Are Huawei phones worth buying in the UK in 2026?

Huawei used to be everywhere. At one point, it was giving Samsung and Apple a genuine run for their money, with flagship phones that offered incredible cameras, long battery life and premium design at a lower price. Then everything changed. If you’ve heard people say, “Don’t buy a Huawei because it doesn’t have Google,” you’ve only heard half the story.

The truth is that many Huawei phones are still excellent buys in the UK, especially if you know which models you’re looking at.

A quick history of Huawei

Huawei was founded in Shenzhen, China, in 1987. It started life as a telecommunications company, building networking equipment used by mobile operators around the world. Smartphones didn’t become a major focus until much later, but when they did, Huawei grew incredibly quickly.

By the late 2010s, Huawei had become one of the world’s largest smartphone manufacturers. Its partnership with Leica helped it build a reputation for outstanding cameras, while its Kirin processors and premium hardware made its flagship phones serious rivals to the latest iPhones and Samsung Galaxy devices.

Models like the Huawei P20 Pro, Mate 20 Pro and P30 Pro weren’t just popular because they were cheaper. They were genuinely among the best smartphones money could buy.

Why did Huawei lose Google?

In 2019, the US government introduced trade restrictions that prevented Google from licensing its mobile services to new Huawei phones.

That meant newer devices could no longer come with the Google Play Store, Gmail, Google Maps or YouTube pre-installed. Instead, Huawei developed its own AppGallery and Huawei Mobile Services. This is where a lot of confusion started.

Not every Huawei phone lost Google

If you’re buying an older Huawei flagship like the Huawei P20 Pro, Huawei P30, Huawei P30 Lite, Huawei P30 Pro or Mate 20 Pro, you’ll still get Google Mobile Services, including the Play Store. These phones launched before the restrictions took effect and continue to work just as people expect an Android phone to work.

The Huawei P40 Lite 4G and Huawei P40 Lite 5G are different. These models use Huawei Mobile Services instead of Google’s ecosystem. For some people that’s perfectly manageable, while others rely too heavily on Google apps to make the switch worthwhile.

Are Huawei phones still worth buying?

For many people, yes.

Huawei’s hardware has aged remarkably well. Even phones that are several years old still offer bright OLED displays, premium build quality and cameras that outperform many newer budget phones.

The Huawei P30 Pro is still regarded as one of the best camera phones Huawei ever made. Its zoom camera was years ahead of many competitors, and its night photography remains impressive even today.

The standard P30 is a fantastic all-rounder if you want flagship performance without paying flagship prices, while the P30 Lite offers excellent value for everyday use.

The Mate 20 Pro is another standout. It combines a beautiful display, wireless charging, great battery life and a premium feel that still holds up years after release.

If you’re after something newer, the P40 Lite models offer strong performance and excellent battery life, but you’ll need to be comfortable using Huawei’s own app ecosystem rather than Google’s.

Should you buy one in the UK?

If Google services are important to you, it’s worth choosing one of Huawei’s earlier flagship phones. They’re still fast enough for everyday use, take excellent photos and offer fantastic value for money.

If you don’t mind living without Google Mobile Services, or mainly use web versions of your favourite apps, the newer Huawei models can still be a great choice thanks to their hardware and battery life.

The biggest thing is simply knowing which model you’re buying. Once you understand the difference between Huawei’s pre-2019 and post-2019 devices, choosing the right one becomes much easier.

Our Huawei range

Our current Huawei collection includes the Huawei P20 Pro, P30, P30 Lite, P30 Pro, Mate 20 Pro, P40 Lite 4G and P40 Lite 5G.

Whether you’re looking for a camera-focused flagship, a reliable everyday smartphone or an affordable Android device with premium features, Huawei still has plenty to offer. Just make sure you choose the model that best suits how you use your phone.