Why Choose a Huawei Phone: What to Check Before You Buy

Choosing a Huawei phone in 2024 means weighing strong hardware and cameras against the lack of Google services. Before you buy, check whether the model you want runs Google apps (older models do), what the current US sanctions mean for software updates, and whether your carrier supports the phone’s network bands. This guide covers the key reasons people pick Huawei, the trade-offs, and the exact checklist to run through before spending money.

Background: How Huawei Got Here

Huawei is one of the world’s largest smartphone manufacturers, based in Shenzhen, China. For years it competed directly with Samsung and Apple, especially in Europe and Asia, with phones like the P-series and Mate-series praised for camera innovation and battery life. In May 2019, the US Commerce Department added Huawei to the Entity List, which blocks American companies from selling certain technology to it. The most visible effect: new Huawei phones released after mid-2019 cannot ship with Google Mobile Services (GMS) — meaning no Google Play Store, Gmail, Google Maps, or YouTube as pre-installed apps. Instead, Huawei phones use its own AppGallery and HMS (Huawei Mobile Services).

This changed the buying decision entirely. A Huawei phone is no longer just a hardware choice; it’s a software ecosystem decision. Older models (like the P30 series) still have full Google support, but newer ones (Mate 40, P50, P60, Mate 60) do not. The company has also faced restrictions on using 5G chips from Qualcomm, so many recent flagships are 4G-only, though the Mate 60 series in 2023 returned to 5G using a domestic chip.

Why People Still Choose Huawei

Despite the software hurdles, there are concrete reasons someone might pick a Huawei phone:

• Camera quality: Huawei’s Leica partnership (until 2022) and its own XMAGE imaging system produce excellent photos, especially in low light and with zoom. The P-series and Mate-series regularly top camera rankings.
• Hardware build: Premium materials, IP68 water resistance, and large batteries with fast charging (often 66W to 88W wired, plus wireless charging).
• Display: Bright, high-refresh-rate OLED screens with accurate colors.
• Price: In markets where Huawei phones are sold officially, they often cost less than Samsung or Apple flagships with similar specs.
• Privacy and control: Some users prefer the lack of Google tracking, though Huawei’s own data practices are a separate consideration.

But these strengths only matter if the software situation works for you. If you rely on Google apps daily, a new Huawei phone will be a frustrating experience unless you’re willing to sideload apps or use workarounds.

What to Check Before You Buy

Before buying any Huawei phone, go through this checklist:

1. Does it have Google Play? If you buy an older model (pre-2019 or early 2020 like the P30), it likely has GMS. Newer models do not. Check the specific model’s release date and confirm from reviews or the retailer.
2. Which apps do you need? Make a list of your must-have apps. Check if they’re available on Huawei AppGallery or as APKs from trusted sources. Banking apps, some messaging apps, and many games are often missing or don’t work without Google Play Services.
3. Network bands: Huawei phones sold in China may lack LTE bands used in the US or Europe. Check the exact model number (e.g., AL00 for China, L29 for global) and compare bands with your carrier. In the US, most Huawei phones won’t work well on Verizon or AT&T, and may only get partial T-Mobile coverage.
4. 5G support: Many recent Huawei flagships are 4G-only due to chip restrictions. If 5G matters to you, check the specs. The Mate 60 has 5G, but the P50 Pro (global) does not.
5. Software updates: Huawei’s new phones run HarmonyOS (in China) or EMUI (international) based on the open-source Android. They still get security patches, but the frequency and duration may be shorter than Samsung or Google. Also, some apps may not update properly without Google services.
6. Warranty and support: In countries where Huawei has no official presence (like the US), you get no warranty or repair support. Buying from an importer means you’re on your own if the screen breaks.
7. Price vs. alternatives: Compare with a Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, or OnePlus in the same price range. Often you can get a phone with full Google support and similar hardware for the same money.

