Huawei P40 Pro+ Unboxing and First Impressions
The Huawei P40 Pro is currently rated as one of the best high-end camera phones in the world for a reason—it takes really good images for a smartphone. But if the P40 Pro is still not enough for you, the Chinese tech giant has an even better device, the P40 Pro+.
As the name suggests, it is the "PLUS" version of the P40 Pro. While they share a similar form factor, chipset, battery, selfie cam, and a few other factors, the P40 Pro+ comes with an even more premium build, larger storage, faster wireless charging tech, and MORE cameras.
This is one of the very few phones in the world right now with a PENTA rear camera setup with up to 100x digital zoom.
Let's dig in. Here's part 1 of our review—unboxing and first impressions.
The packaging is straightforward. You'll get a rectangular-shaped white box with the Huawei P40 Pro+ branding, Leica logo, and AppGallery tag. This means that the phone comes with Huawei Mobile Services with the AppGallery for downloading apps instead of Google Play Store.
Next is we saw the SIM ejector pin inside the second small box inside the main box. Unlike the P40 Pro, there's no case included. I'm hoping that the retail unit of this handset will come with the case though.
But, the P40 Pro+ now has a pre-installed screen protector. That's a welcome addition.
Next is you'll see the 40W USB SuperCharge power brick, USB-A to USB-C data/charging cable, and the USB-C earphones with mic and 3-button controls.
Note: The P40 Pro+ is compatible with the 40W Wireless SuperCharge charger. It is sold separately.
The form factor and the screen in front are similar to the P40 Pro, but it differs in the back panel used. Instead of matte frosted glass (refractive matte finish), the P40 Pro+ Nano-Tech Ceramic back cover.
Huawei claimed that it comes with diamond-like shine and highly scratch-resistant sapphire-like toughness. So, it should be even more durable than the tough glass back of the P40 Pro.
In front, there's no mention scratch resistance on the screen though. But, since it has a pre-installed screen protector, it won't get scratches that easy. Also, I would like to note that my 3-month-old P40 Pro with the same screen as the P40 Pro+ still doesn't have any scratches.
Similar to most Huawei high-end phones, this handset comes with IP68 water and dust resistance. The said tech will allow the phone to survive water submersion up to a maximum depth of 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
In terms of look, this device is simply gorgeous with generous curves. The unit I have is the White Ceramic variant with a high-gloss finish. Interestingly, even if it doesn't have the refractive matte finish of the P40 Pro, the back panel of P40 is even less prone to fingerprint smudges.
Coming from the P40 Pro, the P40 Pro+ has a slightly larger camera hump behind. It is due to its use of more cameras. Instead of just 4, it now has a total of 5 Leica cameras. Also, it has a back microphone below the LED flash.
It uses the same 50MP f/1.9 RYYB Ultra Vision Wide w/ Full Pixel Octa PD Autofocus and OIS main cam, 40MP f/1.8 SuperSensing Cine ultra-wide cam, and ToF 3D Depth Sensing camera, as well as the Color Temperature Sensor + dual-tone, LED flash, but it replaced the 13MP f/3.4 RYYB to an 8MP f/4.4 10x Optical Telephoto w/ OIS and an extra 8MP f/2.4 3x Optical Telephoto w/ OIS.
Compared to the up to 50x digital zoom of P40 Pro, the camera setup of the P40 Pro+ will allow its cameras to do 3x optical zoom, 10x optical zoom, and up to 100x digital zoom.
Note: The 50MP main sensor of this phone has a 1/1.28-inch sensor size than the 1/1.33-inch sensor size of Samsung's 108MP camera sensor which allows more light for better low light photography.
In the front, the handset loads with the same 6.58-inch Quad-Curve Overflow Display which highlights 3D curves on top, bottom, and sides. To house its 2MP + IR Depth/Gesture dual-cam and Ambient + Proximity sensors, Huawei placed a pill-shaped cutout of the upper left portion of the screen.
This is impressive as the cutout is considered very small for all the important sensors that it has. Traditionally, you will only find the selfie cam, 3D depth sensing, gestures, more secured face unlock, and more on phones with a thick notch, not on a punch-hole cutout.
Like other new Huawei flagships, the P40+ doesn't have a traditional ear speaker anymore. Instead, it uses a clear In-Display speaker that you can use for calls.
Using all the above-mentioned screen innovations, the Huawei P40 Pro+ has an immersive 91.6 percent of screen-to-body ratio in a small body that measures at 158.2 x 72.6 mm.
It is just a little thicker than the 8.5 mm of P40 Pro at 9.0 mm. That is probably due to its use of ceramic glass and the larger 40W Wireless SuperCharge support.
