Here’s how the Huawei P40 Series stand out even without Google Services
Here’s how the Huawei P40 Series stand out even without Google Services
With the launch of the Huawei P40 Series, it’s time to get acquainted with the next-gen features these new 5G-ready smartphones have to offer. This includes re-visiting the Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) ecosystem and seeing how far it has grown since it launched last year.
What’s new about the Huawei P40 Series?
Beyond hardware upgrades that power the Huawei P40 Series, there are other innovations thrown in as well. This includes being 5G ready, the next-gen device’s latest camera features, all-curved form factor that the Huawei P40 Pro and P40 Pro+ use, enhanced user interface, and a new video calling app known as MeeTime. Check out some of these highlights in this video:-
A year back, the Huawei P30 Series made a big leap in imaging capabilities, and the new Huawei P40 Series once again breaks new grounds and crams the most sophisticated camera system to-date, representing Huawei’s vision of the future of mobile imaging technology.
Improvements have been made to ensure that performance across the focal length range is better than before. Wide shots and ultra-wide shots are more detailed than ever, while the SuperZoom Lens takes the users even farther. All aspects pertaining to the camera – from low-light performance, noise control, dynamic range, resolution to focus speed and beyond – takes mobile photography to the next level.
What makes this all possible? A 50MP Ultra Vision main camera that is powered by a large 1/1.28-inch imaging sensor, and an all-new Huawei XD Fusion Engine imaging processor. Not only does it boast technical prowess, but its new AI photography features will make your jaw drop such as removing photobombers and passerby folks, as well as reflection removal. Not convinced? We've personally tried it out and it works with some caveats in mind.
The New Huawei Mobile System
Even the HMS ecosystem is no longer to be underestimated. At the global launch of its latest smartphone line-up, Huawei Consumer Business CEO – Richard Yu, revealed how his team engaged more than 1.3 million developers and partners to quickly grow the Huawei AppGallery footprint. Right now, it has an expansive collection of apps, including a wide selection of video games and content streaming platforms for both on-demand video and music.
With all these smartphone innovations and fast-growing app ecosystem, Huawei has spared nothing to create the very best user experience for the Huawei P40 Series.
Expanded Ecosystem with New Apps and More to Cover Your Mobile Needs
Huawei Mobile Services (aka HMS), now more than six months after launch, has plenty of apps in its ecosystem. These include new banking, lifestyle, e-wallet, content streaming, ride-hailing, and eCommerce platforms and services.
For Singapore, more than 60% of the top local apps are now usable on HMS and can be downloaded directly from the official Huawei AppGallery. This includes the Huawei Pay service that launched earlier this month, with ICBC Singapore being the first bank to support the service and more to come in the near future. Elsewhere, United Overseas Bank (UOB) is the first bank in Singapore to have its consumer mobile banking app, UOB Mighty, accessible through Huawei's official app store. There’s even AXS Payment app that fulfils payment needs of a wide range of local services. In fact, DBS and OCBC are next to have their apps to be natively available on the Huawei AppGallery, so watch out for it shortly!
For local transport and navigation needs, Huawei mobile users can now move around much easier with the full integration of the ComfortDelgro, Tada and Ryde apps into the Huawei official app marketplace. Furthermore, there’s EZlink and OneMap to further augment travel needs.
Shopping virtually is yet another essential necessity in the current COVID-19 recovery phase, and we’re glad to say that popular shopping apps such as NTUC Fairprice, Shopee, Lazada and Carousell are immediately available.
Even native apps like Huawei Video and Music are given a major upgrade as they now offer the latest video and audio content from Hong Kong.
For those that need services that are not yet available on the AppGallery, then consider Web App options to quickly fill in the missing options. Gamers will also be happy to know that games are not left out either, as many titles can be brought over via Huawei Phone Clone. Huawei’s latest phones don’t ship with Google Mobile Services, but because Huawei Mobile Services are based upon Google Android, many Google Play Store apps work just as well as we’ve reported here and tried it out in our previous video walkthrough:-
Other advancements on the Huawei P40 range include the easy-to-navigate app dock, multi-screen collaboration with other Huawei devices like instant screen transfer, and gesture controls.
Truly High-Spec
Powering all these progressively advance features are the new Huawei HiSilicon Kirin 990 5G processor, 8GB RAM, 128GB storage (up to 256GB for P40 Pro and 512GB for the P40 Pro+), SuperCharge, and wireless charging. Battery wise, the Huawei P40 uses a 3,800mAh while its higher-end siblings come with 4,200mAh.
The AI for the new Huawei smartphones is not only meant for photography and security. It is also integrated into the power management, battery health and charging control, wireless connectivity, and security capabilities. This ensures every function is optimised so they can deliver the best performance.
As next-gen flagship smartphones, the Huawei P40 Series is also built to deal with wet and dusty environments. The P40 is rated at IP53, while both the P40 Pro and P40 Pro+ are certified for IP68. So, while it’s safe to use the P40 in the rain, it’s the P40 Pro and P40 Pro+ that will offer a bit more protection if you get caught out in a very wet situation.
The Huawei P40 and P40 Pro are now available for S$1,048 and S$1,448 respectively, and at all Huawei official stores, leading telcos and channel partners online, which you can find out from here. The Huawei P40 Pro+ however, will be available separately in the near future, so stay tuned!
Get the visionary Huawei P40 Series here today!
Read Next (1): Our full review of the Huawei P40 Pro!
Read Next (2): Full specs and features of the Huawei P40 Series
Read Next (3): More photos and impressions of the Huawei P40 Series
Read Next (4): Hands-on: Removing photobombers and reflections with the Huawei P40 series