None Too Appy Huawei Mate 40 Pro

One of the best-built smartphones around, but software inconveniences lose it points

The Huawei Mate 40 Pro finds itself with the same problem as other recent Huawei handsets: top-notch hardware but issues on the software front since the US stopped it from dealing with Google. That means you might not be able to run all the apps you need.

There are workarounds – you can get at your Gmail email through a different client, for example – but it continues to be a challenge for Huawei and its phones, even though the company is making progress in improving the app experience on its newest handsets.

What we can say is that the fit and finish of the phone is absolutely first class, as usual. With fantastic camera and battery performance, the Huawei Mate 40 Pro might just have enough in the positives column for you to be able to live with a few app inconveniences.

The screenplays a big role in the overall aesthetics: the large 6.76-inch OLED display runs at a resolution of 1344 x 2772 pixels and refresh rate of 90Hz, with curved edges at the side and minimal bezels at the top and bottom. It’s pleasingly sharp, bright and crisp, with HDR10 support.

While it’s not the thinnest or lightest phone that you’re going to come across, the Huawei Mate 40 Pro feels comfortable in the hand, with a finish that makes the phone feel as expensive as it actually is. The phone is fully protected against water and dust with an IP68 rating, and there’s a USB-C port for data transfer and charging. You don’t get a headphone jack, but there are stereo speakers.