Hey everyone! Today, we're diving deep into the Huawei P20 Pro, a phone that really shook up the mobile photography scene when it first launched. We're not just talking specs here; we're going to unbox it, give you our initial impressions, and see if this phone still holds up in today's market. So, buckle up and let's get started!

Unboxing the Huawei P20 Pro

Okay, so getting our hands on a brand-new P20 Pro in 2024 is a bit of a challenge, but let's imagine we're stepping back in time to 2018, shall we? The box itself is pretty standard for Huawei at the time – clean, white, and minimalist. Inside, you'd typically find the phone (obviously!), a fast charger, a USB-C cable, a pair of earphones (remember those?), a SIM ejector tool, and some documentation. Nothing too fancy, but everything you need to get started. The excitement of peeling off that protective film from the phone's screen is something else, isn't it? Holding the P20 Pro for the first time, you'd immediately notice its premium feel. The glass back, the polished aluminum frame – it just screams quality. And that gradient color, especially the Twilight version, was an absolute head-turner back in the day. Even now, the design is still quite appealing, proving that Huawei knew what they were doing. The phone feels solid in hand, with a comfortable weight that gives you confidence. Setting it up for the first time is a breeze. The EMUI interface, while not everyone's cup of tea, is functional and packed with features. Connecting to Wi-Fi, signing into your Google account, and transferring your data – it's all pretty straightforward. And then, the moment you fire up that camera… that's when the real magic begins. The triple-lens setup, co-engineered with Leica, was revolutionary at the time. The color accuracy, the detail, the low-light performance – it was all on another level. You can spend hours just playing around with the camera, experimenting with different modes and settings. And let's not forget the AI-powered scene recognition, which automatically adjusts the camera settings to capture the best possible shot. Whether you're a photography enthusiast or just someone who wants to take great photos without too much effort, the P20 Pro's camera is sure to impress. The unboxing experience is more than just opening a box; it's about the anticipation, the excitement, and the first impression. And the Huawei P20 Pro definitely makes a strong first impression.

First Impressions: Design and Build Quality

When the Huawei P20 Pro hit the scene, its design really made waves. The sleek glass back, the polished aluminum frame, and those eye-catching gradient colors – especially the iconic Twilight – made it a style statement. Even today, the design holds up remarkably well, proving that Huawei was ahead of the curve. Holding the phone, you immediately notice the quality. It feels solid and well-built, with a weight that inspires confidence. The curved edges make it comfortable to hold, even for extended periods. The button placement is also well thought out, with the power button and volume rocker easily accessible. The fingerprint sensor, located on the front of the phone, is fast and reliable. And let's not forget the display. The 6.1-inch OLED screen is vibrant and sharp, with excellent color accuracy. Whether you're watching videos, browsing the web, or playing games, the display is a treat for the eyes. The bezels are relatively thin, giving the phone a modern look. And the notch, while controversial at the time, is now a common sight on smartphones. But the P20 Pro is more than just a pretty face. It's also built to last. The glass back is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, which helps to prevent scratches and cracks. The phone is also IP67 rated for water and dust resistance, so you don't have to worry about using it in the rain or near the pool. Overall, the design and build quality of the P20 Pro are top-notch. It's a phone that looks and feels premium, and it's built to withstand the rigors of daily use. Huawei paid attention to every detail, from the choice of materials to the placement of the buttons. And the result is a phone that is both beautiful and functional.

Diving into the Display and Performance

Let's talk about the Huawei P20 Pro's display. It boasts a vibrant 6.1-inch OLED screen that really pops with color. Whether you're scrolling through Instagram, watching videos, or playing games, the visuals are crisp and engaging. The contrast is excellent, thanks to the OLED technology, making blacks look truly black and colors appear more vivid. The resolution is sharp enough that you won't notice any pixelation, and the brightness is sufficient for comfortable viewing even in direct sunlight. While it might not have the super-high refresh rates of some modern phones, the P20 Pro's display still holds up remarkably well. It's smooth and responsive, making everyday tasks a pleasure. And the color accuracy is generally good, although some users might prefer to tweak the settings to their liking. Now, let's move on to performance. The P20 Pro is powered by Huawei's Kirin 970 processor, which was a flagship chip at the time of its release. It's paired with 6GB of RAM, which is more than enough for most users. In everyday use, the phone feels snappy and responsive. Apps open quickly, multitasking is smooth, and there's no noticeable lag. Even when running demanding games, the P20 Pro handles them with ease. The Kirin 970 is a capable processor that can handle most tasks without breaking a sweat. Of course, it's not as powerful as the latest flagship chips, but it's still more than adequate for most users. And the 6GB of RAM ensures that you can run multiple apps at the same time without experiencing any slowdown. One thing to note is that the P20 Pro can get a bit warm when running demanding tasks. This is normal for phones with glass backs, and it's not usually a cause for concern. However, if you're planning on playing graphics-intensive games for extended periods, you might want to consider using a case to help dissipate the heat. Overall, the P20 Pro offers a great balance of display quality and performance. It's a phone that is enjoyable to use for everyday tasks, and it can also handle demanding games and applications without any issues. The display is vibrant and sharp, and the performance is smooth and responsive.

