The Huawei P20 Pro, launched on April 6, 2018, redefined the standard for smartphone photography, offering a triple Leica camera system and flagship-level performance. With its 6.1-inch OLED display, slim 7.8mm profile, and IP67-certified water and dust resistance, the P20 Pro blended elegance with durability, positioning itself as one of the best smartphones of its time.
Powered by the Kirin 970 chipset and available with up to 8GB of RAM, the Huawei P20 Pro provided exceptional performance, making it a standout device in the high-end smartphone market. The 4000mAh battery with 22.5W fast charging ensured all-day usage, while the triple-camera setup brought professional-grade photography to the masses.
Let’s explore the full specifications of the Huawei P20 Pro and see why it remains one of Huawei’s most iconic high-end smartphones.
Huawei P20 Pro Full Phone Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Category | Phone |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch | Announced March 2018, Released April 6, 2018 |
| Status | Discontinued |
| Body Dimensions | 155 x 73.9 x 7.8 mm, 180 g (6.10 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) |
| Build | Glass front/back (Gorilla Glass 5), Aluminum frame, IP67 |
| SIM | Single Nano-SIM / Dual Nano-SIM |
| Display Type | OLED |
| Display Size | 6.1 inches, ~408 ppi (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2240 pixels, 18.7:9 ratio |
| OS | Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10, EMUI 12 |
| Chipset | Kirin 970 (10 nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core (4×2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP12 |
| Memory / Storage | 64GB/128GB/256GB, 6GB/8GB RAM, UFS 2.1, no card slot |
| Rear Camera | Triple: 40 MP f/1.8 wide, 20 MP B/W f/1.6, 8 MP f/2.4 telephoto |
| Camera Features | Leica optics, Laser AF, OIS, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 720p@960fps (slow motion) |
| Front Camera | 24 MP f/2.0 wide, 1080p@30fps video |
| Sound | Stereo speakers, 32-bit/384kHz audio, no 3.5mm jack |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS/GLONASS/GALILEO, NFC, USB Type-C 3.1 |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), Accelerometer, Gyro, Proximity, Compass |
| Battery | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Charging | 22.5W fast charging (58% in 30 minutes) |
| Colors | Twilight, Black, Midnight Blue, Pink Gold |
| Models | CLT-L09, CLT-L29, CLT-AL00, CLT-TL00 |
| Price at Launch | About 410 EUR |
Design and Build Quality
The Huawei P20 Pro featured an elegant glass front and back, supported by an aluminum frame, giving it a premium feel. The device’s IP67 certification ensured protection against dust and water, offering a practical design for users who desired both style and durability. The 6.1-inch OLED display was protected by Gorilla Glass 5, making it resistant to scratches and drops.
Weighing 180g and measuring 7.8mm in thickness, the Huawei P20 Pro felt comfortable to hold and use with one hand. Its front-mounted fingerprint sensor provided quick and secure access to the device.
Display and Multimedia
The 6.1-inch OLED display of the P20 Pro offered 1080 x 2240 pixels, delivering vivid colors and deep blacks thanks to OLED technology. With a ~408 ppi density, the screen was sharp and ideal for media consumption. The 18.7:9 aspect ratio was perfect for watching movies, videos, and multitasking.
The stereo speakers produced clear and rich sound, and the 32-bit/384kHz audio supported high-fidelity sound for an enhanced multimedia experience. Although the phone lacked a 3.5mm headphone jack, the inclusion of USB Type-C audio ensured quality sound output through wired or wireless headphones.
Camera System
The Huawei P20 Pro was famous for its triple Leica camera system, a combination of a 40 MP wide sensor, 20 MP monochrome sensor, and 8 MP telephoto sensor. The 40 MP primary sensor delivered stunning shots, while the 20 MP monochrome lens helped capture more light for improved low-light performance. The 8 MP telephoto lens offered 3x optical zoom, making the P20 Pro an excellent choice for users who enjoyed photography.
The camera system also featured Laser AF, OIS, and HDR, ensuring sharp photos with vibrant colors and accurate details. For video, it supported 4K recording at 30fps and slow-motion video at 720p@960fps.
The 24 MP front camera with f/2.0 aperture and 1080p video capabilities allowed for high-quality selfies and video calls, making it ideal for social media enthusiasts and content creators.
Performance and Software
Powered by the Kirin 970 chipset and available with 6GB or 8GB of RAM, the Huawei P20 Pro delivered exceptional performance for multitasking, gaming, and app usage. The Mali-G72 MP12 GPU handled graphics-intensive tasks with ease, and the device offered UFS 2.1 storage for fast app loading and file transfer speeds.
Running Android 8.1 Oreo with EMUI 9.1, the Huawei P20 Pro offered a smooth and fluid user experience, along with custom Huawei features like battery management, app cloning, and gesture navigation.
Battery Life and Connectivity
The 4000mAh battery of the P20 Pro offered all-day endurance under typical usage, including browsing, messaging, and media consumption. The device supported 22.5W fast charging, allowing it to charge 58% in just 30 minutes, making it one of the fastest charging smartphones at the time.
Connectivity options included dual SIM support, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2, NFC, and USB Type-C 3.1. The GPS/GLONASS/GALILEO support ensured reliable navigation and location-based services.
Conclusion
The Huawei P20 Pro was a standout flagship device that offered exceptional performance, stunning photography, and premium design at a competitive price. Its AI-powered triple Leica camera system revolutionized smartphone photography, making it one of the best smartphones for mobile photography at the time.
With its Kirin 970 chipset, stunning OLED display, and fast charging, the Huawei P20 Pro provided a complete, high-end smartphone experience. Even though it was discontinued, the P20 Pro remains one of Huawei’s most iconic smartphones, setting a benchmark for future flagship devices.
