Are Huawei smartphones good?
Huawei smartphones have an average overall score of 7.3, ranking #17 among all smartphone brands, and a user rating of 7.3, placing them at #30 based on user reviews.
Huawei smartphones are a strong choice if you want premium hardware, long battery life, and advanced camera systems. The brand gained global recognition for its Leica co-engineered cameras, capable of capturing detailed photos in low light and offering high zoom levels. Many models use OLED displays with high resolutions and vibrant colors, giving you sharp and immersive visuals. Battery capacities often exceed 4,000 mAh, and fast charging can reach up to 100 W in flagship models, letting you recharge quickly.
However, newer Huawei smartphones do not include Google Mobile Services due to U.S. trade restrictions, so you cannot use the Google Play Store or apps like Gmail and YouTube directly. Instead, they run on Huawei’s HarmonyOS with the AppGallery store, which has fewer apps than Android’s Play Store. While the hardware competes with top brands like Samsung and Apple, you should consider the software ecosystem and app availability before choosing a Huawei phone.
(Note: A total of 37 brands were evaluated in the comparison in the first paragraph. Only those with at least 6 smartphones in our database that were released after 2022 were included.)
The best currently available Huawei smartphones (based on overall score) are as follows:
- Huawei Pura 70 Ultra (16GB + 512GB) Overall score: 8.08
- Huawei Pura 70 Pro (12GB + 512GB) Overall score: 7.92
- Huawei Mate X6 (12GB + 512GB) Overall score: 7.91
The chart below ranks smartphone brands based on their overall scores.
[horizontal-chart-18240000756693699196006751730118684497190875501905]What are the main advantages of Huawei smartphones?
The main advantages of Huawei smartphones include the following:
- Superior Camera Technology: Huawei smartphones feature advanced Leica-coengineered camera systems with up to 50MP ultra-wide sensors and 10x optical zoom capabilities. Users capture detailed images in low-light conditions through AI-enhanced night mode that processes 12-bit color depth. These devices achieve high dynamic range (HDR) photography with minimal noise at ISO levels up to 409600.
- Long Battery Life: Huawei models like the P series integrate 5000mAh batteries that last up to 18 hours of heavy usage on a single charge. Fast charging reaches 66W speeds, and reverse wireless charging supports 10W output to power other devices. Energy-efficient Kirin processors optimize power consumption during 4K video playback.
- High-Performance Processors: Huawei's in-house Kirin 9000 chips deliver octa-core performance with clock speeds up to 3.13GHz and integrated 5G modems. These processors handle multitasking seamlessly, scoring over 700,000 on AnTuTu benchmarks. GPU Turbo technology boosts gaming frame rates to 120fps in titles like Genshin Impact.
- Innovative Display Features: Huawei smartphones use OLED screens with 120Hz refresh rates and resolutions up to 2772x1344 pixels for smooth scrolling and vivid colors. Eye Comfort mode reduces blue light emission by 30%, and adaptive brightness adjusts in real-time based on ambient light sensors. Curved edge designs enhance immersion in video streaming.
- Robust Build Quality: Devices boast IP68 water and dust resistance ratings, surviving submersion in 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. Aluminum alloy frames and Gorilla Glass Victus provide drop protection from heights up to 2 meters. Premium models weigh under 200 grams yet maintain slim profiles at 7.8mm thickness.
- Advanced 5G Connectivity: Huawei leads in 5G integration with support for sub-6GHz and mmWave bands, achieving download speeds over 2Gbps. Dual-SIM functionality allows simultaneous 5G connections, and Wi-Fi 6+ compatibility ensures low-latency streaming at 9.6Gbps. Network optimization AI predicts signal drops and switches bands automatically.
What are the main disadvantages of Huawei smartphones?
Huawei smartphones have the following disadvantages:
- Limited Google Services: Due to US trade restrictions, Huawei devices lack official Google Play Store access and apps like YouTube or Gmail. Users install alternatives via AppGallery, but compatibility issues arise with some third-party software. This restriction affects global users who rely on Google's ecosystem.
- Higher prices: Flagship models cost £700 or more in Europe, exceeding competitors like Samsung by £90 for similar specs. Import duties inflate prices in regions outside China, and limited carrier deals reduce affordability.
- Software update delays: HarmonyOS receives updates less frequently than Android counterparts, with major versions rolling out every 12-18 months. Security patches sometimes lag by 2-3 months in non-Chinese markets. Users experience occasional bugs in beta features like multi-device collaboration.
- Availability issues: Huawei smartphones face stock shortages in Western markets because of supply chain disruptions from sanctions. Retailers in the US and parts of Europe do not stock them officially, forcing imports with added customs fees. Warranty support remains limited outside Asia.
- Overheating during intensive use: Prolonged gaming or video editing causes devices to reach temperatures up to 45°C, triggering thermal throttling that reduces performance by 20%. Cooling systems like vapor chambers help, but they fall short in extreme conditions. Battery drain accelerates by 15% under sustained high loads.
- Privacy concerns: Huawei's ties to the Chinese government raise data security questions, with some countries banning their 5G equipment. Built-in apps collect user data for AI features, and transparency reports lack detail on encryption standards. Independent audits confirm compliance, but skepticism persists among users.
