The Huawei P Smart Z and Cubot P30 represent distinct approaches to the budget smartphone market. The P Smart Z, leveraging Huawei’s Kirin chipset, aims for a balance of features and performance. The Cubot P30, powered by MediaTek’s Helio P23, prioritizes affordability. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device delivers the best experience for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Huawei P Smart Z offers a more compelling experience. Its Kirin 710F chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Cubot P30’s Helio P23, translating to smoother multitasking and better app responsiveness. While the P30 is cheaper, the P Smart Z’s efficiency and overall refinement justify the price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 19, 20 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat12 600/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020. Released 2020 | 2019, May. Released 2019, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 156.6 x 74.3 x 8.1 mm (6.17 x 2.93 x 0.32 in) | 163.5 x 77.3 x 8.8 mm (6.44 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186.4 g (6.56 oz) | 196.8 g (6.95 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.59 inches, 106.6 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.5 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6763 Helio P23 (16 nm) | Kirin 710F (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G71 MP2 | Mali-G51 MP4 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, EMUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 12 MP, (wide), 1/2.9", AF
8 MP, 125˚ (ultrawide)
20 MP, (depth), 1/2.78" | - |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 13 MP | Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Unspecified | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Black, Green | Emerald Green, Midnight Black, Sapphire Blue |
| Models | - | STK-LX1 |
| Price | - | About 280 EUR |
Cubot P30
- Lower price point makes it accessible.
- Octa-core processor offers decent performance for basic tasks.
- Likely offers a large storage capacity for the price.
- Less efficient Helio P23 chipset leads to shorter battery life.
- Inferior CPU architecture compared to the Kirin 710F.
- Camera performance likely lags behind the P Smart Z.
Huawei P Smart Z
- More powerful and efficient Kirin 710F chipset.
- Superior CPU architecture for smoother multitasking.
- Potentially better camera performance due to ISP capabilities.
- Higher price compared to the Cubot P30.
- May not offer expandable storage.
- Software updates may be less frequent than other brands.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. However, the lack of specific display specs for the Cubot P30 makes a direct comparison difficult. The Huawei P Smart Z’s display benefits from the more modern Kirin 710F’s image signal processor, potentially offering slightly better color calibration. Bezels are expected to be similar on both, reflecting their budget positioning.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs for the Cubot P30, a precise comparison is challenging. However, Huawei generally invests more in camera technology. The Kirin 710F’s ISP likely provides superior image processing capabilities, resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction in the P Smart Z’s photos. Expect the P Smart Z to perform better in low-light conditions. The prevalence of 2MP macro/depth sensors on both devices suggests limited utility; focusing on the main sensor’s quality is more important.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Huawei P Smart Z’s Kirin 710F, fabricated on a 12nm process, is significantly more efficient and powerful than the Cubot P30’s 16nm Helio P23. The Kirin 710F’s CPU configuration – four Cortex-A73 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz paired with four Cortex-A53 cores at 1.7 GHz – provides a substantial advantage in multi-core performance compared to the P30’s eight Cortex-A53 cores at 2.5 GHz. While the P30’s higher clock speed *sounds* better, the A73 cores in the Kirin 710F are architecturally superior, delivering more performance per clock cycle. This translates to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the P Smart Z.
Battery Life
Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. The Helio P23 in the Cubot P30, being less efficient, will likely drain the battery faster under similar workloads compared to the Kirin 710F. While the P Smart Z’s 12nm process offers better power efficiency, the actual battery capacity of both devices is unknown. Faster charging speeds, if available on the P Smart Z, would further enhance its usability, offsetting any potential capacity disadvantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot P30 if your primary need is a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media, and your budget is extremely limited. You’re willing to accept compromises in performance and camera quality to save money. Buy the Huawei P Smart Z if you prioritize a smoother user experience, better performance for everyday apps and moderate gaming, and a more refined camera system, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Cubot P30 struggle with demanding apps like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Helio P23’s limited processing power and GPU capabilities will likely result in low frame rates and significant lag when playing graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile, even on low settings. The P Smart Z’s Kirin 710F will provide a much smoother gaming experience.
❓ Does the Kirin 710F in the Huawei P Smart Z get noticeably warm during extended use?
The Kirin 710F is generally well-managed in terms of thermal performance. While it may get warm during prolonged gaming or video recording, it’s unlikely to experience significant throttling due to its 12nm fabrication process and Huawei’s thermal management optimizations. The Helio P23 in the Cubot P30, being less efficient, may run hotter under similar loads.
❓ Is the camera on the Huawei P Smart Z good enough for casual photography?
Yes, the Huawei P Smart Z’s camera, powered by the Kirin 710F’s ISP, is capable of producing good-quality photos in well-lit conditions. It excels in dynamic range and color accuracy. While it won’t compete with flagship cameras, it’s more than adequate for casual photography and social media sharing.
