Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Honor X6 and Huawei Mate 50 Pro. These two phones, while both released around the same time, are clearly targeting different segments of the market. One is focused on affordability, while the other is a premium powerhouse. Let's break it down.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Honor X6 | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 75.1 × 8.7 mm, 194g | 162.1 × 75.5 × 8.5 mm, 205g | The Mate 50 Pro is slightly smaller and heavier, while the Honor X6 is taller and lighter. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.74" | The Mate 50 Pro offers a bit more screen real estate, which can be noticeable for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1212x2616 | The Mate 50 Pro's higher resolution means a much sharper, more detailed image quality. Text and graphics will be significantly clearer. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 428 | The Mate 50 Pro has a much higher pixel density, leading to sharper text and images. |
| Technology | TFT LCD | OLED | OLED offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast compared to TFT LCD, making the Mate 50 Pro's display far superior. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Mate 50 Pro's 120Hz refresh rate will make scrolling and animations feel much smoother and more fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is not available, it will be hard to tell which screen will be better in very bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G25 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm) | The Mate 50 Pro's chipset is significantly more powerful, resulting in much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 100,890 | 1,022,043 | The Mate 50 Pro's AnTuTu score demonstrates vastly superior performance. It's a difference of day and night. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 730 | The Mate 50 Pro's Adreno 730 GPU offers a massive upgrade over the Honor X6's PowerVR GPU, especially when gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, - | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766 | The Mate 50 Pro's wider aperture and larger sensor should translate to better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 5MP, f/2.2, - | 13MP, f/2.4, - | The Mate 50 Pro's selfie camera is likely much sharper with higher resolution. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP, f/3.5, 1/2", OV64B | The Mate 50 Pro offers a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom capabilities, while the Honor X6 lacks this. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 12MP, f/2.2, Sony IMX688 | The Mate 50 Pro's wide-angle lens provides added versatility for landscape or group photos, while the Honor X6 doesn't include one. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, - | None | Honor X6 includes a lens dedicated to depth mapping, helping in creating artificial blur in portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, - | None | Honor X6 includes a macro lens, allowing to take detailed close-up photos. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@60fps, HDR, EIS, up to 720p@3840fps slow-motion | The Mate 50 Pro supports much higher-quality video recording and advanced slow-motion capabilities. |
| DXOMark Scores | N/A | Mobile: 149 (Photo: 152, Video: 141); Selfie: 145 (Photo: 147, Video: 143) | The Mate 50 Pro has been tested by DXOMark and has excellent camera scores, the Honor X6 isn't tested and its quality is likely far worse. |
| Features | Basic Camera Features | Advanced Camera Features | The Mate 50 Pro includes more advanced features like Optical Zoom, OIS, Manual Focus, Laser AF, and RAW image capture. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4700mAh | The Honor X6 has a slightly larger battery, but real-world battery life also depends on the processor. |
| Charging | 10W | 66W Fast, 50W Wireless | The Mate 50 Pro has much faster charging speeds, both wired and wireless, meaning less time plugged in. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Unknown | The Mate 50 Pro's OS is not specified, meaning it could be based on HarmonyOS and not Android, this will result in incompatibilities. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi MiMO | The Mate 50 Pro supports newer Wi-Fi standards for faster speeds, better range, and higher density. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.2 | The Mate 50 Pro has a more advanced Bluetooth version, leading to improved audio and data transfer. |
| GPS | Basic GPS | Advanced GPS | The Mate 50 Pro supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy, especially in challenging environments. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both phones offer dual SIM capability for flexibility. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB or 128GB | 256GB or 512GB | The Mate 50 Pro offers much more storage, which is crucial for photos, videos, and apps. |
| RAM | 4GB | 8GB | The Mate 50 Pro's 8GB of RAM will allow for much smoother multitasking and running of more demanding apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both phones do not offer expandable storage. |
| Audio | Basic audio | Stereo Speakers | The Mate 50 Pro offers an improved audio experience thanks to the Stereo Speakers. |
| Security | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | The Honor X6 has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which is usually faster and more convenient compared to an in-display solution. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both devices have no known screen protection technology. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Fingerprint, Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Fingerprint, Proximity, Hall | The Mate 50 Pro has additional sensors like Gyroscope, Barometer, and Hall, which are useful in gaming, augmented reality, and other advanced features. |
2. Key Insights
Honor X6:
- Strengths: The Honor X6's primary strength is its affordability. It offers a large display and decent battery life at a budget price point. It is also lighter and includes a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. It also has a depth and macro lens.
- Weaknesses: The Honor X6 suffers in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities. The Mediatek Helio G25 chip is a weak performer, the screen has low resolution and is TFT LCD, and the camera setup is fairly basic. It also lacks expandable storage and comes with a low RAM.
Huawei Mate 50 Pro:
- Strengths: The Huawei Mate 50 Pro excels in nearly every category. It boasts a stunning OLED display, top-tier processing power, an excellent camera system with optical zoom and wide angle lens, fast charging, and a premium build.
- Weaknesses: The Mate 50 Pro's main drawbacks are its higher price and the lack of expandable storage. The OS is also not specified, which could lead to issues with app compatability.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Honor X6 is best for:
- Budget-conscious users: Those who need a basic smartphone for everyday tasks like calling, texting, browsing, and light social media.
- Users who prioritize battery life: The larger battery and modest processor make for an efficient combo if not using it for power-intensive tasks.
- First-time smartphone buyers: A basic phone that will be good for learning the ropes before diving into higher-end phones.
Huawei Mate 50 Pro is best for:
- Photography enthusiasts: Those who want a top-notch camera system with advanced features.
- Power users: Those who demand top performance, smooth multitasking, and high refresh rate displays.
- Users who appreciate premium build and display quality: Someone willing to pay for top-notch design, screen quality, and materials.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- What's your budget? If your budget is tight, the Honor X6 is the obvious choice. If you're willing to invest for top-tier performance, the Mate 50 Pro is superior.
- What's your primary use case? For basic use, the Honor X6 will work. For gaming, photography, or media consumption, the Mate 50 Pro is ideal.
- What features are you unwilling to compromise on? Is it display quality, camera performance, or processing power? The Mate 50 Pro delivers on all fronts, while the Honor X6 has very basic features.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User on a Budget: Choose the Honor X6. It will handle basic tasks without breaking the bank.
- Scenario 2: Photography Lover: Choose the Huawei Mate 50 Pro. Its versatile camera system will satisfy even the most demanding users.
- Scenario 3: Gaming Enthusiast: Choose the Huawei Mate 50 Pro. The powerful processor and high refresh rate screen are ideal for a great gaming experience.
- Scenario 4: Performance and Display are Priorities: Choose the Huawei Mate 50 Pro. The OLED screen, high resolution, and snappy processor are a clear win.
My Choice
I would choose the Huawei Mate 50 Pro without a second thought. The performance gap is just too vast to ignore. As someone who values a smooth user experience, top-tier performance, and excellent photo quality, the Mate 50 Pro ticks all the boxes. The OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, the lightning-fast chipset, and the versatile camera system are all worth the premium. While the lack of expandable storage and high price are slight drawbacks, the overall experience would make it a fantastic daily driver. The Honor X6 is a good basic phone for a very low price, but the Huawei Mate 50 Pro is in a different class.
