Huawei P10 Plus Vs Samsung S8 Plus Knowing What I Know Now Which One Should I Buy 2

When the Huawei P10 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus were released in 2017, they represented the pinnacle of Android innovation—each pushing boundaries in design, camera performance, and software intelligence. Fast forward to today, with years of user experience, firmware updates, and long-term reliability data, the decision between these two devices isn’t just about specs on paper. It’s about real-world usability, longevity, ecosystem integration, and post-purchase support. If you're considering buying one secondhand or clearing out old inventory, this detailed breakdown will help you make an informed choice based on actual ownership insights.

Design and Build: Glass, Curves, and Long-Term Durability

The Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus made waves with its Infinity Display—a nearly bezel-less, edge-to-edge 6.2-inch Quad HD+ AMOLED screen that curved dramatically at the sides. The glass front and back, sandwiched by aluminum, gave it a premium feel but also made it prone to cracking if dropped without protection. In contrast, the Huawei P10 Plus featured a more conservative flat display (5.5-inch Full HD) with slightly thicker bezels, yet used similar glass-metal construction. While both phones felt luxurious in hand, the S8 Plus’s larger screen came at the cost of sturdiness.

Long-term owners report that the S8 Plus’s curved edges not only increased accidental touches but also made screen replacements significantly more expensive. Meanwhile, the P10 Plus, though smaller, offered better ergonomics for single-handed use and fewer issues related to unintended gestures.

Tip: If you prioritize screen real estate and visual impact, go for the S8 Plus—but invest in a protective case and tempered glass immediately.

Camera Performance: Dual-Lens Edge vs Single Sensor Precision

This is where the Huawei P10 Plus shines even today. Co-engineered with Leica, its dual rear camera setup—12MP color + 12MP monochrome—delivered exceptional low-light performance, superior dynamic range, and richer detail than most competitors at the time. The absence of optical image stabilization (OIS) on the primary lens was a notable omission, but Huawei compensated with advanced software algorithms and faster shutter response.

The Samsung S8 Plus relied on a single 12MP sensor with Dual Pixel autofocus and OIS, producing vibrant, saturated photos ideal for social media. However, under mixed lighting or high contrast, the S8 Plus sometimes overprocessed images, leading to unnatural skin tones or blown-out highlights. Video recording was strong on both devices, but the S8 Plus supported 4K at 60fps compared to the P10 Plus’s 30fps limit.

“Huawei’s partnership with Leica wasn’t marketing fluff—it created measurable improvements in texture retention and noise reduction.” — David Lin, Mobile Imaging Analyst, TechPulse Asia

Performance and Software: Kirin 960 vs Snapdragon 835

Under the hood, the P10 Plus used Huawei’s in-house Kirin 960 chipset, paired with 6GB of RAM. The S8 Plus ran on the globally recognized Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 (or Exynos 9810 in some regions), also with 4GB of RAM. On paper, the Snapdragon had a slight edge in GPU performance and power efficiency, especially during gaming and multitasking.

In daily use, both phones handled apps smoothly, but the S8 Plus maintained cooler temperatures during extended sessions. The Kirin 960, while powerful, showed thermal throttling after prolonged video playback or navigation use. More importantly, software updates became a decisive factor post-launch.

Samsung committed to three major Android OS upgrades for the S8 series, eventually bringing it up to Android 10. Huawei, due to U.S. trade restrictions introduced later, stopped delivering timely security patches and OS updates after Android 9 (Pie). This means the P10 Plus hasn’t received official support since 2019, making it less secure and incompatible with newer app requirements.

Detailed Comparison Table

Feature	Huawei P10 Plus	Samsung S8 Plus
Display	5.5\" FHD LCD	6.2\" QHD+ AMOLED (Curved)
Processor	Kirin 960	Snapdragon 835 / Exynos 9810
RAM / Storage	6GB / 128GB	4GB / 64GB (expandable)
Rear Camera	Dual 12MP (Color + Monochrome)	Single 12MP (Dual Pixel, OIS)
Front Camera	8MP	8MP (Autofocus)
Battery	3750mAh	3500mAh
Charging	Faster wired (4.5V/5A SuperCharge)	Adaptive Fast Charging + Wireless
OS Updates	Stopped at Android 9	Upgraded to Android 10
Google Services	Yes (at launch)	Full access, ongoing

Real-World Ownership: A Mini Case Study

Jamie, a freelance photographer based in Barcelona, bought both phones in 2017—one as a daily driver (S8 Plus), the other for backup (P10 Plus). After two years, he sold the S8 Plus due to a cracked screen from a fall. He continued using the P10 Plus for another year because of its excellent photo quality and longer battery life. But by 2020, he noticed increasing lag, failed logins on banking apps, and missing Google Play Services updates. “It took me months to realize the P10 Plus couldn’t install new versions of WhatsApp,” he said. “I ended up switching to a newer mid-range phone just for compatibility.”

His experience highlights a crucial lesson: hardware excellence means little without sustained software support. For users who rely on apps like mobile banking, ride-sharing, or cloud services, outdated operating systems can become dealbreakers.

What You Should Know Before Buying Today

If you’re considering purchasing either device in 2024, here are the realities:

• The S8 Plus has better app compatibility thanks to its full Android 10 update and uninterrupted Google service integration.
• The P10 Plus offers superior still photography, especially in daylight and medium-light conditions, but lags behind in video capabilities.
• Battery degradation is significant on both models—original batteries have typically lost 30–40% capacity after six years.
• Replacement parts are scarce, and repair costs often exceed the resale value.

Tip: Always check the battery health and charging cycle count when buying used. Avoid units with swollen batteries or inconsistent charging behavior.

Checklist: What to Verify Before Purchase

1. Confirm the device boots up and logs into a Google account successfully.
2. Test all sensors (fingerprint, face unlock, proximity, accelerometer).
3. Inspect the screen for dead pixels, discoloration, or ghost touch (common on aging S8 Plus units).
4. Verify IMEI status—ensure it’s not blacklisted or reported lost/stolen.
5. Check Android version and last security patch date.
6. Run a quick camera test in different lighting conditions.
7. Ensure fast charging works and the battery holds charge for at least 6 hours of moderate use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Huawei P10 Plus still use Google apps?

Yes, but with limitations. Devices sold before 2019 shipped with Google Mobile Services (GMS), so Gmail, YouTube, and Maps still work. However, future app updates may stop supporting older Android versions, and reinstalling GMS after a factory reset can be tricky.

Which phone lasts longer on a charge?

The P10 Plus has a larger 3750mAh battery versus the S8 Plus’s 3500mAh, and Huawei’s EMUI was historically more efficient. In practice, the P10 Plus delivers about 1–1.5 hours more screen-on time under similar usage patterns.

Is either phone waterproof?

Both carry an IP68 rating, meaning they can survive submersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. However, seals degrade over time—do not attempt water exposure on secondhand units.

Final Recommendation: Which One Should You Buy?

If your priority is reliable daily performance, broad app compatibility, and a stunning display, the **Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus** remains the safer choice—even today. Its software support lifespan was longer, and its integration within the Google ecosystem remains intact.

If you value camera quality above all else and plan to use the phone primarily for photography in controlled environments—with minimal reliance on cutting-edge apps—the **Huawei P10 Plus** still impresses. Just be prepared for potential software hiccups and limited future-proofing.

Ultimately, neither phone should be your first choice in 2024 unless budget constraints force older-model purchases. But if you must choose between the two, lean toward the S8 Plus for sustainability and usability.

💬 Have you used either of these phones long-term? Share your experience in the comments—your insight could help someone avoid a costly mistake or discover an overlooked gem.