A couple of years ago, Huawei climbed to the top of the smartphone market, surpassing Samsung and Apple in the number of phones shipped. The Chinese company was about to take on the US market but then came the ban and all went downhill from there.
So, you know how Google services are a no-go on Huawei phones lately? Well, the company is trying to push its own Harmony OS with the Huawei AppGallery store. We're not sure if it's going to be a hit, but what we do know is we've put some of the latest Huawei phones to the test, and they're quite good, at least on the hardware front.
For all you Huawei fans out there, we've rounded up the best Huawei phones in 2024. The new camera king, the Huawei P60 Pro, is already out, and so is the Mate 60 Pro and its overdriven big brother, the Huawei Mate 60 Pro Plus(though they're only available in China). There are some solid picks on the list, and if you feel adventurous and want to get out of Google's ecosystem and try something new, Huawei is a great option.
Huawei decided to revisit its Pro Plus experiment from a few years back and launch the Mate 60 Pro Plus. It's an overdriven version of an already potent flagship, but the sad part is that this model is not exactly available globally.
What are the differences compared to the regular Mate 60 Pro? For one, the Pro Plus version is available with more RAM and more storage, there's a 16GB/1TB version. The next (and only) big difference is in the camera system. The Pro Plus features a 48MP ultrawide camera compared to the 12MP one on the regular Mate 60 Pro. The main camera uses a different 48MP sensor with the same variable f/1.4-4.0 aperture as the regular Pro. And finally, the telephoto camera seems to be the same, with a slightly tweaked aperture, f/3.0 versus f/3.5 on the old model.
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That's it, these are the only differences. We couldn't test the phone ourselves, so we have to rely on specs for this one. But we're trying to secure a sample and offer you a dedicated in-depth review soon. So stay tuned!
Huawei Mate 60 Pro
The far eastern champion
The Huawei Mate 60 Pro was quietly announced in China with no plans for global release anytime soon. Disappointing, to say the least, as the Mate series has always been on the forefront of not only Huawei innovation, but also smartphone innovation as a whole.
While we patiently wait for the Mate 60 to come worldwide (even though, there are no such plans at the moment), we can check out the phone's specs. This device builds upon its predecessor, while adding some nice features, again, some of which are an industry-first.
One of these is the emergency satellite connectivity, and before you start to point at Apple and its SOS by Satellite, the Mate 60 Pro is actually capable of making full-fledged phone calls via a satellite, even if there's no network coverage available.
The hardware situation is also improving, despite the US sanctions in place. The Mate 60 Pro uses a modified Kirin 9000S processor, and some say it's capable of 5G connectivity (although this has to be tested and there's no clear statement from Huawei at the moment). No Google Mobile services onboard, this hasn't change, and Huawei is using its Harmony OS 4.0 to get everything out of the hardware. Stay tuned for more information as we're trying to source a unit for a review as we type this!
Huawei Mate X3
The latest Huawei's foldable
7.5
Huawei Mate X3
The Good
Excellent design
Capable and reliable camera system
Bright and vivid internal display with minimal crease
Very functional external display
Fast charging, has a charger in the box
The Bad
No 5G support
Lack of native support for Google's services
Some core Android functionalities and services missing
Expensive and hard to get in the US
Battery life is not impressive
The Huawei Mate X3 is the latest foldable from the company, and it follows the X-series philosophy. The X-series foldables fold inwards, much like the Galaxy Z Fold, while the XS-series are outward-folding. The Mate X3 is a masterpiece when it comes to hardware, with a bright screen, almost invisible crease, and one of the best hinges in the business.
What's even more impressive is that the Mate X3 is also great on the camera front, that's not always the case with foldables. Daylight and nighttime photos are great, and you don't sacrifice anything camera-wise with this model.
Of course, being a Huawei device, this phone lacks GMS, and you need to find your preferable workaround but it's also a reason to try and get out of Google's ecosystem and find out whether or not that's your thing.
White color version a bit gaudy, go for black if you want a more conservative look
When it comes to camera phones, Huawei has a great history of innovating and perfecting the technology. From the great P30 series and the swap of the green pixel with a yellow one, through the periscope zoom lens and the variable aperture, Huawei phones have always been on the forefront of mobile photography. And the P60 is no exception.
