The Huawei Mate 40 is a flagship smartphone that's packed with impressive features. It's powered by the Kirin 9000 5G chip, which provides fast performance and efficient battery life.
The Mate 40 also boasts a stunning 6.5-inch OLED display with a high refresh rate, making it perfect for gaming and watching videos. Its sleek design and IP68 rating make it durable and water-resistant.
One of the standout features of the Mate 40 is its quad-camera setup, which includes a 50MP primary sensor, a 16MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 12MP telephoto lens. This combination allows for excellent image quality and versatility in various shooting situations.
Design and Display
The Huawei Mate 40 series has a sleek and premium design. The Mate 40 and Mate 40 Pro are constructed with an anodized aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass or artificial leather backing.
The Mate 40 Pro+ stands out with a ceramic frame and back, giving it a luxurious feel. The notch on the Mate 30 series has been replaced by a cutout in the upper left-hand corner, and the Mate 40 has a circular cutout for the front-facing camera.
The Mate 40 Pro and Mate 40 Pro+ have a larger pill-shaped cutout that also accommodates the infrared facial recognition system. The screen is dramatically curved, similar to the Mate 30 Pro, and has physical volume buttons.
All Mate 40 models have an OLED Horizon Display with curved glass on either side of the display. The Mate 40 has a 6.5-inch display with a 1080 × 2376 resolution and 402 PPI density.
Design
The Mate 40 and Mate 40 Pro are constructed with an anodized aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass or artificial leather backing.
The Mate 40 Pro+ uses ceramic for both the frame and the back, giving it a premium feel.
The notch on the Mate 30 series has been replaced by a cutout in the upper left-hand corner on the Mate 40 series.
A circular cutout for the front-facing camera is a notable design change on the Mate 40, while the Mate 40 Pro and Mate 40 Pro+ have a larger pill-shaped cutout.
The Mate 40 Pro and Mate 40 Pro+ have a dramatically curved screen, similar to the Mate 30 Pro.
Physical volume buttons are a welcome addition on the Mate 40 Pro and Mate 40 Pro+.
The Mate 40 series uses a traditional earpiece speaker, a departure from the electromagnetic levitation speaker used on the P40 series.
An IR blaster is located on the top edge of the phone, offering additional functionality.
The rear camera setup of the Mate 40 series is housed in a distinct ring shape, called the Space Ring camera system.
The Space Ring camera system is similar to its predecessor, the Mate 30.
The Mate 40 and Mate 40 Pro are available in Mystic Silver, White and Black (glass), and Green and Yellow (artificial leather).
The Mate 40 Pro+ is available in Ceramic White or Ceramic Black.
All Mate 40 models have an IP68 rating, apart from the Mate 40, which has an IP53 rating.
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Display
The Mate 40 models feature an OLED Horizon Display, with curved glass on either side of the display that wraps around the edge.
The Mate 40 Pro and Mate 40 Pro+ have a more extreme curved design, with a wrap of 88° around the edge.
These phones have a 90 Hz display, which is a significant improvement over standard 60 Hz displays.
The Mate 40 has a 6.5 in (170 mm) display with a 1080 × 2376 resolution, ~402 PPI density, and a ~89.3% screen-to-body ratio.
The Mate 40 Pro and Mate 40 Pro+ have a larger 6.76 in (172 mm) display with a 1344 × 2772 resolution, ~456 PPI.
The higher resolution and pixel density of the Mate 40 Pro and Mate 40 Pro+ models result in a sharper and more detailed display.
Performance and Features
The Huawei Mate 40 Pro's performance is a beast of a chipset, thanks to the Kirin 9000 chip, which is a 5nm processor with a built-in 5G modem.
The Mate 40 Pro's CPU performance is on par with the competition, but it still lags behind in GPU performance compared to Qualcomm's Snapdragon 888-toting phones.
In real-world usage, the Mate 40 Pro delivered a lag-free experience, even with demanding games like Real Racing 3 and Fortnite, thanks to its 8GB RAM and powerful Kirin 9000 chip.
The phone's storage options include 256GB, which is plenty for most people, and a Nano Memory slot for those who need more, although HUAWEI's own media cards are more expensive than microSD cards.
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Storage
The Mate 40, Mate 40 Pro, and Mate 40 Pro+ all feature UFS 3.1 storage, which is a fast and efficient type of storage.
The Mate 40 has two storage options, 128 GB and 256 GB, both paired with 8 GB of RAM.
