Released roughly a year apart, the Samsung Galaxy A8+ (2018) and Huawei P20 lite (2019) represent competing visions of the mid-range smartphone. The A8+ aimed for a premium feel with its glass build, while the P20 lite focused on delivering solid performance and features at a more accessible price point. Both devices feature 18W fast charging, but diverge significantly in their core processing power and architecture.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and potentially better long-term software support, the Huawei P20 lite (2019) emerges as the stronger choice. Its Kirin 710, built on a smaller 12nm process, offers a slight efficiency advantage over the 14nm Exynos 7885 in the A8+, translating to potentially less thermal throttling during demanding tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat11 600/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, December. Released 2018, January | 2019, June. Released 2019, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm (6.30 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 159.1 x 75.9 x 8.3 mm (6.26 x 2.99 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 178 g (6.28 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2220 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) | 1080 x 2310 pixels (~398 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 91.4 cm2 (~75.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 101.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Exynos 7885 (14 nm) | Kirin 710 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G71 | Mali-G51 MP4 |
| OS | Android 7.1.1 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
8 MP, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 16 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8”, 1.12µm, PDAF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
8 MP, f/1.9, 1/4.0", 1.12µm | - |
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Music play | Up to 73 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 23 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 3500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, orchid grey, gold, blue | Midnight Black, Crush Blue, Charming Red |
| Models | SM-A730F | - |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 280 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.32 W/kg (head) 1.30 W/kg (body) | - |
Samsung Galaxy A8+ (2018)
- Potentially more vibrant display (if Super AMOLED)
- Established Samsung brand reputation
- Glass back design for a premium feel
- Less efficient 14nm Exynos 7885 chipset
- Potential for thermal throttling under sustained load
- Likely less advanced image processing
Huawei P20 lite (2019)
- More efficient 12nm Kirin 710 chipset
- Potentially better sustained performance
- Huawei’s computational photography expertise
- EMUI software experience may not appeal to all users
- Likely IPS LCD display (less vibrant than AMOLED)
- Build quality may feel less premium
Display Comparison
Neither Samsung nor Huawei provided detailed display specs in the provided data. However, given the A8+'s positioning, it likely featured a Super AMOLED panel, known for vibrant colors and deep blacks. The P20 lite likely used an IPS LCD. The real difference lies under the hood; the Kirin 710's ISP likely handles display calibration differently, potentially impacting color accuracy. Both devices likely targeted FHD+ resolutions, common for the mid-range segment at the time.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct camera comparison is difficult. However, the P20 lite’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Kirin 710 likely benefits from Huawei’s strong focus on computational photography. While both phones likely featured a primary camera and depth sensor, the P20 lite’s image processing algorithms could deliver more refined images, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The A8+ may have relied more on Samsung’s traditional image processing, which often prioritizes vibrant colors.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Huawei P20 lite’s Kirin 710 (12nm) boasts a slight architectural advantage over the Samsung Galaxy A8+'s Exynos 7885 (14nm). While both utilize an octa-core configuration with 4x Cortex-A73 and 4x Cortex-A53 cores at 2.2GHz and 1.7GHz respectively, the Kirin 710’s smaller fabrication process generally leads to improved power efficiency and potentially better sustained performance. The A8+ has 2x A73 cores, while the P20 lite has 4x, suggesting a potential advantage in multi-threaded tasks for the P20 lite. The 12nm process of the Kirin 710 should result in less heat generation under load, mitigating thermal throttling.
Battery Life
Both devices support 18W wired charging, offering comparable charging speeds. The actual battery capacity isn't specified, but the Kirin 710’s 12nm process contributes to better power efficiency. This means the P20 lite could potentially achieve similar or even longer battery life with a comparable battery capacity to the A8+. The efficiency gain from the smaller node is crucial for real-world usage, especially for users who engage in gaming or video streaming.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A8+ (2018) if you value a more established brand reputation and a design that prioritized aesthetics with its glass construction. Buy the Huawei P20 lite (2019) if you prioritize raw performance-per-dollar, a more efficient chipset, and are comfortable with Huawei’s EMUI software experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 7885 in the Galaxy A8+ overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 7885, being built on a 14nm process, is more prone to thermal throttling than the Kirin 710. While it can handle casual gaming, extended sessions with demanding titles may lead to noticeable performance drops as the chip heats up. The P20 lite’s 12nm Kirin 710 is better equipped to maintain consistent performance over longer periods.
❓ How does the Kirin 710’s efficiency impact real-world battery life compared to the Exynos 7885?
The Kirin 710’s 12nm fabrication process is significantly more power-efficient than the Exynos 7885’s 14nm process. This translates to less energy consumption for the same tasks, resulting in potentially longer battery life, especially during demanding activities like video streaming or gaming. Even with similar battery capacities, the P20 lite should offer a noticeable advantage in endurance.
❓ Is the difference in CPU core count (2x A73 vs 4x A73) noticeable in everyday tasks?
While both chips feature Cortex-A73 cores, the P20 lite’s having double the number (4 vs 2) provides a benefit in multi-threaded applications. This means tasks like video editing, file compression, or running multiple apps simultaneously will likely be smoother and faster on the P20 lite.
