Huawei P9 Lite smartphone

Photo: Raimond Spekking via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Huawei

Huawei P9 Lite

May 2016 7/10 Rating Updated
In brief: The Huawei P9 Lite is a mid-range Android smartphone released in May 2016. It features a 5.2-inch Full HD display, a HiSilicon Kirin 650 chipset, and a 13MP main camera. It was designed as a more affordable alternative to the flagship Huawei P9.
Display5.2-inch Full HD IPS LCD.
ChipsetHiSilicon Kirin 650.
Main Camera13 MP with f/2.0 aperture.
Battery3000 mAh non-removable.

💰 Huawei P9 Lite Price

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📌 Full Specifications

Display

TypeIPS LCD
Size5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~69.9% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~424 ppi density)
ProtectionNot specified

Platform

OSAndroid 6.0 (Marshmallow), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat), EMUI 4.1
ChipsetHiSilicon Kirin 650
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53)
GPUMali-T830 MP2

Memory

Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal16GB 2GB RAM, 16GB 3GB RAM

Main Camera

Modules13 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), AF
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDR
Video1080p@30fps

Selfie Camera

Modules8 MP, f/2.0
Video1080p@30fps

Battery

TypeLi-Po 3000 mAh, non-removable
ChargingStandard charging

Body

Dimensions146.8 x 72.6 x 7.5 mm (5.78 x 2.86 x 0.30 in)
Weight147 g (5.19 oz)
SIMSingle SIM (Nano-SIM) or Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)

Comms

WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot
Bluetooth4.1, A2DP, LE
GPSYes, with A-GPS, GLONASS/BDS (region dependent)
NFCYes (VNS-L21, VNS-L31 models only)
RadioFM radio
USBmicroUSB 2.0

Launch

Announced2016, April 20
StatusReleased 2016, May 15

⚖ Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Good display for its class.
  • Solid battery life.
  • Reliable performance for daily use.
  • Fingerprint sensor.
  • Expandable storage.

Cons

  • Plastic build (compared to P9's metal).
  • No 5GHz Wi-Fi or USB-C.
  • Camera performance is average.
  • Limited software updates (ended at Android 7.0).
  • Hybrid SIM slot (sacrifices second SIM for microSD).
★ Our Verdict

The Huawei P9 Lite offered a balanced set of features and performance for its mid-range price point at launch, making it a good value for everyday users.

The Huawei P9 Lite, released in 2016, is now an older smartphone. If considering a purchase today, it would likely be a used or refurbished unit. Its Android 6.0 (upgradable to 7.0) operating system is significantly outdated, meaning many modern apps may not function optimally or at all, and security updates are non-existent. While it offers a decent Full HD display and a fingerprint sensor, its performance from the Kirin 650 chipset will be slow by current standards, suitable only for very basic tasks like calls, texts, and light browsing. The camera is adequate for casual photos but won't compete with newer devices. Given its age, battery degradation is also a significant concern. It is generally not recommended for primary use in 2024 unless specifically needed for a very niche, low-demand purpose, or as a collector's item, and at a very low price point.

Reviewed by the infozme.com Editorial Team — see how we research & rate phones.

📦 In The Box & Warranty

  • Phone
  • Charger
  • USB cable
  • Headphones
  • SIM ejector tool
  • Quick start guide

Original manufacturer warranty has expired; check with reseller for any limited warranty on refurbished units.

❓ Questions & Answers

When was the Huawei P9 Lite released?

The Huawei P9 Lite was released in May 2016.

Does the Huawei P9 Lite have a good camera?

The Huawei P9 Lite features a 13 MP main camera and an 8 MP selfie camera, which were considered adequate for casual photography at the time of its release.

Is the Huawei P9 Lite still supported with software updates?

The Huawei P9 Lite launched with Android 6.0 Marshmallow and was upgradable to Android 7.0 Nougat, but it no longer receives official software or security updates.

Can I expand the storage on the Huawei P9 Lite?

Yes, the Huawei P9 Lite supports expandable storage via a microSDXC card, which uses a shared SIM slot.

Does the Huawei P9 Lite have a fingerprint sensor?

Yes, the Huawei P9 Lite is equipped with a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking.

What kind of display does the Huawei P9 Lite have?

The Huawei P9 Lite features a 5.2-inch Full HD (1080 x 1920 pixels) IPS LCD display.