Best Honor phones with Google services: which one to buy for 2022

In the past, due to US sanctions, Huawei and its subordinate Honor brand have been deprived of the ability to install Google services on their smartphones, which has hit both brands hard. But after a while, Honor found a loophole and separated from Huawei, thereby gaining the opportunity to reuse Google Play and all related programs like YouTube. This article compiles the best Honor smartphones with Google services to buy at the end of 2021, including flagship variants and good but inexpensive phones. All prices are taken from the e-Katalog.

⚠️ Some of the models mentioned in the article have improved counterparts without Google services – they are also mentioned for those who are suitable for Huawei Mobile Services (HMS), but they always follow the second number and are given only as an alternative.

Honor 8A

From 7 980 rubles, with Google services ✅

• Display: 6.09 inches, 1560 × 720, IPS, 60 Hz.
• Processor: MediaTek Helio P35, 12nm, 4 × 2.3 GHz (Cortex-A53) + 4 × 1.8 GHz (Cortex-A53).
• RAM: 3 GB.
• Storage: 64 GB, microSD memory cards.
• Main camera: 13 MP (f / 1.8).
• Front camera: 8 MP (f / 2.0).
• Battery: 3020 mAh, 10 W, microUSB.
• NFC chip: yes.
• Pre-installed operating system: Android 9, EMUI 9, Google services.

This is the best of the cheapest current Honor models, which will definitely be enough for social networks, instant messengers and the Internet. Its camera can handle documents and simple photographs, but you shouldn’t count on more – it’s still a basic gadget for the simplest tasks. Separately, it is worth noting the presence of an NFC chip for contactless payment. Only not the freshest Android 9.0 with the same EMUI 9 shell and a small battery can scare off, but taking into account the low screen resolution and a very economical processor, autonomy promises to be at the standard level.

Honor 20e

From 12 990 rubles, with Google services ✅

• Display: 6.21 inches, 2340 × 1080, IPS, 60 Hz.
• Processor: Kirin 710F, 12nm, 4 × 2.2 GHz (Cortex-A73) + 4 × 1.7 GHz (Cortex-A53).
• RAM: 4 GB.
• Storage: 64 GB, microSD memory cards.
• Main camera: 24 MP (f / 1.8) + 8 MP (f / 2.4, ultra wide-angle) + 2 MP (f / 2.4, depth sensor).
• Front camera: 8 MP (f / 2.0).
• Battery: 3400 mAh, 10 W, microUSB.
• NFC chip: yes.
• Pre-installed operating system: Android 9, EMUI 9.1, Google services.

This smartphone is not much more expensive than the one described above, but it is significantly better in terms of characteristics. Improvements have touched literally everything: more RAM, more powerful processor, sharper screen, better camera. But the main drawbacks remain, there is still a relatively small battery and not the newest Android with proprietary firmware. However, if the version of the system does not play a key role, this model will be a great inexpensive option.

Honor 30i

From 13 100 rubles, without Google services ❌

• Display: 6.3 inches, 2400 × 1080, AMOLED, 60 Hz.
• Processor: Kirin 710F, 12nm, 4 × 2.2 GHz (Cortex-A73) + 4 × 1.7 GHz (Cortex-A53).
• RAM: 4 GB.
• Storage: 128 GB, NM memory cards.
• Main camera: 48 MP (f / 1.8) + 8 MP (f / 2.4, ultra wide-angle) + 2 MP (f / 2.4, depth sensor).
• Front camera: 16 MP (f / 2.0).
• Battery: 4000 mAh, 10 W, USB-C.
• NFC chip: yes.
• Pre-installed operating system: Android 10, MagicUI 2.1, no Google services.

The Honor 30i is an alternative to the Honor 20e, but without Google services. However, this is offset by the improved performance in detail. With an almost identical design and the same processor, the Honor 30i has an AMOLED display, not an IPS (better contrast and color saturation), a newer system and firmware, a main and front cameras with twice the resolution. Autonomy should be noted separately: the battery is larger, and the battery life is significantly higher due to the lack of Google services. From the nice little things: the fingerprint scanner is installed under the display, and not at the back; Instead of the outdated microUSB port, USB-C is used for charging.

Honor 50 Lite

From 18 790 rubles, with Google services ✅

• Display: 6.67 inches, 2376 × 1080, IPS, 60 Hz.
• Processor: Snapdragon 662, 11nm, 4 × 2.0 GHz (Cortex-A73) + 4 × 1.8 GHz (Cortex-A53).
• RAM: 6 GB.
• Storage: 128 GB.
• Main camera: 64 MP (f / 1.9) + 8 MP (f / 2.4, ultra wide-angle) + 2 MP (f / 2.4, macro) + 2 MP (f / 2.4, depth sensor).
• Front camera: 16 MP (f / 2.0).
• Battery: 4300 mAh, 66 W, USB-C.
• NFC chip: yes.
• Pre-installed operating system: Android 11, MagicUI 4.2, Google services.

