Huawei Mate 40E 4G vs Honor V40 Lite: Which Mid-Range Phone Reigns Supreme?

The Huawei Mate 40E 4G and the Honor V40 Lite represent interesting points in the smartphone landscape. The Mate 40E 4G, while older, boasts Huawei’s Kirin 990E chipset. The V40 Lite, a more recent release from Honor, leverages MediaTek’s Dimensity 800U. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value and performance for today’s user.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing rapid charging and a more modern chipset, the Honor V40 Lite is the better choice. Its 66W charging significantly outperforms the Mate 40E 4G’s 40W wired and wireless options. While the Kirin 990E is a capable chip, the Dimensity 800U offers a competitive experience with faster charging and potentially better software support.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 40E 4G Honor V40 Lite
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, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands-1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO CDMA 800
Launch
Announced2021, June 282021, March 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, June 29Available. Released 2021, March 28
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frame-
Dimensions158.6 x 72.5 x 8.8 mm (6.24 x 2.85 x 0.35 in)160.1 x 74.1 x 7.6 mm (6.30 x 2.92 x 0.30 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight188 g (6.63 oz)169 g (5.96 oz)
 IP53, dust and splash resistant-
Display
Resolution1080 x 2376 pixels (~402 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~392 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.7 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.57 inches, 106.0 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, HDR10, 90HzOLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 90Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetKirin 990E (7 nm+)Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm)
GPUMali-G76 MP14Mali-G57 MC3
OSHarmonyOS 2.0Android 10, Magic UI 4.0, no Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica optics, LED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad-64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚, 17mm (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide)32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide)
Triple64 MP, f/1.9, 27mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 85mm (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 16 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide)-
Video4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide)32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide)
Video4K, 720p@240fps4K
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
 32-bit/384kHz audio -
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavICGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging40W wired 40W wireless 5W reverse wired66W wired, 60% in 15 min, 100% in 35 min 5W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 4200 mAhLi-Po 3800 mAh
Misc
ColorsSilver, White, BlackBlack, Blue, Green
ModelsOCE-AL50ALA-AN70
PriceAbout 550 EURAbout 390 EUR

Huawei Mate 40E 4G

  • Potentially more refined image processing from Huawei.
  • More complex CPU core configuration for multi-tasking.
  • Wireless charging capability.

  • Significantly slower charging speeds.
  • Older chipset with potentially limited software updates.
  • 4G only connectivity.

Honor V40 Lite

  • Ultra-fast 66W wired charging.
  • More recent chipset with potential for longer software support.
  • Potentially better thermal management with Dimensity 800U.

  • May have less refined image processing compared to Huawei.
  • Lacks wireless charging.
  • Potentially less established brand reputation.

Display Comparison

Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the market positioning, both likely feature LCD panels. The absence of high refresh rate information suggests both are standard 60Hz displays. The V40 Lite, being a newer model, *may* benefit from slightly improved color calibration and viewing angles, but this is speculative. Bezels are likely comparable, focusing on cost optimization in this segment.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a precise comparison is difficult. However, Huawei historically emphasizes image processing and color science. The Mate 40E 4G likely delivers vibrant, saturated images. The Honor V40 Lite, inheriting Honor’s camera philosophy, may lean towards more natural color reproduction. The absence of sensor size information makes it hard to assess low-light performance. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely inconsequential; its utility is limited by the small sensor and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).

Performance

The Kirin 990E (7nm+) in the Mate 40E 4G and the Dimensity 800U (7nm) in the V40 Lite represent different approaches to mid-range performance. The Kirin 990E’s CPU configuration (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76, 2x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76, 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) is more complex, potentially offering a slight edge in multi-threaded tasks. However, the Dimensity 800U’s (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76, 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) architecture is optimized for efficiency. The Dimensity 800U also benefits from integrated 5G modem support, even though the Mate 40E 4G is a 4G-only device. Real-world performance will be similar for most tasks, but the Dimensity 800U may exhibit better sustained performance due to its more efficient node and thermal design.

Battery Life

The Honor V40 Lite’s 66W wired charging is the clear winner here. The advertised 60% charge in 15 minutes and 100% in 35 minutes drastically reduces downtime. The Mate 40E 4G’s 40W wired and wireless charging, while respectable, are significantly slower. Both devices offer 5W reverse wired charging, a niche feature for topping up accessories. Battery capacity is not specified, but the faster charging of the V40 Lite mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate 40E 4G if you prioritize the established Huawei ecosystem and potentially prefer the image processing style of their cameras. Buy the Honor V40 Lite if you value significantly faster charging speeds, a more recent chipset with potentially longer software support, and a more competitive price point. The V40 Lite is ideal for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Dimensity 800U in the Honor V40 Lite handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Dimensity 800U is a capable chipset for gaming. While not a flagship-level performer, it can comfortably run PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. The integrated Mali-G57 MC3 GPU is sufficient for most mobile games, and the efficient 7nm process helps prevent overheating during extended gaming sessions.
❓ Is the 40W wireless charging on the Huawei Mate 40E 4G significantly slower than the 66W wired charging on the Honor V40 Lite?
Yes, the 40W wireless charging on the Mate 40E 4G is considerably slower than the 66W wired charging on the V40 Lite. Wireless charging inherently has more energy loss than wired charging. Expect a full charge via wireless to take well over an hour, while the V40 Lite can achieve a full charge in approximately 35 minutes with its wired connection.
❓ Will the Huawei Mate 40E 4G continue to receive software updates and security patches?
Software update support for the Mate 40E 4G is uncertain due to ongoing geopolitical factors affecting Huawei. While it initially launched with EMUI, future updates may be limited. The Honor V40 Lite, operating independently, is likely to receive more consistent software updates and security patches from Honor.