The Huawei P40 lite arrived in early 2020 as one of the brand’s most affordable attempts to keep its mid-range momentum alive in a difficult period. Built around the in-house Kirin 810 chipset, a 6.4-inch IPS LCD screen and a 4200 mAh battery with surprisingly quick 40W charging, it aimed to deliver flagship-style conveniences at an everyday price of around 170 EUR.
Its defining trait, however, is software: the P40 lite ships with Android 10 and EMUI 10 but without Google Play Services, leaning entirely on Huawei Mobile Services. That single decision shapes who this phone is really for, and it remains the most important thing to understand before judging its otherwise competitive hardware.
Full Specifications
Network
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 – JNY-L21A, JNY-L01A, JNY-L21B |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 – JNY-L22A, JNY-L02A, JNY-L22B | |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/75 Mbps |
Launch
| Announced | 2020, February 27. Released 2020, March 02 |
| Status | Discontinued |
Body
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 76.3 x 8.7 mm (6.27 x 3.00 x 0.34 in) |
| Weight | 183 g (6.46 oz) |
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
Display
| Type | IPS LCD |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 101.4 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2310 pixels (~398 ppi density) |
Platform
| OS | Android 10, EMUI 10, no Google Play Services |
| Chipset | Kirin 810 (7 nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core (2×2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6×1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP6 |
Memory
| Card slot | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| UFS 2.1 |
Main Camera
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 1080p@30fps |
Selfie camera
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Features | HDR |
| Video | 1080p@30fps |
Sound
| Loudspeaker | Yes |
| 3.5mm jack | Yes |
Comms
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent): JNY-L21A, JNY-L01A, JNY-L21B |
| Radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
Features
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
Battery
| Type | Li-Po 4200 mAh, non-removable |
| Charging | 40W wired, 70% in 30 min |
Misc
| Colors | Black, Emerald Green, Light Pink/Blue, Skyline Gray |
| Models | JNY-L21A, JNY-L01A, JNY-L21B, JNY-L22A, JNY-L02A, JNY-L22B, JNY-LX1 |
| Price | About 170 EUR |
Our Tests
| Performance | AnTuTu: 325777 (v8) GeekBench: 7846 (v4.4), 1862 (v5.1) GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
| Display | 1085:1 contrast ratio, 515 nits max brightness (measured) |
| Camera | Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker | -27.0 LUFS (Good) |
| Battery (old) | Endurance rating 121h |
Price and Availability
The Huawei P40 lite offers a compelling combination of features and performance. While the base price is around €170, the actual cost may vary depending on your location and retailer. Below, you’ll find the approximate price of the Huawei P40 lite converted into various currencies. Please note that these are estimates based on recent exchange rates as of June 28, 2026 and may not reflect the exact price you’ll find at a retailer.
- United States: $194
- Japan: ¥31,312
- United Kingdom: £147
- Australia: A$281
- Canada: C$275
- Taiwan: NT$6,164
- Denmark: kr1.268
- Saudi Arabia: ﷼726
- South Korea: ₩297,702
- Germany: €170
- Brazil: R$1.003
- Vietnam: ₫5.080.340
- Kenya: KSh 25,094
- India: ₹18,281
- Indonesia: Rp 3.470.160
- Nigeria: ₦263,171
- Pakistan: ₨53,815
- Philippines: ₱11,876
- Bangladesh: ৳২৩,৮১২
Is the Huawei P40 lite Good Value?
At roughly 170 EUR the P40 lite packs hardware that reads more like an upper mid-ranger than a budget device: a 7nm Kirin 810, up to 8GB of RAM with 128GB of UFS 2.1 storage, a 48MP quad camera and 40W wired charging. On paper the value is strong, and benchmark figures such as an AnTuTu score of around 325,000 back that up. The catch is the missing Google ecosystem, which for many buyers offsets the price advantage. Read against this list, the price makes sense only if you can live within Huawei’s app environment.
