Huawei P20 Pro Vs Samsung S8 Plus Was Upgrading Really Worth It

Switching between flagship smartphones is never a casual decision. When I upgraded from the Huawei P20 Pro to the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus, I expected noticeable improvements—especially in software smoothness and ecosystem integration. But after three months of daily use, the reality wasn’t as straightforward as marketing would have you believe. This isn’t just a spec sheet showdown; it’s a deep dive into real-world performance, design trade-offs, and whether one of 2017’s most acclaimed phones still holds up against a direct competitor released around the same time.

Design and Build: A Tale of Two Philosophies

The Huawei P20 Pro stands out with its gradient color finishes—particularly the iconic Twilight variant—which caught eyes wherever I went. Its glass back and aluminum frame give it a premium feel, but also make it prone to slipping. The device is slightly heavier at 180g and feels more substantial in hand. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus opts for a minimalist, symmetrical design with curved edges and an almost bezel-less Infinity Display. At 173g, it's lighter and more balanced, though the glass construction demands a case for grip and protection.

One critical difference: the P20 Pro retains the 3.5mm headphone jack; the S8 Plus does not. If you rely on wired audio, this could be a dealbreaker. On the flip side, Samsung includes IP68 water resistance across all variants, while only certain P20 Pro models offer similar protection—something to verify before purchase.

Tip: Always check regional model specs—water resistance and headphone jack availability can vary by market.

Display Quality and Usability

The S8 Plus shines in display technology. Its 6.2-inch Quad HD+ (1440 x 2960) Super AMOLED panel delivers deeper blacks, higher contrast, and better outdoor visibility than the P20 Pro’s 6.1-inch Full HD+ OLED screen. While Huawei’s display is sharp and color-accurate, Samsung’s screen feels more immersive, especially when watching HDR content or scrolling through dark-themed apps.

However, the P20 Pro’s screen brightness peaks slightly higher in sunlight, giving it a leg up during daytime outdoor use. Samsung’s edge lighting and curved sides look stunning but occasionally trigger accidental touches—something I found frustrating when reaching for notifications one-handed.

“The display remains Samsung’s strongest hardware advantage. Even years later, their AMOLED panels set the standard.” — James Lin, Display Analyst at TechPulse Weekly

Camera Performance: Where Huawei Still Leads

This is where expectations were flipped. The Huawei P20 Pro introduced the world to triple-lens photography, featuring a 40MP main sensor, 20MP monochrome lens, and 8MP telephoto. Its Leica-tuned optics and AI scene recognition deliver exceptional dynamic range, low-light performance, and detail retention—even in near-dark conditions.

The Galaxy S8 Plus, while competent, uses a single 12MP dual-pixel sensor. It produces natural colors and fast autofocus, but struggles in dim environments. Night mode simply doesn’t exist here, and digital zoom degrades quickly beyond 2x. For social media sharing or well-lit scenes, the S8 Plus performs admirably. But for serious photography, the P20 Pro remains superior even today.

In practical terms: if you shoot often in low light or value zoom capability, staying with the P20 Pro makes sense. Upgrading to the S8 Plus means accepting a step back in photographic versatility.

Feature	Huawei P20 Pro	Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus
Main Camera	40MP RGB + 20MP B&W + 8MP Telephoto	12MP Dual Pixel (f/1.7)
Low-Light Performance	Excellent (AIS stabilization)	Average (noise at ISO > 800)
Digital Zoom (5x)	Pretty usable with AI enhancement	Blurry, loss of detail
Front Camera	24MP (great for portraits)	8MP (good, but softer output)
Video Recording	4K @ 30fps, stabilized	4K @ 30fps, excellent EIS

Battery Life and Charging: A Clear Win for Huawei

The P20 Pro packs a 4000mAh battery—significantly larger than the S8 Plus’s 3500mAh unit. In my testing, the Huawei consistently lasted a full day and a half with mixed usage, including GPS navigation, streaming, and camera work. Fast charging via Huawei’s proprietary 22.5W adapter recharges 60% in about 30 minutes.

