The products of the Chinese giant have always been distinguished by their reliability and build quality. But are Huawei smartphones worth buying? in 2022?The reputation of the Chinese technology giant has been damaged by a long trade standoff with the United States. And many people ask this quite reasonable question.
After the first news that Huawei was blacklisted by the United States and all major American companies refused to cooperate with it, users sounded the alarm. But in reality the situation is not so terrible and now we will explain why.
Best Huawei phones of 2022
Since all Huawei device models available for purchase in 2022 lack Google services, this fact will not be considered a disadvantage. And it is clear that without the Play Market application store, users have a lot of problems installing programs. This issue will be discussed in more detail at the end of the material, but for now we will focus on the best Huawei smartphones that can be bought in most electronics stores.
Huawei P30 Lite New Edition
A good model from the budget segment, which has become the reincarnation of the previous generation device.
| Options | |
| Display | 6.15”, IPS (FullHD+) |
| Camera | 48MP + 8MP + 2MP |
| CPU | Kirin 710 |
| Battery | 3340 mAh |
The triple camera of the P30 Lite New Edition is capable of producing high-quality images regardless of lighting conditions thanks to a 48 megapixel sensor. And the FullHD screen does not cause any complaints in terms of picture clarity. True, autonomy and performance are not the device’s strongest points.
Pros:
- lightweight body;
- FullHD screen;
- 48 megapixel camera.
Minuses:
- energy consumption;
- performance.
HUAWEI P40 Lite 6/128GB
A bestseller of 2022, which even now looks very decent when you look at competitors’ phones.
| Options | |
| Display | 6.4”, IPS (FullHD+) |
| Camera | 48MP + 8MP + 2MP + 2MP |
| CPU | Kirin 810 |
| Battery | 4200 mAh |
In addition to the advantages of a FullHD display and a 48-megapixel camera, the HUAWEI P40 Lite can attract attention with a fresh chipset that provides gaming performance. Another feature of the device is the charging speed with a 40 W adapter.
Pros:
- photo quality;
- processor power;
- fast charging.
Minuses:
- no support for MicroSD cards.
HUAWEI P40 lite E NFC
A simplified version of the P40 Lite model for solving basic tasks.
| Options | |
| Display | 6.4”, IPS (HD+) |
| Camera | 48MP + 8MP + 2MP |
| CPU | Kirin 710F |
| Battery | 4000 mAh |
The smartphone has modest characteristics, but the quality of pictures taken with the 48-megapixel camera of the P40 Lite E is not satisfactory even among demanding users. And all the negativity towards this model concerns only performance and screen resolution.
Pros:
- price;
- 48MP camera;
- autonomy.
Minuses:
- HD screen;
- weak processor.
HUAWEI P40
A phone without “Lite” prefixes, which can easily be called a flagship.
| Options | |
| Display | 6.1”, OLED (FullHD+) |
| Camera | 50MP + 16MP + 8MP |
| CPU | Kirin 990 |
| Battery | 3800 mAh |
Yes, this is the base model in the flagship P40 line, but this smartphone is not inferior to the versions with the “Pro” and “Pro Plus” prefixes in terms of performance and quality of pictures taken with the main camera. Another thing is that the remaining characteristics, including autonomy, deserve a critical attitude.
Pros:
- OLED display;
- powerful hardware;
- great cameras.
Minuses:
- working hours;
- cutout for dual front camera
HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro 8/256GB
Representative of the “Mate” line, focused on the quality of photo and video shooting.
| Options | |
| Display | 6.76”, OLED (WQHD) |
| Camera | 50MP + 20MP + 12MP |
| CPU | Kirin 9000 |
| Battery | 4400 mAh |
This is an uncompromising flagship whose only drawback is the lack of Google certification. Otherwise, the HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro leaves no chance for competitors either in terms of photography or performance, since the Kirin 9000 copes with any task.
Pros:
- display quality;
- advanced camera;
- new generation processor.
