In the UK refurbished smartphone market in 2025, buyers are no longer just chasing new releases. The real decision is about value: whether an older premium phone still beats a newer budget device in daily use.

This comparison between the Huawei P20 Pro and Huawei P Smart (2021) appears often in second-hand listings because both devices now sit in a similar price range. That creates confusion for UK buyers trying to choose the better deal.

At Lowpricephones, the focus is always real-world usage in the UK market: performance, camera quality, battery life, and long-term usability—not just specs on paper.

The key question is simple: does an older flagship still outperform a newer budget phone in 2025?

Why This Comparison Still Matters in the UK (2025)

Even though these phones are from different generations, they overlap in price in the refurbished UK market. That is why buyers compare them directly.

The real choice is between:

• A premium older flagship with strong hardware
• A newer budget phone with better battery efficiency but weaker performance

This is not just a spec comparison. It is a decision between experience and practicality.

Quick Comparison: Huawei P20 Pro vs Huawei P Smart (2021)

Design & Build Quality

The Huawei P20 Pro still feels like a flagship device in hand. Its glass back and aluminium frame give it a premium feel that most budget phones still cannot match in 2025.

The Huawei P Smart (2021) uses a plastic build. It is lightweight and practical, but clearly designed for cost saving rather than premium experience.

Verdict:

• Premium feel: Huawei P20 Pro
• Practical durability: Huawei P Smart (2021)

Display Experience

The P20 Pro features a 6.1-inch AMOLED display, offering deeper blacks, stronger contrast, and more vibrant colours. It still delivers a premium viewing experience.

The P Smart (2021) has a larger 6.67-inch LCD display. It is better for reading, videos, and general browsing due to its size, but lacks AMOLED richness.

Verdict:

• Best quality: Huawei P20 Pro
• Best size for media: Huawei P Smart (2021)

Performance in Real Use (2025)

The Huawei P20 Pro, powered by the Kirin 970 and 6GB RAM, still performs smoothly for daily tasks like social media, browsing, photography, and moderate gaming.

The P Smart (2021) with Kirin 710A and 4GB RAM is suitable for basic use such as messaging, video streaming, and light apps, but it feels slower under multitasking.

Verdict:

• Faster and smoother: Huawei P20 Pro

Camera Comparison (Biggest Difference)

This is where the gap becomes clear.

The Huawei P20 Pro uses a Leica triple-camera system:

• 40MP main sensor
• 20MP monochrome sensor
• 8MP telephoto lens (3x optical zoom)

It performs strongly in:

• Low-light photography
• Portrait shots
• Zoom detail
• Natural colour processing

The Huawei P Smart (2021) has a quad-camera setup, but it is more basic in real-world performance. It works well in daylight but struggles in low-light and detail consistency.

Verdict:

• Clear winner: Huawei P20 Pro

Battery Life Comparison

Battery is the one area where the P Smart (2021) wins.

It has a 5000 mAh battery, offering longer screen time and stronger endurance for daily usage.

The P20 Pro has a 4000 mAh battery, which still lasts a full day but drains faster with camera and heavy usage.

Verdict:

• Better battery life: Huawei P Smart (2021)

Software & Google Services (UK Important Factor)

The Huawei P20 Pro supports Google services, including:

• Google Play Store
• YouTube
• Gmail
• Google Maps

The Huawei P Smart (2021) does not include Google services and relies on Huawei AppGallery, which limits app availability for UK users.

In real UK usage, this is one of the most important decision factors.

Verdict:

• Better software experience: Huawei P20 Pro

Storage & Practical Features

The Huawei P Smart (2021) includes:

• microSD card support
• headphone jack
• flexible storage expansion

The Huawei P20 Pro offers:

• better internal optimization
• premium build
• but no expandable storage or headphone jack

Verdict:

• More practical flexibility: Huawei P Smart (2021)

UK Market Value (2025 Reality)

In the UK refurbished market, both phones remain popular but for different reasons.

• Huawei P20 Pro: preferred for camera quality and premium feel
• Huawei P Smart (2021): chosen for battery life and low price

However, overall long-term value still leans toward the P20 Pro because it delivers a stronger full experience.

Who Should Buy What?

Buy Huawei P20 Pro if you want:

• Better camera performance
• Smoother overall experience
• Premium design feel
• Google services support
• Stronger performance

Buy Huawei P Smart (2021) if you want:

• Longer battery life
• Larger display
• Cheaper price
• Basic everyday usage
• Simple backup phone

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Huawei P20 Pro still worth buying in the UK in 2025?

Yes, it still offers strong value for camera-focused users and people buying refurbished phones at lower prices. It performs better than most budget phones in the same price range.

Is Huawei P Smart (2021) good for daily use?

Yes, but only for basic usage like calls, WhatsApp, browsing, and video streaming. It is not suitable for heavy gaming or advanced apps.

Which phone has better camera quality?

The Huawei P20 Pro clearly has better camera performance, especially in low-light photography and zoom detail.

Which phone has better battery life?

The Huawei P Smart (2021) lasts longer because it has a larger 5000 mAh battery.

Which phone feels faster in real usage?

The Huawei P20 Pro feels smoother and more responsive due to its stronger flagship hardware.

Do Huawei phones still work properly in the UK?

Yes, they still work, but some models have limited or no Google services depending on the software version and region.

Which phone is better value for money in 2025?

For overall experience, the Huawei P20 Pro offers better value. For battery and basic use, the Huawei P Smart (2021) is more practical.

Final Verdict

The Huawei P20 Pro remains the stronger overall smartphone in 2025. Despite being older, it still delivers better camera quality, smoother performance, and a more premium user experience.

The Huawei P Smart (2021) is a practical budget option focused on battery life and basic usability, but it cannot match the flagship-level experience of the P20 Pro.

At Lowpricephones, the recommendation is clear:

• Best overall value: Huawei P20 Pro
• Best battery and budget option: Huawei P Smart (2021)

In the UK refurbished market, the real decision is simple: choose experience, or choose endurance.