Huawei P30 Pro 128GB DS. REVIEW.

The Huawei P30 Pro 128GB DS (Dual SIM) is a flagship smartphone from Huawei that made a big splash in the mobile market when it was released in 2019. Known for its groundbreaking camera system, powerful performance, and sleek design, the P30 Pro continues to be a strong contender even years after its release. Here’s a detailed review of its key features, performance, and value.

Design & Build Quality:

The Huawei P30 Pro is a beautifully designed phone with a premium glass and metal build. It has a 6.47-inch OLED display that curves slightly at the edges, offering a seamless and immersive feel. The screen itself is vibrant with deep blacks and excellent color accuracy, thanks to its Full HD+ resolution (2340 x 1080 pixels). While it’s not as high in resolution as some 1440p screens on other flagships, the difference is barely noticeable for most users, and it contributes to better battery efficiency.

The phone comes in a variety of stunning color finishes, including Breathing Crystal, Aurora, and Black, which offer gradient effects and add a touch of elegance.

  • IP68 water and dust resistance make the P30 Pro durable for daily use in various environments.

Camera System:

The camera is where the P30 Pro truly shines. It features a quad-camera setup developed in partnership with Leica, offering some of the best mobile photography capabilities available at the time of its release:

  1. 40 MP main sensor (f/1.6): This sensor excels in low-light conditions, thanks to Huawei’s RYYB (Red Yellow Yellow Blue) filter, which replaces the traditional RGB for better light capture.
  2. 20 MP ultra-wide sensor (f/2.2): Great for landscapes, architecture, and wider shots, this sensor adds versatility to your photo-taking options.
  3. 8 MP periscope telephoto lens (f/3.4): Offers a 5x optical zoom, 10x hybrid zoom, and up to 50x digital zoom. This is a game-changer for mobile photography, allowing for impressive zoom levels without sacrificing too much detail.
  4. Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensor: Used for depth sensing, which improves portrait mode shots and enables more accurate background blur.

The night mode is especially impressive, capturing excellent details and brightness even in near-dark environments. Huawei’s AI-powered image stabilization helps to produce sharp images without the need for a tripod.

The front camera is a 32 MP sensor (f/2.0), which delivers clear and detailed selfies, even in low-light scenarios.

Performance:

Powered by the Kirin 980 chipset, Huawei's in-house processor, the P30 Pro delivers top-tier performance. While not as powerful as newer chipsets, the Kirin 980 was competitive with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855 at the time of release and still offers excellent speed and efficiency. The 128GB of internal storage and 8GB of RAM make multitasking and app-switching smooth and lag-free.

For gaming, the P30 Pro performs very well, with GPU Turbo 3.0 enhancing the performance of supported games. You can expect smooth gameplay on graphically intensive titles like PUBG Mobile and Asphalt 9.

Software:

The P30 Pro runs EMUI 9.1, Huawei’s custom skin on top of Android 9 Pie, and can be upgraded to later versions like EMUI 10 based on Android 10. EMUI has a lot of useful features, but some users may find it a bit heavy compared to stock Android or other lighter skins like OxygenOS. However, Huawei includes several customization options, and the UI is smooth and responsive.

A major concern for some buyers could be Huawei’s Google services situation. While the P30 Pro was released before the U.S. trade restrictions, meaning it still supports Google services like the Play Store, future software support from Google is uncertain. However, for existing users, the phone still functions well with Google apps.

Battery Life:

The 4,200 mAh battery in the P30 Pro is one of its strongest points. It offers two full days of usage on a single charge with moderate use. Even with heavy use, the P30 Pro can easily last a full day without needing a recharge.

  • 40W SuperCharge fast charging is a highlight, allowing the phone to charge from 0% to about 70% in 30 minutes.
  • It also supports 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, meaning you can use the phone to charge other Qi-enabled devices like earbuds or even other phones.

Dual SIM & Connectivity:

The Dual SIM feature is a great addition for those who travel frequently or need separate lines for work and personal use. It supports 4G LTE on both SIMs, although the second SIM slot is hybrid, meaning it shares the slot with the microSD card, limiting your storage expansion options if you use two SIMs.

  • Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.0, and NFC are all supported.
  • The phone lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack, but it comes with a USB-C adapter for wired headphones.

Pros:

  • Outstanding camera system, especially the zoom and night photography capabilities
  • Excellent battery life with super-fast charging
  • Sleek, premium design with curved display
  • Great performance from the Kirin 980 chipset
  • Dual SIM support with 128GB of internal storage
  • IP68 water and dust resistance
  • Still has Google services (unlike later Huawei phones)

Cons:

  • Lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack
  • EMUI may not appeal to everyone due to its heavy customization
  • Google services' future support is unclear, though existing functionality remains intact
  • Display resolution is lower compared to some competitors (no QHD, only Full HD+)
  • Hybrid SIM slot limits dual SIM use if you also want extra storage

Conclusion:

The Huawei P30 Pro 128GB DS remains a top-tier device, even a few years after its release. Its camera system is among the best for mobile photography, especially if you’re into zoom and low-light photography. Coupled with excellent battery life, fast charging, and a sleek design, it’s an impressive flagship. While the potential issues with Google services and EMUI might concern some users, the P30 Pro is still a powerful and capable phone, particularly if photography is a priority for you.

For users looking for a great balance of performance, design, and camera innovation, the Huawei P30 Pro continues to be a solid choice.

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