The S8 Plus barely clears a single day under moderate load. Heavy users will need a top-up by late afternoon. It supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 and wireless charging, but lacks the raw endurance of its rival. After switching, I found myself carrying a power bank again—a habit I’d broken with the P20 Pro.

Tip: Enable adaptive battery settings on both devices to extend longevity. Avoid draining below 20% regularly.

Software Experience: Samsung Offers Smoother Integration

Here’s where the S8 Plus wins decisively. Running Samsung Experience (later upgraded to One UI), the interface is polished, intuitive, and deeply integrated with Google services and DeX support. Features like Secure Folder, split-screen multitasking, and Bixby Routines add real utility.

The P20 Pro runs EMUI, which has improved over the years but still feels cluttered. Pre-installed bloatware, inconsistent app permissions, and delayed security updates were persistent frustrations. While Huawei’s AI features—like scene detection and voice assistant—are innovative, they often feel gimmicky compared to Samsung’s functional ecosystem tools.

If you’re invested in Samsung’s ecosystem—Galaxy Buds, Watch, tablets—the S8 Plus becomes a seamless hub. The P20 Pro works well standalone but offers fewer cross-device benefits.

Real-World Example: A Week of Travel Photography

Last month, I took a weekend trip to the Scottish Highlands. My goal: test both phones in rugged conditions and varied lighting. I brought both devices, using each exclusively for one leg of the journey.

With the P20 Pro, I captured crisp long-exposure shots of lochs at dusk using AIS night mode. The 3x optical zoom let me photograph distant wildlife without disturbing it. Battery lasted two full days despite constant GPS and camera use.

On the return trip with the S8 Plus, colors looked flatter in foggy conditions. I had to switch to Pro mode manually to adjust exposure, and low-light shots showed visible noise. By day two, I was hunting for outlets. However, linking to my Galaxy Watch for heart rate tracking and using DeX to edit photos on a monitor felt futuristic and efficient.

Verdict? The P20 Pro was better for capturing moments. The S8 Plus was better for managing them afterward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Samsung S8 Plus faster than the Huawei P20 Pro?

Both use high-end chipsets—the Exynos 9810 (S8 Plus) and Kirin 970 (P20 Pro). Real-world speed is comparable, though the S8 Plus feels smoother due to optimized software. Neither shows lag in daily tasks, but neither supports current 5G or advanced AI processing either.

Can the S8 Plus replace the P20 Pro as a photography phone?

Not fully. While the S8 Plus takes solid photos in daylight, it lacks the P20 Pro’s night vision, zoom, and AI enhancements. Serious mobile photographers should stick with Huawei—or consider newer models.

Which phone has better long-term software support?

Neither excels today. The S8 Plus received Android 9 with security patches until 2020. The P20 Pro got Android 10 but no further major OS updates. Both are now outdated, though Samsung’s update policy has since improved significantly.

Checklist: Before You Upgrade from P20 Pro to S8 Plus

• ✅ Confirm your region’s model includes IP68 and desired features
• ✅ Test the display in sunlight and assess comfort with curved edges
• ✅ Evaluate your reliance on camera quality, especially night shots
• ✅ Check battery needs—can you charge midday if needed?
• ✅ Consider ecosystem ties: do you own other Samsung devices?
• ❌ Don’t assume newer = better; compare actual use cases

Final Verdict: Was the Upgrade Worth It?

Objectively? No—not purely for performance or camera gains. The Huawei P20 Pro outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus in battery life, photographic flexibility, and low-light capabilities. It was a groundbreaking device in its time, and many of its strengths remain relevant.

Subjectively? Yes—but only because I valued Samsung’s cleaner software, tighter ecosystem integration, and superior display quality over raw camera power. For users who prioritize seamless multitasking, media consumption, and brand synergy, the S8 Plus offers a more cohesive experience.

The upgrade wasn’t about specs—it was about workflow. And that’s the lesson: don’t chase benchmarks. Ask what kind of user you are. Are you a creator who shoots in the wild? Stick with the P20 Pro. Are you a professional who values integration, screen quality, and fluid interface design? The S8 Plus might still surprise you.

💬 Have you made this switch? Share your experience—was the upgrade worth it for you? Your insights could help others decide between innovation and integration.