The rest is similar to the P40 Pro in terms of build and design. It has the IR Blaster and mic on top. Below, it goes with pinhole to open the SIM/NM card slots, another mic, USB-C port, and loudspeaker.
It's a clean slate at left and the power button and volume keys are located at the right side of the phone. Thanks to its Quad-Curve Overflow design, the screen is comfortable for swiping and typing as well.
The device is still slippery on flat surfaces though. Just be careful. At 226 grams, this is not a lightweight device. Avoid using it if you are very sleepy before sleeping to prevent it from hitting your face accidentally.
 |
| Meet P40 Pro+ |
As the name suggests, it is the "PLUS" version of the P40 Pro. While they share a similar form factor, chipset, battery, selfie cam, and a few other factors, the P40 Pro+ comes with an even more premium build, larger storage, faster wireless charging tech, and MORE cameras.
This is one of the very few phones in the world right now with a PENTA rear camera setup with up to 100x digital zoom.
Let's dig in. Here's part 1 of our review—unboxing and first impressions.
Unboxing/Accessories
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| Unpacked |
The packaging is straightforward. You'll get a rectangular-shaped white box with the Huawei P40 Pro+ branding, Leica logo, and AppGallery tag. This means that the phone comes with Huawei Mobile Services with the AppGallery for downloading apps instead of Google Play Store.
Next is we saw the SIM ejector pin inside the second small box inside the main box. Unlike the P40 Pro, there's no case included. I'm hoping that the retail unit of this handset will come with the case though.
But, the P40 Pro+ now has a pre-installed screen protector. That's a welcome addition.
Next is you'll see the 40W USB SuperCharge power brick, USB-A to USB-C data/charging cable, and the USB-C earphones with mic and 3-button controls.
Note: The P40 Pro+ is compatible with the 40W Wireless SuperCharge charger. It is sold separately.
Build Quality/Design
 |
| Gorgeous back! |
The form factor and the screen in front are similar to the P40 Pro, but it differs in the back panel used. Instead of matte frosted glass (refractive matte finish), the P40 Pro+ Nano-Tech Ceramic back cover.
Curvy White Ceramic, gorgeous and tough at the same time!
Huawei claimed that it comes with diamond-like shine and highly scratch-resistant sapphire-like toughness. So, it should be even more durable than the tough glass back of the P40 Pro.
In front, there's no mention scratch resistance on the screen though. But, since it has a pre-installed screen protector, it won't get scratches that easy. Also, I would like to note that my 3-month-old P40 Pro with the same screen as the P40 Pro+ still doesn't have any scratches.
Similar to most Huawei high-end phones, this handset comes with IP68 water and dust resistance. The said tech will allow the phone to survive water submersion up to a maximum depth of 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
 |
| White Ceramic! |
In terms of look, this device is simply gorgeous with generous curves. The unit I have is the White Ceramic variant with a high-gloss finish. Interestingly, even if it doesn't have the refractive matte finish of the P40 Pro, the back panel of P40 is even less prone to fingerprint smudges.
 |
| Side by side with the P40 Pro |
Coming from the P40 Pro, the P40 Pro+ has a slightly larger camera hump behind. It is due to its use of more cameras. Instead of just 4, it now has a total of 5 Leica cameras. Also, it has a back microphone below the LED flash.
100x zoom is real!
It uses the same 50MP f/1.9 RYYB Ultra Vision Wide w/ Full Pixel Octa PD Autofocus and OIS main cam, 40MP f/1.8 SuperSensing Cine ultra-wide cam, and ToF 3D Depth Sensing camera, as well as the Color Temperature Sensor + dual-tone, LED flash, but it replaced the 13MP f/3.4 RYYB to an 8MP f/4.4 10x Optical Telephoto w/ OIS and an extra 8MP f/2.4 3x Optical Telephoto w/ OIS.
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| It can see things from afar that even our naked eye can't see |
Compared to the up to 50x digital zoom of P40 Pro, the camera setup of the P40 Pro+ will allow its cameras to do 3x optical zoom, 10x optical zoom, and up to 100x digital zoom.
Note: The 50MP main sensor of this phone has a 1/1.28-inch sensor size than the 1/1.33-inch sensor size of Samsung's 108MP camera sensor which allows more light for better low light photography.
 |
| A super immersive screen |
In the front, the handset loads with the same 6.58-inch Quad-Curve Overflow Display which highlights 3D curves on top, bottom, and sides. To house its 2MP + IR Depth/Gesture dual-cam and Ambient + Proximity sensors, Huawei placed a pill-shaped cutout of the upper left portion of the screen.
 |
| The cutout |
This is impressive as the cutout is considered very small for all the important sensors that it has. Traditionally, you will only find the selfie cam, 3D depth sensing, gestures, more secured face unlock, and more on phones with a thick notch, not on a punch-hole cutout.
