Huawei Mate 40 Pro Overview, Features, and Buying Guide
The Huawei Mate 40 Pro launched in November 2020 as a powerhouse flagship showcasing advanced photography capabilities and cutting-edge 5G connectivity. This device targets professionals and photography enthusiasts seeking premium hardware alongside sophisticated design. The phone’s Leica-engineered triple camera system, curved OLED display, and powerful Kirin 9000 chipset create a compelling package, though important software considerations affect the overall user experience for international buyers.
Photography excellence defines the Mate 40 Pro’s core identity. The 50MP primary sensor features a large 1/1.28″ size with 1.22µm pixels, capturing extraordinary detail across diverse lighting conditions. Multi-directional PDAF ensures rapid, accurate focusing from any angle. A 12MP periscope telephoto camera delivers genuine 5x optical zoom with optical image stabilization, bringing distant subjects into clear view. The 20MP ultrawide lens with PDAF rounds out the versatile camera array, handling expansive landscapes and architectural shots with autofocus precision.
The 6.76-inch OLED display dominates the front with its dramatic curves cascading over the edges. Supporting HDR10 content and a 90Hz refresh rate, the screen delivers smooth scrolling and vibrant visuals. The resolution of 1344 x 2772 pixels translates to 456 ppi density, ensuring text appears crisp and images look sharp. Occupying an impressive 94.1% of the front surface, the display maximizes viewing area while maintaining manageable overall dimensions.
Performance comes from Huawei’s flagship Kirin 9000 5G chipset built on an advanced 5nm process. This octa-core processor balances high-performance Cortex-A77 cores with efficient A55 cores for demanding applications and routine tasks. The Mali-G78 MP24 GPU delivers robust graphics performance for gaming and video editing. Storage configurations range from 128GB to 512GB paired with 8GB RAM, all utilizing lightning-fast UFS 3.1 technology for exceptional read and write speeds.
Charging capabilities impress with 66W wired fast charging that rapidly fills the 4400mAh battery. The 50W wireless charging ranks among the fastest wireless implementations available when launched. Reverse wireless charging at 5W allows the Mate 40 Pro to charge compatible accessories. IP68 water resistance provides protection against dust and water immersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes, ensuring durability during outdoor adventures.
What Makes the Huawei Mate 40 Pro Worth Buying?
The Leica camera system delivers exceptional photographic results that rival dedicated cameras in many scenarios. The 50MP main sensor’s large physical size enables superior light gathering, producing clean images even in challenging low-light environments. That substantial 1/1.28″ sensor size outperforms smaller sensors commonly found in competing smartphones, capturing more detail and better dynamic range.
Periscope telephoto technology provides genuine 5x optical zoom without quality degradation. Wildlife photographers, sports enthusiasts, and anyone needing to capture distant subjects will appreciate this reach. The optical image stabilization ensures sharp results even when shooting handheld at maximum zoom. Unlike digital zoom implementations that simply crop and enlarge images, this optical solution maintains image quality throughout the zoom range.
The ultrawide camera’s autofocus capability separates it from typical ultrawide implementations that struggle with close subjects. Photographers can capture sweeping landscapes one moment and macro-style close-ups the next without switching devices or lenses. This versatility streamlines the shooting workflow.
Video recording reaches professional standards with exceptional slow-motion capabilities. Beyond standard 4K at 60fps, the Mate 40 Pro captures 1080p at an astounding 480fps and 720p at 3840fps. These extreme slow-motion frame rates freeze fleeting moments dramatically, enabling creative videography previously requiring specialized equipment. Gyro-EIS stabilization smooths handheld footage across all recording modes.
The curved display creates a visually striking aesthetic that feels premium in hand. The 90Hz refresh rate delivers noticeably smoother scrolling and animations compared to traditional 60Hz displays. HDR10 support enhances compatible video content with improved contrast and color vibrancy. The screen-to-body ratio of 94.1% minimizes bezels, creating an immersive viewing experience.
Build quality exudes flagship refinement. Users can choose between glass or eco leather back panels, with the leather option providing distinctive texture and improved grip. The aluminum frame adds structural rigidity while maintaining reasonable weight at 212g. IP68 certification ensures the phone withstands everyday accidents involving water and dust.
5G connectivity future-proofs the device as next-generation networks expand globally. Download speeds dramatically exceed LTE performance, while lower latency benefits gaming and video calling. The Kirin 9000’s integrated 5G modem provides better power efficiency compared to phones using separate modem chips.
