Honor V30 Pro vs Huawei P40 Pro+: A Deep Dive into Huawei's 2020 Flagships

The Honor V30 Pro and Huawei P40 Pro+ represent a fascinating period for Huawei and its sub-brand. Both launched in early 2020, powered by the Kirin 990 5G, but targeted slightly different segments. The V30 Pro aimed for a more accessible flagship experience, while the P40 Pro+ doubled down on camera innovation and premium features. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you decide which remains a viable option today.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user seeking a balance of performance and value, the Honor V30 Pro emerges as the stronger choice. While the Huawei P40 Pro+ boasts a brighter display and potentially slightly better camera processing, the V30 Pro’s faster 40W wired charging and competitive price point make it a more compelling overall package.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor V30 Pro Huawei P40 Pro+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands1, 3, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)HSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2019, November. Released 2019, December2020, March 26
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, June 06
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front, ceramic back, ceramic frame
Dimensions162.7 x 75.8 x 8.8 mm (6.41 x 2.98 x 0.35 in)158.2 x 72.6 x 9 mm (6.23 x 2.86 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight206 g (7.27 oz)226 g (7.97 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
Display
ProtectionYes-
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1200 x 2640 pixels (~441 ppi density)
Size6.57 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.58 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~91.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDOLED, 90Hz, HDR10
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetKirin 990 5G (7 nm+)Kirin 990 5G (7 nm+)
GPUMali-G76 MP16Mali-G76 MP16
OSAndroid 10, Magic UI 3, no Google Play ServicesAndroid 10, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotNoNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.0UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, LED flash, HDR, panoramaLeica optics, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad-50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/4.4, 240mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 10x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 40 MP, f/1.8, 18mm (ultrawide), 1/1.54", PDAF TOF 3D, (depth)
Triple40 MP, f/1.6, 27mm (wide), 1/1.7", PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide), 1.4µm, AF-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@960fps, (gyro-EIS)4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720@7680fps, 1080p@960fps, HDR; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Dual32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm 8 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide)-
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single-32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, AF IR TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
 -32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassInfrared Face ID, fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging40W wired, 70% in 30 min 27W wireless Reverse wireless40W wired 40W wireless 27W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4100 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4200 mAh
Misc
ColorsOcean Blue, Galaxy Black, Icelandic frostWhite Ceramic, Black Ceramic
ModelsOXF-AN10ELS-N39, ELS-AN10
PriceAbout 500 EURAbout 1000 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 95h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -27.4 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 381241 (v7), 500571 (v8) GeekBench: 12824 (v4.4), 3204 (v5.1) GFXBench: 35fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 529687 (v8) GeekBench: 3203 (v5.1) GFXBench: 31fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Honor V30 Pro

  • Faster 40W wired charging (70% in 30 min)
  • More affordable price point
  • Competitive 5G performance

  • Lower display brightness
  • Potentially less advanced camera system

Huawei P40 Pro+

  • Brighter display (760 nits)
  • Potentially superior camera quality
  • Premium build quality

  • Higher price
  • Slower wired charging (compared to V30 Pro)
  • Similar chipset performance

Display Comparison

The Huawei P40 Pro+ significantly outshines the Honor V30 Pro in display brightness, reaching a measured 760 nits compared to the V30 Pro’s 534 nits. This translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While the V30 Pro offers a respectable 1230:1 contrast ratio, the P40 Pro+ claims an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting a true OLED experience with perfect blacks. Both likely utilize OLED panels, but the P40 Pro+'s superior brightness and contrast make it the winner for media consumption in challenging lighting conditions.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are marketed as camera-centric, but the P40 Pro+ likely holds an edge. While both offer photo and video capabilities, the P40 Pro+’s camera system, though details are missing, was positioned as Huawei’s most advanced at the time. The absence of sensor size or aperture information prevents a precise comparison, but the P40 Pro+’s higher price point suggests a more sophisticated camera module. The V30 Pro is still capable, but the P40 Pro+ likely delivers superior image quality, especially in low-light conditions and with zoom capabilities.

Performance

Both devices are powered by the Kirin 990 5G (7nm+), featuring the same CPU configuration: an octa-core setup with 2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 cores, 2x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 cores, and 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. Performance will be virtually identical in most day-to-day tasks and even in demanding games. Thermal management will likely be similar, though the P40 Pro+'s larger chassis *could* offer slightly better heat dissipation. The shared chipset means the performance difference hinges on RAM speed and software optimization, areas not specified in the provided data.

Battery Life

Both devices boast an endurance rating of 95 hours, indicating comparable battery life despite differing battery capacities (not specified). The P40 Pro+ and V30 Pro both support 40W wired charging, but the V30 Pro’s 70% charge in 30 minutes is faster than the P40 Pro+'s unspecified charging time. Both also offer 27W reverse wireless charging, a convenient feature for topping up accessories. The V30 Pro’s faster wired charging provides a tangible benefit for users who need a quick power boost.

Buying Guide

Buy the Honor V30 Pro if you prioritize fast charging speeds, a more affordable price, and don't necessarily need the absolute best camera system. It's ideal for power users who frequently top up their phones and value 5G connectivity. Buy the Huawei P40 Pro+ if you are a photography enthusiast willing to pay a premium for a potentially superior camera experience and a brighter, more visible display in direct sunlight. It caters to users who demand top-tier features and are less price-sensitive.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 990 5G in the V30 Pro throttle under sustained load, like during extended gaming sessions?
While the Kirin 990 5G is a powerful chipset, throttling can occur in any smartphone under heavy load. Given the similar thermal design in both devices, the V30 Pro and P40 Pro+ are likely to exhibit comparable throttling behavior. Expect some performance reduction after prolonged gaming, but both should remain playable.
❓ Is the 27W reverse wireless charging on either phone fast enough to meaningfully charge a pair of TWS earbuds?
Yes, 27W reverse wireless charging is sufficient to quickly charge most TWS earbuds. While not as fast as wired charging, it provides a convenient way to top up your earbuds or other Qi-compatible devices using your phone's battery. Expect a full earbud charge in approximately 1-2 hours.
❓ Given the age of these phones, are software updates still being provided?
Software update support for both the Honor V30 Pro and Huawei P40 Pro+ is likely limited at this point. Huawei has faced restrictions impacting its ability to provide full Android updates. While security patches may still be available, major OS upgrades are unlikely. This is a key consideration for potential buyers.