Huawei Mate 30 Pro

Android Authority | Bogdan Petrovan and Ryan-Thomas Shaw

The missing Google apps prevent us from being able to recommend it, but there's no doubt this is a genuine, unapologetic flagship phone.

Neowin | Rich Woods

This phone is just amazing. It feels good to use, and frankly, it's just cool. If you're in a market where this is available, you'll feel good about this purchase. If you're in the United States, you're really being done a disservice by having Huawei products denied to you.

Ubergizmo | Hubert Nguyen

The Huawei Mate 30 Pro camera is an impressive upgrade over what was already the overall best mobile camera we tested, the Huawei P30 Pro.

NotebookCheck | Daniel Schmidt

On balance, Huawei has succeeded in creating a very good smartphone that will certainly not disappoint fans. Anyone who chooses the Chinese version should bear in mind that it does not have DRM certification nor Google Play Services.

pocketnow | Anton Nagy

... if you're relying on the Google ecosystem, with its apps and services, you have a tough decision to make. Skip this gorgeous phone and go with the Mate 20 Pro, or P30 Pro, or a competitor, and miss out on all the great tech and innovation Huawei prepared.

GadgetMatch | Rodneil Quiteles

I would hold off on buying this phone.

Expert Reviews | Nathan Spendelow

It's not a good time for Huawei to launch a new smartphone. The lack of support on Google's end is potentially disastrous for the company, and while Huawei's smartphone division may still stay afloat in China – where it doesn't use Android – the Mate 30 Pro's software experience is sorely limited elsewhere, and that's a really big deal.

Forbes | Ben Sin

I learned over the past few weeks, there are in fact many people in the world who are not tied to Google, and for them, the Mate 30 Pro doesn't have a major flaw. If you fit into that camp, the Mate 30 Pro is once again a major hardware powerhouse.

AnandTech | Andrei Frumusanu

Google services issues aside, I do have the feeling that Huawei is asking too much for a phone that is cutting several corners. The lack of stereo speakers, a better-quality screen, and a more complete camera experience (HDR processing, video quality) are I think the three main gripes about the phone.

AndroidPit | Jessica Murgia

At the moment I do not recommend buying it online, it's not worth it. But we hope Huawei can solve the problem with the US ban because it would be a shame to deprive ourselves of what is the best Huawei Mate.

Stuff | Basil Kronfli

Until it gets the Google Play Store, admire from afar – 2-star app-support, 5-star (almost) everything else

TechRadar | Basil Kronfli

As it stands, therefore, while the phone features class-leading everything, we can't in good faith recommend anyone outside China buy it unless you're comfortable with the idea of sideloading apps, or are actively seeking a Google-free experience.

Pocket-lint | Dan Grabham

While this is an incredible smartphone for all it does with cameras, battery life and design, the lack of Google apps out of the box is a massive problem.

Tom's Guide | Richard Priday

Without question a mighty piece of hardware across the board, the Mate 30 Pro is great if you want the best tech. However, not having Google apps and services is a big hurdle.

AVForums | David Phelan

This phone, if it had full Google Mobile Services on board, would be unstoppable. The design, performance, battery life, stunning cameras and neat interface work together perfectly.

Mobile Syrup | Dean Daley

The Mate 30 Pro is a hard sell. Huawei did everything right: the camera is solid, the handset feels and looks premium and the battery is excellent, but without Google Play Services the device won't be worth it.

Pickr | Leigh Stark

If you're considering the Mate 30 Pro, you need to know that more than anything, as good as this phone can be, it will not put you on the same footing as any other flagship phone released in Australia. The tech is there, yep, but the experience is not, and it's not the phone for most people.

Trusted Reviews | Peter Phelps

The Huawei Mate 30 Pro has a fantastic camera, an awesome battery, a powerful processor and an attractive design, but even these features can't hide the fact that its lack of access to Google apps will make it a very hard sell to customers outside China.

Android Central | Nirave Gondhia

The Huawei Mate 30 Pro is a great phone, with a versatile camera system, stunning waterfall display and fantastic battery life. There's a huge problem, though: it doesn't officially support Google services right now, so no one should buy this.

Wired UK | Andrew Williams

Every great part of the Huawei Mate 30 Pro comes with a bitter aftertaste, like a Facebook Memories post of a sweet memory from a soured relationship.

Australian PC World | Fergus Halliday

The Mate 30 Pro asks for more and simply can't deliver in the way that its predecessors could. Even if you are married to the idea of having a camera this powerful in your pocket, the idea of honestly recommending this smartphone is close to unthinkable.