The Huawei P8 Lite is like having two phones in one, thanks to its dual-SIM card capabilities that allows you to add a second phone account-even from a different provider. Actually, it's like one-and-a-half phones because the second phone line does not support cellular data connections for e-mail, Web browsing, and other internet-dependent functions. What's more, in order to install the secondary SIM card you have to remove the phone's microSD memory card. That's a significant sacrifice to make because the phone only comes with 16GB of on-board storage. But even with these drawbacks, the P8 Lite presents an intriguing option for anyone who needs a second smartphone for travel or business. This is a GSM-based phone, which means you can use it with providers such as AT&T and T-Mobile, but not Sprint or Verizon. Call logs and texts from either account can be conveniently viewed on one screen, and you can even respond to incoming calls and texts using your alternate number. But the phone makes no assumptions about account preferences. Each time you place a call or send a text, you have to tell the P8 Lite which number to use by selecting SIM1 or SIM2. As we said, only the main SIM card (SIM1) can access a cellular data network for e-mails, the Web, and apps. Of course, if you're only using one account, the P8 Lite behaves pretty much like any other smartphone. A limitation to consider: You can't have both SIM cards, which are not the same size, and a microSD card all in the phone at that same time. The SIM1 slot fits a micro-SIM, while SIM2 is a nano-SIM which actually fits sideways in the microSD slot, so you can't have both the SIM2 and the microSD card in the phone at the same time.
The P8 Lite has an excellent quality 5-inch high-definition (720p) touch-screen display that's also is easy to see in bright light. It even has a setting that makes it sensitive enough to use with gloves on-a handy option to have during the cold winter months, or while wearing work gloves. Intuitive navigation provides easy access to all its main functions via a highly responsive touch screen that supports more than seven home screens of apps, programmable shortcuts, as well as back, home, and recent apps keys. The recent apps key lets you see a stack of screen shots of your most recently used apps. Tap any one of them, and you can jump to that app, while pressing and holding launches the most recently opened app. Pressing and holding the home key launches the search function. The P8 Lite provides a straightforward way to add widgets, change wallpaper and screen transitions, and tailor the home screen layout options. You simply press and hold a blank spot on the screen. You can select a different combination of the navigation bar of back, home, and recent apps keys, including the notification panel. You can also launch the camera, flashlight, calculator, and audio recorder directly from a locked screen without the need to first unlock the screen. There is also a Simple home screen style, which provides a simpler interface and layout as well as larger font sizes and app icons, for beginners. If you find holding this size phone while on a call or performing other one-handed operations difficult, you can shrink the dial pad and keyboard and slide them to either side of the phone's screen to bring them closer to your thumbs in portrait mode.
The P8 Lite lets you perform Google searches by voice command and lets you download applications, services, games, and more from the Google Play Store. Its multi-touch screen lets you zoom in and out of photos or Web pages using two fingers (for instance, your thumb and index finger). A handy on-screen drop-down status bar alerts you to and takes you to new messages, upcoming appointments, and other items that need your attention, even when your screen is locked. Its Android OS offers better text editing tools and controls for managing data usage, and enhanced voice-activated navigation and dictation.
The P8 Lite supports a "4G" LTE network (and HSPA+ too), allowing fast streaming, downloading, and uploading of high-definition videos and other large files. The fast network also facilitates better Web browsing experiences. The WiFi connection provides another way to access the Web, e-mail, and other Internet-based content, without using your data plan allowance.
MESSAGING: The virtual keyboard was very easy to use. It supports Swype, a method that allows users to type words without lifting a finger-literally. You enter a word by dragging your finger across the screen from letter to letter. Though it's initially awkward to use, we eventually had a lot of success "typing" quickly and accurately with this method. It has an advanced voice command feature that supports text fields, allowing you to dictate e-mails, text messages, Tweets, and other normally typed forms of communication. This phone comes with common preset text messages and also allows you to create custom preset text messages for your individual special situations or frequent use.. Excellent e-mail readability and attachment capabilities. This phone allows you to create and edit Word documents and Excel spreadsheets out of the box, which can come in handy when working on the go. The P8 Lite also supports Microsoft Exchange and Outlook for work e-mail. When connected to Windows or Macintosh computers, this phone can appear on the computer as another drive. You can then transfer data to and from your phone as you could on a regular drive.
PHONE: We tested the P8 Lite under a variety of conditions to simulate environments ranging from the quiet indoors to noisy roadsides. We found voice quality good when talking and listening. Talk time was an adequate 12.5 hours. This model also has an Ultra power saving mode you can select which will keep basic call and message functions available and turn the screens color off when the battery is low. The phone has a very good mixture of controls and features for making and taking calls. Very good keypad readability under most lighting conditions. Its voice command allows you to conveniently dial numbers from your phone book by speaking the name, without the usual training. You can also dial numbers by pronouncing the digits. It has Bluetooth for wireless hands-free voice communication. This model can simultaneously be on a phone call and an Internet-based connection over the cellular network. Can be used internationally. But auto answer doesn't work with headset. Ringer is not easy to mute.
MULTIMEDIA: The 13.1-megapixel camera produced good-quality pictures at ISO settings up to 400. The camera performed very well under low-light conditions. Camera has a flash, autofocus, manual ISO settings, face detection, and can record HD video. Its touch focus feature lets you override the autofocus by tapping on any subject on the screen. The camera's built-in flash and ISO-setting controls help improve your chances of taking better pictures under low-light conditions. Its face and smile detection comes in handy when you're snapping pics of babies, toddlers, or other fussy subjects. The camera took decent 1080p video, probably adequate for casual use such as uploading to the Web. You can also pause a video in record mode and then restart the recording to make one continuous video file. You can also snap a still picture at any moment while shooting a video. But the camera has a long shutter lag. The front-facing, high-resolution 5-megapixel camera allows easy self-portraits, and can support video chats. It can also record at 720p.
The music player has the capabilities and controls of a typical stand-alone MP3 player, including an equalizer, music shuffle and repeat controls, and options for sorting music by album, artist, etc. This model also supports Bluetooth stereo headsets, can download music over the phone network, and has an FM radio. Its Bluetooth data support enables the phone to wirelessly share pictures, contacts, and other files with compatible printers, computers, and mobile devices.
GPS navigation capability provides spoken turn-by-turn directions and automatic re-routing. The P8 Lite also supports the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) standard. This lets the phone connect via WiFi to share content with other compatible certified devices such as a TV, printer, and computer.
The P8 Lite can act as a mobile hotspot for up to eight WiFi-enabled devices. It has 16GB of built-in memory and supports memory cards of up to 32GB. Its memory capacity is beneficial for storing music, videos, pictures, and other types of files. But the memory card is hard to access. And the P8 Lite battery is non-removable.