Like other new Huawei flagships, the P40+ doesn't have a traditional ear speaker anymore. Instead, it uses a clear In-Display speaker that you can use for calls.
Using all the above-mentioned screen innovations, the Huawei P40 Pro+ has an immersive 91.6 percent of screen-to-body ratio in a small body that measures at 158.2 x 72.6 mm.
It is just a little thicker than the 8.5 mm of P40 Pro at 9.0 mm. That is probably due to its use of ceramic glass and the larger 40W Wireless SuperCharge support.
 |
| Top/bottom |
The rest is similar to the P40 Pro in terms of build and design. It has the IR Blaster and mic on top. Below, it goes with pinhole to open the SIM/NM card slots, another mic, USB-C port, and loudspeaker.
 |
| Left/right |
It's a clean slate at left and the power button and volume keys are located at the right side of the phone. Thanks to its Quad-Curve Overflow design, the screen is comfortable for swiping and typing as well.
The device is still slippery on flat surfaces though. Just be careful. At 226 grams, this is not a lightweight device. Avoid using it if you are very sleepy before sleeping to prevent it from hitting your face accidentally.
Huawei P40 Pro+ Specs
Display: 6.58-inch Quad-Curve Overflow OLED screen w/ 90Hz refresh rate, 2640 x 1200 resolution at 441 ppi
CPU: 2.86GHz 7nm+ EUV Kirin 990 5G octa-core processor w/ Triple NPU (2x Big-Core + Tiny-Core)
GPU: Mali-G76 MP16 w/ GPU Turbo (New-Gen)
RAM: 8GB
ROM: 512GB expandable via NM card slot up to 256GB
Back Camera: 50MP f/1.9 RYYB Ultra Vision Wide w/ Full Pixel Octa PD Autofocus, OIS + 40MP f/1.8 SuperSensing Cine + 8MP f/4.4 10x Optical Telephoto w/ OIS + 8MP f/2.4 3x Optical Telephoto w/ OIS + ToF 3D Depth Sensing + Color Temperature Sensor + dual-tone LED flash
Selfie Camera: 32MP f/2.2 w/ AF + IR Depth/Gesture Camera
Battery: 4,200mAh w/ 40W Wired SuperCharge, 40W Wireless SuperCharge, and 5W Wireless Reverse Charge
OS: Android 10 w/ EMUI 10.1
Connectivity: WiFi 6 Plus, 4G LTE, 5G, Bluetooth 5.1 LE, OTG, NFC, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo (E1 + E5a dual-band), QZZS (L1 + L5 dual-band), dual SIM
Sensors: Accelerometer, light, orientation, proximity, gyroscope, sound, magnetic
Others: In-Display fingerprint sensor, face unlock, IR Blaster, IP68 water and dust resistance, triple-mic, USB-C, Colors: White Ceramic
Dimensions: 158.2 x 72.6 x 9.0 mm
Weight: 226 g
Price: PHP 69,990
This is the ultimate Huawei P40 phone as it has all of the goodness that we liked from the P40 Pro and more.
The upgrades are evident. It now has a more premium Ceramic White back, faster wireless charging support, double the storage at 512GB, and more cameras.
Its 100x zoom could be a bit gimmicky, but it is noticeably better than the other 100x zoom that we tried. At least, it can let you see and read things from afar that even our naked eye can't see.
Performance is also very stable and I love the fact that it is a future-ready 5G capable flagship handset.
Watch our for our zoom comparison against the other phone with 100x zoom soon, the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra.
See also: Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra vs Huawei P40 Pro+ - Quick 100x zoom fight!
Stay tuned for our full review in the coming days as well.
As of the moment
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| Even higher benchmark scores than the P40 Pro |
This is the ultimate Huawei P40 phone as it has all of the goodness that we liked from the P40 Pro and more.
As expected, flagship performance!
The upgrades are evident. It now has a more premium Ceramic White back, faster wireless charging support, double the storage at 512GB, and more cameras.
Its 100x zoom could be a bit gimmicky, but it is noticeably better than the other 100x zoom that we tried. At least, it can let you see and read things from afar that even our naked eye can't see.
Performance is also very stable and I love the fact that it is a future-ready 5G capable flagship handset.
Watch our for our zoom comparison against the other phone with 100x zoom soon, the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra.
See also: Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra vs Huawei P40 Pro+ - Quick 100x zoom fight!
Stay tuned for our full review in the coming days as well.
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