Minuses:
- elongated cutout in the display.
HUAWEI P40 Pro
“Proshka” differs from the regular P40 in a more advanced sensor for a wide-angle lens and 5x optical zoom.
| Options | |
| Display | 6.58”, OLED (WQHD) |
| Camera | 50MP + 40MP + 12MP + ToF |
| CPU | Kirin 990 |
| Battery | 4200 mAh |
The phone is suitable for anyone who wants to take cool pictures and thereby surprise their subscribers. There are also no problems with performance and video recording on the P40 Pro, but the cutout for the front camera can cause a lot of aesthetic inconvenience.
Pros:
- bright and rich screen;
- power;
- set of cameras.
Minuses:
- display design.
HUAWEI P40 Pro Plus
An uncompromising flagship with a claimed camera magnification of 20x.
| Options | |
| Display | 6.58”, OLED (WQHD) |
| Camera | 50MP + 40MP + 8MP + 8MP |
| CPU | Kirin 990 |
| Battery | 4200 mAh |
This model is desirable for every mobile photographer, and those who like to play games are also not disappointed with the performance of the Kirin 990.
Pros:
- image quality with optical zoom;
- smooth and contrasting screen;
- hardware optimization.
Minuses:
- annoying camera cutout.
HUAWEI Y5p
After the uncompromising flagship, we stop at the simplest model in today’s selection.
| Options | |
| Display | 5.45”, IPS (HD+) |
| Camera | 8MP |
| CPU | Helio P22 |
| Battery | 3020 mAh |
HUAWEI Y5p is designed for those who are looking for a compact device with basic functionality and characteristics. The smartphone is not able to please either photographers or gamers, but it is the best option for budget-conscious people.
Pros:
- compactness;
- price;
- screen without cutouts.
Minuses:
- poor performance;
- no NFC.
Criteria for choosing a Huawei smartphone
As mentioned above, everyone decides for themselves what kind of smartphone they need. Everything depends primarily on the purposes for which it will be used. It is worth advising you to choose a device strictly in accordance with the primary objectives set by the buyer.
Some people just need a smartphone to make calls and exchange messages. Then you should buy the cheapest device. Perhaps such a consumer will be satisfied with a regular push-button telephone.
But such buyers are becoming fewer and fewer over the years. Usually they look for a phone equipped with a large number of all kinds of bells and whistles. If the possibilities are unlimited, you should buy the most expensive Huawei smartphone.
Even the most expensive Huawei smartphone is cheaper than its American “brothers”.
However, our financial capabilities are usually limited. In this case, you have to make a compromise. For some, the quality of the resulting photos and videos is important, then you need to select a device with a good video camera resolution. Some people like to play “serious” games, which requires a serious processor. An important aspect is good Internet reception. The quality and size of the display don’t have the last word. The larger and better the screen, the more important details can be seen on it.
Important characteristics of Huawei smartphones are:
- Design;
- Case material;
- RAM;
- Permanent memory;
- Battery capacity;
- Smartphone kit.
In fact, not all phone features are equally important to a particular person, and something can always be sacrificed for the sake of more powerful important features.
Which new smartphone 2022 should I buy?
Not all new Huawei devices are head and shoulders above their predecessors, so it’s important not to make a mistake when choosing. Which smartphone ends up in a person’s hands depends only on the buyer, and we can only give some recommendations.
Thus, in the ultra-budget segment, the only representative of the company is HUAWEI Y5p. This is the best option for those who want to get a compact device for minimal money. Also worth noting is the Huawei P30 Lite New Edition, which, however, costs a little more.
In the mid-budget segment, the HUAWEI P40 Lite has no competitors. This is the best model from the manufacturer in terms of price and performance. Well, for those who need a flagship device without any compromises, you need to take a closer look at the HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro with a new processor and amazing cameras on board.
History of Huawei
The company was founded in 1987. Initially, the manufacturer produced various communications equipment. In 2003, a mobile division appeared. The first smartphone on the Android operating system was released by the manufacturer in 2012. The products quickly began to spread and won the trust of consumers.
