Huawei P20 Pro review: The camera leader becomes self-employed
The Huawei P20 Pro is - without a doubt - one of the top smartphones of 2018. I now had the opportunity to test it extensively in everyday life for a few months. But are the three camera lenses really good? And why is the P20 Pro even self-employed - we clarify these and other questions in this long-term test.
In April I already have an article on mine First impression of the Huawei P20 Pro released. At that time, I was thrilled right after unpacking - the design and the high-quality workmanship simply amazed me. Now, almost 3 months later, am I still so excited? Spoiler: yes. But let's get to the bottom of why that is - my test.
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Processing: High quality and mirror-like
The Huawei P20 Pro reflects: This is due to the glass back on the back. As a buyer, you have the choice between the colors black, blue, pink and "Twilight". The latter offers a gradient from purple to aquamarine. Is it the power button or the volume buttons: Everything is tight and well made. I was with the Huawei P20 Pro the last few months always on the road without a case. Except for a display foil that has come off a bit at the edge, I don't have a single scratch on the device - neither on the back nor on the display.
Due to the rounded edges, the P20 Pro really comfortable in the hand, even if it often almost slips out of your hand. This is due to the slippery back - so smooth that it even slides down on its own on slightly sloping tables. Also a bit annoying: The back is completely covered with fingerprints after just a few minutes. It was really a bit of a challenge to photograph test images without fingerprints. In addition, the P20 Pro also dustproof and watertight according to IP67.
Display: 6,1 inches with notch
Like almost every smartphone in 2018, the Huawei P20 Pro equipped with a notch - a notch at the top edge of the display. But this also has advantages: You can install a larger display without having to enlarge the frame much. Also practical: The Notch can be deactivated. The system then shows a black bar at this point in order to hide it, so to speak. Incidentally, the display has a resolution of Full HD + (2240 x 1080 pixels) and thus delivers all content razor-sharp.
A bit of a shame: the entire screen surface can rarely be used due to the aspect ratio of 18,7: 9. Although there is a zoom on YouTube, it still only fills the display up to the notch - a black bar remains. As in the Huawei Mate 10 Pro you will often be asked by the system whether you want this app to be displayed in full screen mode. This message appears when developers have not yet optimized the app for the new aspect ratio.
Performance: Multitasking and enough power despite the old Proprocessor
Also this year Huawei uses the Kirin 970-Proprocessor from last year. You already have it in 2017 Proprocessor with AI chip in Mate 10 Pro installed. This means that it currently ranks well in the top 3 in benchmarks. The P20 scored in the benchmark test with Antutu Pro a score of almost 206.000 points. If you take a look at the rankings, you are currently in 20th place, just behind the OnePlus 5 and the Nokia 8. At the top you can currently find next to the OnePlus 6 also the Samsung Galaxy S9 (Plus). A bit of a shame for a flagship killer.
But the P20 Pro is much more than fast in everyday life: Multitasking with the 6GB of RAM and switching between apps works perfectly, without delays. Games like PUBG or Asphalt 8 both run on the highest settings. Meanwhile, the heats up Proprocessor likes to: The heatProproblem from last year in the Mate 10 Pro unfortunately there are still a few here. In everyday life but not disturbing at all.
Key point power: In the P20 Pro A 4000mAh battery with quick charge function is installed. This can be charged in just under 1 hour and 5 minutes using “Huawei Quick-Charge”, and in 30 minutes to 60 Procharge cent. During my test, I achieved an SOT (screen on time - the time the display was switched on) of 8-9 hours on several days. In addition, the smartphone lasted almost 1 1/2 days review. Means: No later than on the second day at noon you have to enter the P20 Pro recharge unless you are a really frugal user.
Camera: three times better?
With the P20 Pro Huawei has again cooperated with the German high-end camera brand Leica this year. The camera is a market first with three lenses on the back. In detail, it consists of a 20MP monochrome sensor, an 8MP telephoto sensor and a 40MP color sensor. I was particularly impressed by the second lens, which is responsible for the zoom. Even pictures taken with the 10x zoom are still very easy to recognize and are not pixelated at all. Lossless zoom is possible up to 5x.
