The Huawei P Smart 2021 features a 6.67″ display, 48MP quad-camera, and a 5000mAh battery. Read the full review for detailed insights on performance, camera, and more.
Introduction
The Huawei P Smart 2021, launched in September 2020, is an affordable smartphone packed with features that make it a strong contender in the budget smartphone market. It comes with a large 6.67-inch IPS LCD display, a versatile 48MP quad-camera system, and an impressive 5000mAh battery with 22.5W fast charging support.
In this review, we will explore the various features of the Huawei P Smart 2021, including its design, performance, camera quality, and battery life. While it doesn’t support Google Play Services, Huawei has worked hard to develop an ecosystem around Huawei AppGallery, which provides access to a wide range of applications. This review will help you determine whether the P Smart 2021 is the right fit for your needs.
Design and Build Quality
The Huawei P Smart 2021 sports a modern and sleek design with a plastic back and frame, making it lightweight and durable. Weighing in at 206g, it’s on the heavier side, but that’s mostly due to the large battery. It has dimensions of 165.7 x 76.9 x 9.3mm, making it comfortable to hold, but users with smaller hands may find the device slightly bulky.
The side-mounted fingerprint sensor doubles as a power button, offering quick and convenient access to unlock the phone. Available in three stylish colors—Crush Green, Blush Gold, and Midnight Black—the phone’s design is appealing to a variety of users.
While the build is plastic, it doesn’t feel cheap. The rounded edges and smooth back give the phone a comfortable feel in the hand. It lacks any form of waterproofing, so it’s best to be cautious in wet environments.
Display
The P Smart 2021 features a 6.67-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels and a 20:9 aspect ratio. With a 395 ppi pixel density, the screen delivers sharp and clear visuals, perfect for consuming multimedia content like videos, games, and browsing.
The display is bright enough for indoor use, though it struggles a bit under direct sunlight. The 442 nits of maximum brightness (measured) make outdoor readability decent, but not ideal. However, the screen’s overall color reproduction is vibrant, and with its generous size, it provides an immersive experience for watching videos and playing games.
Performance and Software
Under the hood, the Huawei P Smart 2021 is powered by the Kirin 710A chipset, built on the 14nm process. The octa-core processor consists of four 2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 cores for performance and four 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 cores for power efficiency, along with a Mali-G51 MP4 GPU for handling graphics.
In terms of daily performance, the Kirin 710A provides smooth operation for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. However, users might experience occasional slowdowns when handling more demanding apps or multitasking between many applications.
The phone comes with 4GB of RAM and offers two internal storage options—64GB or 128GB, expandable via microSDXC up to 512GB. The storage expansion is a great feature for those who store lots of media files or apps.
On the software front, the device runs Android 10 with EMUI 10.1. However, it lacks Google Play Services, meaning users will have to rely on Huawei AppGallery to download apps. While this can be a disadvantage for some, AppGallery is rapidly growing, and there are alternative methods to install most popular apps.
Camera Capabilities
The Huawei P Smart 2021 boasts a quad-camera system, making it a versatile option for photography enthusiasts on a budget. The primary 48 MP sensor is complemented by an 8 MP ultrawide lens, a 2 MP macro sensor, and a 2 MP depth sensor.
- 48 MP main sensor (f/1.8, 26mm, PDAF): The main camera captures impressive photos in well-lit conditions, with good detail and color accuracy. The camera performs adequately in low-light conditions, thanks to the Night Mode, but noise is still present in very dark environments.
- 8 MP ultrawide sensor (f/2.4, 120˚): The ultrawide lens is perfect for capturing wide landscapes or group shots, though it lacks the detail of the main sensor.
- 2 MP macro sensor (f/2.4): While fun to use, the macro camera doesn’t offer much detail and requires steady hands and good lighting for the best results.
- 2 MP depth sensor (f/2.4): This sensor assists with portrait shots, delivering decent bokeh effects with blurred backgrounds.
The 8 MP front camera does a respectable job for selfies, and it supports HDR to enhance dynamic range in photos. The phone records videos at 1080p@30/60fps, which is sufficient for casual video capturing.
Battery Life and Charging
The 5000mAh battery is one of the major selling points of the Huawei P Smart 2021. This large battery ensures long-lasting usage, allowing for up to two days of moderate use on a single charge. Even with heavy use, the battery comfortably lasts through a full day.
Charging is fast, thanks to the 22.5W fast charging support. According to Huawei, the phone can reach 46% in just 30 minutes, which is convenient for users who need to top up quickly.
The endurance rating of 119 hours is impressive, making it a great option for users who prioritize battery life.
Connectivity and Other Features
The Huawei P Smart 2021 supports 4G LTE, with dual SIM support for those who need to manage two numbers on one device. Other connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.1, and GPS. It also features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which is responsive and easy to use.
The phone comes with a 3.5mm headphone jack, allowing users to plug in their wired headphones without the need for adapters. Additionally, the device has an FM radio for users who enjoy tuning into their favorite stations on the go.
Price and Availability
The Huawei P Smart 2021 is available at an affordable price point of around 230 EUR, making it a solid option for users looking for a budget-friendly device with decent specs. It’s an excellent choice for those who prioritize battery life and camera versatility without breaking the bank.
Specifications Table
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.7 x 76.9 x 9.3 mm |
| Weight | 206 g |
| Build | Plastic frame, glass front |
| Display | 6.67 inches, 1080 x 2400 pixels, IPS LCD |
| Operating System | Android 10, EMUI 10.1 (No Google Play Services) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core (4×2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4×1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 |
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB 4GB RAM, microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Main Camera | Quad: 48 MP (wide), 8 MP (ultrawide), 2 MP (macro), 2 MP (depth) |
| Selfie Camera | 8 MP (wide) |
| Battery | 5000 mAh, 22.5W fast charging |
| Price | About 230 EUR |
Conclusion
The Huawei P Smart 2021 is a well-rounded budget smartphone that offers a large display, great battery life, and a capable camera setup for its price point. Despite the lack of Google Play Services, the phone still delivers a solid performance for daily tasks, and Huawei’s AppGallery continues to expand, offering a growing number of apps.
For users looking for an affordable phone with a long-lasting battery and decent camera performance, the Huawei P Smart 2021 is a great choice.
Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.
