Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Huawei Mate 50 Pro and the Apple iPhone 15 Plus. I'll be focusing on the practical implications of these technical specifications, aiming to provide clear insights into which device might be better suited for different users.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a breakdown of the key specifications with a focus on their real-world implications:
| Feature | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Apple iPhone 15 Plus | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 162.1 × 75.5 × 8.5 mm | 160.9 × 77.8 × 7.8 mm | The Mate 50 Pro is a bit taller and thicker, while the iPhone 15 Plus is wider. Both are large phones, but the Mate is slightly bulkier. |
| Weight | 205g | 201g | Both phones are quite heavy, making one-handed use challenging for some. The difference is barely noticeable. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.74" | 6.7" | Near identical display sizes, both providing an immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1212x2616 | 1290x2796 | The iPhone 15 Plus has a slightly sharper display. In practice, both offer very crisp visuals. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 428 | 460 | The iPhone 15 Plus's higher PPI translates to a slightly sharper image, though barely discernible to the naked eye. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both use OLED tech for vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | The Mate 50 Pro's 120Hz refresh rate means smoother animations and scrolling compared to the iPhone 15 Plus' 60Hz. |
| Brightness | 0 nits (likely a data error) | 2000 nits | The iPhone 15 Plus boasts dramatically better outdoor visibility in sunlight. This is a significant real world advantage. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm) | Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) | Different chipsets. The A16 Bionic in the iPhone 15 Plus benchmarks significantly higher, suggesting faster app loading and operation. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,022,043 | 1,470,000 | The iPhone 15 Plus has superior raw performance, translating to a more fluid user experience and improved gaming capabilities. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Apple GPU (5-core) | Both have capable GPUs for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. The Apple GPU is optimized for iOS and typically performs well. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.56" Sony IMX766 | 48MP, f/1.6, 1/1.5" Sony Iphone 15 Sensor | Mate 50 Pro's wider aperture should capture more light, while both sensors are of good size. Both should take excellent main photos. |
| Front Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.4 | 12MP, f/1.9 | The iPhone 15 Plus has a wider aperture on its front facing camera, allowing it to capture more light and be better in low light conditions. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP, f/3.5, 1/2" Omnivision OV64B | None | The Mate 50 Pro offers a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, which is absent on the iPhone 15 Plus. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 Sony IMX688 | None | The Mate 50 Pro provides a dedicated wide angle lens for those landscape and group shot photos that you wouldn't get on the iPhone 15 Plus |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | None | 12MP, f/2.4 | The iPhone 15 Plus features a single lens for wide angle and macro photos, whereas the Mate 50 Pro offers this functionality through the wide angle lens and software. |
| DXOMark (Mobile) | Main: 149, Photo: 152, Video: 141 | Main: 145, Photo: 147, Video: 153 | The Mate 50 Pro has a slightly better photo score, but the iPhone 15 Plus has a superior video score, with lower overall rating. |
| DXOMark (Selfie) | Main: 145, Photo: 147, Video: 143 | Not Tested | The Mate 50 Pro has very good selfie capabilities, but we lack comparable data for the iPhone. |
| Video | Up to 4K@480 fps | Up to 4K@60 fps | Both phones have excellent video capabilities, with the Mate 50 Pro having more impressive slow motion capabilities |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4700 mAh | 4383 mAh | The Mate 50 Pro has a larger battery, which could translate to slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 66W Fast Charging, 50W Wireless | 20W Fast Charging, 15W MagSafe Wireless | The Mate 50 Pro charges much faster, making it more convenient for quick top-ups. |
| Features | Reverse Wireless Charging | MagSafe and Qi Wireless Charging | The Mate 50 Pro can reverse charge other devices, whereas the iPhone is limited to magsafe and qi wireless. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android (exact details not provided) | iOS 17 (with updates to iOS 18) | iOS has a well-known ecosystem, if you are familiar with apple products it is hard to switch out of the ecosystem. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6, Direct, Display, MiMO | Wi-Fi 6, MiMO | Both support Wi-Fi 6. The Mate 50 Pro has additional Wi-Fi Direct and Display functionality. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 (LDAC, SBC, AAC) | 5.3 (A2DP, LE, AAC) | The iPhone 15 Plus has a newer Bluetooth version; Both support AAC; Huawei Mate 50 Pro additionally supports: LDAC, SBC; Apple iPhone 15 Plus additionally supports: A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile), LE (Low Energy) |
| GPS | A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, etc. | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo | The Mate 50 Pro supports a wider range of satellite systems, potentially offering more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | The iPhone 15 Plus's eSIM capability provides more flexibility for digital carrier switching. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 256 GB or 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB | Both offer up to 512 GB. The iPhone 15 Plus has a 128GB entry-level option. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 6 GB | The Mate 50 Pro has more RAM, which can lead to better multitasking and performance. |
| Expandable Storage | None | None | Neither phone supports expandable storage, so choose the option that meets your storage needs. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers, Noise Canceling Microphone, 3 microphones | The iPhone 15 Plus has a better microphone setup for audio recording and clear calls. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Basic security features | The Mate 50 Pro includes a fingerprint sensor for fast biometric unlock, where as the iphone uses facial recognition |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | The screen protection for both phones is unknown. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Barometer, Gravity, Hall | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Barometer | The Mate 50 Pro includes additional sensors that may be useful for specific use cases, and gaming. |
2. Key Insights
- Huawei Mate 50 Pro Strengths:
- Smoother Display: The 120Hz refresh rate offers a more fluid user experience.
