₦airaland Forum

Hello NLanders,

I have heard alot of views about Huawei phones and the ones that gave me a major concern is their isolation with Google. There by not making the playstore quite efficient to enhance the use of the phone.

Is this true ?

Please kindly share your reviews here.

Gadgets marketers and phone engineers we also await your views pls


Thanks

We waiting for your sincere reviews

Good Phone and very strong when it comes to network (main reason i still use mine), Compare to Samsung or iPhone due to where i stay.

But the Google isolation can be very frustrating

joseph032:
Good Phone and very strong when it comes to network (main reason i still use mine), Compare to Samsung or iPhone due to where i stay.

But the Google isolation can be very frustrating

Okay. Thanks for your input

.

Due to the lack of google play integration, sourcing app will be a challenge.
Also there is increased risk of security breaches since it does not receive android security patches

Mistral:
I don’t participate on this platform as regularly as I used to years ago, but I feel obliged to share this comment.

I’ve been a Huawei user for many years and even now—without Google services—I can confidently say the experience has been impressive. The smoothness, privacy and freedom from constant ads (since Google is a major ad sponsor) make a huge difference.

On my device, I rely on a Microsoft email account and have fully integrated Microsoft Office. I use:

- Huawei’s Petal Maps instead of Google Maps. In my opinion, Petal Maps offers a cooler design and a richer experience.
- Huawei’s App Gallery along with the third-party Aurora Store Aurora Store connects directly to the Play Store but doesn’t require a Google account. It works just like the Play Store, offering the same experience without compromise.
- Microsoft Copilot as a replacement for Google Gemini. Copilot provides unlimited deep-thinking chats by default, processes data through Bing and is on par with Google’s AI.
- NewPipe/SnapTube instead of YouTube. These apps connect to YouTube, allow direct downloads to device storage and even let you comment, like and subscribe without a Google account.

Out of curiosity, I once installed Google services through GBox, but quickly removed them. The difference was clear: fewer ads (especially on YouTube), less battery drain and peak performance. Microsoft Office integration for business tasks also feels far more seamless compared to Google Drive. It’s a unique experience that many people may never fully appreciate because all they have ever known is Google.

The only downside I’ve noticed without Google is that certain games and some ride-hailing apps won’t work unless Google Mobile Services is enabled via GBox.

Currently, I use a Samsung phone as a backup, but my Huawei remains my main device. As someone deeply familiar with phone technology, I can say Huawei’s software is among the most optimized, deeply customizable and secure systems in the world. In my experience, it even outperforms most Samsung A-series and Xiaomi devices of similar price in terms of battery efficiency, customization and smoothness. 10 years of using Huawei phones consistently, I’ve found no other brand that matches their durability, battery performance and customization options (though Samsung’s One UI comes close, it usually feels overloaded with too many features).

Using a Huawei device is not for the average user—it requires a certain level of tech familiarity to truly appreciate the experience without Google Mobile Services. I’ve lived without Google for years, yet my banking apps and social media platforms still work flawlessly. Even TikTok from App Gallery (about 450 MB to download) offers a richer experience compared to the simplified Google version. The journey has made me realize that Google often simplifies its UI, apps and certain services to cater to the masses to boost efficiency. With Huawei, I feel like I’m living in a different timeline compared to most people around me.



I currently use the Huawei P60 Pro




@ yungchap and joseph032

This is a detailed review, which is quite insightful.

Considering making Huawei your major phone, you must be someone who doesn't go with the Bandwagon.

Thanks alot for your contribution.

Rareoil:
Due to the lack of google play integration, sourcing app will be a challenge.
Also there is increased risk of security breaches since it does not receive android security patches

Security breaches ?

You might want to explain further to butress your points.

Thanks

yungchap:
This is a detailed review, which is quite insightful.

Considering making Huawei your major phone, you must be someone who doesn't go with the Bandwagon.

Thanks alot for your contribution.

You're welcome

Thanks for your detailed and well constructed feedback.
Nland will be a better place if only half of the responders can step to your level.

Now to your take, I think this means non techy people or people who just want to use their smart phones as a tool or means to an end might do better to avoid Huawei.
A good example is personally, I think most linux distros are superior to windows but aside once dual booting both on my system, I have stuck to windows cos I can stand the headache of compatibility issues

I am a big fan of Hauwei too, infact my opinion is if you were given an amount say X00 thousand naira and told to go to the market and buy a new phone with that amount, Huawei is likely to give you the best value for your money.
Infact I am looking at the Mate X and Mate XT series with so much envy.

But I am afraid to touch them now cos of this wahala with Android.

Mistral:
I don’t participate on this platform as regularly as I used to years ago, but I feel obliged to share this comment.

I’ve been a Huawei user for many years and even now—without Google services—I can confidently say the experience has been impressive. The smoothness, privacy and freedom from constant ads (since Google is a major ad sponsor) make a huge difference.

On my device, I rely on a Microsoft email account and have fully integrated Microsoft Office. I use:

- Huawei’s Petal Maps instead of Google Maps. In my opinion, Petal Maps offers a cooler design and a richer experience.
- Huawei’s App Gallery along with the third-party Aurora Store Aurora Store connects directly to the Play Store but doesn’t require a Google account. It works just like the Play Store, offering the same experience without compromise.
- Microsoft Copilot as a replacement for Google Gemini. Copilot provides unlimited deep-thinking chats by default, processes data through Bing and is on par with Google’s AI.
- NewPipe/SnapTube instead of YouTube. These apps connect to YouTube, allow direct downloads to device storage and even let you comment, like and subscribe without a Google account.

Out of curiosity, I once installed Google services through GBox, but quickly removed them. The difference was clear: fewer ads (especially on YouTube), less battery drain and peak performance. Microsoft Office integration for business tasks also feels far more seamless compared to Google Drive. It’s a unique experience that many people may never fully appreciate because all they have ever known is Google.

The only downside I’ve noticed without Google is that certain games and some ride-hailing apps won’t work unless Google Mobile Services is enabled via GBox.

Currently, I use a Samsung phone as a backup, but my Huawei remains my main device. As someone deeply familiar with phone technology, I can say Huawei’s software is among the most optimized, deeply customizable and secure systems in the world. In my experience, it even outperforms most Samsung A-series and Xiaomi devices of similar price in terms of battery efficiency, customization and smoothness. 10 years of using Huawei phones consistently, I’ve found no other brand that matches their durability, battery performance and customization options (though Samsung’s One UI comes close, it usually feels overloaded with too many features).

Using a Huawei device is not for the average user—it requires a certain level of tech familiarity to truly appreciate the experience without Google Mobile Services. I’ve lived without Google for years, yet my banking apps and social media platforms still work flawlessly. Even TikTok from App Gallery (about 450 MB to download) offers a richer experience compared to the simplified Google version. The journey has made me realize that Google often simplifies its UI, apps and certain services to cater to the masses to boost efficiency. With Huawei, I feel like I’m living in a different timeline compared to most people around me.



I currently use the Huawei P60 Pro




@ yungchap and joseph032

Huawei is highly reliable but for Trumps ban on US software. Nonetheless, there is way around it and you'll definitely enjoy it regardless