Discover the Huawei P40 4G with a 6.1″ OLED display, Kirin 990 chipset, and a 50MP Leica camera. Explore its performance, camera, and features in this comprehensive review.
Introduction
The Huawei P40 4G, launched in February 2021, is a slightly stripped-down version of the popular Huawei P40 5G, designed to offer flagship-level features with 4G connectivity at a lower price point. While it may lack 5G support, it retains the powerful Kirin 990 chipset, an exceptional 50MP triple camera system, and a premium design, making it a solid choice for users who don’t require 5G but still want top-tier performance and photography capabilities.
In this review, we’ll dive deep into the Huawei P40 4G’s design, display, performance, camera system, battery life, and more.
Design and Build Quality
The Huawei P40 4G features a glass front and back, paired with an aluminum frame, giving it a premium look and feel. The phone has a compact design, measuring 148.9 x 71.1 x 8.5 mm and weighing 175g, making it easy to handle with one hand. Its small size also makes it one of the more pocketable smartphones on the market, appealing to users who prefer compact devices.
The phone is IP53-rated, providing protection against dust and light splashes of water, although it is not fully waterproof. The Frost Silver and Dark Blue color options add a stylish touch to the phone’s design, giving it a sleek, modern look.
Display
The 6.1-inch OLED display on the Huawei P40 4G is a highlight of the device. With a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels and a 422 ppi density, the screen is sharp and vibrant, offering excellent color reproduction and contrast. The 19.5:9 aspect ratio ensures that the display is well-suited for watching videos, browsing, and gaming.
While the screen size might seem modest compared to larger smartphones, the compact form factor makes the P40 4G easy to use one-handed, without sacrificing display quality.
Performance
The Huawei P40 4G is powered by the Kirin 990 chipset, built on a 7nm+ process, which delivers flagship-level performance. The octa-core CPU consists of 2×2.86 GHz Cortex-A76, 2×2.09 GHz Cortex-A76, and 4×1.86 GHz Cortex-A55, providing smooth multitasking, gaming, and general use.
The Mali-G76 MP16 GPU ensures that the phone can handle graphic-intensive tasks and gaming without lag. The device comes with 4GB or 8GB of RAM, depending on the variant, and 128GB of internal storage, expandable via Nano Memory (NM) cards of up to 256GB. The phone uses UFS 3.0 technology, ensuring fast read/write speeds for apps and media.
Running on Android 10 with EMUI, the P40 4G offers a smooth user experience, although it lacks Google Play Services. Instead, users rely on Huawei’s AppGallery and third-party app stores for apps and services.
Camera
The 50MP triple camera system on the Huawei P40 4G is one of its standout features, continuing Huawei’s tradition of excellent smartphone photography:
- 50 MP wide camera (f/1.9, 23mm, 1/1.28″, PDAF, OIS): The main sensor is capable of capturing highly detailed photos with rich colors and impressive low-light performance, thanks to its large sensor size and Leica optics.
- 8 MP telephoto lens (f/2.4, 80mm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom): Provides excellent zoom capabilities, allowing you to capture distant subjects with clarity, and the optical image stabilization ensures sharp shots.
- 16 MP ultrawide camera (f/2.2, 17mm): Offers a wide field of view, making it ideal for landscape shots, group photos, or capturing architecture.
The camera supports 4K video recording at 30/60fps and 1080p video at 30/60fps, with gyro-EIS for smoother video footage. The LED flash, HDR, and panorama modes further enhance the photography experience.
The front-facing 32 MP selfie camera (f/2.0, 26mm, 1/2.8″) is paired with an IR TOF 3D sensor for facial recognition and biometric authentication. It also supports 4K video recording, ensuring high-quality selfies and video calls.
Battery Life and Charging
The Huawei P40 4G is equipped with a 3800mAh battery, which, while smaller than some competitors, provides sufficient power for a full day of moderate use. The phone supports 22.5W wired charging, allowing for fast recharging times. However, it lacks wireless charging, which may be a downside for users accustomed to that convenience.
Despite the smaller battery size, the efficient Kirin 990 chipset and OLED display help conserve power, giving the phone solid endurance for everyday tasks.
Connectivity and Other Features
The Huawei P40 4G comes with a variety of connectivity options, including:
- Wi-Fi 6: Ensures fast and stable internet connections.
- Bluetooth 5.1: Provides a reliable connection for wireless headphones, speakers, and other Bluetooth devices.
- GPS: The phone supports multiple positioning systems, including GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, and NavIC, ensuring precise navigation and location tracking.
- NFC: Enables contactless payments and quick pairing with compatible devices.
- USB Type-C 3.1: Supports fast data transfer and charging.
For security, the phone includes infrared Face ID and a fingerprint sensor embedded under the display for fast and secure unlocking.
Price and Availability
The Huawei P40 4G is priced at around 500 EUR, making it an affordable option in the premium mid-range segment. Considering its powerful camera system, sleek design, and solid performance, the P40 4G offers good value for users who don’t need 5G connectivity but still want a high-quality smartphone.
Specifications Table
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Dimensions | 148.9 x 71.1 x 8.5 mm |
| Weight | 175 g |
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| SIM | Nano-SIM and eSIM or Hybrid Dual SIM |
| Water Resistance | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display | 6.1 inches OLED, 1080 x 2340 pixels (~422 ppi) |
| OS | Android 10, EMUI (No Google Play Services) |
| Chipset | Kirin 990 (7 nm+) |
| CPU | Octa-core (2×2.86 GHz Cortex-A76, 2×2.09 GHz Cortex-A76, 4×1.86 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MP16 |
| Internal Storage | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | Triple: 50 MP (wide), 8 MP (telephoto, 3x optical zoom), 16 MP (ultrawide) |
| Selfie Camera | 32 MP (wide), IR TOF 3D sensor |
| Battery | 3800 mAh, 22.5W wired fast charging |
| Colors | Frost Silver, Dark Blue |
| Price | Around 500 EUR |
Conclusion
The Huawei P40 4G is an excellent choice for users seeking a compact smartphone with flagship-level camera performance and solid overall specs. Its 50MP Leica camera, Kirin 990 chipset, and premium design make it a strong contender in the mid-range market. While the lack of Google Play Services may be a drawback for some, Huawei’s AppGallery and other third-party app stores provide sufficient alternatives.
At 500 EUR, the Huawei P40 4G delivers excellent value, especially for photography enthusiasts who want a high-performance smartphone without the need for 5G connectivity.
Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.
