The Huawei Mate 20 lite is a 2018 upper-midrange Android phone built around a large 6.3-inch Full HD+ display, a glass-and-aluminum body, dual cameras on both sides, and a 3750 mAh battery. It arrived as the more affordable entry in Huawei’s Mate 20 family, keeping the premium styling while using the Kirin 710 platform instead of a flagship chipset.
This article looks at the Huawei Mate 20 lite from a specs-focused perspective, with emphasis on how its hardware holds up today, where its regional model differences matter, and what type of buyer should still consider it as a low-cost LTE smartphone.
Full Specifications
Network
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 – SNE-LX1, SNE-LX3 |
| HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 – SNE-LX2 | |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 – SNE-LX1 |
| 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 28, 38, 40, 41 – SNE-LX2, INE-LX2 | |
| 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17, 28 – SNE-LX3 | |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat12 600/150 Mbps |
Launch
| Announced | 2018, August. Released 2018, September |
| Status | Discontinued |
Body
| Dimensions | 158.3 x 75.3 x 7.6 mm (6.23 x 2.96 x 0.30 in) |
| Weight | 172 g (6.07 oz) |
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
Display
| Type | IPS LCD |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
Platform
| OS | Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10, EMUI 12 |
| Chipset | Kirin 710 (12 nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core (4×2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4×1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 |
Memory
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.1 |
Main Camera
| Dual | 20 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps |
Selfie camera
| Dual | 24 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm 2 MP, depth sensor |
| Features | HDR |
| Video | 1080p@30fps |
Sound
| Loudspeaker | Yes |
| 3.5mm jack | Yes |
Comms
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| NFC | Yes (SNE-LX1 only) |
| Radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 |
Features
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
Battery
| Type | Li-Ion 3750 mAh, non-removable |
| Charging | 18W wired |
Misc
| Colors | Sapphire Blue, Black, Platinum gold |
| Models | SNE-AL00, SNE-LX1, SNE-LX2, SNE-LX3, INE-LX2 |
| Price | About 230 EUR |
Our Tests
| Performance | AnTuTu: 136583 (v7) GeekBench: 5574 (v4.4) GFXBench: 6.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 1470:1 (nominal), 3.051 (sunlight) |
| Camera | Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 67dB / Noise 70dB / Ring 84dB |
| Audio quality | Noise -94.7dB / Crosstalk -73.1dB |
| Battery (old) | Endurance rating 97h |
Price and Availability
The Huawei Mate 20 lite offers a compelling combination of features and performance. While the base price is around €230, the actual cost may vary depending on your location and retailer. Below, you’ll find the approximate price of the Huawei Mate 20 lite converted into various currencies. Please note that these are estimates based on recent exchange rates as of July 17, 2026 and may not reflect the exact price you’ll find at a retailer.
- United States: $263
- Japan: ¥42,747
- United Kingdom: £195
- Australia: A$376
- Canada: C$369
- Taiwan: NT$8,488
- Denmark: kr1.717
- Saudi Arabia: ﷼987
- South Korea: ₩390,084
- Germany: €230
- Brazil: R$1.341
- Vietnam: ₫6.895.872
- Kenya: KSh 34,071
- India: ₹25,370
- Indonesia: Rp 4.737.839
- Nigeria: ₦360,480
- Pakistan: ₨73,170
- Philippines: ₱16,237
- Bangladesh: ৳৩২,৪৫৩
Value Position
The Huawei Mate 20 lite was positioned as a value alternative to flagship Mate models, and its original price point of about 230 EUR made it competitive for buyers who wanted a premium-looking phone without paying flagship money. Its strongest value points are the large sharp screen, 64GB storage, microSDXC support, long battery endurance, USB-C, NFC on the SNE-LX1 variant, and a rear fingerprint reader.
In today’s market, its value depends heavily on condition, battery health, software expectations, and regional compatibility. It is not a modern budget phone with 5G, high-refresh display technology, or a multi-generation update promise. Instead, it is best understood as a used or refurbished LTE handset with strong basics and a more polished build than many entry-level phones.
Design and Build
The Mate 20 lite has a glass front, glass back, and aluminum frame, which gives it a more premium feel than plastic-bodied budget models. At 158.3 x 75.3 x 7.6 mm and 172 g, it is fairly slim and manageable for a 6.3-inch phone, though the tall 19.5:9 format makes one-handed use dependent on hand size.
The rear-mounted fingerprint sensor is practical, fast to reach, and avoids taking space from the front display area. Huawei offered the phone in Sapphire Blue, Black, and Platinum gold, so the device leaned into a polished consumer design rather than a rugged or utility-first look. The trade-off is durability: the glass back looks better, but it also makes a case more important for daily use.
Display Experience
The 6.3-inch IPS LCD panel uses a 1080 x 2340 resolution, producing about 409 ppi. That is sharp enough for reading, browsing, social media, and video streaming, and the 19.5:9 aspect ratio gives the phone a modern tall-screen feel for its generation. The screen-to-body ratio of about 81.7 percent was competitive at launch and still feels reasonably efficient for a phone with a notch-era design.
