Is The Huawei Mate 20 Pro Still Worth It In 2024 If I Already Have A Samsung S8 Plus

If you're still running a Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus in 2024, you're likely due for an upgrade. But is jumping to another older flagship—the Huawei Mate 20 Pro—a smart move? Released in late 2018, the Mate 20 Pro was once a powerhouse, praised for its design, battery life, and triple-camera system. However, five years is a long time in smartphone evolution, especially with software support and ecosystem changes. This article examines whether the Mate 20 Pro remains a viable alternative to newer devices when your current phone is the aging S8 Plus.

Performance: A Tale of Two Flagships

The Samsung S8 Plus, launched in 2017, ran on either the Exynos 8895 or Snapdragon 835, depending on region. By today’s standards, both chips are severely underpowered. They struggle with modern multitasking, app loading times, and even basic animations in updated Android versions. The device originally shipped with Android 7.0 Nougat and received updates up to Android 9 Pie—meaning no security patches since 2020.

In contrast, the Huawei Mate 20 Pro debuted with the Kirin 980 chipset—an octa-core processor built on a 7nm process. At launch, it outperformed the Snapdragon 845 in efficiency and matched it in raw speed. Even now, in 2024, the Kirin 980 can handle everyday tasks like browsing, messaging, navigation, and streaming without major lag. Apps open quickly, and switching between them remains smooth, assuming you haven’t overloaded the storage.

Tip: To maximize performance on older devices like the Mate 20 Pro, avoid installing too many background-heavy apps and clear cache regularly.

However, there's a catch: unlike modern mid-range phones that use efficient ARM architectures and optimized software, the Kirin 980 lacks machine learning accelerators and advanced power management. So while it's faster than the S8 Plus, it doesn't offer the same longevity as current-gen budget options like the Pixel 7a or even some Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 devices.

Software & Ecosystem Limitations

This is where the Mate 20 Pro faces its biggest hurdle. Due to U.S. trade restrictions, Huawei lost access to Google Mobile Services (GMS) after 2019. While the Mate 20 Pro shipped with GMS pre-installed, it cannot receive official Google Play Services updates beyond what was available at the time. It also never got Android 10 from Google—Huawei replaced it with its own EMUI-based firmware atop Android Open Source Project (AOSP), eventually transitioning to HarmonyOS.

As of 2024, the Mate 20 Pro runs EMUI 12 or early HarmonyOS versions. These lack full Google integration. You can sideload Google apps (via tools like LZPlay or manual APK installation), but this method is unstable, insecure, and often breaks after system updates. Core services like Gmail sync, Google Maps push notifications, and seamless Drive integration may not work reliably.

“Devices stuck on outdated Android versions face growing compatibility risks—not just from missing features, but from security vulnerabilities.” — Daniel Kim, Mobile Security Analyst at TechShield Insights

If your daily routine relies on Google Workspace, YouTube, Chrome sync, or banking apps that detect rooted/sideloading environments, the Mate 20 Pro will frustrate you. Samsung’s ecosystem, by comparison, continues to evolve. Even though the S8 Plus is obsolete, Samsung users benefit from familiarity with One UI, Knox security, and cloud backup—all absent in Huawei’s current offerings.

Camera Comparison: Where the Mate 20 Pro Still Shines

The Mate 20 Pro featured a groundbreaking triple-lens setup: a 40MP main sensor (f/1.8), a 20MP ultra-wide (f/2.2), and an 8MP telephoto (f/2.4) with 3x optical zoom. Its AI scene recognition and color science were ahead of their time. In daylight, photos remain impressively detailed and dynamic. Low-light performance, while surpassed by modern night modes, still holds up better than the S8 Plus’s single 12MP shooter.

