Huawei Mate 40 Pro

The 8GB RAM + 256GB storage model costs QAR 3,999, while the 8GB RAM + 512GB storage version is priced at QAR 4,499.

The phone comes in three colors: Mystic Silver, Black, and White.

Huawei Mate 40 Pro Specifications

Feature	Specification
Display	6.76-inch OLED, 2772 x 1344 pixels, 90Hz refresh rate
Processor	Kirin 9000 5G
RAM	8GB
Storage	256GB / 512GB
Rear Camera	50MP main + 20MP ultra-wide + 12MP telephoto
Front Camera	13MP ultra-wide + 3D depth sensing
Battery	4400mAh, 66W wired charging, 50W wireless charging
Operating System	EMUI 11 (based on Android 10)

 

The Huawei Mate 40 Pro was released on October 22, 2020. It features a sleek design with a curved 6.76-inch OLED display that offers a 90Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and animations. The phone is powered by the Kirin 9000 5G chipset, which provides fast performance for everyday tasks and gaming.

One of the standout features of the Mate 40 Pro is its camera system. The rear camera setup includes a 50MP main sensor, a 20MP ultra-wide lens, and a 12MP telephoto camera. This combination allows for versatile photography options, from wide-angle landscapes to zoomed-in shots. The front camera is a 13MP ultra-wide lens paired with a 3D depth sensor for improved selfies and face unlock.

The Mate 40 Pro comes with a 4400mAh battery that supports 66W fast charging and 50W wireless charging. This means you can quickly top up your battery when needed. The phone runs on EMUI 11, which is based on Android 10. However, it’s important to note that due to restrictions, the phone does not come with Google Mobile Services pre-installed.

How Does the Huawei Mate 40 Pro Compare to Other Phones?

When compared to its predecessors, the Huawei Mate 40 Pro shows significant improvements. The Mate 30 Pro had a smaller 6.53-inch display and a less powerful Kirin 990 chipset. The Mate 20 Pro and Mate 10 Pro, while impressive for their time, fall short in terms of camera capabilities and processing power compared to the Mate 40 Pro.

In the broader smartphone market, the Huawei Mate 40 Pro competes with devices like the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, OnePlus 9 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max. The Mate 40 Pro holds its own in terms of camera quality and overall performance. However, the lack of Google services may be a drawback for some users compared to these alternatives.

In the mid-range segment, phones like the Realme GT, Oppo Reno 6 Pro, and Xiaomi Mi 11 offer strong performance and feature sets at lower price points. While they may not match the Mate 40 Pro in all aspects, they provide good value for money. The Nokia 8.3 5G and Google Pixel 5a are options for those who prefer a stock Android experience, though they may lag behind in terms of raw performance and camera capabilities.

Ultimately, the Huawei Mate 40 Pro stands out for its excellent hardware, particularly its camera system and fast charging capabilities. However, potential buyers should consider their software needs and whether the lack of Google services will impact their smartphone usage before making a decision.

Design and Build Quality

The Huawei Mate 40 Pro boasts a premium design that reflects its flagship status. The phone features a glass front and back, with an aluminum frame providing durability and a luxurious feel. The front of the device is dominated by the large 6.76-inch display, which curves at the edges, creating an immersive viewing experience.

One of the most distinctive design elements of the Mate 40 Pro is its circular camera module on the back. This “Space Ring” design houses the triple camera setup and flash, giving the phone a unique and eye-catching appearance. The camera bump is noticeable but not overly protruding, allowing the phone to lie relatively flat on surfaces.

The phone’s build quality is top-notch, with IP68 water and dust resistance rating. This means the Mate 40 Pro can withstand submersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes, providing peace of mind for users concerned about accidental spills or rain exposure.

In terms of ergonomics, the Mate 40 Pro feels comfortable to hold despite its large size. The curved edges of the display help to reduce the perceived width of the device, making it easier to grip. However, users with smaller hands may find one-handed operation challenging due to the phone’s dimensions.

The power button and volume rocker are located on the right side of the device, easily accessible with the thumb or index finger depending on which hand you’re using. The bottom of the phone houses the USB-C port for charging and data transfer, as well as the SIM card tray.

