HORIZON TOP LAUNCHES
It was a sombre affair this month but we saw new launches from OnePlus, Apple’s new iPhone and Motorola’s latest flagship
Some have questioned Huawei’s logic in launching a bunch of new flagship handsets slap-bang in the middle of a global pandemic. The flip side of this argument, of course, is that during a lockdown, people are going to want something that can ably cater for their movie-watching, game-playing and home-working needs. The P40 – the standard model in a range of three devices – is undoubtedly an able phone. The aforementioned movies and games will dazzle on its 6.1-inch, 2340 x 1080 display. And though the 90Hz refresh rate isn’t quite up there with the best handsets in this class, it’s more than decent (and also a step up from the phone’s predecessor, the P30). The P40 features a sophisticated four-camera set-up: round the back you’ll find a 50MP RYYB f/1.9, a 16MP ultra-wideangle f/2.2, and an 8MP telephoto lens, while the front-facing camera shoots at a generous 32MP. We were pleased to hear that Huawei has used the same Kirin 990 5G chipset that impressed in its Mate 30 handsets at the end of last year – though, it must be said, news of the P40’s 3,800mAh battery left us feeling slightly underwhelmed. The P40 Pro and P40 Pro Plus offer a noticeably better spec, of course, but the P40 will do most things you want it to – and that includes getting you through the worst days of a nationwide lockdown.
“If you can cope without the extra smarts that its bigger brothers offer, then this handset is well worth your consideration”