Design and Build Quality
Measuring 159.2 x 76.3 x 8.7 mm and weighing 183 g, the P40 lite is a comfortably sized handset for its era. The build pairs a glass front with a plastic back and plastic frame, a sensible choice at this price that keeps weight in check. Color options include Black, Emerald Green, Light Pink/Blue and Skyline Gray, and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button keeps unlocking fast and intuitive.
Display Experience
The 6.4-inch IPS LCD runs at 1080 x 2310 pixels for roughly 398 ppi and an 83.5% screen-to-body ratio, with a punch-hole selfie camera in the corner. Independent measurements put peak brightness around 515 nits with a 1085:1 contrast ratio, which is adequate for indoor use and moderate outdoor conditions. It is an LCD rather than OLED, so blacks and contrast trail pricier rivals, but sharpness and overall clarity are solid for the segment.
Performance and Everyday Speed
The Kirin 810 is the star here. With two Cortex-A76 cores at 2.27 GHz, six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.88 GHz and a Mali-G52 MP6 GPU, it was genuinely competitive against contemporary mid-range Snapdragons. Combined with fast UFS 2.1 storage and 6GB or 8GB of RAM, day-to-day navigation and multitasking feel snappy. Gaming is reasonable for the class, though the modest GFXBench result reflects that this is a value chip rather than a flagship one.
Camera Capabilities
A quad rear setup leads with a 48MP f/1.8 main sensor backed by an 8MP ultrawide, a 2MP macro and an auxiliary depth lens. In good light the main camera produces detailed, usable shots, while the ultrawide adds flexibility. Video tops out at 1080p at 30fps front and back, with no 4K option, which is the clearest reminder of the phone’s budget positioning. The 16MP f/2.0 selfie camera with HDR rounds out a versatile, if not class-leading, package.
Battery Life and Charging
The 4200 mAh battery comfortably lasts a full day, with an endurance rating of around 121 hours in older testing. The standout is 40W wired charging, rated to reach about 70% in 30 minutes, a feature still uncommon at this price point. For buyers who value quick top-ups over wireless charging, this is one of the P40 lite’s most appealing practical advantages.
Software: The HMS Question
This is the decisive factor. EMUI 10 over Android 10 is smooth and feature-rich, but there are no Google Play Services or Google apps preinstalled. Apps come from Huawei’s AppGallery and alternative stores, and popular Google-dependent services may not work normally. Tech buyers comfortable with sideloading and Huawei’s ecosystem can manage; mainstream users who rely on Gmail, Maps and the Play Store should weigh this very carefully before purchasing.
Connectivity and Extras
Connectivity is generous: dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.0, USB Type-C with OTG, a 3.5mm headphone jack and FM radio. Positioning covers GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BDS and QZSS, while NFC availability is market and model dependent. Storage can be expanded via Huawei’s proprietary Nano Memory card, though it shares the second SIM slot. Note that this is a 4G LTE device with no 5G support.
Who Should Buy the Huawei P40 lite?
The P40 lite suits experienced users who want strong mid-range hardware, fast charging and a clean design, and who are genuinely willing to work within Huawei Mobile Services. It is less suitable for anyone whose daily routine depends on Google apps. As a secondary device, a regional-market phone, or a pick for the Huawei-friendly buyer, it remains a sensible value choice years after its 2020 launch.
Conclusion
The Huawei P40 lite remains a capable mid-ranger defined by a clear trade-off: excellent value hardware including the Kirin 810, a versatile 48MP camera and 40W charging, set against the absence of Google services. If you can embrace Huawei’s app ecosystem, it is a smart and affordable buy; if you can’t, the same money is better spent on a phone with full Google support. Buy it for the hardware, but only with eyes open about the software.
References
- Huawei Consumer Official Product/Support Documentation (consumer.huawei.com) – Primary manufacturer source for Huawei P40 lite model details, regional variants, user documentation, and official specifications when available.
- GSMArena – Huawei P40 lite – Established mobile device reference with structured specifications, release information, dimensions, display, chipset, cameras, battery, and network bands.
- Notebookcheck – Huawei P40 Lite Smartphone Review – Reputable technical review source useful for cross-checking hardware claims, display measurements, performance, battery behavior, and real-world device details.
