Introduction
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Huawei P Smart 2021: Is It Still a Good Buy in 2024?
The Huawei P Smart 2021, launched in 2020, presented itself as a budget-friendly smartphone with a compelling feature set. But in the rapidly evolving world of mobile technology, where new devices are constantly released, the question remains: is the P Smart 2021 still a worthwhile purchase in 2024? This in-depth analysis will explore its strengths and weaknesses, considering its current market position and the availability of competing alternatives.
A Look Back at the Specifications:
The Huawei P Smart 2021 boasted respectable specifications for its price point upon release. It featured a large 6.67-inch IPS LCD with a 720 x 1600 pixel resolution, offering a decent viewing experience despite not being a high-resolution display. The Kirin 710A processor, while not a flagship chipset, provided adequate performance for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. The phone typically came with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD card.
Camera capabilities included a 48MP main rear camera, an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 2MP macro lens. While the main sensor delivered acceptable photos in good lighting conditions, low-light performance was a known limitation. The front-facing camera, an 8MP sensor, was suitable for video calls and selfies. A substantial 5000mAh battery powered the device, promising impressive battery life, a key selling point for many users.
The P Smart 2021 ran on Huawei’s EMUI, a customized version of Android. However, due to US sanctions, this version lacked Google Mobile Services (GMS), including the Google Play Store. This was a significant drawback at the time and continues to be a major consideration today.
Strengths That Still Hold Up:
Despite its age, the Huawei P Smart 2021 retains several strengths that make it potentially attractive to budget-conscious consumers in 2024:
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Long Battery Life: The 5000mAh battery remains a significant advantage. Even with moderate to heavy usage, users can expect a full day, and often more, on a single charge. This is a feature that many modern smartphones struggle to match, especially in the budget segment.
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Large Display: The 6.67-inch display provides ample screen real estate for comfortable media consumption and multitasking. While the resolution isn’t the highest, it’s sufficient for most users, especially considering the price point.
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Affordable Price: The P Smart 2021 is now available at significantly reduced prices in the used market. This makes it an extremely affordable option for those seeking a basic smartphone with decent functionality.
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Expandable Storage: The microSD card slot allows for easy expansion of the internal storage, addressing potential limitations of the 128GB base storage. This is particularly beneficial for users who store a large number of photos, videos, or apps.
Weaknesses That Remain Significant:
However, several weaknesses significantly impact the phone’s desirability in 2024:
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Lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS): This remains the biggest hurdle. The absence of GMS means no access to the Google Play Store, Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube, and other essential Google apps. While Huawei’s AppGallery has improved, it still lacks the breadth and depth of the Play Store, limiting app availability and potentially hindering user experience. This is a deal-breaker for many users.
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Outdated Processor: The Kirin 710A processor, while adequate at launch, is now significantly outdated. It struggles with demanding apps and games, leading to lag and performance issues. This becomes increasingly noticeable when compared to modern budget processors.
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Software Updates: Huawei’s update policy for older devices is less predictable than other manufacturers. The P Smart 2021 is unlikely to receive any further major Android updates or security patches, leaving it vulnerable to security threats.
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Camera Limitations: While the 48MP main sensor is decent in good lighting, its performance in low light is poor. The ultrawide and macro lenses are also basic and offer limited functionality. Modern budget smartphones often offer superior camera systems.
Alternatives in the Market:
The budget smartphone market is highly competitive. Several alternatives offer better performance, software support, and features for a similar or slightly higher price:
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Xiaomi Redmi series: Xiaomi offers a wide range of budget smartphones with powerful processors, good cameras, and access to the Google Play Store.
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Samsung Galaxy A series: Samsung’s A series provides a balance of performance, features, and software support, often including access to GMS.
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Motorola Moto G series: Motorola’s Moto G series consistently offers value-for-money smartphones with decent specs and software updates.
Conclusion:
The Huawei P Smart 2021 offers a compelling proposition in terms of battery life and screen size, especially considering its drastically reduced price in the used market. However, the absence of Google Mobile Services remains a significant drawback, fundamentally altering the user experience. The outdated processor and lack of software updates further diminish its appeal.
Therefore, while the P Smart 2021 might be a viable option for users with extremely limited budgets who are comfortable with the limitations of Huawei’s AppGallery and are primarily concerned with long battery life, it’s difficult to recommend it wholeheartedly in 2024. The availability of numerous alternatives offering better performance, software support, and a more seamless user experience makes it hard to justify choosing the P Smart 2021 unless its incredibly low price outweighs its significant shortcomings. Consider carefully the lack of GMS and the outdated hardware before making a purchase. Unless you have a specific need for a long-lasting battery and are completely comfortable navigating the Huawei ecosystem without Google services, investing in a newer budget smartphone is likely a wiser choice.
Closure
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