Stereo speakers provide dimensional audio that enhances media consumption. Movies, music, and games benefit from the spatial separation created by dual speaker positioning. High-resolution audio support at 32-bit/384kHz ensures audiophile-grade quality through wired USB-C headphones.
Things to Know Before Choosing the Mate 40 Pro
The absence of Google Play Services represents the most critical limitation for international users. The Mate 40 Pro runs Android 10 with EMUI 11 but lacks access to Google apps and services. Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube, Google Photos, and the Play Store remain unavailable through official channels. Huawei’s AppGallery serves as the alternative app store, but significant gaps exist compared to Google’s comprehensive ecosystem.
Banking applications frequently refuse to function without Google Play Services due to security and authentication requirements. Many popular apps either don’t exist on AppGallery or require technical workarounds that violate terms of service and create security vulnerabilities. Users must invest considerable time identifying alternatives or implementing solutions that may stop working after system updates.
Social media platforms, productivity tools, and specialized applications may lack AppGallery versions or feature parity with Google Play releases. While workarounds exist for sideloading apps, these methods carry risks and require technical knowledge. The ecosystem limitation affects daily usability more than any hardware specification.
Software update outlook presents uncertainty. While EMUI receives updates, Huawei’s roadmap differs from manufacturers offering guaranteed multi-year Android version support. The device launched with Android 10, and major OS upgrades remain less predictable compared to Samsung’s or Google’s clear update policies.
Battery capacity at 4400mAh, while adequate for most users, doesn’t match competitors exceeding 5000mAh. The efficient Kirin 9000 chipset and 90Hz display help conserve power, but intensive users gaming extensively or shooting lots of photos and videos may need charging before day’s end. The excellent fast charging compensates somewhat, but all-day endurance under heavy use requires battery management awareness.
The curved display edges create visual elegance but introduce practical compromises. Accidental touch inputs can occur when gripping the phone. Screen protectors become more challenging to apply correctly, and replacement costs run higher than flat screens. Some users find the curved edges distracting when viewing full-screen content or playing games.
Face ID works well in good lighting but struggles in darkness compared to infrared-based systems used by competitors. The TOF 3D sensor provides depth information for face mapping, but practical unlocking speed varies depending on ambient lighting conditions.
The Nano Memory card slot requires proprietary Huawei memory cards rather than standard microSD cards. These specialized cards cost more and offer less widespread availability than microSD alternatives, limiting storage expansion options and increasing costs.
Is the Huawei Mate 40 Pro Right for You?
Photography enthusiasts willing to navigate ecosystem limitations will find exceptional value. The Leica triple camera system produces images with character and technical excellence that few smartphones match. The large 50MP sensor captures remarkable detail, the periscope telephoto provides genuine reach, and the ultrawide handles diverse scenarios with autofocus precision. Landscape photographers, wildlife shooters, and portrait specialists will appreciate the versatile focal length coverage.
Videographers seeking advanced slow-motion capabilities can leverage the extreme frame rates. The ability to capture 720p at 3840fps or 1080p at 480fps enables creative possibilities typically requiring specialized high-speed cameras. Content creators focusing on dramatic slow-motion footage will find these capabilities transformative.
Users in regions where Google services aren’t standard—particularly the Chinese market—experience the device as intended. EMUI provides a complete ecosystem when paired with Huawei’s services. International buyers comfortable with technical workarounds or already using alternative app ecosystems can establish functional workflows, though this requires realistic expectations and time investment.
Tech enthusiasts prioritizing cutting-edge hardware over software ecosystem will appreciate the Kirin 9000’s performance and efficiency. The 5nm chipset delivers flagship performance with excellent power management. Mobile gamers playing supported titles will enjoy smooth frame rates and responsive controls, though app availability through AppGallery limits game selection.
Business professionals whose critical applications exist on AppGallery or function through web interfaces can operate effectively. Email through Outlook or alternative clients, document editing via Microsoft Office apps, and video conferencing through available platforms maintain productivity. Corporate environments should thoroughly verify application compatibility before deployment.
The Mate 40 Pro struggles serving users deeply invested in Google’s ecosystem. YouTube Premium subscribers, Google One storage users, Gmail-dependent professionals, Google Photos backup users, and families managing shared Google services face constant friction. Casual users wanting straightforward app access without troubleshooting will find the experience frustrating.
Students relying on Google Classroom, Gmail for school communications, or specific educational apps should verify compatibility before purchasing. Educational technology often assumes Google Play Services availability, creating potential workflow disruptions.
