The Huawei P20, launched on April 6, 2018, was a standout device in the P20 series, designed to offer flagship-level performance and premium features without the high-end price tag. It complemented the P20 Pro by offering a similar design language but at a more affordable price, making it an attractive option for those looking for top-tier specs and an impressive camera experience.
Weighing just 165 grams and measuring 7.7mm in thickness, the Huawei P20 was compact, lightweight, and featured a sleek glass front and back with a durable aluminum frame. The 5.8-inch Full HD+ display with slim bezels and a 19:9 aspect ratio gave it a modern and stylish look. It was the ideal choice for users seeking a premium smartphone without the premium price.
Let’s take a deeper look into the full specifications of the Huawei P20 and how it stood out in the flagship segment.
Huawei P20 Full Phone Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Category | Phone |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch | Announced March 2018, Released April 6, 2018 |
| Status | Discontinued |
| Body Dimensions | 149.1 x 70.8 x 7.7 mm (5.87 x 2.79 x 0.30 in) |
| Weight | 165 g (5.82 oz) |
| Build | Glass front/back, Aluminum frame, Water-repellent coating |
| SIM | Single Nano-SIM / Dual Nano-SIM |
| Display Type | IPS LCD |
| Display Size | 5.8 inches, 92.6 cm² (~76.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2240 pixels, 18.7:9 ratio (~429 ppi density) |
| OS | Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 |
| 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, 4GB/6GB RAM, UFS 2.1, no card slot |
| Rear Camera | Dual: 12 MP f/1.8 (wide) + 20 MP B/W f/1.6, Leica optics, Laser AF, OIS |
| Camera Features | 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 | Loudspeaker, no 3.5mm jack, 32-bit/384kHz audio |
| 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 3400 mAh, non-removable |
| Charging | 22.5W fast charging |
| Colors | Twilight, Black, Midnight Blue, Pink Gold |
| Models | EML-L09, EML-L29, EML-AL00, EML-TL00 |
| Price at Launch | About 330 EUR |
Design and Build Quality
The Huawei P20 featured a premium glass and aluminum design, making it stand out in the flagship market. The 5.8-inch display was complemented by slim bezels, resulting in a sleek and modern look. The phone was built with durability in mind, offering a water-repellent coating for added protection against accidental splashes.
With dimensions of 149.1 x 70.8 x 7.7 mm and a weight of 165 g, the Huawei P20 was lightweight and easy to handle, offering a comfortable feel in hand. The front-mounted fingerprint sensor allowed users to easily unlock the phone while providing additional security.
Available in stylish Twilight, Black, Midnight Blue, and Pink Gold, the Huawei P20 catered to a wide range of preferences, especially appealing to users who wanted both style and performance in a single device.
Display and Multimedia
The 5.8-inch IPS LCD display of the Huawei P20 offered 1080 x 2240 resolution, delivering vibrant and crisp visuals. With a 429 ppi pixel density, the display was sharp enough for media consumption, social media browsing, and general usage. While not OLED, the screen offered decent brightness and wide viewing angles, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
The 18.7:9 aspect ratio was perfect for watching videos and playing games in a cinematic format. Despite the removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack, the USB Type-C 3.1 port ensured high-quality audio output via wired headphones or through Bluetooth audio.
Camera System
One of the standout features of the Huawei P20 was its dual rear camera system, which was co-engineered with Leica. The 12 MP wide lens and 20 MP monochrome sensor allowed for stunning photography, especially in low-light conditions. The camera system also supported 4K video recording, HDR, and panorama modes, providing users with versatility in different shooting environments.
The 24 MP front camera with f/2.0 aperture and 1080p video recording capabilities made the Huawei P20 an excellent choice for selfies and video calls. The AI-enhanced camera system provided additional support for portrait shots and artificial bokeh effects, ensuring that users captured great images and videos in various scenarios.
Performance and Software
The Kirin 970 chipset, paired with 4GB or 6GB of RAM, offered excellent performance for multitasking and light gaming. The Mali-G72 MP12 GPU handled gaming and graphics-intensive apps with ease, ensuring that users could enjoy a smooth experience without lag or stuttering.
Running Android 8.1 Oreo with EMUI 9.1, the Huawei P20 offered a clean, responsive user interface with Huawei’s custom features, including battery optimization, app cloning, and gesture-based navigation. While the device lacked expandable storage, the 64GB or 128GB internal storage options provided ample space for apps, media, and files.
Battery Life and Connectivity
The 3400 mAh battery in the Huawei P20 provided a full day of use under normal conditions. While it lacked fast charging, the 22.5W Huawei SuperCharge technology allowed the device to recharge quickly, with 58% charge in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for users on the go.
Connectivity features included dual SIM LTE support, Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2, NFC (on some models), and GPS/GLONASS/GALILEO. The USB Type-C 3.1 port provided fast data transfer speeds and high-quality audio output.
Conclusion
The Huawei P20 was a well-rounded flagship smartphone that delivered excellent performance, camera capabilities, and design at a competitive price point. With its AI-powered camera system, Kirin 970 chipset, and sleek design, it offered premium features without the premium price tag, making it an appealing option for those seeking a high-quality device without paying top dollar.
Despite its discontinuation, the Huawei P20 remains a solid choice for users who prioritize performance, multimedia, and camera quality in an affordable flagship smartphone.
