Honor Launches View30 5G Smartphones: 6.57-Inch, Kirin 990, 40MP

Honor has introduced its View30-series smartphones that bring the latest mobile technologies its parent company Huawei has to offer, including the top-of-the-range SoC, a triple-module camera, as well as 5G connectivity, in a rather democratically priced package. Honor’s V30 family consists of two base modes — the V30 and the V30 Pro — that are set to be available in various RAM/storage configurations.

Traditionally aimed at younger consumers, Honor’s phones feature a body with eye catching paint job that promises to be appreciated by the target audience. In case of the View30 and View30 Pro, we are dealing with the so-called Aurora nano texture paint as well as Ocean Blue, Galaxy Black, Icelandic Frost, Sunrise Orange colors. Both handsets come with a 6.57-inch FullView IPS display featuring a 2400x1080 resolution and a punch hole for two of its selfie cameras, which we will discuss later.

Honor’s View30 family contains two base models that have generally the same functionality, yet are slightly different in terms of internal hardware. The V30 is based on HiSilicon’s Kirin 990 SoC accompanied by the Balong 5000 5G modem. By contrast, the V30 Pro version features HiSilicon’s Kirin 990 5G application processor with an integrated 5G modem.

Without any doubts, 5G support is the key selling feature of the new smartphones, yet it is implemented a different way in case of the View30 and the View 30 Pro models - the choice of producing essentially the same device, both with 5G capability and also with very similar SoCs is a quite odd product development choice.

The regular V30 sports 6 GB or 8 GB of RAM, 128 GB of storage, while the V30 Pro is paired with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB or 256 GB of storage. 

Moving on to imaging capabilities of the smartphones, the Honor View30-series handsets are equipped with a triple-module rear cameras, comprising of a 40 MP Sony IMX600 main module with OIS, a 12 MP ultra-wide camera, and a 3x optical zoom 8MP zoom module. Both models also have a 32 MP selfie camera which is complemented by an 8 MP wide-angle module. As we would expect from late 2019 cameras, they come with ‘AI-enhanced’ software designed to improve quality and simplify usage.

Speaking of software, it is necessary to mention that Honor's View30 Series handsets use Google's Android 10 with the company's Magic UI 3.0.1, but without Google Play and other Google services.

Rounding out the package, the new handsets naturally feature 4G/LTE, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1, navigation, a USB 2.0 Type-C port, a side-mounted fingerprint reader, a 4,100 mAh battery that can be charged using a wired or wireless charger supporting SuperCharge, wireless reverse charging support. 

Since Honor brand does not produce ultra-high-end devices that would compete against flagship smartphones from Huawei, they a few of the more premium features. The View 30 handsets thus are not dust and water resistant, they do not feature a Nano Memory slot, and, as mentioned above, are not equipped with DCI-P3-capable OLED displays, instead relying on a more traditional IPS LCD screen.

Characteristically for Honor and its parent company these days, the View30 and View30 Pro will initially be available only in China. The price of the former will start at CNY 3,299 ($405 w/o VAT), whereas the price of the latter will begin at CNY 3,899 ($479 w/o VAT). Given positioning of the phones, it does not really make sense to convert their prices to other currencies as they will be priced in accordance with local market realities

Related Reading:

• The Huawei Mate 30 Pro Review: Top Hardware without Google?
• Honor 20 Pro Launched in UK, +70% Prime Day 2019 Performance
• Honor 8X Hands-On: 6.5-inch Best Screen-Size Per Dollar
• Honor Previews the Honor Magic 2: A No-Notch FullView Smartphone with Kirin 980
• Honor 10 Launch and Hands On: Kirin 970, More AI, More Notch

Source: Honor