Skip to main content

The best Huawei phones

While Huawei as a brand may be embroiled in geopolitical turmoil, its phones continue to give Samsung and Apple a run for their money. In this guide, we highlight the best Huawei has to offer on the market right now to help you decide if any of its devices are the right fit for you.

Keep in mind that the situation between the United States and Huawei is in flux, and while some models ship with Android preinstalled, some don’t support Google services due to Huawei’s status as a banned trade entity in the U.S.

Best Huawei smartphones at a glance

Best Huawei flagship

The best Huawei flagship: Huawei P40 Pro

Andy Boxall/DigitalTrends.com

The Huawei P40 Pro takes last year’s Huawei P30 Pro and kicks it up a notch — figuratively and literally. The 2020 flagship now houses a dual-camera setup on the front, turning the single punch-hole of last year into a pill-shaped notch. If you thought the Huawei P30 Pro of 2019 couldn’t get better, the Chinese tech giant has implemented a 90Hz refresh rate display, faster reverse wireless charging, and in P-series fashion, a new setup of class-leading cameras. The upgraded array of lenses include a 50-megapixel main lens, a 12-megapixel telephoto, and a 40-megapixel ultrawide.

While the device lacks Google Play Services, Huawei’s in-house app store and Android’s capability of side-loading apps make the Huawei P40 Pro still a compelling smartphone to buy in 2020. Priced at around $1,100, the flagship matches many of its competitors while offering top-of-the-line specifications that will leave any consumer satisfied.

Read our Huawei P40 hands-on review

Best Huawei value offering

Huawei P40 Lite

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Also known as the Huawei Nova 6 SE in some markets, the Huawei P40 Lite is the best value smartphone that the company has to offer at the moment. While it omits some premium features like an IP certification and a glass design, the device has some standout points of its own. The P40 Lite is powered by Huawei’s Kirin 810 chipset and 6GB of RAM and is running the latest version of EMUI 10.

The device is sold for around $250, but boasts specs that compete with 2020 flagships. The gorgeous gradient back cover houses a 4,200 mAh battery — capable of lasting you a whole day. Once drained, top it up with Huawei’s 40W SuperCharge technology. The quad-camera setup gives you the flexibility to take stunning shots anywhere, and any time. Did we also mention it has a headphone jack?

Best older Huawei model

Huawei P30 Pro

Huawei P30 Pro Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

The Huawei P30 Pro is a year old but still a powerhouse of a smartphone. Featuring one of the best cameras in the field and a lustrous design that comes in several brightly colored variants. The P30 Pro packs a two-day battery life among its fantastic internal hardware. The 6.47-inch OLED screen offers beautiful contrast and images with a crisp pixels-per-inch density of 398.

If you’re looking to join the Huawei family, the P30 Pro is a top-notch option. You can find it unlocked and ready to go from Amazon for about $700. With its triple-lens main camera capturing images up to 40 megapixels and great night shots, its colorful design, and wireless charging, the P30 Pro is still one of the strongest Huawei offerings on the market today. Updates will mean it’ll share its newer brother’s lack of the Google Play Store, though.

Read our full Huawei P30 Pro review

The most-anticipated Huawei smartphone

Huawei Mate 40

Huawei Mate 30 Pro Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Fall season is coming, which means a new Huawei Mate-series flagship is on its way. Following the success of the Huawei Mate 30, the expected Huawei Mate 40 will carry the company’s best-of-the-best hardware both in the screen and camera departments. If there’s anything we’ve learned in 2020, it’s that higher refresh rates are a must if you want any mention with the best display smartphones. Huawei’s long-time partnership with Leica may also lead to their first 8K video-recording setup. While none of this is certain, we’ll keep you up to date the moment we get our hands-on with the premiere smartphone.

Editors' Recommendations

Andre Revilla
Andre Revilla is an entrepreneur and writer from Austin, TX that has been working in and covering the consumer tech space for…
Best Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 deals: Get $80 off the smartwatch
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic next to each other.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is one of the more popular smartwatches on the market, and it’s been some stiff competition for smartwatches like the Apple Watch Series 9. Whether you’re shopping for style or want one of the best fitness trackers, the Galaxy Watch 6 offers just about everything you could want in a smartwatch. This makes it one of the top choices for users who prefer an Android software ecosystem. Right now, however the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 also offers some big savings and some of the best Samsung Galaxy Watch deals we've seen. There are Galaxy Watch 6 deals worth shopping all over the place, with deals on iffiest sizes, watch bands, and Galaxy 6 models available. We’ve tracked down what we feel are the best Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 deals, so read onward for more details on how to save.
Today's best Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 deals

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 (40mm, Bluetooth) --

Read more
Google Pixel Fold deals: Save $1,000 on Google’s foldable phone
A person holding the Google Pixel Fold with the screen open.

Foldable phones are making a comeback, but this time with the latest technologies such as touchscreens and smarter operating systems. One of the best examples is the Google Fold, which is one of the best folding phones out there. If you want to enjoy discount when buying the device, you should check out the Google Fold deals that we've rounded up below, which includes offers from retailers, carriers, and Google itself. Take your pick on which one to take advantage of, but since these bargains may not last long, you better hurry.
Today's best Google Pixel Fold deals

Google:

Read more
Best refurbished iPhone deals: Get an iPhone 14 for $507
An iPhone 13 in white color option.

Apple started the whole idea of a smartphone, so it's probably no surprise that it makes some of the best on the market. Of course, they are known for being quite expensive, especially if you want to grab the best iPhones, which will easily run you close to or over $1,000. Luckily, there are some great iPhone deals you can take advantage of, whether unlocked or through a carrier. There are also some other alternatives in the form of refurbished phones. Now, a lot of folks do sometimes shy away from refurbished gear, but it's important to note that many, if not all, refurbished phones come with a guarantee and extended return windows, so you shouldn't worry about getting something defunct. Also, refurbished phones tend to be substantially cheaper than new ones; plus, they do cut down a lot on e-waste, so you are helping the environment.

Either way, we've gone out and found some of the best refurbished iPhone deals out there to save you a little bit extra. We've found a pretty wide range too, so be sure to checkout all the deals available below.
iPhone XR -- from $166
iPhone XR Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends / Digital Trends

Read more