does not have access to Google Play Services due to the ongoing trade war between the United States and China. This means that you will not be able to download and install many popular apps, such as Gmail, YouTube, and WhatsApp, from the Google Play Store.
Here are some of the pros and cons of the Huawei P40 Pro 5G:
Pros
- Excellent camera system
- Powerful processor
- Beautiful OLED display
- Long battery life
Cons
- No Google Play Services
- Expensive
- Not as water-resistant as some other flagship phones
Overall, the Huawei P40 Pro 5G is a great smartphone with a lot to offer. However, the lack of Google Play Services is a major dealbreaker for many people. If you are looking for a high-end phone with an excellent camera system and don’t mind not having access to Google Play Services, then the P40 Pro 5G is a great option. However, if you rely on Google apps or services, then you will be better off looking at a different phone.
03. Best Midrange Phone: Huawei P30
4.5 out of 5 Star Rating
The Huawei P30 is a mid-range Android smartphone that was released in March 2019. It has a 6.1-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, a Kirin 980 processor, 6GB or 8GB of RAM, and 128GB or 256GB of storage. The rear camera system is a triple-lens Leica system with a 40-megapixel main sensor, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide sensor, and an 8-megapixel telephoto sensor with 3x optical zoom. The front-facing camera is a 32-megapixel sensor. The battery is 3650mAh and supports 22.5W fast charging.
The Huawei P30 was a good phone when it was released, but it is starting to show its age in 2024. The processor is no longer top-of-the-line, and the display is not as high-resolution as some of the newer phones on the market. However, it is still a capable phone that can take great photos and videos. It is also relatively affordable, with prices starting at around $325.
Here are some of the pros and cons of the Huawei P30 to help you decide if it is the right phone for you:
Pros:
- Great camera system
- Long battery life
- Relatively affordable
Cons:
- Processor is no longer top-of-the-line
- Display is not as high-resolution as some newer phones
- No longer receives software updates from Huawei due to the US trade ban
04. Best Value: Huawei P30 Pro
4.4 out of 5 Star Rating
The Huawei P30 Pro is a high-end smartphone released in March 2019. It features a 6.47-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, a Kirin 980 processor, 6GB or 8GB of RAM, 128GB or 256GB of storage, and a quad-camera system on the back that consists of a 40MP main sensor, an 8MP telephoto sensor, a 20MP ultrawide sensor, and a TOF sensor. The phone also has a 32MP front-facing camera for selfies.
The Huawei P30 Pro is powered by a 4200mAh battery and supports 40W fast charging. It runs Android 9 Pie with EMUI 9.1 on top, but can be upgraded to Android 10 with EMUI 10.1. The phone is available in a variety of colors, including Mystic Blue, Breathing Crystal, Amber Sunrise, and Aurora.
The Huawei P30 Pro is a great phone for those who are looking for a high-end device with a great camera system. However, it is important to note that Huawei phones no longer have access to Google Play Services due to the ongoing trade war between the United States and China. This means that you will not be able to download and install many popular apps, such as Gmail, YouTube, and Google Maps, from the Google Play Store. You can still sideload these apps, but it is a more complex process.
Here are some of the pros and cons of the Huawei P30 Pro to help you decide if it is the right phone for you:
Pros
- Great camera system
- Long battery life
- Beautiful OLED display
- Powerful processor
Cons
- No Google Play Services
- Expensive
- Not as water-resistant as some other flagship phones
05. Editor’s Pick: Huawei Nova 5T
4.5 out of 5 Star Rating
The Huawei Nova 5T is a mid-range smartphone that was released in August 2019. It has a 6.26-inch display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, a Kirin 980 processor, 6GB or 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. It also has a quad-camera system on the back, consisting of a 48MP main sensor, a 16MP ultrawide sensor, a 2MP macro sensor, and a 2MP depth sensor. The front-facing camera is 16MP. The Nova 5T is powered by a 3750mAh battery and supports 22.5W fast charging.
The Huawei Nova 5T was originally released with Android 9.0 (Pie) with EMUI 9.1 on top. However, it is no longer receiving software updates from Huawei. This means that it will not receive security patches or new features.
Here are some of the pros and cons of the Huawei Nova 5T to consider before you buy one:
Pros:
- Powerful processor
- Good camera system
- Long battery life
- Fast charging
Cons
- No longer receiving software updates
- No Google Play Services (depending on the region)
Overall, the Huawei Nova 5T is a good mid-range smartphone with a lot to offer. However, it is important to keep in mind that it is no longer receiving software updates from Huawei. This means that it may not be the best option for users who want the latest security patches and features.
Conclusion:
Huawei makes good phones with some things to consider:
- Strong Points
- Camera: Huawei is known for excellent cameras, consistently ranking among the best.
- Hardware: Their phones generally have powerful processors, long-lasting batteries, and innovative designs.
- Weak Points
- Software: Huawei phones don’t have Google Mobile Services (GMS) due to US trade restrictions. This means no Google Play Store, Gmail, YouTube, etc. There are workarounds to install these apps, but it can be inconvenient.
- App selection: App availability can be limited outside of Huawei’s AppGallery
- Future updates: Long-term software updates for Huawei phones are uncertain [bernardmarr.com].
Overall: If you prioritize a great camera and don’t rely heavily on Google apps, Huawei can be a good choice. However, if you need seamless access to Google services or a wider app selection, other Android brands might be better.
