Huawei P30 Review: Photography Powerhouse of 2019

Huawei P30 (2019)

English Definition

The Huawei P30 is a premium mid-range Android smartphone announced on March 26, 2019, in Paris and released globally in April 2019. Positioned as a photography-centric device under Huawei’s flagship P-series, it combines a sleek 6.1-inch OLED display, Leica – co-engineered triple rear cameras with 30x digital zoom, Kirin 980 chipset, and a lightweight design, targeting photography enthusiasts, style-conscious users, and mid-to-high-end smartphone buyers. It runs Android 9.0 Pie with Huawei’s EMUI 9.1 and was a key competitor to the Samsung Galaxy S10e and iPhone XR in 2019.

Core Specifications

Category	Details
Launch & Positioning	Announced: March 26, 2019; Released: April 2019; premium mid-range; variants: 6GB RAM+128GB/256GB storage, 8GB RAM+256GB/512GB storage; launch price: ~€799 (128GB); colors: Breathing Crystal, Aurora, Black, Sky Blue, Pearl White; model numbers: ELE-L09, ELE-L29, ELE-AL00
Display	6.1-inch OLED Dewdrop FullView display; 1080×2340 pixels (19.5:9 aspect ratio, ~422 ppi); 16M colors; HDR10 support; in – display fingerprint sensor (optical); 564 nits peak brightness; Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Processor & Performance	Huawei Kirin 980 (7nm FinFET process); octa-core CPU (2×2.6GHz Cortex-A76 + 2×1.92GHz Cortex-A76 + 4×1.8GHz Cortex-A55); Mali-G76 MP10 GPU; 6GB/8GB LPDDR4X RAM; 128GB/256GB/512GB UFS 2.1 storage; no expandable storage
Camera System (Rear – Leica Triple)	– 40MP main sensor (f/1.8 aperture, 1/1.73 – inch sensor size, RYYB color filter, OIS, PDAF); captures 40% more light than traditional RGB sensors- 16MP ultra – wide sensor (f/2.2 aperture, 120° field of view, fixed focus)- 8MP telephoto sensor (f/2.4 aperture, OIS, 3x optical zoom); supports 5x hybrid zoom and 30x digital zoom– LED flash; Leica Summilux-H optics; AI scene recognition (50+ scenes); 4K@30fps/1080p@60fps video recording
Camera System (Front)	32MP sensor (f/2.0 aperture, fixed focus); AI HDR; portrait mode with bokeh effects; 1080p@30fps video recording
Battery & Charging	3650mAh non – removable Li-Po battery; 22.5W Huawei SuperCharge (wired, 0–70% charge in 30 mins); no wireless charging
Connectivity	4G LTE Cat.21 (1.4 Gbps download); Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (dual – band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot); Bluetooth 5.0 (A2DP, LE); NFC; GPS/GLONASS/Beidou/Galileo; USB-C 3.1 (data transfer & charging); no 3.5mm headphone jack
Build & Design	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frame; dimensions: 149.1×71.36×7.57 mm; weight: 165g; IP53 splash – resistant rating; side – mounted volume/ power buttons
Software & Features	Android 9.0 Pie + EMUI 9.1; Huawei Share; Multi – Window; AI voice assistant (HiVoice); GPU Turbo 3.0 (gaming optimization); limited Google Mobile Services (GMS) availability in some regions post – 2019

Key Features & Market Position

Leica – Co-engineered RYYB Camera SystemThe 40MP main sensor uses a RYYB color filter array instead of the traditional RGB setup, enabling it to capture 40% more light in low – light conditions. Combined with 3x optical zoom, 5x hybrid zoom, and 30x digital zoom, it delivers outstanding versatility for landscape, portrait, and distant shot photography— a major selling point for the P30.
Sleek & Lightweight DesignAt just 165g and 7.57mm thick, the P30 was one of the lightest premium smartphones in 2019. Its gradient color finishes (e.g., Aurora, Breathing Crystal) and compact 6.1-inch display made it ideal for one – handed use.
Flagship Kirin 980 PerformanceThe 7nm Kirin 980 chipset provided smooth multitasking, gaming, and app performance, matching the capabilities of flagship chipsets like the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 at the time.
In – Display Fingerprint & HDR10 DisplayThe optical in – display fingerprint sensor offered fast, secure unlocking, while the OLED screen with HDR10 support delivered vibrant colors and high contrast for media consumption.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Industry – leading low – light photography thanks to the RYYB sensor and Leica optics.
Compact, lightweight design with eye – catching gradient color options.
Kirin 980 chipset delivers reliable flagship – level performance for daily use and gaming.
22.5W SuperCharge provides fast wired charging for the 3650mAh battery.

Limitations

No expandable storage, forcing users to choose a higher – capacity variant upfront.
IP53 rating only offers basic splash resistance, not full water – proofing like IP67/IP68 devices.
No wireless charging, a common feature in premium 2019 flagships.
GMS availability was restricted in many regions after 2019, limiting access to Google apps and services.

Market Role

The Huawei P30 was a defining device in Huawei’s P – series lineup, bridging the gap between mid – range and flagship segments with its exceptional camera capabilities and premium design. It competed directly with the Samsung Galaxy S10e and iPhone XR, appealing to users who prioritized photography and portability over a larger display or cutting – edge specs like 5G. Its success solidified Huawei’s reputation as a leader in smartphone camera technology, even amid geopolitical challenges affecting GMS access.