Looking for a budget-friendly smartphone? The Lava Z2 Max and Huawei P10 Lite are popular contenders. But which one offers the best value for your money? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their features, performance, and overall user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei P10 Lite generally wins due to its superior processor, better camera capabilities, and faster charging. While the Lava Z2 Max might be slightly more affordable, the P10 Lite's overall performance and features justify the price difference for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, May 11 | 2017, February. Released 2017, March |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 11 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 174.7 x 78.6 x 9.1 mm (6.88 x 3.09 x 0.36 in) | 146.5 x 72 x 7.2 mm (5.77 x 2.83 x 0.28 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 216 g (7.62 oz) | 146 g (5.15 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~256 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.0 inches, 116.4 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~70.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.8 GHz | Octa-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | - | Kirin 658 (16 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-T830 MP2 |
| OS | Android 10 (Go edition) | Android 7.0 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 8.0 (Oreo), EMUI 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm | 12 MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.25µm, PDAF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.1, A2DP, EDR, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (WAS-LX1A, WAS-LX1) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct (Western Europe, Korea)Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct (ROW) |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Stroked Blue, Stroked Cyan | Pearl White, Graphite Black, Platinum Gold, Sapphire Blue |
| Models | LS0001 | WAS-LX1, WAS-LX2, WAS-LX3, WAS-LX1A, WAS-LX2J, WAS-L03T, WAS-AL00, WAS-TL10 |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -88.2dB / Crosstalk -84.3dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 62h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1595:1 (nominal), 2.974 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 68dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 80dB
|
| Performance | - |
GeekBench: 3344 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 3fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Lava Z2 Max
- Affordable
- Large Display (likely)
- Basic Smartphone Functionality
- Lower Performance
- Less Capable Camera
- Slower Charging
- Older Processor
Huawei P10 Lite
- Better Performance (Kirin 658)
- Superior Camera
- Fast Charging (18W)
- More Refined User Experience
- Slightly Higher Price
- Older Model (potential software support concerns)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature displays with a contrast ratio of 1595:1 (nominal) and 2.974 in sunlight, suggesting good outdoor visibility. However, the P10 Lite likely has a slightly better panel due to Huawei's display technology, potentially offering more accurate colors and better viewing angles. The Z2 Max likely has a larger screen, but resolution details are needed for a full comparison.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer Photo/Video capabilities, the Huawei P10 Lite is expected to deliver superior image quality. Huawei's image processing algorithms are generally well-regarded, and the Kirin 658 chipset supports more advanced camera features. The Z2 Max's camera is likely adequate for basic photography, but won't match the P10 Lite's detail and dynamic range.
Performance
The Huawei P10 Lite boasts a significant performance advantage with its Octa-core Kirin 658 chipset and 16nm process. This translates to noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better overall responsiveness compared to the Lava Z2 Max's Quad-core 1.8 GHz processor. Gaming performance will also be considerably better on the P10 Lite.
Battery Life
Both phones claim an impressive endurance rating of 62 hours. However, real-world usage can vary. The P10 Lite's 18W fast charging provides a significant advantage, allowing for quicker top-ups compared to the Z2 Max's standard charging.
Buying Guide
The Lava Z2 Max is a good option for users prioritizing affordability and basic smartphone functionality. The Huawei P10 Lite is ideal for those seeking a smoother experience, better camera quality, and faster charging without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Lava Z2 Max good for gaming?
The Lava Z2 Max's processor is not ideal for demanding games. You might experience lag and reduced frame rates. The Huawei P10 Lite offers a much smoother gaming experience.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Huawei's software support has been inconsistent in recent years. The Lava Z2 Max, being a more budget-focused device, likely has limited software updates. Consider this factor if long-term software support is important to you.