This camera phone brings the variable aperture from the Mate series and makes it even better. The display is super-bright, and the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon ensures smooth operation across all tasks. The lack of 5G might be a problem for some users, although good 4G speeds could be enough depending on the region.
Again, the lack of Google services might be a turn off for some, but that's the situation and Huawei can do nothing about it at the moment. The Huawei P60 Pro is one of the best camera phones out there, despite some software shortcomings, so you should consider it if mobile photography is your thing.
Bright and crisp AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+
Variable aperture main camera (f/1.4-f/4.0)
Telephoto periscope lens with 3.5x optical, 10x hybrid zoom
Snappy Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 performance
66W wired/50W wireless fast charging
4,700mAh battery
Loud stereo speakers
IP68 dust and water resistance
Relatively thin and lightweight
The Bad
No Google Mobile Services
No 5G
Expensive
There's a new Huawei champion in the fighting ring, and its name is Huawei Mate 50 Pro. Unsurprisingly, Huawei's top model delivers on almost all fronts. This phone comes with some unique features, and despite the lack of Google Mobile Services, it could absolutely be the device of choice for many people.
The 6.74-inch AMOLED display is great—color accurate and bright; there's an ample processor inside (although it lacks 5G connectivity); and the design is as premium as it gets. But the true showstopper is the camera system. Not only is it very capable and flexible for shooting your day-to-day photos, but it also adds one real innovation to the mix: variable aperture!
You can make amazing portrait shots with real optical bokeh with this phone, and when you add the periscope zoom (it's great at 3.5x) and the night shot algorithms, the Mate 50 Pro starts to really shine. It might just be the best camera phone on the market at the moment. So, if you want to go against the grain and get something unique and powerful, the Mate 50 Pro might be the right phone for you.
The U.S. chip and software limitations alter the value-for-money ratio
Overly iPhone-esque EMUI with 'Control Panel' gesture poached directly from iOS
Default refresh rate settings result in some choppy interface animations
Huawei keeps on pushing the boundaries with the Huawei P50. This flagship phone still dwells on Chinese soil exclusively but an international version might be coming soon. And there's much to be excited about - this phone is shaping to be Huawei's new camera champion.
There's a 50-megapixel f/1.8 sensor with OIS that acts as the main shooter. Next to it sits a 40-megapixel monochrome sensor for extra detail and a 13-megapixel ultra-wide camera. But wait, there's more, as they say on TV. The P50 Pro also includes a 64-megapixel f/3.5 telephoto camera that supports 3.5x optical zoom and 100x digital zoom.
On the hardware front you've got the latest Qualcomm silicon - the Snapdragon 888, paired with 8GB or 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage. The display is a gorgeous curved-edge 6.6-inch 2,770 x1,228p OLED display with a smoother 120Hz refresh rate. The Huawei P50 Pro retails at 5,988 yuan (around $925) in China with an 8/128GB configuration, and we're waiting for a global release.
The era of the clamshell foldable phones is upon us! With the immense success of the Galaxy Z Flip 3, Samsung showed the world that the flip phone form factor shouldn't be ignored. And this is Huawei's answer - the P50 Pocket. Aptly named, this phone is meant to slide into every pocket, and packs a serious punch, ruined only by the absence of Google Mobile Services.
But that's nothing new for Huawei - the company has been on the trade ban list for so long now, that it has learn to live with it, and so have its fans. The P50 Pocket features one of the best displays in the industry, not only rivaling the aforementioned archenemy Galaxy Z Flip 3 but firmly beating it in many of our tests. The same can be said about the camera system - it's just great - something not surprising, as Huawei phones generally boast great cameras.
The processor inside is a Snapdragon 888, which is great news, as it's fast and energy efficient but the sad news is that there are no 5G capabilities. This can be a major drawback for some users, or an insignificant detail for others. All in all, if you're into foldable devices, and for some reason Samsung isn't your first choice, the P50 Pocket can be the phone to give you that extra style and original panage.
The Huawei Nova 10 Pro is a clear upgrade from the previous generation, not only because of the inclusion of the "Pro" moniker in its name. Even though the chipset remains the same (Snapdragon 778G), the design is brand-new and very appealing, too.
The 6.57-inch, 120Hz OLED display with 10-bit colors, great brightness, and HDR support is truly amazing, especially at this price point, and Huawei also managed to put a larger battery in the sleek and thin body of the Huawei Nova 10 Pro - the phone now sports a 4,500mAh cell.