2013 was a significant year for the company, when a separate brand called Honor was created. Director George Zhao explained its appearance by marketing features. Smartphones under the new brand are designed for a young audience, thanks to which the company was able to gain additional popularity. To promote Honor, modern means of communication are used, including social networks, and sales of devices are carried out primarily through online platforms. These features allow you to reduce advertising costs and at the same time reduce the cost of the equipment itself.
Despite their great popularity (Huawei recently overtook Apple in the number of gadget sales in Russia), many smartphones from the Chinese manufacturer have significant drawbacks. Some disadvantages can be noticed immediately, others after short use. We will look at the main problems that owners of Honor or Huawei phones face.
How to bypass Google services on Huawei phones
The main problem for a person who wants to buy a Huawei smartphone in 2022 is the lack of Google certification, due to which the devices have lost applications from the Play Market. But this problem can be circumvented.
On a note. The instructions below are relevant for both Huawei and Honor device owners.
It is proposed to solve the problem progressively. Here are a few points to get around the fact that Google services do not exist:
- Data migration. If you are replacing an old Google-certified smartphone with a new Huawei one, then in order to transfer applications and other information, you will need to install the Phone Clone program, available in the Play Market, on the previous device.
- Downloading applications. Huawei has its own software store called AppGallery. This is a kind of replacement for the Play Market.
- An alternative option for installing programs. Since AppGallery lacks many apps, including YouTube and Instagram, it is suggested that you use APK files for installation, available in programs like APK Pure.
- Forced installation of Google services. This is an alternative option that offers you to download the services of an American company onto your phone yourself. True, this will take at least an hour and a half, and with each firmware update the services will have to be rolled out anew.
Be that as it may, it is possible to live without Google certification, but the user, one way or another, will face predictable limitations. If you do not use YouTube, Instagram and other similar applications, then using a Huawei phone will not cause you any unpleasant emotions. Those who are accustomed to using a smartphone “to the fullest” need to turn to one of the methods to bypass the restrictions presented above.
Important nuance of Huawei
Due to the trade war with China, the United States has imposed sanctions that prohibit American companies from doing business with Chinese firms without a special government license. First of all, it went to Huawei, which had to use open source Android.
Such smartphones do not have pre-installed Google services - Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube and even Google Play, from which all applications are downloaded to the smartphone. Instead, Huawei launched its own app store and began developing a new operating system.
What does this promise to potential buyers:
- everything is ok with existing models, they have already entered the market and work as they should
- new models have not yet been certified by Google, so sales are delayed.
In the future, there are 2 options. The United States will lift the sanctions and everything will return to normal. This is an unlikely outcome, which is why Huawei has invested a lot of time and effort into taking the Android source code and remaking it for itself. And if in China this does not cause any problems (Google is not held in high esteem there), then the reaction of domestic or overseas buyers raises questions. No one knows where this will lead in the future.
Processors
The company uses its own Kirin processors. Testing in benchmarks shows good numbers, but relying on synthetic tests is pointless - everything is decided by the use of smartphones in everyday life. Kirin processors have a mediocre core, which under load and heat may not cope with demanding tasks. For example, after launching heavy games, users notice that the frame rate (fps) sometimes decreases. The problem may seem trivial to some, but when compared with the main competitive Snapdragon chipsets, Huawei processors lose.
Yes, not all smartphone users are gambling addicts. But given the high cost of Huawei and Honor devices, they must have impeccable technical equipment and demonstrate excellent performance in any conditions. The manufacturer decided to compensate for this drawback with the presence of a GPU Turbo mode, designed to increase graphics performance. For now, this technology is a common marketing ploy. For a feature to work correctly, it must be supported by the application itself, and now this is very rare.
Branded shell
By creating its own software shell, Huawei again copied many elements from other manufacturers. For example, the design of the notification shade was taken from Samsung, and application icons are reminiscent of iOS. Another controversial point is that standard applications have square icons, while third-party ones have round ones.