The Mate 40 Pro and Mate 40 Pro+ both have 256 GB of storage, but the Mate 40 Pro+ has more RAM at 12 GB.
The Mate 40 RS Porsche Design has the most storage and RAM, with 512 GB and 12 GB respectively.
All of these models can be expanded with Huawei's Nano Memory, which can add up to 256 GB of extra storage.
Performance: CPU Champion
The Kirin 9000 chip powering the Mate 40 Pro is a beast of a chipset when it comes to its CPU. It was the industry's first 5nm chipset with a built-in 5G modem, which should aid in both battery life and speed.
In terms of CPU performance, the Kirin 9000 can hang with the competition. The phone delivered a lag-free experience in my eight days with it, which is impressive.
The Kirin 9000 has 8GB RAM, which is plenty for most people. For those who need more, HUAWEI has included a Nano Memory slot.
The phone's CPU performance is so good that it's hard to find anything to complain about.
A different take: Nokia 9000 Communicator
Software and Review
The Huawei Mate 40 Pro runs on EMUI 11, a custom operating system that's built on top of Android 11.
Huawei's software is often criticized for being cluttered and feature-heavy, but the Mate 40 Pro's interface is surprisingly streamlined and intuitive.
The phone's performance is lightning-fast, thanks to its powerful Kirin 9000 processor.
A different take: OnePlus 11
Software
The Mate 40 series comes with Android 10 and Huawei's software overlay, EMUI 11.
One notable aspect of the Mate 40 series is that they do not come with Google apps, including the Google Play Store, due to US restrictions.
Huawei Mobile Services uses Huawei AppGallery as its main app store, which is a key feature of the Mate 40 series.
The Mate 40 series is powered by Android 10, which is a popular operating system for mobile devices.
Here's a brief rundown of the software features of the Mate 40 series:
The lack of Google apps, including the Google Play Store, is a notable limitation of the Mate 40 series, but Huawei AppGallery provides an alternative for users to download and install apps.
On a similar theme: List of Google Play Edition Devices
Review
The Huawei Mate 40 Pro is a truly fantastic device, but it's not without its drawbacks. The phone has best-in-class performance with the Kirin 9000, a fantastic camera setup, great battery life, and speedy wired and wireless charging.
One of the standout features of the Mate 40 Pro is its unique design. It has a rounded camera module that sets it apart from other manufacturers' cookie-cutter designs. The phone also features an elegantly curved display with tiny bezels.
However, this curved design also makes the phone slippery, which can be a problem. The display itself is a bit uninspiring compared to similarly priced offerings from Samsung, OnePlus, or Sony.
The Mate 40 Pro's display is limited to 90Hz, which is passable but would have benefited from a bump up to 120Hz or at least a higher resolution. The lack of Google apps like Chrome and Gmail is also a significant drawback, making it a hard sell at over $1400 (£1,099/€1,199).
User Opinions
If you're considering purchasing the Huawei Mate 40 Pro, you might be wondering about the user experience.
You can normally rollback using the Huawei HiSuite, which is a useful feature to know about.
Many users have reported positive experiences with the device, but some have also encountered issues.
Huawei HiSuite is a tool that can help resolve problems, making it a valuable resource for owners.
Value and Comparison
The Huawei Mate 40 Pro is a premium device that faces stiff competition in the UK and Europe, going head-to-head with top-of-the-line flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, OPPO Find X3 Pro, and the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
These devices all come with hefty price tags, with the Mate 40 Pro being priced at £1,099/€1,259, which is a significant investment for anyone.
The Mate 40 Pro has some advantages over its competitors, including more powerful charging and competing camera hardware.
Value and Competition
The Huawei Mate 40 Pro is competing with some of the most premium flagships out there, including the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and OPPO Find X3 Pro, which all cost over £1,000.
These devices offer similar camera hardware, but the Mate 40 Pro has a more powerful charging system.
In the West, the lack of Google services is a significant drawback, as most people rely on them for everyday tasks.
Running Google services in a browser is an option, but it's a compromise that few people are willing to make when paying top dollar for a smartphone.
The Mate 40 Pro excels in almost every other aspect, with top-notch performance and brilliant battery life.
Its cameras are among the best in any device, making it a great choice for photography enthusiasts.
The Verdict
The HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro is a great device, but its price point is a major turn-off. At £1,099, it's hard to recommend to anyone who doesn't have a specific need for its features.
The phone's fantastic cameras, solid screen, and great build quality are definite pluses. However, its lack of Google support and high price mean it's not the best value for most people.
