Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Huawei Mate 50 Pro and the Apple iPhone 16 Plus. I'm excited to break down the specs and see what these two heavyweights bring to the table. Here's the analysis.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Apple iPhone 16 Plus | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| DESIGN | |||
| Dimensions | 162.1 x 75.5 x 8.5 mm, 205g | 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm, 199g | The Mate 50 Pro is a bit taller and thicker, but the iPhone 16 Plus is wider. The iPhone is slightly lighter, which might be more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard form factor phones, not foldable. |
| DISPLAY | |||
| Size | 6.74" | 6.7" | Practically identical size, both will offer a large canvas for media consumption and work. |
| Resolution | 1212 x 2616 | 1290 x 2796 | The iPhone 16 Plus has a higher resolution, leading to sharper images and text. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 428 | 460 | The iPhone 16 Plus offers slightly better clarity and sharpness due to its higher pixel density. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both use OLED technology for vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | The Mate 50 Pro's 120Hz refresh rate provides much smoother scrolling and animations. The iPhone 16 Plus's is more basic. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2000 nits | The iPhone 16 Plus has significantly better brightness, making it much more visible under direct sunlight. The Mate 50 Pro's brightness is an unknown variable. |
| PERFORMANCE | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm) | Apple A18 (3 nm) | The iPhone 16 Plus's newer 3nm chip will likely offer significantly better performance and power efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,022,043 | 1,753,018 | The iPhone 16 Plus outpaces the Mate 50 Pro in benchmarks, indicating faster app loading and better overall speed. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Apple GPU (5-core/6-core) | The iPhone's GPU offers significantly enhanced graphics performance, critical for gaming and graphically demanding apps. |
| BATTERY LIFE | |||
| Capacity | 4700 mAh | 4674 mAh | Similar battery capacities suggest comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 66W Fast, 50W Wireless, Reverse Chg | 25W Fast, 25W Wireless Chg | The Mate 50 Pro has significantly faster wired and wireless charging. It also offers the ability to charge other devices wirelessly, a handy feature. |
| Features | Non-removable, Reverse Charging | Non-removable | Both batteries are non-removable, but the Mate 50 Pro offers reverse charging and higher wireless charging speeds. |
| CAMERA | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP f/1.4, 1/1.56" Sony IMX766 | 48MP f/1.6, 1/1.3" Sony IMX904 | Both cameras have large sensors and wide apertures. The Huawei has the wider aperture, the iPhone has a bigger sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP f/2.4 | 12MP f/1.9, Sony IMX714 | The iPhone 16 Plus has a wider aperture, allowing more light for better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto | 64MP f/3.5, 1/2" Omnivision OV64B | None | The Mate 50 Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, the iPhone 16 Plus relies on digital zoom. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP f/2.2, Sony IMX688 | None | The Mate 50 Pro has a dedicated wide-angle lens, while the iPhone has a wide-angle + Macro setup. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 12MP f/2.2, 1/2.55" Sony IMX633 | The iPhone 16 Plus offers a versatile wide-angle lens with a macro mode for close-up shots. |
| Video | 4K@30/60/etc. HDR, EIS, Slow-motion | 4K@24/25/30/60fps HDR, Stereo Sound, EIS, Slow-motion | Both offer comprehensive video capabilities including 4K, HDR, and slow motion but the Mate 50 Pro can go beyond 60 fps at 1080. The iPhone 16 Plus offers stereo recording. |
| DXOMARK Score (Mobile) | 149 overall, 152 photo, 141 video | Not tested yet | The Mate 50 Pro has been tested and shows impressive scores in both photo and video categories. The iPhone 16 Plus is yet to be tested. |
| DXOMARK Score (Selfie) | 145 overall, 147 photo, 143 video | Not tested yet | The Mate 50 Pro boasts strong selfie camera performance. The iPhone 16 Plus is yet to be tested. |
| Features | Multiple Zoom options, Laser AF | Cinematic Mode, Noise Reduction | The Mate 50 Pro has laser AF and more zoom options. The iPhone 16 Plus offers features like Cinematic mode, noise reduction and pro video. |
| SOFTWARE | |||
| OS | (Unknown OS) | iOS 18 | The iPhone runs Apple’s iOS 18, while the Huawei has a different OS (not defined in the data). This will provide a very different user experience. |
| CONNECTIVITY | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6, Direct, Display | Wi-Fi 6E | The iPhone 16 Plus has faster and newer Wi-Fi, providing more stable connections. Huawei has WiFi Direct and Display. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Bluetooth 5.3 LE, A2DP, APT-x | iPhone has newer Bluetooth with better energy efficiency. Each phone supports different audio codecs. |
| GPS | Multi-band & system Support | Comprehensive, multi-system support | The Mate 50 Pro has more satellite systems, potentially offering better GPS accuracy in more locations. |