Software Workarounds and Their Limits

If you buy a new Huawei phone without Google, there are ways to install Google apps, but they’re not perfect. The most common method is using the “Googlefier” app or manually installing Google Play Services APKs from a site like APKMirror. This can work for basic Gmail and YouTube, but:

• Some apps (Google Maps, Google Pay) may not work reliably because they rely on SafetyNet or Play Integrity checks.
• Notifications from Google apps may be delayed or not appear at all.
• App updates might require manual sideloading.
• It’s not a supported method, and a future system update could break it.

For many people, this is too much hassle. If you’re not comfortable sideloading APKs and troubleshooting, a new Huawei phone is probably not for you.

Common Problems and How to Avoid Them

Owners of newer Huawei phones report a few recurring issues:

• Missing apps: Even with AppGallery, you won’t find many US banking apps, Netflix (though you can get it from the app store), or some social media apps. Workarounds exist but are clunky.
• No Google Pay: If you use contactless payments, forget it on new Huawei phones.
• Carrier compatibility: In the US, Huawei phones are not certified by major carriers, so you might get no VoLTE or Wi-Fi calling, which means worse call quality and battery life.
• Resale value: Because of the software limitations, used Huawei phones depreciate faster than Samsung or Apple.

To avoid these, either buy an older model with Google, or be prepared to live without Google services. Some people do fine using Huawei’s own apps and browser-based alternatives (e.g., using the web version of Gmail).

Comparisons: Huawei vs. Samsung vs. Google Pixel

In the same price range, you can buy a Samsung Galaxy A54 or S23 FE, or a Google Pixel 7a/8, all with full Google support. Here’s how they compare:

• Camera: Huawei’s hardware is often superior, but Pixel’s computational photography is close, and Samsung’s is good enough for most.
• Software updates: Samsung promises 4-5 years of security updates; Google does the same. Huawei’s update policy is less transparent.
• Ecosystem: Samsung and Google integrate seamlessly with Android Auto, Wear OS, and other Google services. Huawei has its own ecosystem, which is weaker globally.
• Price: Huawei might be cheaper, but you pay in convenience.

If you prioritize camera hardware and don’t care about Google, Huawei is a strong choice. Otherwise, a Pixel or Samsung is the safer bet.

Safety and Security Considerations

There are two sides to this. Huawei has stated it never shares data with the Chinese government, and no public evidence proves otherwise. However, the US and some other countries have banned Huawei equipment from government networks due to national security concerns. For individual buyers, the main security issue is the lack of regular, timely security patches on some models. Also, sideloading APKs from unknown sources carries malware risk. If you buy a Huawei phone, only install apps from AppGallery or well-known APK repositories, and keep the phone updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install Google Play on a new Huawei phone? Yes, but it’s not officially supported. You can sideload Google Play Services APKs, and many apps will work, but some (like Google Pay) won’t, and notifications may be unreliable. It’s a workaround, not a perfect solution.

Do Huawei phones work in the US? Most do not work well. They lack certified bands for AT&T and Verizon, and T-Mobile only supports some. You might get 4G LTE data, but no VoLTE or Wi-Fi calling. Check the exact model’s bands against your carrier’s network.

Is Huawei still making phones in 2024? Yes, Huawei continues to release new phones, mainly in China and some international markets. The Mate 60 series and Pura 70 series are recent flagships. However, availability varies by region, and in the US they’re only sold through third-party importers.

What is HarmonyOS? HarmonyOS is Huawei’s own operating system, used in China. Internationally, Huawei phones still run EMUI, which is based on the open-source Android. HarmonyOS is not the same as Android and doesn’t run Android apps natively, though it can run some through compatibility layers.

Are Huawei phones safe to use? There’s no public evidence that Huawei phones are more dangerous than other brands. However, the lack of Google Play Protect and the need to sideload apps increases risk. Keep your phone updated and stick to official app sources.

Should I buy a Huawei phone in 2024? Only if you’re comfortable with the software limitations. If you can live without Google apps or are willing to use workarounds, you get a great camera and hardware for the price. Otherwise, choose a phone with full Google support.

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