Feature	Samsung S8 Plus	Huawei Mate 20 Pro
Main Camera	12MP, f/1.7, Dual Pixel AF	40MP, f/1.8, OIS
Ultra-Wide Lens	No	Yes (20MP)
Zoom Capability	Digital only	3x optical, up to 5x hybrid
Video Recording	4K@30fps	4K@30fps, slow-mo 1080p@960fps
Front Camera	8MP, f/1.7	24MP, f/2.0

The front camera difference is notable: the Mate 20 Pro’s 24MP selfie shooter captures significantly more detail than the S8 Plus’s aging 8MP sensor. For social media users or frequent video callers, this is a tangible improvement.

Real-World Example: Maria’s Upgrade Dilemma

Maria, a freelance photographer based in Lisbon, used her S8 Plus for six years. She valued its compact size and headphone jack but struggled with slow app launches and poor low-light photo quality. When she found a refurbished Mate 20 Pro online for €180, she thought it was a great deal—better camera, wireless charging, IP68 rating, and reverse charging.

She installed Google apps manually and managed for two months. But then her banking app stopped working, citing “untrusted environment.” Her Google Photos backups failed intermittently. After a system update broke her sideloaded Play Store, she reverted to her S8 Plus temporarily and eventually bought a used Pixel 6.

Her takeaway? “The hardware impressed me, but the software isolation made it impractical. I didn’t realize how much I relied on seamless Google integration until it was gone.”

What Should You Do? A Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s how to decide whether upgrading from the S8 Plus to the Mate 20 Pro makes sense in 2024:

1. Evaluate your app dependency: List the top 10 apps you use daily. Are they Google-dependent? Do they require cloud sync or biometric login?
2. Test alternatives: Try using Huawei AppGallery or APKMirror versions of key apps on a secondary device first.
3. Check local support: Is Huawei service available near you? Can you get repairs if the screen cracks or battery degrades?
4. Assess battery health: Most Mate 20 Pros from 2018–2019 have degraded batteries. Replacement costs around €60–€80.
5. Compare prices: If you’re spending over €200 on a used Mate 20 Pro, consider newer alternatives like the Pixel 6, Moto X40, or Samsung A54.

Checklist: Is the Mate 20 Pro Right for You?

• ✅ Need better camera quality than the S8 Plus offers
• ✅ Prefer physical navigation buttons or dislike gesture-heavy UIs
• ✅ Use minimal Google services (e.g., rely on Outlook, Firefox, ProtonMail)
• ✅ Want fast charging (40W) and wireless reverse charging
• ❌ Depend heavily on Google Pay, Maps, or Play Store auto-updates
• ❌ Expect regular security patches or OS upgrades
• ❌ Plan to keep the phone longer than 12–18 months

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install Google apps on the Huawei Mate 20 Pro in 2024?

Yes, but not officially. Third-party methods exist to install GMS, but they are unreliable, potentially unsafe, and often stop working after reboots or updates. Some apps may refuse to run due to safetyNet failures.

How long will the Mate 20 Pro last in 2024?

As a daily driver, expect 12–18 months of light use if the battery is healthy and you avoid resource-heavy apps. Heavy usage or reliance on unstable workarounds may shorten that significantly.

Is the Mate 20 Pro better than the S8 Plus overall?

In hardware—yes. It has a superior display, faster processor, better cameras, and modern conveniences like in-display fingerprint and USB-C fast charging. But software limitations negate many of these gains unless you adapt your digital habits.

Conclusion: Make the Move—But Smarter

The Huawei Mate 20 Pro is technically superior to the Samsung S8 Plus in nearly every hardware category. If you're clinging to the S8 Plus solely because of cost concerns, the Mate 20 Pro might seem like a logical next step. But in 2024, smartphones are more than just hardware—they’re gateways to ecosystems, services, and ongoing support.

Rather than stepping sideways into another outdated platform, consider investing slightly more in a device that receives updates, supports modern apps natively, and won’t isolate you from critical services. Phones like the Google Pixel 6, Samsung Galaxy A54, or even the OnePlus Nord series offer better long-term value, full Google integration, and active software support through 2026 or later.

💬 Thinking about upgrading from an old flagship? Share your experience below—what held you back, and what finally convinced you to make the leap?