Looking for a reliable and affordable Android phone? The Sony Xperia L3 and Huawei P30 Lite are both strong contenders in the budget segment. But which one offers the best value for your money? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei P30 Lite edges out the Xperia L3 thanks to its brighter display, more powerful processor, and slightly better overall performance. While the Xperia L3 boasts impressive battery life, the P30 Lite’s improvements make it the more compelling choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - I3312, I4312, I4332 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Europe, Canada |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38 - I3312, I4312 | 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 20, 38 - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 400/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 28, 29 - I3322 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 - Canada |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, February. Released 2019, February | 2019, March 27. Released 2019, April 25 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 154 x 72 x 8.9 mm (6.06 x 2.83 x 0.35 in) | 152.9 x 72.7 x 7.4 mm (6.02 x 2.86 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 156 g (5.50 oz) | 159 g (5.61 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 1080 x 2312 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~415 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~75.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.15 inches, 93.6 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Kirin 710 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G51 MP4 |
| OS | Android 8.0 (Oreo) | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, EMUI 10.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, 17mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens
or
24 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, 17mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 24 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm
or
32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes - MAR-L21MEA, MAR-LX1M only |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio (market dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | USB Power Delivery | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3340 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gold, Silver | Peacock Blue, Midnight Black, Pearl White |
| Models | I3312, I4312, I4332, I3322 | MAR-LX1M, MAR-AL00, MAR-TL00, MAR-LX2, Marie-L21A, Marie-L01A, Marie-L21MEA, Marie-L22A, MAR-LX1A, MAR-LX3A, MAR-LX2J, MAR-LX1B, MAR-LX3Bm, MAR-LX3Am |
| Price | About 230 EUR | About 420 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -91.9dB / Crosstalk -89.3dB |
Noise -94.4dB / Crosstalk -71.2dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 80h
|
Endurance rating 94h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1818:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1231:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 70dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 81dB
|
Voice 71dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 83dB
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 78894 (v7)
GFXBench: 5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 141600 (v7)
GeekBench: 5549 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 6.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Sony Xperia L3
- Exceptional battery life
- Clean Android experience
- Good contrast ratio display
- Slower performance
- Less bright display
- Camera could be better
Huawei P30 lite
- Brighter display
- Faster performance
- Versatile camera system
- 18W fast charging
- Software updates can be inconsistent
- Contrast ratio slightly lower than Xperia L3
Display Comparison
The Huawei P30 Lite takes the display crown. While both offer impressive contrast ratios (1818:1 for Xperia L3, 1231:1 for P30 Lite), the P30 Lite's measured 501 nits of max brightness significantly improves visibility in outdoor conditions. The Xperia L3's display is perfectly adequate, but lacks the punch of the P30 Lite.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer decent camera capabilities, but the P30 Lite generally produces more pleasing results. The P30 Lite often has better dynamic range and color accuracy. The Xperia L3's camera is serviceable, but lacks the refinement of the P30 Lite's.
Performance
The Huawei P30 Lite's Kirin 710 chipset delivers noticeably better performance than the Xperia L3's Mediatek Helio P22. The Kirin 710's Cortex-A73 cores provide a boost in responsiveness and multitasking capabilities. Expect smoother app loading and gaming on the P30 Lite.
Battery Life
The Xperia L3 holds a slight advantage in battery endurance, boasting an 80-hour rating compared to the P30 Lite's 94-hour rating. However, real-world usage often closes this gap, and the P30 Lite's faster 18W charging helps offset any difference.
Buying Guide
The Sony Xperia L3 is a good option for users prioritizing exceptional battery life and a clean Android experience. The Huawei P30 Lite is ideal for those seeking a smoother performance, a brighter display, and a more versatile camera system, even on a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Historically, Sony has provided more consistent and timely software updates than Huawei, though this can vary. Check current update status before purchasing.
❓ Is the Huawei P30 Lite's camera good for low-light photography?
While not exceptional, the P30 Lite's camera performs reasonably well in low light, thanks to its aperture and software processing. The Xperia L3 struggles more in low-light conditions.
