The Huawei P20 Lite, released on March 26, 2018, was positioned as a more affordable alternative to the flagship P20 series, offering a sleek design and solid features at a budget-friendly price. With its 5.84-inch Full HD+ display, dual rear cameras, and Kirin 659 chipset, the P20 Lite aimed to provide a premium experience without the flagship price.
Weighing just 145 grams and measuring 7.4mm thick, the Huawei P20 Lite was a lightweight and compact device that was comfortable to hold and use for extended periods. The glass front and back were supported by an aluminum frame, giving the phone a premium appearance despite its more affordable price point.
Let’s take a closer look at the full specifications of the Huawei P20 Lite and explore how it balanced performance, design, and affordability.
Huawei P20 Lite Full Phone Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Category | Phone |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch | Announced March 2018, Released March 26, 2018 |
| Status | Discontinued |
| Body Dimensions | 148.6 x 71.2 x 7.4 mm (6.23 x 3.02 x 0.31 in) |
| Weight | 145 g (5.47 oz) |
| Build | Glass front/back, Aluminum frame |
| SIM | Single Nano-SIM / Dual Nano-SIM |
| Display Type | IPS LCD |
| Display Size | 5.84 inches, 92.6 cm² (~76.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~432 ppi density) |
| OS | Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.0 |
| Chipset | Kirin 659 (16 nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core (4×2.36 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4×1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| GPU | Mali-T830 MP2 |
| Memory / Storage | 32GB/64GB/128GB, 3GB/4GB RAM, eMMC 5.1, microSDXC (shared slot) |
| Rear Camera | Dual: 16 MP f/2.2 + 2 MP depth sensor |
| Camera Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps |
| Front Camera | 16 MP f/2.0 or 24 MP (China & India models), 1080p video |
| Sound | Loudspeaker, 3.5mm jack |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS, NFC (LX1 only), USB Type-C 2.0 |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), Accelerometer, Proximity, Compass |
| Battery | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Charging | 18W wired fast charging |
| Colors | Klein Blue, Sakura Pink, Midnight Black |
| Models | ANE-LX1, ANE-LX2, ANE-LX3, ANE-LX2J, ANE-AL00, ANE-TL00, others |
| Price at Launch | About 240 EUR |
Design and Build Quality
The Huawei P20 Lite featured a modern design with a 5.84-inch Full HD+ screen that offered an 18:9 aspect ratio, providing an immersive display experience. The slim bezels and glass-and-aluminum construction gave it a premium look and feel despite its budget-friendly price. The rear-mounted fingerprint sensor offered enhanced security, allowing users to easily unlock the phone with a touch.
Weighing just 145 grams and measuring 7.4mm in thickness, the device felt light and comfortable to use, making it an excellent choice for users who prioritize portability.
The phone was available in Klein Blue, Sakura Pink, and Midnight Black, catering to a variety of personal styles, especially appealing to younger audiences.
Display and Multimedia
The 5.84-inch IPS LCD display of the Huawei P20 Lite offered a 1080 x 2280 resolution, delivering sharp visuals with vivid colors. The 432 ppi density made text and images appear crisp, while the 19:9 aspect ratio allowed for a larger screen experience in a compact body. Although it didn’t have the brightness or contrast of an OLED panel, it still provided an excellent viewing experience for everyday use.
For multimedia, the phone was equipped with a 3.5mm headphone jack, making it a solid choice for users who prefer wired audio. The loudspeaker was decent for casual media playback, and the addition of FM radio further boosted its multimedia capabilities.
Camera System
The dual rear camera system on the Huawei P20 Lite combined a 16 MP primary sensor with a 2 MP depth sensor. This setup allowed users to capture sharp photos with background blur effects, making it a solid option for portrait photography. With LED flash, HDR, and panorama features, the camera system provided flexibility in different lighting conditions.
The 8 MP front camera (or 24 MP in select regions like China and India) was an excellent choice for selfies and video calls, with 1080p video recording support. The LED flash ensured clear selfies, even in low-light situations.
Performance and Software
The Kirin 659 chipset, paired with 3GB or 4GB of RAM, delivered solid performance for everyday tasks such as browsing, social media, and light multitasking. The Adreno 505 GPU allowed for moderate gaming and media consumption, but it wasn’t designed for demanding games or heavy multitasking.
Running on Android 8.0 Oreo with EMUI 9.0, the Huawei P20 Lite offered a smooth software experience with Huawei’s custom enhancements. Features like battery optimization, app cloning for dual social media accounts, and gesture-based navigation made the phone easy to use and user-friendly.
Storage options included 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB, with a microSD card slot to expand storage, providing ample space for apps, photos, and media.
Battery Life and Connectivity
The 3000 mAh battery powered the Huawei P20 Lite through a full day of light to moderate use. While it didn’t support fast charging, the device offered decent endurance thanks to the efficient Snapdragon 430 chipset. The 18W fast charging ensured that users could quickly recharge their device and get back to using it.
Connectivity options included dual SIM LTE support, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2, NFC (on select models), and USB Type-C 2.0. The FM radio feature provided added value for multimedia lovers who enjoy radio listening.
Conclusion
The Huawei P20 Lite was a well-rounded, budget-friendly smartphone that offered a premium design, solid performance, and decent camera capabilities at an affordable price. With its large display, dual-camera setup, and long-lasting battery, it made for an excellent choice for users seeking value without compromising on style.
Though discontinued, the Huawei P20 Lite remains a strong contender in the budget smartphone market, offering features typically found in higher-end devices. If you’re looking for an affordable yet stylish phone for everyday use, the Huawei P20 Lite still stands out as a great option.