Display Technology

The Huawei Mate 40 Pro features a 6.76-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2772 x 1344 pixels. This results in a pixel density of approximately 456 pixels per inch, ensuring sharp and crisp visuals. The use of OLED technology means each pixel emits its own light, leading to perfect blacks, vibrant colors, and excellent contrast ratios.

One of the standout features of the display is its 90Hz refresh rate. This higher refresh rate, compared to the standard 60Hz found on many smartphones, provides a smoother scrolling experience and more fluid animations. While not as high as the 120Hz offered by some competitors, the 90Hz refresh rate strikes a good balance between smoothness and battery efficiency.

The display supports HDR10, allowing for a wider range of colors and improved contrast when viewing compatible content. This enhances the viewing experience for videos, games, and photos, making colors appear more vivid and lifelike.

The curved edges of the display, while visually appealing, may not be to everyone’s taste. Some users find that the curved edges can lead to accidental touches or distortions at the edges of the screen. However, Huawei has implemented palm rejection technology to minimize unintended inputs.

The Mate 40 Pro’s display also features a pill-shaped cutout in the top left corner for the front-facing camera and 3D depth sensor. While this design choice allows for a larger screen-to-body ratio, some users may find it more noticeable than a smaller punch-hole camera or a notch.

In terms of brightness, the Mate 40 Pro’s display can reach up to 1200 nits in high brightness mode, ensuring good visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. The display also supports Always-On functionality, allowing users to see important information like time, date, and notifications without fully waking the device.

Camera System

The camera system is one of the most impressive aspects of the Huawei Mate 40 Pro. The phone features a triple-camera setup on the rear, developed in collaboration with Leica, a renowned name in the photography world.

The main camera boasts a 50-megapixel sensor with an f/1.9 aperture. This large sensor size allows for excellent light capture, resulting in detailed and well-exposed images even in challenging lighting conditions. The main camera uses pixel binning technology, combining multiple pixels into one for better low-light performance, typically outputting 12.5-megapixel images.

Accompanying the main sensor is a 20-megapixel ultra-wide camera with an f/1.8 aperture. This camera allows users to capture expansive landscapes or large group shots without having to step back. The ultra-wide lens also doubles as a macro camera, capable of focusing on subjects as close as 2.5cm.

The third camera in the array is a 12-megapixel telephoto lens with an f/3.4 aperture. This periscope-style lens offers 5x optical zoom, allowing users to get closer to distant subjects without losing image quality. The phone also supports up to 50x digital zoom, though image quality deteriorates at extreme zoom levels.

On the front, the Mate 40 Pro features a 13-megapixel ultra-wide selfie camera with an f/2.4 aperture. This is paired with a 3D depth sensing camera, which aids in creating more accurate bokeh effects for portrait mode selfies and improves face unlock security.

The camera system is powered by Huawei’s XD Fusion HDR Engine, which uses AI to optimize image processing. This results in improved dynamic range, better color accuracy, and enhanced detail in various shooting scenarios.

Video capabilities on the Mate 40 Pro are equally impressive. The phone can record 4K video at up to 60 frames per second, and it offers features like HDR video and AI-powered stabilization for smoother footage. The ultra-wide camera can be used for video recording as well, providing more versatility in framing shots.

Performance and Hardware

The Huawei Mate 40 Pro is powered by the Kirin 9000 5G chipset, which was one of the first 5nm processors in the Android smartphone market. This advanced chip provides excellent performance for both everyday tasks and more demanding applications.

The Kirin 9000 features an octa-core CPU configuration with one Cortex-A77 core clocked at 3.13 GHz, three Cortex-A77 cores at 2.54 GHz, and four Cortex-A55 cores at 2.05 GHz. This setup allows for efficient task handling, with the high-performance cores kicking in for demanding tasks while the efficiency cores handle background processes and lighter workloads.

Graphics are handled by the Mali-G78 MP24 GPU, which provides strong performance for mobile gaming and other graphics-intensive tasks. The Mate 40 Pro can handle most modern mobile games at high settings without significant frame rate drops.

The phone comes with 8GB of RAM, which is sufficient for smooth multitasking and app switching. Storage options include 256GB and 512GB, providing ample space for apps, photos, videos, and other files. However, it’s worth noting that the Mate 40 Pro does not support expandable storage via microSD card.