The fast charging is now even faster as well - the phone supports up to 100W of wired power, and the huge charger comes included in the retail box. There's also wireless charging with reverse charging.
The main camera on the back is a 50MP snapper, and while it might not give your average iPhone or Galaxy a run for their money, it’s more than enough for day-to-day photography. On the front there's a sophisticated dual-camera selfie setup, bringing the portrait game to a whole new level.
All in all, the Nova 10 Pro is another great midranger with a pretty decent price.
The "Foldable Wars" are heating up, and while Samsung has already established a solid lineup of foldable phones, other manufacturers still struggle to solve this puzzle. The Huawei Mate XS2 is the third foldable phone of the company, building upon the original Mate X and the subsequent Mate X2 and XS models, while improving in several key areas.
The updated hinge with a zirconium-plated mechanism ensures durable operation, while a new dual-layer of optical transparent polyimide protects the 8-inch flexible OLED panel and hides the dreadful crease - it's almost invisible in the Mate XS2.
The hardware kit inside the Mate XS2 is several generations behind - it comes with a Snapdragon 888 chipset with 4G capabilities (no 5G on this one). The memory configuration of 8GB/256GB provides everything you need on the RAM/storage front. The camera system is pretty versatile with a large 50MP main sensor, a 13MP camera with ultrawide angle lens for group photos or landscapes, and an 8MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. And all in all, the overall feel is great - the Mate XS2 is an ultra-premium phone.
There are two main problems with the handset, however. The first is the price - it's ultra-premium too - clocking at a whopping 2,499 EUR. For that kind of money, you can get the whole iPhone 13 lineup - all four devices. The next issue is again the lack of native Google services support. If you can live with this (and you're obviously rich) the Mate XS2 is a phone straight from the future.
You have to jump through hoops to run some apps or games
The 10x zoom level comes with a shaky preview in the viewfinder
The RYYB sensor outputs unorthodox color temperature compared to RGB
Rather heavy for its class and screen size
Continuous autofocus for 1080p video is slower than in 4K mode
Ceramic phones are pretty rare nowadays and that's why the Huawei P40 Pro Plus is kind of a unique device. That's not the only reason, though. The P40 Pro Plus is Huawei's answer to the camera "zoom wars" raging in the past two years. The phone features a state-of-the-art 10x optical zoom periscope camera and can go up to 100x zoom levels if necessary. Whether or not it's just a gimmick, we'll let you decide.
The truth is that the Huawei P40 Pro Plus is a stylish, well-round flagship - it has a great OLED display - very bright and color accurate, the Kirin 990 chipset on board is quite powerful, and the phone comes with record-setting 40W wireless charging.
The drawbacks? Well, we're forming something of a trend here but it's the price and the omission of Google services. That's right, same old, same old. But if you want a ceramic phone with one of the best zoom capabilities on the market, the Huawei P40 Pro Plus is the ticket. That's if you can get your hands on one...
So there you have it! The best Huawei phones you can get (if you try really hard) in 2024. It's a work-in-progress list, and we'll be adding models as they pop up. The Huawei P60 Pro is already here, as are the Mate 60 Pro and its overdriven cousin, the Mate 60 Pro Plus, so we have some new additions to the list, right at the top!
Sadly, these phones don't have Google apps and services onboard, and they are very, very hard to get outside China. It's a pity, because hardware-wise, Huawei phones are still quite potent and could've offered some real competition and run for the money from the big players in the business.
The Huawei case is a strange one, and we're not sure where things will end up with this brand. It might rise from the ashes and fly on the phoenix wings of Harmony OS, or it can dissolve into oblivion. Only time will tell...
Mariyan, a tech enthusiast with a background in Nuclear Physics and Journalism, brings a unique perspective to PhoneArena. His childhood curiosity for gadgets evolved into a professional passion for technology, leading him to the role of Editor-in-Chief at PCWorld Bulgaria before joining PhoneArena. Mariyan's interests range from mainstream Android and iPhone debates to fringe technologies like graphene batteries and nanotechnology. Off-duty, he enjoys playing his electric guitar, practicing Japanese, and revisiting his love for video games and Haruki Murakami's works.
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