The Honor 50 series came out quite recently and marked the return of Honor with Google services – earlier the company rather reissued old models to bypass the sanctions, and now it has introduced fully new ones, and on Qualcomm processors. Honor 50 Lite turned out to be a solid mid-range without any notable features: average cameras, average performance, average battery life. The only feature is super fast charging, capable of charging the smartphone from 0% to 40% in just 10 minutes.

Honor 30

From 24 400 rubles, without Google services ❌

• Display: 6.53 inches, 2400 × 1080, OLED, 60Hz.
• Processor: Kirin 985 5G, 7nm, 1 × 2.58 GHz (Cortex-A77) + 3 × 2.4 GHz (Cortex-A76) + 4 × 1.84 GHz (Cortex-A55).
• RAM: 8 GB.
• Storage: 128 GB, NM memory cards.
• Main camera: 40 MP (f / 1.8) + 8 MP (f / 2.4, ultra wide-angle) + 8 MP (f / 3.5, periscope) + 2 MP (depth sensor).
• Front camera: 32 MP (f / 2.0).
• Battery: 4000 mAh, 40 W, USB-C.
• NFC chip: yes.
• Pre-installed operating system: Android 10, MagicUI 3, no Google services.

An alternative to the above described Honor 50 Lite is the Honor 30 without Google services. In short, it is more productive. It has a significantly more powerful processor and 2 GB more RAM. The main module of the main camera shoots in about the same way, but this model has a telephoto lens for 5x optical zoom, and the main and front cameras can shoot in 4K. The battery is slightly smaller, but this is offset by the lack of Google services. There is also support for fast charging, but it is not so powerful: 40W versus 66W.

Honor 50

From 31 490 rubles, with Google services ✅

• Display: 6.57 inches, 2340 x 1080, OLED, 120 Hz.
• Processor: Snapdragon 778G, 6nm, 4 × 2.2 GHz (Kryo 670) + 4 × 1.8 GHz (Kryo 670).
• RAM: 8 GB.
• Storage: 128 GB.
• Main camera: 108 MP (f / 1.9) + 8 MP (f / 2.4, ultra wide-angle) + 2 MP (macro) + 2 MP (f / 2.4, depth sensor).
• Front camera: 32 MP (f / 2.2).
• Battery: 4300 mAh, 66 W, USB-C.
• NFC chip: yes.
• Pre-installed operating system: Android 11, MagicUI 4.2, Google services.

The best of the freshest Honor smartphones sold in Russia is this particular model – there is no mistake in the price tag, the Chinese flagship is really three times more expensive than premium smartphones from Apple and Samsung. This is not surprising, since the Honor brand has always offered the most affordable alternatives to competitive smartphones. This is the only gadget from the manufacturer with a 120Hz display (it’s really high quality), ultra-fast charging is also in place. But the relatively low cost could not have arisen just like that: the Honor 50 has a sub-flagship processor (which, however, will be enough for most users) and not the best, but decent cameras. In short, this is a great option for less demanding people who do not want to pay three times more for unnecessary features.

Honor 30 Pro+

From 44 490 rubles, without Google services ❌

• Display: 6.57 inches, 2340 x 1080, OLED, 90 Hz.
• Processor: Kirin 990 5G, 7nm, 2 × 2.86 GHz (Cortex-A76) + 2 × 2.36 GHz (Cortex-A76) + 4 × 1.95 GHz (Cortex-A55).
• RAM: 8 GB.
• Storage: 256 GB.
• Main camera: 50 MP (f / 1.9) + 16 MP (f / 2.2, ultra wide-angle) + 8 MP (f / 3.4, periscope) + 2 MP (depth sensor).
• Front camera: 32 MP (f / 2.0) + 8 MP (f / 2.2, ultra wide angle).
• Battery: 4000 mAh, 40 W, USB-C.
• NFC chip: yes.
• Pre-installed operating system: Android 10, MagicUI 3, no Google services.

The best model of the manufacturer without Google services is the Honor 30 Pro +, which costs as much as 50% more than the above-described Honor 50, which is why it cannot be called an alternative. But you cannot pass by it within the framework of this article, because this is the best camera phone from Honor with really advanced cameras. They won’t beat the latest premium models from Apple, Samsung or Google (which are twice as expensive), but they are boldly challenged in photo opportunities. Cameras and a comparable processor aside, this smartphone is inferior to the Honor 50 in everything: lower display frequency, slower charging and smaller battery, older than Android. The Honor 30 Pro + is the choice for those looking to get awesome flagship-grade cameras at the lowest price.