If you're appy and you know it: The Huawei P40 Pro conclusively proves that top-notch specs aren't everything
- Reference: 1589790859
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/05/18/review_huawei_p40_pro/
- Source link:
In May last year, the Trump Administration [1]placed crushing sanctions on Huawei, preventing it from licensing or buying US-made technology without an exemption. Consequently, Huawei has [2]been unable to include Google Mobile Services on its latest phones (with the exception of various hardware re-releases, like the [3]P30 Pro New Edition ).
As a result, the latest phones from Huawei can only use the open source version of Android. That means no Gmail. No YouTube. And certainly no Google Play Store.
Instead, users are pushed towards Huawei's own ecosystem. The P40 Pro runs Huawei's EMUI 10 skin and bundles a few substitutes to the familiar Google-made Android apps. Most notable is the Huawei AppGallery, which is utterly barren of the most essential third-party software, despite a reported billion dollar earmarked in investment, and a team of 3,000 software engineers working on it.
And ultimately, that's what defines this phone: which is otherwise a gorgeous, polished, and eminently capable bit of kit. It doesn't feel like an Android phone, but rather a completely distinct entity. One that's new and utterly unfamiliar.
And ultimately, the biggest problem that anyone who buys the P40 will face is they'll have to figure out new ways to do things they're already accustomed to.
Like most people, I rely heavily on my phone to perform day-to-day tasks, with Google's services inevitably playing an outsized role.
I pay for things with Google Pay. When I interview industry folk, the audio is immediately uploaded to Google Drive for safekeeping. I write most of my notes in Google Docs, and use Gmail to access my various email accounts. If I need to drive somewhere unfamiliar, I rely on Google Maps to lead the way.
Inevitably, the Google-free P40 Pro dragged me out my comfort zone in a big way. Yes, there's an email app included, but it's utterly basic. In terms of functionality, it can't hold a candle to the Gmail app, which has served as the default email app since the launch of Android 5.0 “Lollipop” in 2015. With Google Docs out of the equation, I had to use Microsoft's mobile version of Office, which comes bundled with the device. (Microsoft got an [4]exemption from the US government to supply software to Huawei, unlike [5]Google .)
The mobile version of Microsoft Word isn't bad, but I was nonetheless unable to access the years of notes and documents that are stored in my Google Drive. And, of course, there's no Google Maps — [6]although the Huawei App Gallery did recently land HERE WeGo, which is a solid, mostly feature-complete alternative.
Once you've figured out the basics, you're again confronted with the fact that you're unable to access most of the third-party apps you use on a routine basis. Mobile banking? Forget about it. Similarly, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Messenger are nowhere to be seen. Nor are the usual bachelor staples of Uber Eats and Deliveroo. There's a decent selection of games, but loyalty card apps and other day-to-day conveniences are conspicuously absent.
[7]
Look ma, no apps!
And here's the thing: I did try to give this Google-free way of life a fair go. But I just found it to be utterly frustrating, routinely encountering dead ends that forced me to switch to another device.
Patch me if you can
Of course, Huawei is eager to point out there are workarounds. Kinda. You can use third-party app stores, like Amazon's, or download APKs uploaded on unofficial portals. The P40 Pro also comes with a "phone clone" tool that lets you import apps from another Android device.
The problem here is that they're then utterly cut off from the ecosystem that allows you to install critical software patches. And that's a problem. Many banking apps will refuse to work if they're several versions behind the curve. So, you'll have to keep a separate phone handy to update and then re-transfer.
Huawei P40 Pro: Camera setup really captures the misery of an empty world foods aisle [8]READ MORE
Other apps rely heavily on APIs in Google Mobile Services. And that means that even if you're able to transfer them over to the P40 Pro, you'll likely end up with an experience that's ultimately crippled, or fails to run entirely.
Perhaps the biggest frustration with the P40 Pro is that if it ran the standard Android experience, it'd easily be the best phone of 2020. The camera is ridiculously good. I've used every Huawei flagship since the launch of the P20 Pro, and this is easily the best yet.
