Okay, let's break down the Huawei Mate 50 Pro and Google Pixel 8 Pro, putting their specs into a real-world context.
Smartphone Showdown: Huawei Mate 50 Pro vs. Google Pixel 8 Pro
Here’s a detailed comparison, focusing on how these technical specs translate into everyday user experience:
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Google Pixel 8 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-09-28 | 2023-10-12 | The Pixel 8 Pro is a newer device, benefiting from more recent advancements. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, no foldable tech here. |
| Dimensions | 162.1 × 75.5 × 8.5 mm | 162.6 × 76.5 × 8.8 mm | Pixel 8 Pro is slightly taller, wider, and thicker. The differences are small but noticeable when held side by side. |
| Weight | 205g | 213g | The Mate 50 Pro is a touch lighter, which could be more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.74" | 6.7" | Both have large, immersive screens; the 0.04" difference is almost negligible. |
| Resolution | 1212x2616 | 1344x2992 | Pixel 8 Pro's higher resolution means significantly sharper text and images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 428 | 489 | Pixel 8 Pro's sharper display with higher pixel density. You will notice the difference when watching content, especially with text. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both use vibrant OLED tech with great contrast and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations for a fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2400 nits | Pixel 8 Pro is far brighter, offering dramatically better outdoor visibility. Mate 50 Pro's brightness data is missing. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm) | Google Tensor G3 (4 nm) | Different processors; the Pixel 8 Pro uses Google's customized chip, focusing on AI/ML tasks. |
| Antutu Score | 1,022,043 | 1,142,984 | Pixel 8 Pro has a 12% higher benchmark score, indicating potentially better overall performance and responsiveness. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Immortalis-G715s MC10 | Different graphics processors; Pixel 8 Pro likely provides better gaming performance due to its newer GPU. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4700 mAh | 5050 mAh | Pixel 8 Pro has a slightly larger battery, which could lead to a bit more usage time before needing a recharge. |
| Charging | 66W fast charging (Li-Ion) | 30W fast charging (Li-Polymer) | Mate 50 Pro charges much faster. You will see a noticeable difference in charging time. |
| Charging Features | 50W wireless charging, 7.5W reverse charging | 23W Wireless charging | Mate 50 Pro has faster wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. Pixel 8 Pro supports faster wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Primary Camera | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.56" sensor (Sony IMX766) | 50MP, f/1.69, 1/1.31" sensor (Samsung GNV) | Mate 50 Pro has a wider aperture, but the Pixel 8 Pro's sensor is larger which can gather more light. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.4 | 10.8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65" sensor (Samsung S5K3J1) | Mate 50 Pro has slightly higher MP count, but Pixel 8 Pro's wider aperture could help with low light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP, f/3.5, 1/2" sensor (Omnivision OV64B) | 48MP, f/2.8, 1/2.55" sensor (Samsung S5KGM5) | Mate 50 Pro has higher resolution and slightly larger sensor, but Pixel 8 Pro's wider aperture could help with low-light zoom. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 (Sony IMX688) | 48MP f/1.95 (Wide Angle + Macro) | Mate 50 Pro has dedicated wide-angle, while the Pixel 8 Pro has wide-angle with macro capabilities. |
| Video | 4K@60fps (HDR, EIS) | 4K@60fps (HDR, OIS, EIS) | Both offer similar video recording with stabilization; Pixel 8 Pro offers optical stabilization as well. |
| DxoMark (Mobile) | Main: 149, Photo: 152, Video: 141 | Main: 153, Photo: 155, Video: 149 | Google Pixel 8 Pro is better overall for mobile photography, especially in video quality. |
| DxoMark (Selfie) | Main: 145, Photo: 147, Video: 143 | Main: 145, Photo: 143, Video: 149 | Huawei is slightly better for photo quality but the Pixel is better for selfies. |
| Software | |||
| OS | - | Android 14 | The Pixel 8 Pro provides a pure Android experience with timely updates. Huawei's OS is not specified. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | Pixel 8 Pro uses newer Wi-Fi 7 standard, offering faster, more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.3 | Pixel 8 Pro has a newer Bluetooth standard, offering more efficient connections. |