In terms of connectivity, the Mate 40 Pro supports 5G networks, allowing for faster data speeds where 5G infrastructure is available. The phone also features Wi-Fi 6 for improved wireless connectivity, Bluetooth 5.2 for better range and stability with wireless accessories, and NFC for contactless payments.

The Mate 40 Pro includes an in-display fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication. This optical sensor is fast and reliable, providing quick access to the device. Face unlock is also available, utilizing the 3D depth sensor on the front for improved security compared to 2D face recognition systems.

Battery Life and Charging

The Huawei Mate 40 Pro is equipped with a 4400mAh battery, which may seem modest compared to some competitors but proves to be more than adequate thanks to efficient power management.

The phone’s battery life is impressive, with most users able to get through a full day of moderate to heavy use on a single charge. This is partly due to the efficient 5nm Kirin 9000 chipset and Huawei’s software optimizations. The adaptive refresh rate of the display also helps conserve battery life by lowering the refresh rate when viewing static content.

One of the standout features of the Mate 40 Pro is its charging capabilities. The phone supports 66W wired fast charging, which Huawei calls SuperCharge. With this technology, the phone can charge from 0 to 100% in about 50 minutes. This rapid charging is particularly useful for users who need quick top-ups during short breaks.

Wireless charging is also supported, with the Mate 40 Pro capable of 50W wireless fast charging. This is significantly faster than many competitors, allowing for convenient cable-free charging without sacrificing too much speed. However, to achieve these speeds, you’ll need to use Huawei’s proprietary wireless charger.

The Mate 40 Pro also supports reverse wireless charging, allowing it to charge other Qi-compatible devices like wireless earbuds or even other smartphones. While not as fast as dedicated chargers, this feature can be handy in emergencies.

Huawei has implemented several software features to help manage battery life. The phone includes an AI-powered battery management system that learns from your usage patterns and optimizes power consumption accordingly. There’s also a power-saving mode and an ultra power-saving mode for times when you need to extend battery life as much as possible.

Software and User Interface

The Huawei Mate 40 Pro runs on EMUI 11, which is based on Android 10. While the underlying Android version may seem outdated, EMUI 11 brings a host of features and optimizations that enhance the user experience.

One of the most significant aspects of the software on the Mate 40 Pro is the absence of Google Mobile Services (GMS). Due to ongoing trade restrictions, Huawei devices cannot include Google apps or services. Instead, the Mate 40 Pro uses Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) and the AppGallery as an alternative to the Google Play Store.

The AppGallery has grown significantly since its introduction, offering many popular apps. However, users accustomed to Google’s ecosystem may find the transition challenging. Some apps that rely on Google services may not work properly or may not be available at all.

Huawei has been working to address this by partnering with developers and offering alternatives, but it remains a consideration for potential buyers.EMUI 11 brings several notable features to the Mate 40 Pro:

1. Always-On Display: Users can customize the always-on display with various clock styles, images, and even short videos.
2. Multi-window and floating windows: The phone supports running multiple apps simultaneously, enhancing multitasking capabilities.
3. Smart Multi-Device Collaboration: This feature allows for seamless integration with other Huawei devices, such as laptops and tablets.
4. Celia AI Assistant: Huawei’s voice assistant can perform various tasks, though it may not be as advanced as Google Assistant or Siri.
5. Gesture Navigation: The phone supports full-screen gesture controls for a more immersive experience.

The user interface is clean and customizable, with options to adjust the home screen layout, app drawer, and theme. EMUI also includes features like Dark Mode, Digital Balance (similar to Digital Wellbeing), and a performance mode for gaming.

Camera Performance and Features

The camera system on the Huawei Mate 40 Pro is one of its strongest selling points. The phone delivers exceptional image quality across various shooting scenarios.

In daylight conditions, the main 50MP camera captures photos with excellent detail, accurate colors, and wide dynamic range. The large sensor size allows for natural-looking depth of field, creating pleasing background blur in close-up shots.

The ultra-wide camera performs well, maintaining good image quality and color consistency with the main camera. It’s particularly useful for landscape photography and group shots. The ability to use this camera for macro shots adds versatility to the system.

