Huawei P40 Pro
256 GB, Silver Frost, 6.58", Hybrid Dual SIM + eSIM, 50 Mpx, 5G
Product ratings
Pros
Cons
150 reviews
And it does work without Google!
Update as of 28.9.20: Parklio has delivered an update and even the app goes now :)
Short version: It goes much more without Google than you think.
The long version: The device is top processed, camera is top. For the size extremely handy, display is very good. No superultragiga HD, but absolutely sharp and with crisp colors (depending on the setting of course, it also goes "realistic").
But the main issue is of course the software, and that is surprisingly not such an issue: there are hardly any apps that do not work at all (for example, Garmin Connect), everything else works relatively smoothly. Postfinance/TWINT may whine that they couldn't find a Google Play service and wouldn't work, but the vast majority of functions work anyway.
The best: by the fact that the Google services do not constantly suck on the battery, I have after a long working day with 3h SoT still over 50% left, so would be good through a second day.
So that you can get to the playstore without having to have the playstore: F-Droid and then Aurora Store solve the problem elegantly.
Interestingly, the biggest supposed weakness of the phone has now become the most important strength, namely to give Google the finger (especially if any tracing functions are now to be installed without asking).Pro
- Very high quality
- Handy
- Display top
- Battery life
Contra
- Again a 1000.- Stutz Phone, unfortunately
A top smartphone even without Google Play Store
It's not my first HUAWEI smartphone, but it's my first one without the much-loved Google Play Store, so I was all the more curious to see how I would get on with it in the end.
The first impression after unpacking was very positive in any case, the workmanship and the feel of the P40 Pro are really great, you immediately feel that you are holding a very high-quality smartphone in your hand. Despite the 6.58-inch display, it sits well and firmly in the hand, which is also due to the fact that the display edges are kept very small, thus enabling a compact design. I won't list the more detailed specs here, which can be found on the internet for those who are interested.
The speed of the P40 Pro is very fast, switching between the individual apps happens smoothly, and I didn't notice any judder even in more graphically complex games. The built-in speaker sounds quite good, but it could be better, as the competition proves. Face unlock and the fingerprint sensor work super fast and without delays.
The cameras are just mega, so far one of the best smartphone cams I've ever had in my hand and it's also really fun to take photos and videos with it. Even in the evening the pictures look great and have no noise, the pictures almost look like they were taken during the day. Videos are recorded in 4k by both the front and rear cameras and thanks to the image stabiliser, they are really impressive.
Now for the worry I had before buying, the lack of Google Play Store integration, but I can reassure you it's not as bad as it sounds. In HUAWEI's own AppGallery, new apps are added daily, and there are also a few good alternatives, such as the AppSearch app and Aurora, where you can really find almost everything. It is even possible to install the Google Play Store and still use many of the Google apps through detours. The most important apps such as online banking and others work perfectly without Google Play services, but there are also a few apps that unfortunately did not work, although these will certainly be made executable in the future with an update.
Conclusion:
So if you don't necessarily miss the missing Google Play Store and have a little know-how, you'll get one of the best technical smartphones on the market at the moment. #InsidersP40ProThis review was created for a different variant: P40 Pro (256 GB, Black, 6.58", Hybrid Dual SIM + eSIM, 50 Mpx, 5G)
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This review was created for a different variant: P40 Pro (256 GB, Black, 6.58", Hybrid Dual SIM + eSIM, 50 Mpx, 5G)
For those who want to discover something other than Google services, this phone is excellent and probably the best on the market in terms of photo and autonomy.
This p40 pro is magic in photos, especially in night photos! It is simply a pleasure to take real night photos that are good and visible! The quality of the videos I watch, its fluidity and its battery (I lasted more than 2 days without charging!). In short, a monster of power and quality. But I became aware that we were dependent on Google. I've managed to get 3/4 of the applications back and I'm surprised to see that YouTube, what's app or Facebook works. But some applications like my banking applications or my health insurance for example are unusable. Netflix, we don't even talk about it. It's a bit of a headache to find a solution to these applications.
Now, I notice that the gallery app of Huawei is developing enormously and applications supposed to not work like Disney+ or Canal+ to quote only them works wonderfully (and what to say about the quality of image proposed... Wahou!)
Anyway. I hope that Huawei will manage to distinguish itself from Google and propose the whole catalogue within a few months because this phone is a reference. And has a future.Very horny
Cool, but you have to fiddle a bit until netflix, youtube or even play services work. But it does work, or as in the case of mkr, even "virtually" without... But remember apkpure, and yes, so far so good... I imagined it to be a bit bigger, but still TOP
This review was created for a different variant: P40 Pro (256 GB, Black, 6.58", Hybrid Dual SIM + eSIM, 50 Mpx, 5G)
Top smartphone with retrofittable G services
I was a bit sceptical about Google services and apps before ordering. But that soon went away...
The smartphone has a top finish, the display has hardly any edges and with 90hz Full HD+ everything is super smooth.
The punch hole is a bit big because of all the sensors.
The battery is, as always with Huawei, top. It lasts as long as the predecessor despite 90 Hz. With 40W on the cable and 27.5W wirelessly, the P40 pro is also quickly full.
Unfortunately, only a mono speaker is used, which is loud enough and sounds okay, but cannot compete with Samsung and Oneplus. The sound for making calls comes from the display.
Reception is very good, as is typical for Huawei. Attached is a screenshot of a 5G speed test at Baden station.
The camera/s is/are still the best on the market. I would use the zoom up to 10x, anything beyond that is rather useless, but better than Samsung. Video at 4K 60 is super stabilised and looks good. Photos, whether day or night, actually always look flawless.
The built-in AI such as Audio Zoom (useful for concerts), AI Best Moment (where multiple photos are taken quickly to avoid closed eyes, for example) and AI Remove Passersby (up to 2 annoying people are removed from the picture) is very useful.
Fingerprint sensor & face recognition work quickly and reliably.
Regarding G Services... many apps, including Netflix, banking apps etc, work without G Services. Only certain apps linked to G Services do not work. However, a solution will surely be found in the near future. The App Gallery is already the third largest app store.
Since I use Google Home, I installed the G Services within 20 minutes. I'll put the instructions in the comments.
For me, the P40 pro is currently the best overall package on the market. If you need Google services, you can install them without any problems. I can only recommend the P40 pro.
Pro
- Great battery life
- 90hz
- 40W on the cable
- 27.5W Wireless
- Great camera/s
- Great display
- Fast and reliable fingerprint sensor
- Face Scan
- GMS retrofittable
- (Neutral) Price
Contra
- Mono Speaker
- Somewhat large punch hole
- GMS missing
This review was created for a different variant: P40 Pro (256 GB, Black, 6.58", Hybrid Dual SIM + eSIM, 50 Mpx, 5G)
6 out of 150 reviews
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