An extremely-capable all-rounder, Huawei has ensured that the Mate 30 Pro has the hardware innovation to tackle even the most potent competitors on the market. Its quad-camera may change the tide of video capture superiority against Apple, the new Kirin chipset will be able to outpace most of the current silicon on the market and the phone's battery and fast-charging chops mean it outlasts most other phones out there. The phone is tempting with free wireless earbuds and a smartwatch (while stocks last) but only if you're ok with the lack of Google Services, which for many will be a dealbreaker.

While the Mate 30 Pro missing Google services is an extremely important aspect of the phone, it should be put into context into the grand scheme of things of how the phone performs. If GMS missing is your #1 priority then read no further here as there's no point in even considering the phone.

Unless you see the limitations of the Mate 30 Pro as a challenge, you're probably best served sitting this one out.

Incredible camera; Markedly-better design

Hobbled software; Battery life

Huawei Mate 30 Pro was made official in September in Munich. After so many question marks related to the US ban, Richard Yu announced the new flagship of the brand that introduces some interesting features, from the camera to the display.

Design; Photographic compartment; Battery and autonomy; Unlocking system

Not available with Google services; Volume control during calls; No headphone jack; No notification LED

Meet the Huawei Mate 30 Pro – the best camera phone you shouldn't buy...

Excellent battery life; Class-leading low light camera; Beautiful design

No Play Store (Nov 2019; Screen curve creates vignetting; No word on UK/US release

The Huawei Mate 30 Pro is a victim of circumstance, but at the end of the day, it's still an incomplete smartphone until it gets access to Google Play services. As it stands, therefore, while the phone features class-leading everything, we can't in good faith recommend anyone outside China buy it...

Stunning; true edge-to-edge display; Excellent battery life; Class-leading low light camera

No Play Store (as of Oct 2019; Screen curve creates vignetting; No screen-off volume control

I wish I didn't have to do it but reviewing the Huawei Mate 30 Pro today means looking at two distinct halves – the software that lacks the ease of use of the Android ecosystem and the hardware that is surely among the best in any smartphone today.

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.

Excellent Camera; Long-Lasting Battery; Fast Processor

No access to Google apps; Screen isn't the sharpest around

There's been a lot of pressure on Huawei as expectations on the Mate 30 Pro have stacked up since the release of the P30 Pro . Huawei is very strong on many fronts - from camera technology to chipset performance, connectivity and battery life. The Mate 30 Pro has a lot to prove in all these aspects.

Now, here's a Pro phone - it has a curved 'waterfall' display, a super-powerful chipset, the biggest camera sensor since the Lumia 1020, insane slow-mo capture, ToF modules front and back, a ton of battery with all sorts of charging options, and an IR blaster. This is the Huawei Mate 30 Pro.

Striking curved-screen design, Bright and reasonably accurate HDR-capable display, Excellent battery life, plenty fast charging, Powerful chipset for all kinds of loads, Superb still image quality, day and night; the best ultra wide angle camera on the market (though not the widest), Extra smooth...