| SIM | Dual Nano-SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | The iPhone 16 Plus offers the convenience of eSIM, which allows for digital carrier switching. Huawei offers 2 physical SIM cards. |
| STORAGE | |||
| Internal | 256GB or 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | Both phones have a 512GB max internal capacity. The iPhone 16 Plus has a more affordable 128GB version, the Mate 50 Pro has 256GB base storage. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB | Both phones feature sufficient RAM for smooth multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| AUDIO | |||
| Quality | Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Noise Cancellation, Stereo Speakers | The iPhone 16 Plus offers superior audio, with Dolby Atmos, noise cancellation mics, and 3 microphones, giving enhanced sound quality. |
| SECURITY | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Basic Security Features | The Mate 50 Pro offers a fingerprint sensor for quick biometric unlocking. The iPhone relies on basic security features. |
| BUILD QUALITY | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Screen protection for both are unknown, they would both benefit from a third party screen protector. |
| SENSORS | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Gravity, Hall, etc. | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | The Mate 50 Pro includes biometric fingerprint and other sensors. The iPhone 16 Plus provides basic sensors. |
2. Key Insights
Huawei Mate 50 Pro Strengths:
- Display: The 120Hz refresh rate provides smoother animations and scrolling.
- Camera Versatility: The telephoto and wide-angle lenses offer great flexibility in different shooting scenarios.
- Charging: Significantly faster wired and wireless charging along with reverse wireless charging.
- Camera Performance: The DXOMARK scores for photo and video are impressive.
- GPS Accuracy: Supports more satellite systems for better location tracking.
Apple iPhone 16 Plus Strengths:
- Performance: Superior processing power with the Apple A18 chip.
- Display: Higher resolution and much higher brightness for better visibility under bright light.
- Software: Access to the Apple iOS ecosystem and its seamless integration.
- Audio Quality: Enhanced audio features with Dolby Atmos, noise cancellation, and 3 microphones.
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E support for faster and more stable wireless connections.
- Video Performance: Offers cinematic mode and high quality stereo recording
Trade-offs:
- Huawei Mate 50 Pro: Slower chipset and lower brightness. It lacks a wide-angle + Macro lens.
- Apple iPhone 16 Plus: The 60Hz display and slower charging, and lack of a dedicated telephoto lens is a drawback for some users.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Huawei Mate 50 Pro:
- Photography Enthusiasts: The diverse camera system (telephoto, wide-angle), high DXOMARK scores, and fast charging.
- Users Prioritizing Refresh Rate: A higher refresh rate and multiple cameras make it excellent for gaming.
- Power Users on the Go: The fast charging and reverse charging will keep their devices powered up all day.
Apple iPhone 16 Plus:
- Ecosystem Loyalists: Users deeply integrated with the Apple ecosystem who prioritize software and ease of use.
- Performance Seekers: Users needing top-tier processing power for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Users Needing Great Outdoor Visibility: The higher brightness is ideal for working and playing outdoors.
- High Audio Quality: Those who need high audio recording and playback will benefit from the enhanced audio.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you choose:
Do you value a high refresh rate for smooth scrolling and gaming, or are higher resolution and brightness more important?
- Choose Huawei: If 120Hz refresh rate is crucial.
- Choose iPhone: If resolution and outdoor brightness are your priorities.
Do you prioritize versatile photography with multiple lenses, or seamless software integration and top-tier performance?
- Choose Huawei: For a flexible camera system with telephoto and wide-angle lenses.
- Choose iPhone: For best in class chip performance and the Apple ecosystem.
Is fast charging and battery flexibility essential, or do you prefer a strong software ecosystem and a slightly slimmer design?
- Choose Huawei: If you need reverse charging and fast charging speeds, and don't mind the added thickness.
- Choose iPhone: If you prefer the software and are willing to compromise on charge speeds.
Personal Choice
If I were choosing, I would lean toward the Apple iPhone 16 Plus. While the Mate 50 Pro has its strengths, particularly the refresh rate and the versatile camera system, the raw performance and ecosystem integration of the iPhone are very difficult to ignore. My focus is also on the display resolution and high brightness, and the enhanced audio features, along with the overall processing power of the Apple A18 chip which will provide an edge for my general daily needs and high quality media. The lack of expandable storage on both is not a deal breaker for me as the 512 gb options will be more than enough.