I'd even go so far as to say it's the [9]best camera I've used on a smartphone, period, with the P40 Pro producing shots that are razor-sharp and boast exquisite colour-fidelity. Macro performance is similarly strong, and thanks to the massive sensor on the 50MP primary shooter, paired with the use of "pixel binning," the phone delivers excellent shots in challenging low-light conditions.
The industrial design is excellent, feeling just as premium as the ultra-luxe Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G. Meanwhile, the battery life comfortably lasts over 24 hours between charges, and the 40W fast charging is wonderfully brisk. Performance was as strong as you'd expect with a flagship, and the 90Hz display ensured animations and games felt especially fluid.
On paper, the Huawei P40 Pro is an unbelievably potent phone. But it's hampered beyond words by a software ecosystem that's crippled. And while that's not exactly Huawei's fault, it does make it hard to recommend it to ordinary folks. ®
[1] https://www.theregister.co.uk/2019/05/15/president_trump_huawei_emergency_ban/
[2] https://www.theregister.co.uk/2019/05/20/google_pulls_play_and_other_services_from_huawei/
[3] https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/05/13/huawei_p30_pro_new_edition/
[4] https://www.theregister.co.uk/2019/11/22/microsoft_gets_green_light_for_sales_to_huawei/
[5] https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/02/26/huawei_google_embargo_exemption_plea/
[6] https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/04/24/huawei_appgallery_here_wego_map_app/
[7] https://regmedia.co.uk/2020/05/15/appgallery.jpg
[8] https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/03/26/huawei_p40_pro_handson/
[9] https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/03/26/huawei_p40_pro_handson/
Google apps etc. via browser?
What's to stop you logging in to Google's apps via whatever browser they've included?
Re: Google apps etc. via browser?
But, but, then it's not an app. It's gotta be an app.
Re: Google apps etc. via browser?
Google maps via the mobile browser is pretty dire. Can't speak to the rest.
Re: Google apps etc. via browser?
YouTube on Safari is worse than abysmal. It's so bad now that I've basically given up watching videos on my iPad. (Not going to use the app because AdBlock Plus.)
What's to stop you logging in to Google's apps via whatever browser they've included?
that's 5 clicks versus 2. Do you know how many years of productive work (never mind the rest of your lifespan "before work" and "after work") humanity saves by using 2-click app v. 5-click-browsers?! ;)
Flashy
Surely they will make it easy to flash to a different android OS and then activate everything?
In a world, where smartphones aren't shitty PCs
.. that would be a non issue.
Well, at least this may prompt people to ask themselves about alternatives to google's services. You know, there are other apps out there. Since it uses an open-source Android, you can always side-load apps from reputable app stores. Oh, I wish I my smartphone would work the same as my computers. Full choice, no walled gardens.
Re: In a world, where smartphones aren't shitty PCs
Were you one of the two people bought a HTC Windows Mobile?
How many apps in your full choice installed? 2? 3?
Re: In a world, where smartphones aren't shitty PCs
I had NokiaWinphone. Best OS out there.
So much so the others ripped off some of the features.
Best feature was Bluetooth profile switching.
Get into the car and the home screen would completely redesign with huge icons for Maps, Music etc. In fact cortana actually had a use in the car as you could ""phone" cortana, pull up Here Maps (still the best Navigation system) and navigate....all without removing my hand from the steering wheel.
If you are desperate for Mountain Views spyware
what is stopping you installing the open source Aurora Store app, which acts as a Play Store proxy?
It does sound like it is worth considering for someone who wants a phone without too muchbloat and spyware.
Re: If you are desperate for Mountain Views spyware
Dyslexia?
"Other apps rely heavily on APIs in Google Mobile Services. And that means that even if you're able to transfer them over to the P40 Pro, you'll likely end up with an experience that's ultimately crippled, or fails to run entirely."
Re: If you are desperate for Mountain Views spyware
I use Aurora on Lineage. Almost all my installed apps come via F-Droid, but the few that come through Aurora work fine - apart from one banking app (Natwest). My other three banking apps all just work, although some of them, and one or two other apps, complain that they can't find Google Services - they still work.
