vivo X30 Pro vs Huawei P40 Pro+: Which Flagship Reigns Supreme?

Released in early 2020, both the vivo X30 Pro and Huawei P40 Pro+ represent a peak in pre-foldable flagship design. While the P40 Pro+ initially commanded a premium price, both devices now offer compelling value in the used market. This comparison dissects their core differences, focusing on chipset performance, camera capabilities, and charging technologies to determine which phone best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a balanced experience, the Huawei P40 Pro+ emerges as the stronger contender. Its Kirin 990 5G chipset offers a performance edge, coupled with a superior display and more versatile charging options. However, the X30 Pro remains a viable option for budget-conscious buyers.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo X30 Pro Huawei P40 Pro+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands41, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G (3.6+ Gbps DL)HSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA-
Launch
Announced2019, December. Released 2019, December2020, March 26
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, June 06
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front, ceramic back, ceramic frame
Dimensions158.5 x 74.1 x 8.8 mm (6.24 x 2.92 x 0.35 in)158.2 x 72.6 x 9 mm (6.23 x 2.86 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight198.5 g (7.02 oz)226 g (7.97 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1200 x 2640 pixels (~441 ppi density)
Size6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.58 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~91.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, HDR, 800 nits (typ)OLED, 90Hz, HDR10
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A77 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex A55)Octa-core (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetExynos 980 (8 nm)Kirin 990 5G (7 nm+)
GPUMali-G76 MP5Mali-G76 MP16
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 10.0Android 10, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotNoNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLeica optics, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/3.0, 135mm (periscope telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 32 MP, f/2.0, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/4.4, 240mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 10x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 40 MP, f/1.8, 18mm (ultrawide), 1/1.54", PDAF TOF 3D, (depth)
Video4K@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720@7680fps, 1080p@960fps, HDR; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, AF IR TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
 -32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassInfrared Face ID, fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging33W wired40W wired 40W wireless 27W reverse wireless
Type4350 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4200 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Peach, Light BlueWhite Ceramic, Black Ceramic
ModelsV1938TELS-N39, ELS-AN10
PriceAbout 600 EURAbout 1000 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 95h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -27.4 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 529687 (v8) GeekBench: 3203 (v5.1) GFXBench: 31fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo X30 Pro

  • More affordable price point
  • Decent overall performance for everyday tasks
  • Fast 33W wired charging

  • Less powerful chipset compared to Kirin 990 5G
  • No wireless charging support
  • Likely inferior camera performance

Huawei P40 Pro+

  • Superior chipset performance with Kirin 990 5G
  • Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
  • Versatile charging options (40W wired, 40W wireless, 27W reverse wireless)

  • Higher price compared to vivo X30 Pro
  • May be harder to find in good condition due to age
  • Potential software update limitations

Display Comparison

The Huawei P40 Pro+ boasts a notably brighter display, reaching a measured 760 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the X30 Pro. This translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. While both displays likely feature OLED technology, the P40 Pro+'s 'Infinite' contrast ratio suggests a more refined panel with deeper blacks. The absence of refresh rate data for the X30 Pro suggests it likely operates at a standard 60Hz, while the P40 Pro+’s display technology is unknown, but a higher refresh rate is possible.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are marketed as camera-centric, but the P40 Pro+ likely holds a significant edge. While specific sensor details are missing, the P40 Pro+’s reputation centers around its advanced camera system. The focus on 'Photo / Video' suggests a comprehensive feature set. The X30 Pro’s camera, while competent, is unlikely to match the P40 Pro+'s image processing capabilities or low-light performance. The absence of details on the X30 Pro’s camera system makes a detailed comparison difficult, but it’s reasonable to assume the P40 Pro+ offers greater zoom capabilities and overall image quality.

Performance

The Kirin 990 5G in the P40 Pro+ utilizes a 7nm+ process, offering a theoretical advantage in power efficiency and transistor density over the X30 Pro’s 8nm Exynos 980. The P40 Pro+'s CPU configuration – with two high-performance Cortex-A76 cores and two more Cortex-A76 cores – suggests a more sustained performance advantage in multi-threaded tasks compared to the X30 Pro’s mix of Cortex-A77 and A55 cores. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Kirin’s architecture is geared towards more consistent high-end performance. The X30 Pro’s Exynos 980, while capable, may exhibit more thermal throttling under prolonged heavy loads.

Battery Life

Both phones share an endurance rating of 95 hours, indicating comparable real-world battery life despite potentially different battery capacities. However, the P40 Pro+ significantly outpaces the X30 Pro in charging speed, offering 40W wired charging, 40W wireless charging, and even 27W reverse wireless charging. The X30 Pro is limited to 33W wired charging. This means the P40 Pro+ can achieve a full charge much faster and offers the convenience of wireless charging, a feature absent on the X30 Pro.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo X30 Pro if you need a capable all-rounder with decent performance and fast charging at a significantly lower price point. It’s ideal for everyday tasks, social media, and casual gaming. Buy the Huawei P40 Pro+ if you prioritize camera versatility, a brighter display, and faster charging – both wired and wireless – and are willing to spend a bit more for a more premium experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 980 in the vivo X30 Pro suffer from overheating during extended gaming sessions?
The Exynos 980, built on an 8nm process, is prone to thermal throttling under sustained heavy loads. While adequate for casual gaming, demanding titles may experience frame drops or reduced performance after prolonged play. The Kirin 990 5G in the P40 Pro+, with its 7nm+ process, is better equipped to handle sustained performance.
❓ How does the camera processing differ between the vivo X30 Pro and the Huawei P40 Pro+?
Huawei’s P40 Pro+ is renowned for its computational photography prowess, leveraging advanced algorithms for image enhancement and detail preservation. The X30 Pro’s camera, while capable, likely employs a more straightforward processing approach. Expect the P40 Pro+ to deliver more vibrant colors, better dynamic range, and superior low-light performance.
❓ Is the lack of wireless charging on the vivo X30 Pro a significant drawback?
For users accustomed to the convenience of wireless charging, the X30 Pro’s omission is a notable limitation. The P40 Pro+ offers both 40W wired and 40W wireless charging, providing greater flexibility. If wireless charging is a priority, the P40 Pro+ is the clear choice.
❓ Given their age, are software updates still available for either device?
Software update support for both devices is limited. Huawei, due to geopolitical factors, may have restricted updates for the P40 Pro+. Vivo’s update schedule for the X30 Pro is also likely to have ended. Users should consider this when making a purchase, as security patches and new features will be scarce.