In addition, the camera is equipped with artificial intelligence, which automatically recognizes and optimizes motifs in front of the lens. If you point the camera in the direction of the sky, a text with “blue sky” appears on the camera screen and colors the sky slightly. Exactly the same thing happens when you point your smartphone towards landscapes or green meadows. If you don't want this strong color, you can switch off the AI by clicking on the X.
Three months - enough time, almost every lighting situation with the P20 Pro record. Which mode I used is always noted in the following pictures. In the evening I snapped some shots with the "Night" mode. Here you hold your smartphone still for a few seconds and the camera captures as much light as possible. The whole thing works, unlike with SLR cameras, even without a tripod. By the way, all the following pictures are original and unedited.
Huawei P20 Pro: test images
Selfie fans have also been thought of: with a front camera with a resolution of 24 megapixels, they are also adequately supplied. In addition to some gimmicks like beauty mode and different exposure scenes, you can take really detailed selfies. In addition, the P20 Pro Record videos in 4K resolution at up to 30fps. In addition, there is also a super slomo mode - in which you can record up to 0,3fps for 960 seconds. Sounds practical, but in everyday life it is relatively difficult to pull the trigger at exactly the right moment. You can find such a test video here or a little further down.
Huawei P20 Pro: 960fps test video
At this point, it should be noted that there were several updates for the camera during the long test. The quality has been improved several times, especially in poor lighting conditions. The above shots were taken after the first two major updates to evaluate the whole thing objectively. Therefore, the quality may differ from images from other blogs and tests.
Must-Know-Facts: No jack connection and Android 8.1
Something's missing, right? Yes - we haven't even talked about the software yetprochen. In the Huawei P20 Pro runs Android 8.1 with the in-house interface EMUI 8.1. In general, this is similar to Apple's iOS. Otherwise, it offers some practical functions, such as taking screenshots with your knuckles, a dark mode and many more features. But even with this Huawei smartphone, I think it would run even faster without EMUI. But well. Furthermore, Huawei has already confirmed to us that the entire P20 series this year Android P should get.
As mentioned above, the smartphone is also dust and waterproof according to IP67. It has a dive in the pool and in the sink without it Proproblems overcome. However, the maximum water depth may only be 1,5 meters – otherwise damage may occur.
With the P20 series, the classic jack plug is also part of the P series for the first time this year. Listening to music therefore only works with USB-C or Bluetooth headphones. But if you don't have something like that, you are lying for it included an adapter from jack to USB-C included. Since there is no wireless charging despite the glass back, simultaneous charging and listening is not possible anyway - a shame.
There is still something else: The big highlight was praised at the Introducing the Huawei P20 Pro also the Dolby Atmos speakers. Clear sounds stream towards the user from both loudspeakers, from the earpiece and from the loudspeaker on the right. If you turn the smartphone sideways you get the right surround feeling. You really have the feeling of hearing the sound from left and right.
Conclusion: the camera smartphone 2018
It was not for nothing that the Huawei P20 Pro from DXOMark awarded with a score of 109 as the best smartphone camera. In terms of the camera, it scores well both in poor light during the day and at night. I was also impressed by the lossless 5x zoom. Apart from that, the smartphone offers despite the old Prozessor has enough power for everyday use: apps start quickly, there are no crashes and all current games run on the highest settings. I was also really surprised by the speakers this year - a big improvement compared to previous Huawei smartphones.
Points are deducted for the missing wireless charging. At this price of the P20 Pro something should already be in there. You can turn a blind eye to the really smooth back, through which the P20 stands out Pro often already self-employed (hence the title, by the way) and fell to the floor. For the current price of around 700 euros, initially 900 euros RRP, you should also consider buying a case.
What I noticed negatively was the loudspeaker together with the microphone. Whenever I activated the loudspeaker and moved a little away from the smartphone, the person I was talking to could no longer understand me. This is probably due to the noise canceling of the P20 being set too high Pro. However, this error could have been fixed.
