Huawei Is Basically Forcing Fans To Buy The P30 Pro By Crippling The P30

Call it “abate and switch.” But hey, at least you get a headphone jack.

- Michael Simon

If it seems like every smartphone maker offers a choice between two models of its best phones, it’s because they do. Everyone from Samsung to Apple to Google sells a standard and Plus, Max, or XL version of their flagship phones, with larger screens and various upgrades. Obviously, the larger model costs more—usually $100 or so. In short, the more you spend, the more you get.

The difference between the S10 and S10+? A larger screen and a second front camera. The same goes for the Pixel 3 and 3XL. The iPhone XS Max and XS? Three-quarters of an inch more screen. That’s how it should be. On the one hand, you shouldn’t feel like you’re being punished for wanting a phone with a smaller screen, but even if the larger size brings exclusive features, you shouldn’t need to comb through spec sheets to decide which phone is a better fit. The differences between two models in the same series should be clear and obvious, which lets consumers make smart choices and encourages upsells.

Apparently Huawei still hasn’t gotten that memo. While the P30 Pro is an excellent phone that will surely settle at or near the top of the Android leaderboard, its smaller sibling is hardly a contender. Despite sporting a similar aesthetic and naming convention, the two phones couldn’t be more different. All in all, it’s a confusing mess that basically makes the buying experience as unpleasant as pos­sible—and basically forces you to choose the most expensive model.

MORE THAN SKIN-DEEP

Let’s start with the display. Right off the bat, you can see that you’re getting two different types: The P30 has a “flat” screen, while the P30 Pro sports curved edges. That’s hardly ideal, but I can live with it.