I have my eyes set on Huawei's P20 Pro, and still unsure whether dropping a thousand on the phone is anywhere near a bad idea. I would love to hear anyone's experiences with this phone or comparisons with the other noteworthy flagships such as the s9+ or the pixel 2 xl. Thanks :)
Huawei P20 Pro. Yay or Nay?
AmbiguousMilk65 on 14/06/2018 - 19:13
Last edited 14/06/2018 - 19:16 by 1 other user
Last edited 14/06/2018 - 19:16 by 1 other user
Comments
Nay.
It's a good device, but the Android Ecosystem isn't evolving to be as friendly to users as they should.
Apple's iPhone is still the best experience on the high-end. However, in midrange Android is unbeatable.
Windows Phone is only recommendable on the low-end.I would sooner recommend the OnePlus 6, but make sure you:
- unlock the bootloader
- install a custom recovery (eg TWRP)
- install a custom kernel (eg ElementalX)
- install a reputable Custom Rom (eg RessurectionRemix)
- install SuperSU and get r00t access
- install a front glass protector
- install a TPU Armour case
….get rid of OnePlus's spying software, and use the custom firmware to lean Google's services to make the device more efficient, less bloated, less privacy intrusive, and less data thirsty. The case and screen protector are mandatory to keep the phone functioning for the everyday hustle 'n bustle.
So what's the reason this device is nay? because Android isn't evolved to be as friendly to users as they should?
So why recommend a oneplus six if it's also using Android if the only reason to 'nay' the Huawei p20 is it's an Android?Price…. that's why.
Luxury: $800+ Just get an iPhone
(better hardware support, software support, third-party, accessories, App, etc etc)Midrange: $200 - $700 Get an Android device, wether its a Redmi Note 3, ZTE Axon 7, Used S7-Exynos, OnePlus 5t, LG V30
(much better value than iPhone, more stuff you can do, a lot more headaches though so it requires human time and effort input)Low-end: <$100 Something like a Microsoft Lumia 930 or even a Nokia Lumia 830 is great
(really all you are looking for is something that calls and texts and has the basic Apps and functions. The discontinued Windows Phones do that but in a more streamlined and fast way. It cuts out many of the lag, privacy, and force-close issues of cheap Android devices)….the Huawei P20/Pro is just too expensive at the moment. And its not as versatile as a Google Nexus/Pixel or the OnePlus 6. So if you have a problem, a problem that can be fixed with custom firmware, chances are you're screwed with the P20-line because Huawei doesn't release documentation, drivers, and sources for their in-house Kirin SoC's, not like Qualcomm's Snapdragon SoC.
If I had to do all that to get a good working phone then I would gladly pay double to Apple. And this is coming from someone who used to flash roms frequently during my college days. It's never ending. Just go get the Pixel line. Most of the buyers here won't understand anything about custom ROMS.
The selling point of the p20 pro is the camera. If that isn't important to you, then it is a slightly below average flagship (no wireless charging or headphone jack, Kirin 970 is actually half to one gen behind the SD845 and uses the older a73 and a53 cores instead of a75 and a55) and you should get the s9+ if you want the best "overall" android device or pixel if you want the quickest android upgrades. OTOH the p20 pro camera is probably the best smartphone camera right now, and their night mode software (for none moving objects such as scenery) is down right magical.
The P20 is a nice piece of kit but it might pay to get an Honor 10. Essentially the same phone, and while some reviews dis the camera, I find installing a better photo app helped with my Honor 7X.
On the other hand I had a play with a OnePlus 6 in an O2 store in London yesterday. Really, really slick and the camera is supposed to be a cracker.
Has anyone gone over to one of these from iPhone? Not completely a diehard Apple fanboi or anything but I do like my iPhone but would love to grab the P20 Pro just for the camera. Wouldl I regret?
Just grabbed it, moving from an iPhone 8. Absolutely no regrets :)
Thanks! I would love to hear your opinion further. Anything from the iPhone you miss? Easy to get used to after using iOS? Everything works ok? How’s the build quality in comparison?
Anything from the iPhone I miss? Probably just the headphone jack and the simplicity of the OS. Other than that the P20 blows the iPhone out of the water. Very solid build; has a firm metallic back. I got use to the android pretty quick. You get so much more freedom with it than the iOS, its crazy. Feel free to DM me if you have any other worries.
I think it's a bad idea after I tried a $200 phone. Meaning flagships generally.
My first midrange Android was a Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 which was passable but my current ~$200 Sharp Aquos S2 is the best device I've owned. Last flagship was a Sony Z5 Premium.