The Huawei P8 Lite was a popular budget smartphone, and the 2017 iteration aimed to improve upon its predecessor. But how significant are the changes? This article dives deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide which model is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei P8 Lite (2017) generally wins thanks to its more efficient Kirin 655 chipset and improved processing power. While the original P8 Lite boasts impressive battery endurance, the 2017 model offers a smoother overall experience for a similar price point.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 3, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, April. Released 2015, May | 2017, January. Released 2017, January |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 143 x 70.6 x 7.7 mm (5.63 x 2.78 x 0.30 in) | 147.2 x 72.9 x 7.6 mm (5.80 x 2.87 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 131 g (4.62 oz) | 147 g (5.19 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~68.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~69.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Kirin 620 (28 nm) | Kirin 655 (16 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-450MP4 | Mali-T830MP2 |
| OS | Android 5.0.2 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow), EMUI 3.1 | Android 7.0 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 8.0 (Oreo), EMUI 9 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), AF | 12 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE | 4.1, A2DP, EDR, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired
Reverse wired | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 380 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 11 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 2200 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Gold | Black, White, Gold, Blue |
| Models | ALE-L21, ALE-L02, hi6210sft, ALE-L23, ALE-UL00, ALE-21, ALE-CL00 | PRA-TL10, PRA-TL20, PRA-LA1, PRA-LX1, PRA-LX2, TAG-L21, PRA-AL00X, TAG-L32, PRA-LX3, PRA-AL00 |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 170 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
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 802 (nominal), 2.078 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB
| - |
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 691Basemark X: 3648 | - |
Huawei P8lite
- Excellent battery life
- Affordable price
- Decent camera for the price
- Slower performance
- Outdated chipset
- Lower screen quality compared to newer phones
Huawei P8 Lite (2017)
- Improved performance
- More efficient chipset
- Better camera image quality
- Slightly more modern design
- Slightly shorter battery life than original
- Still a budget phone with limitations
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 5.2-inch IPS LCD display with a 720p resolution. While the original P8 Lite's contrast ratio is reported at 802 (nominal) and 2.078 (sunlight), the 2017 model likely offers slightly improved color accuracy and viewing angles due to advancements in display technology. However, the difference is minimal and unlikely to be noticeable for most users.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are similar on paper, both featuring a 13MP main camera and an 8MP front camera. However, the Kirin 655's improved image signal processor (ISP) in the 2017 model likely results in better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The original P8 Lite's camera is decent but can produce noisy images in challenging lighting.
Performance
This is where the 2017 model shines. The Kirin 655 chipset (16nm) is a significant upgrade over the Kirin 620 (28nm) found in the original. The 2017 model's octa-core CPU (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) provides noticeably faster processing speeds, resulting in smoother multitasking and app loading. The original P8 Lite's Octa-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 is adequate for basic tasks but struggles with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The original P8 Lite holds a slight edge in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 53 hours. The 2017 model, while having a similar battery capacity, experiences slightly reduced endurance due to the more power-hungry Kirin 655 chipset. However, the difference is not substantial.
Buying Guide
The original Huawei P8 Lite is a good choice for users prioritizing maximum battery life and are on a very tight budget. The Huawei P8 Lite (2017) is better suited for those who value performance and a slightly more modern experience, even if it means sacrificing a bit of battery longevity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Huawei P8 Lite (2017) worth the upgrade from the original P8 Lite?
Yes, if performance is a priority. The Kirin 655 offers a significant speed boost. If battery life is your absolute top concern, the original might be slightly better.
❓ What operating system did these phones ship with?
The original P8 Lite shipped with Android 5.1 Lollipop, upgradable to Android 6.0 Marshmallow. The P8 Lite (2017) shipped with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, upgradable to Android 7.0 Nougat.
