Huawei offers a range of affordable smartphones, and the P8 Lite and P Smart 2021 are two popular contenders. Both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, but significant differences exist. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which phone is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei P Smart 2021 is the clear winner. Its significantly improved battery life, brighter display, faster processor, and quicker charging make it a more compelling choice despite potentially similar camera capabilities. The P8 Lite remains a decent option for those seeking a very budget-friendly device.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 3, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, April. Released 2015, May | 2020, September 28. Released 2020, September 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 143 x 70.6 x 7.7 mm (5.63 x 2.78 x 0.30 in) | 165.7 x 76.9 x 9.3 mm (6.52 x 3.03 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 131 g (4.62 oz) | 206 g (7.27 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~68.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Kirin 620 (28 nm) | Kirin 710A (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-450MP4 | Mali-G51 MP4 |
| OS | Android 5.0.2 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow), EMUI 3.1 | Android 10, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, built-in antenna |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired
Reverse wired | 22.5W wired, 46% in 30 min |
| Stand-by | Up to 380 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 11 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 2200 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Gold | Crush Green, Blush Gold, Midnight Black |
| Models | ALE-L21, ALE-L02, hi6210sft, ALE-L23, ALE-UL00, ALE-21, ALE-CL00 | PPA-LX1, PPA-LX2 |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.39 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise-89.0dB / Crosstalk -74.2dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 53h
| Endurance rating 119h |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 802 (nominal), 2.078 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: 1252:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB
|
-28.8 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 691Basemark X: 3648 |
AnTuTu: 169253 (v8)
GeekBench: 1334 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei P8lite
- Compact size
- Affordable price
- Reverse wired charging
- Outdated chipset
- Poor battery life
- Dim display
- Slow charging
Huawei P smart 2021
- Excellent battery life
- Bright and vibrant display
- Faster processor
- Fast charging
- Modern design
- Potentially similar camera quality to older models
- May be slightly more expensive than the P8 Lite
Display Comparison
The P Smart 2021 boasts a substantial advantage in display quality. Its 1252:1 contrast ratio is noticeably better than the P8 Lite's 802:1. Crucially, the P Smart 2021's 442 nits of brightness provide much better visibility in sunlight, a common complaint with older Huawei phones. The P8 Lite's display is adequate but lacks the vibrancy and outdoor usability of its successor.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, detailed camera specs are missing. However, given the chipset improvements in the P Smart 2021, it's likely to offer better image processing and potentially improved low-light performance. Both phones likely offer similar basic camera functionality, but the P Smart 2021's newer processor should provide a slight edge.
Performance
The Kirin 710A in the P Smart 2021 is a significant upgrade over the P8 Lite's Kirin 620. The 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 cores in the 710A offer considerably more processing power, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience. The P8 Lite feels noticeably slower, especially when handling demanding tasks.
Battery Life
The P Smart 2021's battery life is a standout feature. An endurance rating of 119h dwarfs the P8 Lite's 53h. This translates to significantly longer usage between charges. Furthermore, the P Smart 2021's 22.5W fast charging (46% in 30 minutes) is a huge advantage over the P8 Lite's 10W wired charging.
Buying Guide
The Huawei P8 Lite is a good choice for users on a very tight budget who prioritize a compact size and don't need exceptional performance or battery life. The Huawei P Smart 2021 is ideal for users who want a longer-lasting battery, a brighter and more vibrant display, and a smoother overall experience, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Huawei P8 Lite still worth buying?
Only if you're on an extremely tight budget and prioritize a small size. Otherwise, the P Smart 2021 offers significantly better value.
❓ How much faster is the P Smart 2021 than the P8 Lite?
The P Smart 2021's Kirin 710A chipset provides a noticeable performance boost, resulting in smoother multitasking and faster app loading times compared to the P8 Lite's older Kirin 620.
