The Huawei P8max and Lenovo Phab Plus both aimed to deliver a large-screen experience in a competitive Android market. But which one truly delivered? We're diving deep into their specs, performance, and features to help you decide which phone was the better choice back in their day.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei P8max generally edges out the Lenovo Phab Plus thanks to its more powerful Kirin 935 chipset and slightly better overall performance. However, the Phab Plus offered a unique multi-window experience and a more accessible price point, making it a compelling alternative for some.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, April. Released 2015, July | 2015, September. Released 2015, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 182.7 x 93 x 6.8 mm (7.19 x 3.66 x 0.27 in) | 186.6 x 96.6 x 7.6 mm (7.35 x 3.80 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM + Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 228 g (8.04 oz) | 229 g (8.08 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~324 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 125.9 cm2 (~74.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 127.5 cm2 (~70.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Kirin 935 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T628 MP4 | Adreno 405 |
| OS | Android 5.0.2/5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow), EMUI | Android 5.0 (Lollipop) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF, OIS | 13 MP, f/2.2, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio
| - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, DLNA, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | - | Up to 480 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 24 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 4360 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Luxurious Gold, Mystic Champagne, Titanium Grey | Gunmetal Grey, Titanium Silver, Champagne Gold |
| Models | DAV-701L, P8max | PB1-770M |
| Price | About 400 EUR | About 250 EUR |
Huawei P8max
- More powerful processor
- Better camera with OIS
- Longer battery life
- Premium build quality
- Higher price
- Larger size may be unwieldy for some
Lenovo Phab Plus
- More affordable
- Unique multi-window features
- Good viewing angles on display
- Slower performance
- Less impressive camera
- Shorter battery life compared to P8max
Display Comparison
Both phones featured large displays – the P8max with a 6.8-inch screen and the Phab Plus with a 6.8-inch screen. While both were LCD panels, the P8max generally had slightly better color accuracy and brightness. The Phab Plus's display was known for its wide viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
The Huawei P8max boasted a 13MP rear camera with optical image stabilization (OIS) and a 8MP front camera. The Lenovo Phab Plus had a 13MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera. The P8max generally produced sharper images with better low-light performance due to the OIS.
Performance
The Huawei P8max's Kirin 935 chipset provided a noticeable performance advantage over the Lenovo Phab Plus's Snapdragon 615. Apps launched faster, multitasking was smoother, and demanding games ran better on the P8max. The Phab Plus, while capable, showed signs of lag with heavier workloads.
Battery Life
Both phones featured large batteries (4360 mAh for the P8max and 3200 mAh for the Phab Plus). The P8max's more efficient chipset and larger battery generally resulted in longer battery life, easily lasting a full day of moderate use. The Phab Plus could also last a full day, but required more conservative usage.
Buying Guide
The Huawei P8max was ideal for users prioritizing performance and a premium feel. The Lenovo Phab Plus was a good fit for those seeking a large screen, multi-tasking capabilities, and a more budget-friendly option.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the difference between the Kirin 935 and Snapdragon 615?
The Kirin 935 is a more powerful chipset than the Snapdragon 615, offering better CPU and GPU performance. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
❓ Which phone is better for multitasking?
The Lenovo Phab Plus had unique multi-window features, but the Huawei P8max's superior performance made multitasking generally smoother, even without those specific features.
