Oppo Reno3 Youth vs Huawei P40 lite 5G: Which 5G Mid-Ranger Reigns Supreme?

Both the Oppo Reno3 Youth and the Huawei P40 lite 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly crowded mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at a palatable price, they diverge significantly in their core hardware – specifically, their chipsets and charging implementations. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best overall experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and faster charging, the Huawei P40 lite 5G emerges as the stronger contender. Its Kirin 820 chipset, despite architectural differences, offers a slight edge in processing power, and its 40W charging significantly reduces downtime. However, the Reno3 Youth remains a viable option for those heavily invested in the Qualcomm ecosystem.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo Reno3 Youth Huawei P40 lite 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G (1.9 Gbps DL)HSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2020, February 08. Released 2020, February 142020, May 15. Released 2020, May 28
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame-
Dimensions160.3 x 74.3 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.93 x 0.31 in)162.3 x 75 x 8.6 mm (6.39 x 2.95 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight180 g (6.35 oz)189 g (6.67 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5-
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 430 nits (typ)IPS LCD, HDR10
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)Octa-core (1x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 & 3x2.22 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.84 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)Kirin 820 5G (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 620Mali-G57 (6-core)
OSAndroid 10, ColorOS 7Android 10, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotNoNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, Panorama, HDR
Quad48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.2", 1.4µm 2 MP B/W, f/2.4, 1/5.0", 1.75µm Auxiliary lens64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 17mm (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS, OIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioUnspecifiedNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging30W wired, 50% in 20 min40W wired, 70% in 30 min 5W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 4025 mAhLi-Po 4000 mAh
Misc
ColorsWhite, Black, GoldCrush Green, Space Silver, Midnight Black
ModelsPCLM50CDY-NX9A
PriceAbout 400 EURAbout 190 EUR

Oppo Reno3 Youth

  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G chipset offers good app compatibility.
  • Oppo’s ColorOS provides a feature-rich software experience.
  • 30W fast charging is still reasonably quick.

  • Slower charging compared to the P40 lite 5G.
  • Potentially more susceptible to thermal throttling under sustained load.

Huawei P40 lite 5G

  • Kirin 820 chipset offers slightly better performance.
  • 40W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
  • 5W reverse wired charging adds convenience.

  • Huawei’s software ecosystem may be less familiar to some users.
  • Potential concerns regarding long-term software support.

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a standout display. While specific panel details (like OLED vs LCD) are missing, the focus here is on performance. The absence of high refresh rates on both suggests a cost-saving measure. The real difference lies in charging, not display quality, making this a non-decisive factor.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs beyond the presence of sensors, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the market positioning suggests both phones prioritize versatility over outright image quality. The absence of information regarding sensor size or OIS implies neither device will excel in low-light photography. Image processing will likely be the differentiating factor, with Huawei historically favoring more saturated and contrast-rich images, while Oppo tends towards a more natural look. The usefulness of any 2MP macro sensors on either device is questionable.

Performance

The core battleground is the chipset. The Oppo Reno3 Youth features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G, built on a 7nm process, utilizing Kryo 475 cores in a tri-cluster configuration (1x2.4 GHz Prime, 1x2.2 GHz Gold, 6x1.8 GHz Silver). The Huawei P40 lite 5G counters with the Kirin 820 5G, also 7nm, but employing a different core arrangement: 1x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76, 3x2.22 GHz Cortex-A76, and 4x1.84 GHz Cortex-A55. The Kirin 820’s use of more A76 cores suggests a potential advantage in multi-threaded workloads. While both are 7nm, the Kirin 820’s architecture leans towards more sustained performance, potentially mitigating thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Reno3 Youth benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized software ecosystem, but the Kirin 820’s raw processing power gives it a slight edge.

Battery Life

The Huawei P40 lite 5G takes a clear lead in charging speed with its 40W wired charging, capable of reaching 70% charge in 30 minutes. The Oppo Reno3 Youth’s 30W charging, while respectable, is slower, achieving only 50% in 20 minutes. The P40 lite 5G also offers 5W reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the Reno3 Youth. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the P40 lite 5G effectively mitigates any potential disadvantage from a slightly smaller battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo Reno3 Youth if you prioritize a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset for compatibility with specific apps or games, or if you prefer the Oppo ColorOS software experience. Buy the Huawei P40 lite 5G if you value faster charging speeds, potentially better sustained performance under load, and a more powerful processor for demanding tasks like video editing or graphically intensive games.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 820 in the P40 lite 5G suffer from significant thermal throttling during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Kirin 820 isn't immune to throttling, its architecture and 7nm process generally allow for better sustained performance compared to the Snapdragon 765G. Reports suggest it handles demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high settings for extended periods with minimal frame drops, though performance will still vary based on ambient temperature and case design.
❓ Is the 5W reverse wired charging on the P40 lite 5G useful for charging accessories like earbuds?
Yes, the 5W reverse wired charging is a convenient feature for topping up accessories like wireless earbuds or smartwatches. While slow, it eliminates the need to carry multiple chargers and cables, making it ideal for travel or everyday use.
❓ Will the Oppo Reno3 Youth receive consistent software updates and security patches?
Oppo generally provides good software support for its devices, but the Reno3 Youth is an older model. While it will likely receive security updates for a reasonable period, major Android version updates may be limited. Check Oppo’s official support page for the latest information.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 765G's 5G modem compare to the Kirin 820's 5G modem in terms of speed and reliability?
Both chipsets feature integrated 5G modems capable of supporting sub-6GHz 5G networks. In real-world usage, the difference in 5G performance between the two is likely to be minimal and heavily dependent on network conditions and carrier support. Both should provide a solid 5G experience.