However, if you don't take photos so much with your smartphone or don't value the camera so much, the OnePlus 6 could be the better and cheaper alternative. But which smartphone you ultimately decide on should be decided by everyone according to their own taste and budget.
Finally, thanks to Huawei for providing the P20 Pro!
Huawei P20 Pro buy
Huawei P20 Pro buy on your mobile*
* This test report was created in collaboration with DeinHandy and therefore contains further purchase links. However, this has no effect on the test itself and the smartphone was not sponsored by DeinHandy. For our sake Transparency but listed here anyway.
It is probably only a matter of time before Huawei overtakes Samsung after Apple. Looks like they've come one step closer again 😉
They are currently doing a lot very well (including the Matebook X Pro for example – test coming soon ;)), this will be exciting! 😀
I am completely satisfied with my Huawei! Great camera, good software and always runs fast! Thanks for the photos1
Hello Martina! You're welcome! 🙂
Hello, a transparent cover is included in the scope of delivery free of charge .. Then nothing slips off and there are no fingerprints on it .. I have had the cell phone since the beginning and I am absolutely thrilled. But without a cover it is not usable as well as explained in the report. LG and thanks for the report
Hello Thomas! That's true, of course - but unfortunately I couldn't do it myselfprobeer because the test device did not come with a case this time. But it's certainly much better with a case!
You are welcome!
First of all, praise to you: your reviews, especially pictures, really improve, keep it up!
What keeps me from using a Huawei smartphone is the EMUI software itself. These things would be so good with so much power if you just left out this cluttered surface!
Maybe you will get an official statement on this topic, it would clarify why smartphones are not opened for other software such as LineageOS.
Hi Philipp! First of all, thank you for the praise - we are very pleased! 🙂
Your criticism is of course justified, not everyone likes the EMUI interface.
Basically, I agree with everyone and think that every manufacturer should open up to different software. But here at Huawei I have the feeling that most of the features, such as the AI on the camera, would not be usable properly or properly without our own software.
Nevertheless, I will ask the press office first thing tomorrow and ask for a statement about what is planned for the future.
LG, David from TechnikNews
@david: I think he doesn't mean that. every manufacturer has their own software, which is also the case with oneplus. what his question was, why do you absolutely have to drive on apple rails when designing and overload the software with often meaningless functions.
I would also be interested in that, please for information here.
@David: And if you don't want to use all the stuff like ki & co? Then I don't care if that doesn't work. The manufacturer simply delivers with its software as standard and everyone can then decide what they want. I think better.
@ Renes: Oneplus also has its overloaded functions. The only ones who are really good here are nokia with their software, which is really pure android.
Btw: a reaction from huawei would be really great. Many ask that.
luca, i think that at least the surface should be stock android and that you can clap your own software on it at any time. both points are the case with oneplus. and they don't have a cluttered android at all, what nonsense. they have a few useful features, yes, but nothing overloaded.
I understand you both perfectly. Last week I asked for information about future software at Huawei. There is currently no information, but of course I will update the article if I get new information and let you know here.
What about the software? How often are updates, security patch status?
Hey christian!
An update appears around every 1-2 months. Most of them add new features and apply the latest security patch from Google. The last update, for example, massively improved the camera quality.
Regarding your second question: The current version is Android 8.1, together with EMUI 8.1. The security patch is currently from May 2018. The last update came at the beginning of May (although you should note that in Germany or Austria it generally takes longer for updates to roll out).
A GPU turbo update for many Huawei smartphones is currently in the works, which should improve the performance of the graphics chip and the battery life a lot. That's why there will probably be no update in between until August.
LG, David from TechnikNews
early May? whut? how often did oneplus get updates in between? 4x?
How often do you need updates when things are always going well anyway? I do not understand you.
Why didn't you list the missing jack plug as a minus point? It also counts ...
Because it wouldn't be fair. Almost all new smartphones, with a few exceptions of course, now do without the headphone jack. You would have to see that as a contra point on every smartphone.
I don't like the development from cable to compulsive radio or adapters either, but that can't be a point of criticism in a test either.
LG, David
+1, I see it that way too