- Camera Versatility: Dedicated telephoto and wide angle lenses provide more shooting options.
- Faster Charging: 66W wired and 50W wireless charging offer faster top-ups.
- Larger Battery: The 4700mAh battery might offer better longevity.
- More RAM: 8GB of RAM for better multitasking.
- More Biometric options: fingerprint sensors are great when masks are being worn.
- More satellite systems for GPS: for better accurate location tracking.
Apple iPhone 15 Plus Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The A16 Bionic chip provides notably better performance in benchmarks.
- Brighter Display: 2000 nits of brightness for better visibility in bright sunlight.
- Better Video: Slightly higher video quality, and includes noise cancelling microphone and 3 microphones for clear audio recording.
- Better Selfie Camera: Wider aperture allows for better low light performance.
- eSIM Support: Greater flexibility in terms of connectivity.
- Software Ecosystem: iOS offers a seamless user experience and a wealth of apps.
- Better Overall Audio: Noise Cancelling Microphone and 3 microphones provide clearer calls and better audio separation.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Huawei Mate 50 Pro: The software is not specified (may have limitations in certain apps), 4G chipset.
- Apple iPhone 15 Plus: The 60Hz display may not feel as smooth to some users, slower charging. Lack of a telephoto lens is an issue for those that want to take zoomed photos.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- For the Mobile Photographer:
- Huawei Mate 50 Pro: The wide angle and telephoto lenses, along with the main cameras, will provide a lot of options for photos in a variety of conditions.
- For the Performance Enthusiast:
- Apple iPhone 15 Plus: The A16 Bionic chip offers superior raw power for gaming and demanding applications.
- For the Heavy Media User:
- Apple iPhone 15 Plus: A slightly better video recording capabilities, along with a brighter screen, makes this ideal for those that consume media on their devices.
- Huawei Mate 50 Pro: The larger battery and smoother display make it great for media consumption, however its video capabilities aren't quite on par with the iPhone.
- For the User Who Values Fast Charging:
- Huawei Mate 50 Pro: The fast charging makes this convenient for daily use.
- For the User Familiar with iOS:
- Apple iPhone 15 Plus: The transition into iOS from other apple products is seamless.
4. Buying Decision Framework
To help you choose, ask yourself these questions:
- How important is display smoothness to you? If you prefer a smooth, high-refresh-rate experience, the Huawei Mate 50 Pro is the better choice. If you prioritize raw performance and brightness, the iPhone 15 Plus has an advantage.
- How often do you take photos with optical zoom? If you need a dedicated telephoto camera, the Huawei Mate 50 Pro is the better option. If you are only using the main camera and occasional wide angle shots, then the iphone 15 plus is a great option.
- Do you prefer android or iOS? If you are in the apple ecosystem, then the iPhone 15 Plus is the obvious choice. If you prefer android, then the Huawei Mate 50 Pro is a worthy competitor.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Professional photographer that needs versatile cameras: The Huawei Mate 50 Pro is the superior choice for you with its telephoto and wide angle cameras, along with its powerful main lens.
- Scenario 2: Mobile gamer/Power user: The Apple iPhone 15 Plus is your go-to device for its raw performance.
- Scenario 3: The everyday user that values battery life and fast charging: The Huawei Mate 50 Pro is your go to device, as long as you're not too worried about camera versatility.
- Scenario 4: The casual user that wants a great phone that fits into the Apple Ecosystem: The Apple iPhone 15 Plus is the obvious choice here, you'll benefit from all of the apple products working together.
My Pick
If I had to choose between these two phones for myself, I would go for the Apple iPhone 15 Plus. While I love the camera versatility and smoother display of the Huawei Mate 50 Pro, the superior processing power, brighter display, and better video capabilities of the iPhone 15 Plus win me over. Additionally, I am a heavy user of the Apple ecosystem, and the seamless integration across my devices is something that would make the iPhone 15 Plus the obvious choice for me.