Another drawback of the shell is the presence of pre-installed applications that clog up the smartphone’s memory. Many programs are not used by users at all. For example, Chinese engineers have installed various controllers and optimizers, which are practically useless.
Despite this, many users objectively consider the EMUI shell (and Magic UI) to be quite convenient and useful. These firmwares have many additional functions and features, for example, customizing navigation buttons, supporting gestures, and so on.
Android updates
Owners of Huawei smartphones have to wait a long time for an update to the Android operating system. The problem especially concerns budget models. The Chinese company, like Xiaomi, can release a flagship on Android 8.0 Oreo, and not transfer it to the new version of Android 9.0 Pie within a year. Example - Huawei P20.
Note that the manufacturer is much more responsible when it comes to updating its own software shell. Bugs, errors and shortcomings in EMUI and Magic UI are fixed quickly.
Should you buy Huawei in 2022?
Whether Huawei will get out of this story is unknown, but I won’t buy the brand’s smartphones again
Let me explain it in my fingers. If I buy a smartphone for 20 thousand rubles in the midst of a conflict between Huawei and the United States, I understand that I will have to endure some inconvenience. But I take this step consciously, because they give me a good discount, and I support a company that is being drowned by the Americans. However, if I buy a smartphone for 50-60 thousand rubles, I—sorry for the not the most appropriate comparison—gain subjectivity and can demand an appropriate attitude from the manufacturer. In this case, I am offered to help Huawei under the guise of an ongoing struggle, while she herself does not want to do anything for my comfort.
What are the sanctions and why were they applied?
Since 2022, sanctions against the leader in the production of Chinese smartphones have only intensified. The largest partners have revoked their licenses to supply Huawei. We are talking about the revocation of 8 licenses. At the moment, Intel and the Japanese company producing flash memory chips Kioxia (Toshiba Memory) have already lost their licenses.
The restrictions affect a huge range of electronic products. To date, licenses totaling $280 billion have been virtually blocked.
The US State Department has limited the Chinese manufacturer's access to American technology.
Mike Pompeo stated this. He also noted that such measures are aimed at reducing the capabilities of Huawei, which threatens the security and integrity of global computer networks, as well as the safety of the personal data of American citizens. In addition, such restrictive measures involve the protection of business intellectual property.
The Chinese manufacturer even lost access to its own KIRIN processors, since the British company ARM also revoked its license to produce electronic chips due to sanctions. Likewise, the Taiwan-based TSMC plant has stopped producing them.
Thus, we can’t expect any popular applications or updates in the near future on smartphones of this brand. The situation described above makes you wonder whether you should think about buying a Huawei smartphone.
It's no secret that these are not the best times for Huawei. The sanctions imposed by the American government made Google services unavailable for the company's products, which gave rise to the search for workarounds and certain inconveniences associated with this. The production of Kirin processors has also stalled due to the revocation of the British license, although for users this problem is not as pressing as the inability to use the Google Play Market
Wide model range
Huawei offers a wide variety of models. This may seem like an advantage because potential buyers can find an option that suits any preference. But in reality, many smartphones have almost the same characteristics, and the difference lies in the diagonal, the amount of RAM and the capacity of the built-in battery. The design and other features are almost the same.
For this reason, it is easy to get confused in the line of models. Exacerbating the situation is the additional Honor brand, which some buyers consider to be a separate manufacturer. Let us repeat, this brand is entirely owned by Huawei and is aimed at a youth audience.
Problems with cameras
Huawei aims to improve the photographic capabilities of phones by leveraging the Leica brand and installing triple-lens cameras. This solution looks solid, but actual operating experience brings conflicting impressions.
The biggest drawback is the camera software. Smartphone owners notice that the automatic shooting mode behaves unpredictably. In particular, white balance and exposure are determined incorrectly, and photographs may turn out overexposed and unnaturally bright.