| GPS | A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, NavIC System | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Mate 50 Pro supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual Nano-SIM | Dual Nano-SIM + eSIM | Pixel 8 Pro supports eSIM for digital carrier switching alongside the regular nano-SIM. Mate 50 Pro can use two physical sim cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 256GB or 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB or 1024GB | Pixel 8 Pro offers significantly more storage on the high end, with more choices at different price points. |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB | Pixel 8 Pro has more RAM, which helps in heavy multitasking and resource-intensive tasks. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones, Noise cancellation | Pixel 8 Pro may offer better audio call quality with its noise-canceling microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones use a basic fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Pixel 8 Pro uses superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint; Proximity; Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer, Barometer, Thermometer | Pixel 8 Pro includes additional sensors (Magnetometer, Thermometer). Mate 50 Pro has more niche sensors (Compass, Gravity, Hall). |
2. Key Insights
Huawei Mate 50 Pro:
- Fast Charging Champ: The 66W wired charging is significantly faster than the Pixel 8 Pro. This is a huge plus for users who are always on the go.
- Camera Versatility: The Mate 50 Pro provides a dedicated wide-angle lens which provides flexibility to users for shooting wide-angle shots. The telephoto camera is also a bit more powerful in terms of zoom.
- Strong GPS: More satellite systems are supported for better accuracy.
- Dual Physical SIM: Users who want two physical sim cards can use it with this device.
Google Pixel 8 Pro:
- Superior Display: Its brighter, sharper screen offers better overall image quality, especially outdoors.
- Performance Edge: The Tensor G3 chipset and additional RAM should give it better performance for intensive tasks, like AI-based features and gaming.
- More Storage Options: Offers a higher storage option with up to 1TB, more convenient for people who need a large storage option.
- Software Updates: A pure Android experience with the guarantee of long-term OS and security updates.
- Better Mobile Video Quality: DxoMark scores are better than the Mate 50 Pro.
- Wi-Fi 7: The latest Wi-Fi standard for faster and more efficient connectivity.
- eSIM Support: Supports eSIM technology for digital switching.
- Additional Sensors: Incorporates a thermometer and a magnetometer for more advanced features.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Huawei Mate 50 Pro is ideal for:
- Frequent travelers: The fast charging is a game-changer when you are in a rush.
- Photography enthusiasts who need a very versatile camera system
- Users who prefer two physical SIM cards
- People who value great GPS performance
Google Pixel 8 Pro is ideal for:
- Photography and Videography Enthusiasts: A great camera for both photos and video.
- Tech enthusiasts: Looking for the latest software, features, and more storage.
- Users who need a bright and crisp screen: Great for watching content in direct sunlight
- Heavy multitaskers and gamers will benefit from additional RAM and the Tensor G3 chip.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to ask yourself to help make the decision:
- How important is extremely fast charging? If you are always in a rush, the Mate 50 Pro is the obvious choice.
- How important is camera performance? Both are great cameras but the Pixel 8 Pro is better in mobile video quality.
- Do you prefer a pure Android experience with more storage? If yes, the Pixel 8 Pro wins.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- "The Always-On-The-Go Pro": If you value fast charging above all else, the Huawei Mate 50 Pro is a winner.
- "The Photo & Video Creator": The Google Pixel 8 Pro is the better choice with its superior display, image processing, and additional features.
- "The Tech Enthusiast": The Google Pixel 8 Pro offers a better software experience and more storage for tech-savvy individuals.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I'd go with the Google Pixel 8 Pro. While the Mate 50 Pro's fast charging is incredibly tempting, the Pixel 8 Pro offers a more well-rounded experience that aligns with my needs. The superior display quality, combined with the Pixel's amazing camera and software experience, and the larger storage options make it the better pick for me. The Pixel also has a better video performance, which is important to me for content creation.