Whether Huawei's Android is even more disconnected from Google than Lineage, I wouldn't know, but for what it's worth loading apps via Aurora is mostly a non-issue.
Just make sure you choose the 'Anonymous' option.
reviewer uses Google extensively
Can we get a review from someone who doesn't like sending all their data to Google? For those of us who never install apps and use YouTube by going to the YouTube website....
"Google user disappointed with Google free phone" would be a more accurate headline.
Re: reviewer uses Google extensively
Exactly my thoughts: a Google-(ab)using Lemming is surprised that a Google-free device doesn't work well for him
" I pay for things with Google Pay [...] audio is immediately uploaded to Google Drive [...] notes in Google Docs, and use Gmail [...] Google Maps to lead the way. "
I use none of these. Ever. The Google-Apps on my phone are quarantined, blocked, non-updated .... as much as I practically can. If TheRegister so wishes, I can do a much better and more useful test-review of this device.
Re: reviewer uses Google extensively
Any extreme reviewer is ridiculous - a review by someone who does not use Google/Youtube is equally niche.
>> If TheRegister so wishes, I can do a much better and more useful test-review of this device.
So no you can't. Your definition is 'better' to a niche ultra-minority. Certainly not enough of an audience to keep theregister afloat.
Re: reviewer uses Google extensively
I'm pretty sure the tone of this review was (an extensive) clickbait. And it works, again! :)
"Can we get a review from someone who doesn't like sending all their data to Google?"
Well, I tried a Huawei phone but returned it because the reception was poor and the mobile data kept dropping out. The Chinese government couldn't understand - they said they received everything perfectly.
Joking aside: if you want a phone that doesn't send your data to someone, then don't buy a smartphone. Because your data *is* going to someone; your choice is who.
People don’t buy hardware
They buy software, and something to run the software on. Any machine or platform that doesn’t run the software the public wants is bound to fail, which is why Microsoft succeeded with Windows and Apple gained second place (due to targeting an affluent niche in the form of the creative and publishing businesses).
Windows phone failed for precisely the same reason (decent enough hardware, but it was third choice for mobile devs as the demand was mostly for Android and iOS apps). It’s a virtuous circle - more machines attracts more devs who write more software which attracts more users who buy more machines.
Chocolate teapot
Apps are a primary reason people have a smart phone. Maybe Huawei will run its own app store with some prominent apps on there but we've seen countless times before that app vendors won't bother with alternate app stores unless they are paid money to compensate for the bother, time and effort of doing so.
I suppose it wouldn't be too bad if the bootloader was unlocked so at least people could flash it with LineageOS but it isn't. Huawei should be making it easy for people to flash their devices and get Google apps on there through a sidechannel because if they don't they're dead in the water.
Re: Chocolate teapot
You're all forgetting one big thing. Huawei's biggest market is (surprise surprise) the domestic China market, who have been living very well without Google Apps for years now.
Yes, it's irritating for them that they're not able to configure these phones now to the general tastes of the Western market, but they are surely playing the long game here.
Wonder if the quoted excellent battery life
.. is down to not running all the normal Google "background" stuff that's typically whirring away on an android phone.
More seriously, how about a follow up to show how possible (or not) it was for reviewer to get a recent version of android onto the phone (there are hints its possible in the article) - and then see how well battery & camera then perform too! Because if a user was addicted to the Google ecosystem on android then surely they would want to try and get it added to the phone
Re: Wonder if the quoted excellent battery life
The issue here is that for quite a while, Huawei have not released codes for unlocking the bootloader. Plus they also use their own chip designs, so it's generally not easy to get something like LineageOS on to them.
Period pains
"I'd even go so far as to say it's the best camera I've used on a smartphone, period, with the P40 Pro producing shots that are razor-sharp and boast exquisite colour-fidelity."
If you're going to use North Americanisms, and there's no reason why you shouldn't, at least follow the convention and STOP writing when you use the word PERIOD.
Facebook, WhatsApp, and Messenger are nowhere to be seen
Nor are the usual bachelor staples of Uber Eats and Deliveroo
Sounds good so far. If they can guarantee Zoom will never work, I'm buying one for the lockdown.