Measured display data points to a nominal contrast ratio of 1470:1 and a sunlight score of 3.051, so indoor quality is solid while direct outdoor visibility is serviceable rather than exceptional. Buyers coming from OLED phones will miss deeper blacks and always-on display benefits, but users moving from older budget LCD phones should find the panel crisp and pleasant.
Performance and Storage
The Kirin 710 chipset is built on a 12 nm process and combines four Cortex-A73 performance cores with four Cortex-A53 efficiency cores. It was a meaningful midrange upgrade in 2018, and the recorded AnTuTu v7 score of 136583 plus GeekBench v4.4 score of 5574 reflect a phone aimed at everyday speed rather than flagship-class power.
For messaging, browsing, maps, media playback, banking apps, and light multitasking, the Mate 20 lite remains usable if the software is clean and the battery is healthy. Demanding 3D games are a weaker point, with the Mali-G51 MP4 and a GFXBench ES 3.1 onscreen result of 6.7fps showing its age. Storage is 64GB with either 4GB or 6GB RAM depending on variant, and the eMMC 5.1 storage type is another reminder that app loading will not match newer UFS-based phones.
Camera Setup
The rear camera system pairs a 20 MP f/1.8 wide camera with an auxiliary lens. Features include PDAF, LED flash, panorama, HDR, and video recording up to 1080p at 30 or 60fps. This is a straightforward camera setup by current standards, but the large aperture and Huawei processing made it a capable casual shooter in good light.
The front camera hardware is more distinctive: a 24 MP f/2.0 wide camera works with a 2 MP depth sensor for portrait-style selfies. That dual selfie setup was a major selling point for the Mate 20 lite, especially for users who cared about social media portraits and face-focused photography. Still, buyers should keep expectations grounded: there is no 4K video, no ultrawide rear camera, and no dedicated telephoto lens.
Battery and Charging
The 3750 mAh non-removable battery is one of the stronger parts of the Mate 20 lite specification sheet. The old endurance rating of 97 hours suggests efficient standby and dependable mixed use, especially when paired with the Kirin 710 and LCD display. For a used unit, real-world endurance will depend heavily on battery wear, so checking battery replacement history is important.
Charging is rated at 18W wired over USB Type-C 2.0. That is modest compared with modern fast-charging phones, but it is practical for overnight charging or moderate daytime top-ups. Wireless charging is not listed, which is expected for this class and generation.
Software and Longevity
The phone launched with Android 8.1 Oreo and is listed as upgradable to Android 10 with EMUI 12. That gives it a more mature software path than many older midrange phones, but it should not be mistaken for a current long-term update device. Security patch availability, app compatibility, and regional firmware status can vary by model and market.
For buyers who mainly need core Android functions, EMUI offers plenty of built-in tools and customization. For users who prioritize current Android versions, long update windows, or the latest privacy controls, a newer budget phone will be the safer choice.
Connectivity and Model Differences
The Mate 20 lite supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE with LTE Cat12 speeds listed at up to 600 Mbps down and 150 Mbps up under ideal carrier aggregation conditions. Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS, GLONASS, BDS, FM radio, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and USB-C give it a well-rounded connectivity package.
Model differences matter. LTE bands vary across SNE-LX1, SNE-LX2, INE-LX2, and SNE-LX3 versions, while NFC is listed only for SNE-LX1. Anyone buying internationally should match the exact model number to their carrier bands before purchase, especially in markets where LTE band support determines indoor coverage and VoLTE reliability.
Who Should Buy It?
The Huawei Mate 20 lite makes the most sense for buyers who want an inexpensive LTE Android phone with a large sharp display, premium-feeling body, headphone jack, microSD expansion, and strong battery endurance. It is also a reasonable secondary phone for media, navigation, travel, or messaging if the specific model supports the needed local network bands.
It is less suitable for users who need 5G, current Android update guarantees, high-end gaming performance, advanced camera versatility, or very fast charging. Compared with newer budget phones, its build quality and display sharpness remain attractive, but its chipset, software age, and camera flexibility are clear limitations.
Conclusion
The Huawei Mate 20 lite is a polished 2018 midrange phone with a good Full HD+ display, premium materials, capable everyday performance, dual selfie cameras, and dependable battery life. It is best recommended as an affordable used LTE phone for basic-to-moderate use, provided the battery is healthy and the exact model supports your carrier bands.
References
- HUAWEI Mate 20 Lite Specifications – HUAWEI South Africa – Official Huawei specification page covering dimensions, display, OS, memory variants, cameras, battery, network bands, connectivity, NFC support, sensors, chipset, GPS, and in-box items.
- HUAWEI Mate 20 lite Repair and Service – HUAWEI Support Global – Official global support page confirming the product model and linking to Huawei support resources, downloads, software support, service, warranty, and repair information.
- Huawei EU Declaration of Conformity / Product Certification – Official Huawei certification lookup for compliance documents; useful for verifying regulatory model information and declarations of conformity where available.
- FCC Equipment Authorization Search – Official FCC database for checking wireless regulatory filings by FCC ID, useful for verifying radio, SAR, and connectivity details for Huawei device variants such as SNE-LX1.
- GSMArena Huawei Mate 20 lite specifications – Long-established mobile device reference database useful as a secondary cross-check for launch timing, body, display, chipset, memory, camera, connectivity, and battery specifications.
