Huawei P Smart 2021 review
Huawei P Smart 2021 it is the latest scion of a successful series, characterized by extremely valid and particularly economical products. And no, the 2021 edition is no exception.
“But it doesn't have Google Apps. Can I use it anyway? "
We know it. If you are here it is probably to understand if you can live without Google Apps. Because basically no one questions the quality of Huawei's devices. The Chinese company has never stopped innovating, bringing alternative solutions to the market and offering the public the best in technology.
So before analyzing the aesthetics, performance and photographic sector of Huawei P Smart 2021, let's try to understand what it means to live everyday life with an HMS smartphone.
Does it have everything you need?
Did you miss the Huawei-US clash? Don't worry, let's do a quick summary right away.
Last year, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, imposed a ban on the Chinese company. “Ban” doesn't just mean “We don't want your products“. In reality, the decision made by the US was more global and effectively prevented American companies from working with Huawei. All this has affected the relationship between the Shenzhen giant and Google. The result is what you have under your eyes today: the new Huawei smartphones cannot use Big G's applications.
To address this obstacle, the Chinese company has pushed on HMS: Huawei Mobile Services. This has allowed them to offer users a series of apps and services capable of replacing what is proposed by Google. We therefore have an app for music, one for videos, space on the cloud and a store - AppGallery - which is enriched with new applications every day.
Something is missing? Of course, it would be incorrect to say that there are all the applications you find on the Play Store but it is also true that Huawei has equipped its smartphones with the new Petal Search, a search tool that not only takes into consideration the AppGallery but also all the alternative stores. Don't worry, you don't need to have technical knowledge to use it. You type the name of the app and he finds it, after which you just have to install it.
This system has allowed us to have everything we need.
This tool can then be combined with quick links on the homepage. Think for example of YouTube. It is a Google app so it will not be possible to install it natively but you can have a shortcut in the home that takes you back to the mobile site, so you will not have to give up watching content or following your favorite creators.
On balance there are no major sacrifices. The only real lack today is an electronic payment service such as Google Pay or Apple Pay, a service that, however, you could not use on the P Smart 2021 because it does not have NFC. In return, however, you have Tinaba and Satispay.
In our opinion we are facing a temporary situation. On the one hand, American companies like Qualcomm are pushing for the elimination of the ban, on the other hand Huawei is working hard on the AppGallery to bring new applications. Probably in a few months nothing will really be missing.
Design and construction quality
Huawei P Smart 2021 comes in three colors: Midnight Black, Blush Gold e Crush Green. The last is the one that has kept us company in the last few days and we really liked it a lot. It stands out from the crowd at first glance and almost makes you forget its polycarbonate shell. However, do not associate this material with the poor solidity of the device. In reality the build quality is excellent, there are no annoying creaks and the surface does not retain fingerprints.
We also appreciated the choice of positioning the fingerprint reader on the right profile. It is slightly hollow and fits perfectly with the shape of the finger; it also acts as an on and off button, also in this case always at your fingertips.
A little above we find the volume rocker while on the left we have the slot for the two SIMs. The bottom side, on the other hand, is dedicated to the USB-C connector, the speaker and the always useful 3,5 mm jack. An old acquaintance that we find with pleasure.
The front houses a 6,67-inch AMOLED display with FullHD + resolution and a central hole for the camera. To characterize it a good color rendering and an equally convincing brightness, which allows you to use it in any situation. Blacks are less convincing but you can't ask for much more from a smartphone of this range.
Discount
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Huawei P Smart 2021 review: two days of autonomy
The American ban has also imposed some constraints in terms of hardware but this does not seem to have impacted too much on the Chinese company's smartphones. Huawei P Smart 2021 integrates the processor Kirin 710A, the Mali G51 MP4 GPU, 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of expandable internal memory. Basically then you will have everything you need to carry out all sorts of activities, from gaming to mere navigation.
Then you have two nanoSIMs, Bluetooth 5.1, FM radio and GPS. Too bad only for monoband WiFi. We would have expected a newer version.
The real strength, however, is represented by autonomy. Its 5.000 mAh allow you to use it for two days without major difficulties. This is thanks to the excellent software optimization and the absence of Google services which tend to affect the resistance of smartphones a lot.
With Huawei P Smart 2021, however, you will not have to worry about anything. In addition, you also have fast charging from 22,5W so you won't have to wait hours to go from 0 to 100%.
The cameras of Huawei P Smart 2021
Huawei has worked a lot on the photographic sector of its smartphones and the results are evident: today all its devices benefit from the experience gained by Huawei in this field, including low-end ones.
P Smart 2021 is no exception. The main sensor, from 48 megapixel with F / 1,8 aperture, it performs well in any situation: the colors are balanced and the shots are quite sharp. We lose something when we are in low light conditions but the night mode will be able to help you and get a convincing photograph.
Not even the camera is doing badly 8 megapixel wide angle, while the 2 MP sensors dedicated to macro and bokeh effect are not very useful.
Finally, the 8 megapixel front camera is promoted but don't expect anything spectacular.
Huawei P Smart 2021: technical sheet
dimensions: 165,7 x 76,9 x 9,3 mm
Weight: 206 g
Display: 6,67″ AMOLED – 1080×2400 pixel
CPU: HiSilicon Kirin 710A
RAM: 4 GB
Memory: 128 GB
Network: 4G – Dual SIM
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.1, USB-C, GPS
Battery: 5000 mAh
Rear camera: 48 + 8 + 2 + 2 MP
Front Camera: 8 MP
Videos: 4K @ 30fps
Operating system: Android 10 with EMUI 10
Huawei P Smart 2021 review: buy it or not?
A 229 € Huawei P Smart 2021 is definitely a great deal. Good performance, large display, convincing camera and two days of autonomy: difficult to ask for more from a low-end smartphone. Yet the Chinese company has gone even further: by buying the smartphone on the official website, you also take home the Huawei Freebuds 3i, at no additional cost.
Huawei P Smart 2021
For 
- large display
- Fingerprint reader on the edge
- Excellent autonomy
- Camera above average
Cons 
- WiFi monoband
- No NFC