Low-light performance is impressive, thanks to the large sensor size and Huawei’s Night mode. The phone can capture bright, detailed images even in very dark conditions, often rivaling or surpassing competitors in this area.

The periscope telephoto lens offers 5x optical zoom, allowing for high-quality close-up shots of distant subjects. While the 50x digital zoom is available, image quality degrades significantly at extreme zoom levels.

Some notable camera features include:

1. AI Scene Recognition: The camera can identify various scenes and subjects, adjusting settings automatically for optimal results.
2. Portrait Mode: Available on both front and rear cameras, this mode creates a pleasing bokeh effect for portraits.
3. Pro Mode: Offers manual control over settings like ISO, shutter speed, and focus for more advanced users.
4. Dual-View Video: Allows recording from both front and rear cameras simultaneously, useful for vloggers.
5. HDR Video: Captures a wider range of colors and contrast in video recordings.

The front-facing camera system, with its ultra-wide lens and 3D depth sensor, captures high-quality selfies with accurate skin tones and good detail. The wide-angle option is particularly useful for group selfies.

Connectivity and 5G Performance

The Huawei Mate 40 Pro is a 5G-capable device, supporting both Sub-6 GHz and mmWave 5G networks where available. This ensures compatibility with most 5G deployments worldwide, offering users access to high-speed mobile data where 5G infrastructure is in place.

5G performance on the Mate 40 Pro is excellent, with the Kirin 9000 chipset’s integrated 5G modem providing fast and stable connections. Users can expect significantly faster download and upload speeds compared to 4G LTE, although actual performance will depend on network coverage and congestion.

In addition to 5G, the phone supports:

1. Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax): This latest Wi-Fi standard offers faster speeds and better performance in crowded network environments.
2. Bluetooth 5.2: Provides improved range, speed, and stability for wireless accessories.
3. NFC: Enables contactless payments and quick pairing with compatible devices.
4. Dual-SIM support: Allows the use of two SIM cards simultaneously, useful for separating work and personal lines or when traveling.

The Mate 40 Pro also features Huawei’s proprietary technologies like Huawei Share for quick file transfers between Huawei devices and Huawei MeeTime for high-quality video calls.

Audio Quality and Multimedia Experience

The Huawei Mate 40 Pro offers a compelling audio experience, both through its speakers and when using headphones.

The phone features stereo speakers, with one at the bottom edge and another doubling as the earpiece. These speakers provide loud, clear audio with good stereo separation, enhancing the experience when watching videos or playing games without headphones.

While the Mate 40 Pro doesn’t include a 3.5mm headphone jack, it supports high-quality audio codecs like LDAC and aptX HD for Bluetooth headphones. This ensures good audio quality for wireless listening.

For wired audio, the USB-C port supports digital audio output. The phone comes with a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter in the box for use with traditional headphones.

The large, high-resolution OLED display makes the Mate 40 Pro excellent for multimedia consumption. Videos and games look vibrant and sharp, with the 90Hz refresh rate providing smooth motion. The HDR10 support enhances the visual experience when watching compatible content.

Is the Huawei Mate 40 Pro Worth It?

The Huawei Mate 40 Pro is a flagship device that excels in many areas. Its standout features include:

1. Exceptional camera performance
2. Powerful Kirin 9000 processor
3. Fast charging capabilities
4. Premium design and build quality
5. Impressive display

However, potential buyers should consider the following factors:

1. Lack of Google Mobile Services
2. Limited app availability compared to Google Play Store
3. Higher price point compared to some competitors

For users who prioritize camera quality, performance, and are willing to work within the HMS ecosystem, the Mate 40 Pro offers a compelling package. Its hardware is top-tier, and EMUI provides a feature-rich experience.

However, for those deeply integrated into Google’s ecosystem or who rely heavily on specific apps not available in the AppGallery, the transition may be challenging. Additionally, the price point may be a consideration, especially when compared to other flagships that offer full Google support.

Ultimately, the Huawei Mate 40 Pro is a powerful and capable smartphone that showcases Huawei’s hardware prowess. Whether it’s the right choice depends on individual needs, preferences, and willingness to adapt to a different software ecosystem.