Huawei Mate 30: A 2019 Flagship Review

Huawei Mate 30 (2019)

Definition: The Huawei Mate 30 is a premium flagship Android smartphone launched by Huawei on September 19, 2019, alongside the Mate 30 Pro. Positioned as a multimedia and productivity powerhouse, it features Huawei’s Kirin 990 chipset, a triple Leica – certified rear camera system, a 6.62 – inch OLED display, and a 4200 mAh battery with fast charging. Targeting global business users and photography enthusiasts, the Mate 30 was released amid Huawei’s 2019 sanctions challenges, resulting in the absence of Google Mobile Services (GMS) in international variants— a key limitation that impacted its global market performance.

Core Technical Specifications

Component	Details
Display	6.62 – inch OLED FullView Display, 2340×1080 resolution (FHD+), 389 PPI, 19.5:9 aspect ratio, 60 Hz refresh rate, HDR10 support, 16.7 million colors, in – display fingerprint sensor, Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Processor & Chipset	Global Variant: Huawei Kirin 990 (7 nm, 2×2.86 GHz Cortex – A76 + 2×2.09 GHz Cortex – A76 + 4×1.86 GHz Cortex – A55), Mali – G76 MP16 GPUChina Variant: Kirin 990 5G (7 nm EUV, integrated 5G modem), same CPU/GPU configuration
Memory & Storage	6 GB/8 GB LPDDR4X RAM; 128 GB/256 GB/512 GB UFS 3.0 internal storage; no microSD card expansion
Camera System	Rear Triple Cameras (Leica Optics): 40 MP main (f/1.8, 1/1.7” sensor, RYYB color filter, PDAF) + 16 MP ultra – wide (f/2.2, 120° field of view) + 8 MP telephoto (f/2.4, 3× optical zoom, OIS)Front Camera: 24 MP (f/2.0, fixed focus, portrait mode support)Video Capabilities: 4K@30 fps, 1080p@60/120 fps, 720p@960 fps super slow – motion, AI video stabilization
Battery & Charging	4200 mAh non – removable Li – Po battery; 40W Huawei SuperCharge (wired, 0–70% in 30 mins); 27W Huawei Wireless SuperCharge; reverse wireless charging (4.5W for earbuds/wearables)
Connectivity	Global Variant: 4G LTE Cat.21 (1.4 Gbps downlink), Wi – Fi 6 (802.11 ax), Bluetooth 5.1, NFC, GPS/GLONASS/Beidou/Galileo, USB – C 3.1China Variant: 5G SA/NSA, same 4G/Wi – Fi/Bluetooth features
Operating System	China Variant: EMUI 10 (based on Android 10) with full GMS replacement (Huawei Mobile Services, HMS Core, AppGallery)Global Variant: EMUI 10 (Android 10) without GMS (no Google Play Store, Gmail, Maps, YouTube)
Design & Durability	Aluminum frame, glass back, IP53 dust/water resistance (splash – proof, not fully waterproof); dimensions: 160.8×76.1×8.4 mm; weight: 196 g; color options: Space Silver, Midnight Black, Aurora Purple, Emerald Green
Unique Features	AI photography (scene recognition, portrait lighting), Leica color profiles, Huawei Share, Multi – Window multitasking, Huawei Pay, stereo speakers

Key Selling Points & Innovations

Kirin 990 Chipset PerformanceThe Kirin 990 (7 nm process) delivered flagship – level performance for 2019, handling multitasking, gaming, and 4K video editing smoothly. The China – exclusive Kirin 990 5G variant was one of the first mobile chipsets with an integrated 5G modem, offering faster 5G connectivity without the power drain of external modems.
Leica – Certified RYYB Camera SystemThe 40 MP main sensor used a RYYB color filter array (replacing green pixels with yellow) to capture 40% more light than traditional RGGB sensors, drastically improving low – light photography. Combined with Leica’s color tuning and 3× optical zoom, the Mate 30 produced sharp, vibrant photos and videos, rivaling 2019 flagships like the iPhone 11 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S10.
Fast Charging & Wireless Charging Flexibility40W wired SuperCharge charged the 4200 mAh battery to 70% in 30 minutes, ideal for busy business users. 27W wireless SuperCharge and reverse wireless charging added convenience— users could top up the phone without cables, or charge Huawei FreeBuds directly from the Mate 30.
Productivity – Focused EMUI 10EMUI 10 introduced a streamlined UI with multi – window multitasking, split – screen mode, and Huawei Share (one – tap file transfer between Huawei devices). For Chinese users, full HMS Core integration provided access to local apps and services, replacing GMS seamlessly.

Limitations & Criticisms

Absence of Google Mobile Services (Global Variant)The biggest drawback for international users was the lack of GMS. Without the Google Play Store, Gmail, Google Maps, and YouTube, many users struggled to access their favorite apps, limiting the Mate 30’s appeal outside China.
60 Hz Refresh RateWhile 60 Hz was standard in 2019, competitors like the OnePlus 7T and Samsung Galaxy Note 10 already offered 90 Hz displays for smoother scrolling and gaming. The Mate 30’s 60 Hz panel felt less responsive in comparison.
IP53 Resistance (Not IP67/IP68)The Mate 30 only had IP53 splash – proofing, meaning it could handle light rain but not submersion in water. Most 2019 flagships featured IP67/IP68 waterproofing, making them more durable for daily use.
No MicroSD ExpansionUnlike previous Mate models, the Mate 30 lacked a microSD slot. Users had to choose a higher storage variant at purchase, increasing the overall cost.

Release & Market Performance

Launch Dates: September 19, 2019 (global unveiling in Munich); September 26, 2019 (China release).
Pricing: Global variant (4G) launched at ~€799 (8 GB/128 GB); China variant (5G) at ~¥4,299 (~$600).
Sales Highlights: The Mate 30 was a massive hit in China, selling over 10 million units in the first two months. However, global sales were underwhelming due to the GMS ban, with strong performance only in markets where HMS was well – established (e.g., the Middle East, Southeast Asia).
Discontinuation: Phased out in 2020, replaced by the Huawei Mate 40 series (Kirin 9000 chipset, improved camera, and enhanced HMS support).

Legacy

The Huawei Mate 30 is remembered as a flagship caught in geopolitical crosswinds, showcasing Huawei’s engineering prowess while highlighting the impact of the GMS ban. Its RYYB camera technology set a new standard for low – light mobile photography, influencing future Huawei devices like the P40 Pro and Mate 40 Pro. For Chinese users, it remains a popular used device for its balanced performance and camera quality, while international variants are sought after by enthusiasts willing to work around the GMS limitation.