Huawei's P series offers excellent value, and the P Smart Z and P30 Lite New Edition are prime examples. Both phones target budget-conscious users seeking a stylish design and decent performance. But which one reigns supreme? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei P30 Lite New Edition edges out the P Smart Z thanks to its faster charging and slightly improved overall package. While both offer similar performance, the P30 Lite's added convenience makes it a more compelling option for most users. Both are solid budget choices.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 20, 38 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat12 600/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 400/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, May. Released 2019, June | 2020, January 14. Released 2020, January 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.5 x 77.3 x 8.8 mm (6.44 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) | 152.9 x 72.7 x 7.4 mm (6.02 x 2.86 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 196.8 g (6.95 oz) | 152.9 g (5.40 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) | 1080 x 2312 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~415 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.59 inches, 106.6 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.15 inches, 93.6 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710F (12 nm) | Kirin 710 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Mali-G51 MP4 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, EMUI 12 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, EMUI 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, 120˚, 17mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Panorama |
| Single | Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0 | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | 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 |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3340 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Emerald Green, Midnight Black, Sapphire Blue | Peacock Blue, Midnight Black, Pearl White, Breathing Crystal |
| Models | STK-LX1 | Marie-L21BX, MAR-LX2B, HWV33 |
| Price | About 280 EUR | About 360 EUR |
Huawei P Smart Z
- Sleek design
- Large display
- Good value for money
- Decent performance for everyday tasks
- Slow charging
- Less versatile camera
- No fast charging support
Huawei P30 lite New Edition
- Faster charging (18W)
- Better camera system (triple lens)
- Slightly more refined design
- Good battery life
- Slightly more expensive
- Performance is similar to P Smart Z
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels. The P Smart Z has a slightly smaller notch, offering a marginally more immersive viewing experience. However, the difference is minimal and unlikely to be a deciding factor.
Camera Comparison
The P30 Lite New Edition boasts a triple-camera setup (48MP main, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP depth sensor) while the P Smart Z has a dual-camera setup (13MP main, 2MP depth sensor). The P30 Lite generally captures better photos, especially in low light, thanks to its higher resolution main sensor and ultra-wide lens. The P Smart Z's camera is adequate but lacks the versatility of the P30 Lite.
Performance
Performance is largely identical. Both devices are powered by the Kirin 710 chipset, with the P30 Lite having a slightly different revision (Kirin 710F vs Kirin 710). Day-to-day tasks and light gaming are handled smoothly on both, but don't expect flagship-level performance. Expect some slowdown with demanding games or heavy multitasking.
Battery Life
Both phones have a 4000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life for moderate usage. However, the P30 Lite New Edition's 18W fast charging significantly reduces charging time compared to the P Smart Z's standard charging.
Buying Guide
The Huawei P Smart Z is a good choice for users prioritizing a large display and a sleek design on a tight budget. The Huawei P30 Lite New Edition is ideal for those who value faster charging and a slightly more refined overall experience, even if it means a small price premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Kirin 710 chipset good for gaming?
The Kirin 710 is adequate for casual gaming, but it may struggle with demanding titles at high settings. Lowering graphics settings will improve performance.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Both phones are likely to receive similar software updates, although Huawei's software support has been impacted by recent restrictions. Expect EMUI updates for a reasonable period.