Honor 20 Lite – Edullinen selfie-puhelin testissä

The Honor 20 Lite Balances Aesthetics and Affordability

The Honor 20 Lite occupied a curious niche upon its global release in May 2019. While flagships commanded north of €800, this device offered a glass-backed design and triple-camera array for roughly a third of the price. In Finland and broader Europe, it arrived alongside the flagship Honor 20 series, though confusion persisted regarding its relationship to the China-exclusive Honor 10i and the subsequently rebadged Huawei P Smart+ 2019. Technical specifications revealed a mid-range Kirin 710 processor paired with generous storage, positioning the handset as a stylistic alternative to plastic-clad competitors and distinct from the flagship performance offered by the Honor 20 Pro.

Core Specifications

• Display: 6.21-inch IPS LCD, 1080 × 2340 resolution, 415 ppi density
• Processor: Kirin 710 (12nm) with Mali-G51 MP4 GPU
• Memory: 4GB RAM, 128GB internal storage, expandable via microSD
• Rear Cameras: 24MP f/1.8 primary, 8MP f/2.4 ultrawide (120°), 2MP f/2.4 depth sensor
• Front Camera: 32MP f/2.0 with AI backlight optimization
• Battery: 3400mAh, 10W USB-C charging
• Software: Android 9 (Pie) with EMUI 9.0 interface

Market Positioning

During its market window, the device competed directly with Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 7 and Samsung’s Galaxy A40. Unlike the plastic-backed alternatives from Samsung, Honor’s use of laminated glass for the rear panel provided a premium tactile experience rarely seen below €300. Benchmark testing confirmed the Kirin 710’s limitations against Snapdragon 675 rivals in GPU-intensive tasks, though everyday navigation remained fluid under EMUI 9.0.

Model Comparison

Camera and Build Details

The 32MP selfie camera received particular attention during marketing cycles, leveraging AI backlight optimization and algorithmic beautification. The rear ultrawide lens captures 120-degree vistas, though the 8MP resolution limits cropping flexibility. Camera testing revealed competent dynamic range in daylight, yet noise accumulation plagued low-light scenarios lacking optical stabilization. The physical construction utilizes a plastic frame sandwiched between glass panels, achieving a 7.7mm profile that prioritizes handling over ruggedness.

Release Timeline

Honor first introduced the hardware architecture in March 2019 within China, branding it as the Honor 10i. May 21, 2019 marked the European debut, specifically across Nordic markets including Finland. Initial coverage highlighted the simultaneous launch across multiple EU territories. Huawei subsequently repurposed the chassis for the P Smart+ 2019, creating a convoluted lineage where identical hardware carried divergent software skins. Android 10 reached the device via EMUI 10 during early 2020, extending the functional lifespan beyond typical budget support cycles.

Regional Naming Clarity

Purchasers encountered significant ambiguity regarding model identification. The “Honor 20 Lite” designation applied strictly to global markets, whereas Asian consumers accessed identical hardware as the “Honor 10i.” Meanwhile, carrier-locked variants in Germany and France often appeared as Huawei P Smart+ 2019 units, distinguished solely by logo placement and boot animation sequences. Official Honor documentation confirms unified hardware specifications across these regional variants, eliminating concerns about component disparities.

Performance Assessment

Performance characteristics align with 2019’s mid-range expectations rather than bleeding-edge demands. The Mali-G51 MP4 GPU handles PUBG Mobile at medium settings, yet frame drops manifest during extended sessions. Battery endurance testing indicates six to seven hours of screen-on time, insufficient for power users accustomed to 4000mAh cells prevalent in contemporary Redmi devices. Thermal throttling remains minimal under sustained load, a byproduct of the 12nm fabrication process’s modest heat generation.

Critical Reception

The Honor 20 Lite manages to look like a phone that costs twice the price, even if the performance occasionally reminds you where the savings occurred.

— TechRadar, May 2019

Final Verdict

For Finnish consumers seeking entry-level elegance in 2019, the Honor 20 Lite delivered photographic versatility and aesthetic refinement at a €250 price point. The 3400mAh battery and middling processor aged quickly against 2020 competition, yet the device remains serviceable for secondary usage or communication-focused workflows. Those prioritizing modern camera performance should explore current options in our guide to the best phones under €300.

Common Questions