Huawei

Huawei P20: Pros and Cons

Android OS v8.1 (Oreo)
HiSilicon Kirin 970
Mali-G72 MP12
4 GB / 64 GB
5.8 inch (1080 x 2240 px)
12 + 20 MP, 3968 x 2976 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization

Huawei announced the launch of the P20 smartphone in 2018. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.8 inch IPS display, HiSilicon Kirin 970 SoC, and 4 GB of RAM. The P20 series was launched with Android OS v8.1 (Oreo) pre-installed, but it is upgradable. This phone features a high resolution 1080 x 2240 px IPS display. The size of screen is 5.8 inch. The P20 has a multi-camera setup. The lens offers versatility. It lets you capture a wide range of subjects and scenes from different perspectives. Does this phone justify its price tag? I hope to provide clarity by the conclusion of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Huawei P20 smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

Huawei P20 / 1

Huawei P20 specifications

BrandHuawei
NameP20
ModelP20
Release date2018

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight5.82 oz
Dimensions5.87 x 2.8 x 0.3 inch
Colorsblack, blue, gold
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of Huawei P20 is about 5.82 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a small chipcard for a subscriber identity module (SIM).

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v8.1 (Oreo)
SoCHiSilicon Kirin 970
CPUOcta-core, Quad-core 2.36 GHz Cortex-A73, Quad-core 1.84 GHz Cortex-A53
GPUMali-G72 MP12

The Huawei P20 comes with Android OS v8.1 (Oreo) out of the box. The Android operating system uses the Linux kernel as its foundation. It includes a user interface, middleware, and many pre-installed applications. An advanced scheduler manages this octa-core CPU. It assigns tasks to the CPU for real-time speed and power efficiency. Many mobile devices use ARM Mali GPUs. They are well known for their good performance and power efficiency.

Huawei P20 / 1

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size5.8 inch
Resolution1080 x 2240 px
Multitouch supportyes

The 5.8 inch IPS display has better features. These include optimal viewing angles, color accuracy, and unchanging color reproduction. The 5.8 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.

Memory, storage

RAM4 GB
Internal storage64 GB
Memory card slotno

The Huawei P20 comes with 4 GB of RAM, which is considered to be sufficient for most users' needs. The needed RAM amount for good performance depends on factors. These include the OS, the apps, and the services you use. 64 GB of storage is usually seen as good for a smartphone. It should be enough for most users. The internal storage of the Huawei P20 (4 GB) cannot be expanded.

Huawei P20 / 2

Cameras, flash

Main camera12 + 20 MP, 3968 x 2976 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization
FlashDual LED
Selfie camera24 MP

The P20 has a multi-camera setup. It lets you adapt to different photography situations. You can achieve various perspectives and compositions. The main camera of P20 has optical image stabilization (OIS). It counters camera shake.

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetoothv4.2, A2DP
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS
NFCyes
FM radiono
USBUSB Type-C
HeadphoneUSB Type-C adapter

Worldwide, people use 4G networks. They have become the standard for mobile networks in many countries. The phone is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The P20 smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. The GPS allows this smartphone to find their exact location. It provides accurate navigation and mapping. The P20 has a built-in NFC chip, which allows it to support various NFC applications and services. The P20 smartphone does not have 3.5 mm headphone jack.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 3400 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Po 3400 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a light-weight, rechargeable battery. The battery of P20 isn't removable without voiding the warranty.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, barometer, compass, fingerprint, gyroscope, hall, light, proximity
SpecialsDual SIM, Fast charging

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The P20 smartphone has an accelerometer. The P20 phone has a fingerprint scanner. The light sensor detects the level of light in the environment. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use. The fast charging technology comes in handy when you need quick juice on your device.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Huawei phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • adequate memory
  • multicamera setup
  • optical image stabilization (OIS)
  • Dual SIM support

Cons

  • non-expandable storage
  • no 5G support
  • no headphone jack
  • low-capacity battery
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Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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