Huawei P60 Review: Top Android Smartphone of 2023

Huawei P60 (2023)

Definition: The Huawei P60 is a premium flagship Android smartphone released by Huawei in March 2023, serving as the successor to the Huawei P50 series. Positioned as a photography-focused flagship for multimedia enthusiasts and Huawei ecosystem users, it features a 6.67-inch OLED display, the X-MAGE 2.0 imaging system, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 4G chipset, and 88W wired fast charging. Due to external restrictions, the device lacks 5G connectivity and Google Mobile Services (GMS), relying instead on Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) and AppGallery for app support. It targets the Chinese domestic market and regions with mature HMS ecosystems, emphasizing imaging innovation and premium hardware craftsmanship.

Core Technical Specifications

Component	Details
Display	6.67-inch OLED Curved FullView Display, 2700×1220 resolution (FHD+), 449 PPI, 19.5:9 aspect ratio, 120 Hz LTPO adaptive refresh rate (1–120 Hz), 1440 Hz PWM dimming, 480 Hz touch sampling rate, 2500 nits peak brightness, HDR Vivid support, Kunlun Glass 2 (scratch-resistant, drop-resistant)
Processor & Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm), octa-core (1×3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 + 3×2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 + 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A510), Adreno 730 GPU; 4G-only connectivity (no 5G modem support)
Memory & Storage	8 GB/12 GB LPDDR5 RAM; 128 GB/256 GB/512 GB/1 TB UFS 3.1 internal storage; no microSD card expansion
Camera System (X-MAGE 2.0)	Rear Triple Cameras: 48 MP Ultra Lighting Main Camera (f/1.4–f/4.0 variable aperture, 1/1.43” sensor, OIS, PDAF, RYYB color filter) + 13 MP Ultra-Wide Angle Camera (f/2.2, 120° FOV, macro mode) + 12 MP Periscope Telephoto Camera (f/3.0, 5× optical zoom, OIS); LED flash, X-MAGE imaging algorithms, 4K@60 fps video recordingFront Camera: 13 MP (f/2.4, autofocus, portrait mode, 1080p@30 fps video)
Battery & Charging	4815 mAh non-removable Li-Po battery; 88W Huawei SuperCharge (wired, 0–50% in 10 mins, full charge in ~30 mins); 50W Huawei Wireless SuperCharge; 10W reverse wireless charging
Connectivity	4G LTE Cat.21 (1.4 Gbps downlink), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 ax), Bluetooth 5.2 (aptX HD/LDAC), NFC, GPS/GLONASS/Beidou/Galileo, USB-C 3.1, no 3.5 mm headphone jack
OS & UI	HarmonyOS 3.1 (launch); upgradable to HarmonyOS 4.0; HMS Core, AppGallery, Huawei Share, Multi-Device Collaboration (seamless sync with Huawei tablets/laptops/earbuds)
Design & Durability	Aluminum frame, curved glass back (Kunlun Glass 2), IP68 dust/water resistance (waterproof up to 2m for 30 mins); dimensions: 161.4×74.5×8.3 mm; weight: 197 g; color options: Rococo Pearl, Black, Green, Blue
Unique Features	Variable aperture camera (adjustable between f/1.4 and f/4.0 for depth/light control), Kunlun Glass 2 for enhanced durability, X-MAGE color tuning, HarmonyOS multi-device connectivity, in-display fingerprint sensor

Key Selling Points & Innovations

X-MAGE 2.0 Imaging System with Variable ApertureThe 48 MP main camera’s f/1.4–f/4.0 variable aperture is the standout feature, allowing users to manually adjust the aperture for shallow depth of field (portrait bokeh) or enhanced light control (low-light photography). Combined with the RYYB color filter (40% more light intake than RGGB) and X-MAGE algorithms, the P60 delivers sharp, vibrant photos in both bright and dim environments, rivaling flagship camera phones in the market.
Kunlun Glass 2 & IP68 DurabilityHuawei’s second-generation Kunlun Glass offers 10x better drop resistance than conventional glass, reducing the risk of screen shattering from accidental drops. Paired with IP68 water/dust resistance, the P60 is built to withstand daily wear and tear, a key upgrade over the P50 series.
88W Wired & 50W Wireless Fast ChargingThe 88W SuperCharge delivers blazing-fast charging speeds, topping up the 4815 mAh battery to 50% in just 10 minutes—ideal for users with busy lifestyles. 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse charging add flexibility, enabling cable-free topping-ups and emergency charging for other devices.
HarmonyOS Multi-Device CollaborationRunning HarmonyOS 3.1 (upgradable to 4.0), the P60 seamlessly syncs with other Huawei devices (tablets, laptops, smart watches) for cross-device tasks like file transfers, screen mirroring, and multi-window workflows, enhancing productivity for Huawei ecosystem users.
120 Hz LTPO Adaptive DisplayThe 6.67-inch curved OLED display with a 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate balances smoothness and battery efficiency, adjusting the refresh rate based on content (e.g., 1 Hz for static screens, 120 Hz for gaming/scrolling). 2500 nits peak brightness ensures visibility even in direct sunlight.

Limitations & Criticisms

4G-Only ConnectivityThe biggest drawback is the lack of 5G support, as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset used in the P60 does not include a 5G modem. This limits future-proofing, especially in regions where 5G networks are widely deployed.
No Google Mobile Services (GMS)Like most post-2019 Huawei flagships, the P60 does not support GMS, meaning users cannot access Google Play Store, Gmail, Google Maps, or YouTube. While HMS and AppGallery offer alternatives, the app library is smaller than Google’s, which is a barrier for global users outside Huawei’s core markets.
No Expandable StorageThe P60 lacks a microSD slot, forcing users to choose a higher storage variant at purchase. This increases the upfront cost, especially for users who need large storage for photos/videos.
Premium PricingLaunched at a starting price of ~¥4,488 (~$630) in China, the P60 is priced competitively with 5G flagships from Samsung and Apple, making it less appealing to cost-sensitive users given its 4G limitation.

Release & Market Performance

Launch Date: March 23, 2023 (China); subsequent releases in Middle East, Southeast Asia, and other HMS-focused markets.
Pricing: 8+128 GB ~¥4,488 (~$630); 12+512 GB ~¥5,988 (~$840); 12+1 TB ~¥6,988 (~$980).
Sales Highlights: The P60 was a commercial hit in China, driven by its innovative camera system and HarmonyOS ecosystem integration. It sold over 2 million units in the first two months of release, outperforming the P50 series. Sales were strong in HMS-mature markets like the Middle East but muted in regions where GMS is essential.
Discontinuation: Phased out in 2024, replaced by the Huawei P70 series (featuring upgraded X-MAGE 3.0 imaging and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 4G chipset).

Legacy

The Huawei P60 is remembered as a camera-focused flagship that pushes imaging boundaries despite external constraints, showcasing Huawei’s engineering prowess in variable aperture technology and glass durability. It solidified the X-MAGE brand as a viable alternative to Leica co-branding (used in previous P-series models) and highlighted HarmonyOS’s growing ecosystem appeal. For Huawei fans, it remains a top choice for mobile photography, while its 4G limitation serves as a reminder of the challenges facing the brand in the global smartphone market.