Notebookcheck Logo

Huawei releases a new, 4G-only version of the P40 in China

The P40 makes an unexpected return. (Source: Huawei)
The P40 makes an unexpected return. (Source: Huawei)
The Huawei P40 flagship smartphone launched with the Kirin 990 5G chipset in 2020. This CPU also has a 4G/LTE-only variant, which features in new units of the P40 now on sale on JD.com. Otherwise, the device still has its 6.1-inch OLED display, 50MP main camera and 8GB of RAM.

Recent reports have indicated that Huawei will seriously re-think its smartphone business in the face of supply lines, most pressingly those for SoCs, that remain closed in its face. This, apparently, will mean the OEM might have to switch its focus to the mid-range in 2021, possibly even concentrating on phones that are 4G/LTE-only.

The first sign of this partial down-sizing might already have emerged on the online Chinese market, in the form of the P40 4G. It is more or less a refresh of this 2020 flagship - 6.1-inch FHD+ OLED display, triple rear camera with a 50MP main sensor and all - just without 5G.

Therefore, it has the Kirin 990 4G rather than the slightly more premium version of the same CPU. This might suggest that Huawei may already have taken drastic steps to conserve its higher-end component stocks while still trying to drive sales.

Accordingly, the P40 4G/LTE has just 1 8GB/128GB SKU, in 2 gray or dark blue colorways, set at a price of 3988 yuan (~US$510), whereas the P40 5G starts at 4988 yuan (~US$638) on JD. On the other hand, this might be a new take on the OEM's normal campaign, by which it makes "Lite" flagship variants in an apparent effort to hit every tier possible with the same general series name.

Buy a Huawei P40 Pro (5G) on Amazon

Source(s)

static version load dynamic
Loading Comments
Comment on this article
Please share our article, every link counts!
> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2021 02 > Huawei releases a new, 4G-only version of the P40 in China
Deirdre O'Donnell, 2021-02-26 (Update: 2021-02-26)