If you're looking for a flagship phone with top-notch performance and brilliant battery life, the Mate 40 Pro is worth considering. But if you're on a budget, you might want to look elsewhere.
Where to Buy and Who Is It For
The Huawei Mate 40 is available for purchase in various regions, including Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, through Huawei's official website and authorized retailers.
You can also find it in stores like Amazon, Best Buy, and Carphone Warehouse.
The Huawei Mate 40 is perfect for those who want a powerful and feature-rich smartphone, especially for photography enthusiasts and gamers.
Where to Buy
If you're in the UK or Europe, your best bet for buying the phone is directly from HUAWEI via their website.
For now, HUAWEI is your go-to retailer for purchasing the phone in the UK or Europe, and we'll update this article as more retailers carry the phone.
Who Is This Phone For?
The HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro is for those who aren't dependent on the Google ecosystem, which means no Google apps like Gmail and Maps.
This phone is perfect for individuals who are willing to live without any given app or jump through hoops to make it work.
If you're looking for a top-shelf smartphone experience and are willing to pay for it, the Mate 40 Pro is a great choice.
It features top-shelf performance, powerful cameras, extended battery life, and robust, premium-feeling construction.
At £1,099, this smartphone is not for the faint of heart.
Battery and Camera Details
The Huawei Mate 40 has a 4,200 mAh lithium polymer battery, while the other models have a 4,400 mAh battery.
The Mate 40 supports 40 W fast charging, while the other models support 66 W fast charging. The Mate 40 Pro and Pro+ also support 50 W wireless charging and 5 W reverse wireless charging.
The Mate 40 Pro camera is truly one of the best on the market, featuring a 50MP main sensor that captures photos that are sharp and full of detail. The 20MP ultra-wide sensor performs well too, although the results are noticeably softer than those of the main sensor.
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Camera
The Huawei Mate 40 series features impressive cameras that deliver high-quality photos and videos.
The Mate 40 has a triple-camera setup consisting of a 50 MP f/1.9 wide main camera, an 8 MP f/2.4 3X telephoto camera, and a 16 MP f/2.2 ultrawide camera.
All the phones' main cameras are capable of video up to 4K resolution at up to 60 frames per second (fps).
Expand your knowledge: Samsung Galaxy A6 / A6+
The Mate 40 Pro has a similar triple-camera setup, with a 50 MP f/1.9 wide main camera, a 12 MP f/3.4 periscope telephoto, and a 20 MP ultrawide camera.
The Mate 40 Pro can shoot slow motion at up to 3840 fps, while the Mate 40 only goes up to 960 fps.
Low-light photos on the Mate 40 are truly impressive, capable of capturing incredible detail even in the darkest conditions.
A different take: Samsung Galaxy F Series
Battery
The Mate 40 has a 4,200 mAh lithium polymer battery, which is actually 100mAh less than the previous model.
The phone supports 40 W fast charging, which is a decent option, but not as fast as some other models.
The Mate 40 Pro, on the other hand, has a battery life that's impressive, with two full days of battery life in our testing.
You can also turn on power-saving modes in the settings to get a bit more juice out of the phone, such as turning off 5G or the Always On Display.
The Mate 40 Pro has 66W SuperCharge wired charging, which can top off the phone from empty to full in less than an hour, and 50W SuperCharge wireless charging for added convenience.
Reverse wireless charging is also present, but limited to just 5W.
Here's an interesting read: Shelf Life
Specifications
The Huawei Mate 40 Pro is a powerhouse of a phone, and its specs are impressive. The phone features a 6.76-inch Flex OLED display with a 2,772 x 1,344 pixel resolution, 90Hz refresh rate, and 240Hz touch-sensing rate.
The display also includes an in-display fingerprint scanner for added security. The phone's processor is the HUAWEI Kirin 9000, which delivers good performance.
The Mate 40 Pro comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, which should be plenty for most users. However, it's worth noting that Huawei still uses its proprietary Nano Memory cards for storage expansion, which can be more expensive than microSD cards.
The phone's cameras are also a highlight, with a 50MP main camera, 20MP ultra-wide camera, and 12MP 5x optical telephoto camera. The cameras can also record UHD 4K 60fps video and 720p 3840fps slow-mo.
Here are the full specs of the Huawei Mate 40 Pro:
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Huawei Mate 40 released?
The Huawei Mate 40 was released on October 22, 2020. Learn more about this device and its features at our Huawei Mate 40 page.
Featured Images: pexels.com