Best Alternatives to the Huawei Mate 40 Pro
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra offers comparable flagship specifications with 108MP camera, 10x optical zoom, and full Google services integration. The larger sensor and more extreme zoom provide different imaging approaches while maintaining conventional software experience and guaranteed update support.
OnePlus 9 Pro, developed in partnership with Hasselblad, provides excellent cameras with Snapdragon 888 performance and clean OxygenOS experience. While it can’t match the Mate 40 Pro’s slow-motion capabilities, it offers stellar performance and seamless Google integration.
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra delivers flagship specifications with Snapdragon 888, exceptional camera hardware including a secondary rear display, and complete Google ecosystem access. Camera performance approaches the Mate 40 Pro while offering 5G connectivity and conventional software experience.
The iPhone 12 Pro represents Apple’s ecosystem alternative with exceptional camera quality, guaranteed long-term support, and seamless service integration. Users willing to switch operating systems gain reliability and longevity, though they sacrifice Android’s customization flexibility.
Huawei Mate 40 Pro Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Huawei Mate 40 Pro work with Google apps?
The Huawei Mate 40 Pro does not include Google Play Services and cannot officially run Google applications. Trade restrictions prevent Huawei from licensing Google services, meaning the phone ships with Android 10 and EMUI 11 but lacks the Play Store, Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube, and other Google apps. Huawei’s AppGallery serves as the official app store. While unofficial workarounds and sideloading methods exist online, these violate Google’s terms of service, present security risks, and may cease functioning after system updates. Banking apps and services requiring Google Play Services for authentication typically won’t work even with workarounds. Users should thoroughly research alternative apps for essential services before purchasing.
How good is the camera compared to other flagship phones?
The Mate 40 Pro’s Leica-engineered camera system ranks among the best smartphone cameras available. The 50MP main sensor with its large 1/1.28″ size captures exceptional detail and handles low-light scenarios beautifully, outperforming smaller sensors in competing devices. The periscope telephoto lens provides genuine 5x optical zoom with OIS, maintaining image quality at distances where competitors resort to digital cropping. The 20MP ultrawide with autofocus enables both sweeping landscapes and close-up macro photography. Video capabilities particularly shine with extreme slow-motion recording up to 3840fps at 720p—a feature rarely found even in current flagships. The combination of hardware excellence and Leica’s color science produces images with distinctive character and professional-grade quality.
Is the phone waterproof for swimming or underwater photography?
The Huawei Mate 40 Pro carries an IP68 rating, certifying it as dust-tight and water-resistant up to 1.5 meters depth for 30 minutes. This protection handles accidental drops in water, heavy rain exposure, poolside usage, and everyday splashes without damage. However, IP68 doesn’t mean “waterproof” for deliberate swimming or underwater photography. Users shouldn’t intentionally submerge the phone for extended periods or take it into salt water, as the certification covers fresh water under controlled conditions. Water resistance can degrade over time through normal wear, impacts, or aging seals, and water damage typically isn’t covered under warranty despite the IP rating. The certification protects against accidents but doesn’t encourage intentional water exposure.
Does the Mate 40 Pro support 5G networks?
Yes, the Huawei Mate 40 Pro includes integrated 5G connectivity through its Kirin 9000 5G chipset. The phone supports both standalone (SA) and non-standalone (NSA) 5G network configurations across multiple frequency bands, along with backward compatibility for GSM, CDMA, HSPA, EVDO, and LTE networks. The integrated 5G modem provides better power efficiency compared to phones using separate modem chips, contributing to overall battery life. 5G performance depends on carrier support and coverage availability in specific regions, but the hardware fully supports next-generation network speeds where available.
How fast does the battery charge and how long does it last?
The 4400mAh battery typically provides a full day of moderate use, though intensive activities like extensive camera work, gaming, or video recording may require charging before evening. The efficient Kirin 9000 chipset and 90Hz display help conserve power compared to higher refresh rate alternatives. The 66W wired fast charging significantly reduces downtime—the phone can reach approximately 70% capacity in about 30 minutes. The 50W wireless charging ranks among the fastest wireless implementations, offering convenient cable-free charging that approaches wired speeds. Reverse wireless charging at 5W allows the Mate 40 Pro to charge compatible devices like wireless earbuds, though at slower rates. Battery life varies considerably based on usage patterns—5G connectivity, camera use, and display brightness significantly impact endurance.