Camera Capabilities: Still a Contender?

The Huawei P20 Pro's camera was, and in many ways still is, a game-changer. The triple-lens setup, co-engineered with Leica, really set a new standard for mobile photography. The primary 40MP sensor captures an incredible amount of detail, while the 20MP monochrome sensor enhances low-light performance. And the 8MP telephoto lens provides 3x optical zoom, allowing you to get closer to your subject without sacrificing image quality. In daylight, the P20 Pro's camera produces stunning images with accurate colors, excellent dynamic range, and plenty of detail. The AI-powered scene recognition automatically adjusts the camera settings to optimize the image for different scenarios, such as landscapes, portraits, and food. And the dedicated night mode allows you to capture bright and detailed photos even in very low light. The P20 Pro's camera is also capable of shooting 4K video at 30fps. The video quality is excellent, with good stabilization and accurate colors. And the phone also supports slow-motion video recording at up to 960fps. Of course, the P20 Pro's camera is not perfect. The AI-powered scene recognition can sometimes be a bit too aggressive, resulting in images that are over-processed. And the telephoto lens is not as sharp as the primary lens. However, these are minor issues that don't detract from the overall quality of the camera. So, is the P20 Pro's camera still a contender in today's market? The answer is a resounding yes. While it might not have all the latest features, such as super-wide-angle lenses or advanced computational photography algorithms, it still produces images that are on par with many modern smartphones. The detail, color accuracy, and low-light performance are all excellent. And the 3x optical zoom is a feature that is still relatively rare on smartphones. If you're looking for a phone with a great camera, the P20 Pro is definitely worth considering. It's a phone that can capture stunning photos in a wide variety of conditions, and it's a phone that is still capable of competing with the best.

Battery Life and Software Experience

Battery life is super important, right? The Huawei P20 Pro packs a hefty 4,000mAh battery, which was pretty impressive back in the day. And honestly, it still holds up well. You can easily get through a full day of moderate use, and even with heavy use, you'll likely have some juice left over at the end of the day. Watching videos, browsing the web, playing games – the P20 Pro can handle it all without running out of steam. And when you do need to charge, the included fast charger can top up the battery in a reasonable amount of time. Of course, battery life will vary depending on your usage habits. If you're constantly streaming videos or playing graphics-intensive games, you'll probably need to charge the phone more often. But for most users, the P20 Pro's battery life is more than adequate. Now, let's talk about the software experience. The P20 Pro runs on Huawei's EMUI, which is a heavily customized version of Android. EMUI is not everyone's cup of tea, but it's functional and packed with features. It includes a variety of customization options, such as themes, wallpapers, and icon packs. And it also includes a number of useful features, such as a system-wide dark mode and a built-in app lock. However, EMUI can also be a bit buggy and inconsistent. Some users find the interface to be cluttered and confusing, and the pre-installed bloatware can be annoying. And Huawei's software updates have been somewhat erratic in the past. Overall, the software experience on the P20 Pro is a mixed bag. It's functional and feature-rich, but it can also be buggy and inconsistent. If you're a fan of stock Android, you might not like EMUI. But if you're willing to give it a try, you might find that it has some useful features to offer. One thing to note is that the P20 Pro is no longer receiving official software updates from Huawei. This means that it's stuck on an older version of Android, and it won't receive any new features or security patches. However, you can still install custom ROMs on the P20 Pro to keep it up to date with the latest version of Android. This is a more advanced option, but it can be a good way to extend the life of your phone.

Final Verdict: Is the Huawei P20 Pro Still Worth It?

So, after all this, is the Huawei P20 Pro still worth buying in today's world? Well, that's a tricky question. If you can find one in really good condition and at a super low price, then it might be worth considering. The camera is still excellent, the design is timeless, and the performance is adequate for most tasks. However, there are also some downsides to consider. The phone is no longer receiving software updates, the battery life might not be as good as it used to be, and the EMUI software can be a bit clunky. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to buy a P20 Pro depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you're a photography enthusiast on a budget, then it might be a good option. But if you're looking for the latest features and the best possible performance, then you're probably better off with a newer phone. The P20 Pro was a groundbreaking phone when it was first released. It pushed the boundaries of mobile photography and set a new standard for design. And while it might not be the best phone on the market today, it's still a capable device that can hold its own. So, if you're looking for a piece of smartphone history, the P20 Pro is definitely worth checking out.