Alright, let's dive deep into the Huawei Mate 50 Pro and the Honor 90. I've got my engineering hat on, ready to break down these specs and see what they mean for you, the user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison, focusing not just on the numbers but also on what they mean for your day-to-day use:
| Feature | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Honor 90 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Size | 162.1 × 75.5 × 8.5 mm | 161.9 × 74.1 × 7.8 mm | The Mate 50 Pro is slightly larger and thicker, which might feel more substantial in the hand, while the Honor 90 will be a bit easier to pocket. |
| Weight | 205g | 183g | The Honor 90 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for longer periods of use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.74" | 6.7" | Both offer a large, immersive screen; differences are negligible. |
| Resolution | 1212x2616 | 1200x2664 | Near identical sharpness, both providing crisp text and images. |
| PPI | 428 | 435 | Similar pixel density; both screens are extremely sharp. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both use high quality display technology with vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both devices. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1600 nits | The Honor 90 has a much brighter display, making it significantly better for outdoor use in bright sunlight. The lack of nits for the Huawei Mate 50 Pro is an indication of incomplete data. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition | The Mate 50 Pro's chipset is significantly more powerful, leading to smoother multitasking, faster app loading and better gaming. The 4G connectivity on the Huawei might be a limitation for some users. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,022,043 | 701,227 | The Mate 50 Pro demonstrates superior performance, with a 46% higher benchmark score. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 644 | The Mate 50 Pro's GPU is more powerful, enabling better graphics rendering in games. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4700mAh | 5000mAh | The Honor 90 has a slightly larger battery, potentially giving it a bit more stamina. |
| Charging | 66W fast charging | 66W fast charging | Both devices offer very fast charging capabilities. |
| Features | Wireless Charging, Reverse Charging, Non-removable | Non-removable | Huawei offers convenient wireless charging and reverse charging capabilities. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766 | 200MP, f/1.9, 1/1.4", Samsung ISOCELL HP3 | The Honor 90 features a higher megapixel sensor, while the Mate 50 Pro boasts a larger pixel size and wider aperture, leading to better low-light performance. The Huawei sensor is also known to produce excellent results. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.4 | 50MP, f/2.4 | The Honor 90 has a higher resolution selfie camera. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP, f/3.5, 1/2" | None | The Mate 50 Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, IMX688 | None | The Mate 50 Pro offers a dedicated ultra-wide angle lens. |
| Portrait Camera | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Honor 90 has a dedicated portrait sensor |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 12MP, f/2.2 | Honor 90 has a combined wide and macro sensor |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps, 720p@3840fps with HDR, EIS | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS | The Mate 50 Pro records video at higher frame rates and has superior stabilization, offering more options for high quality videos. |
| DxoMark Score | Mobile: 149, Selfie: 145 | Mobile: 122 | The Mate 50 Pro's camera setup is rated higher than Honor 90. This reflects the Mate 50 Pro's strong performance. |
| Features | OIS, Laser AF, CDAF, LAF, Dual Front Camera, Manual Focus | Front Flash | Mate 50 Pro offers more photography options. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 13 | Mate 50 Pro does not come with the Android version, meaning that the device may not get timely updates. | |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support Wi-Fi 6, ensuring fast and stable wireless connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.2 LE | Both support Bluetooth 5.2, providing fast and efficient wireless connections. Both support similar protocols, but Honor 90 has a greater set of options. |
| GPS | More Satellite Systems | Standard GPS | The Mate 50 Pro offers better location accuracy with more satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 256 GB / 512 GB | 256 GB / 512 GB | Both offer ample storage for your photos, videos, and apps. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB / 12 GB / 16 GB | The Honor 90 offers more RAM variants, enabling smoother multitasking, especially if you are a power user. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Stereo Speakers | Noise cancellation microphone | Mate 50 Pro provides a better experience while consuming media while Honor 90 focuses on calls. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic security via fingerprint sensors |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Neither phone specifies protection for their screen. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Gyroscope, Barometer, Accelerometer, Compass, Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Proximity | Mate 50 Pro has a more comprehensive set of sensors including a gyroscope and barometer. |
| ### 2. Key Insights |
Huawei Mate 50 Pro Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G chipset is significantly more powerful, providing a smoother experience for intensive tasks, gaming, and general multitasking.
- Excellent Camera System: The main camera with its wide aperture and the inclusion of dedicated telephoto and wide-angle lenses, along with the DxoMark score, points to better photographic flexibility and quality. It also takes advantage of more features and higher quality in its video capabilities.
- Wireless Charging & Reverse Wireless Charging: A valuable convenience for those who need to charge on the go and to also charge other accessories using the phone.
- More Accurate GPS: Support for more satellite systems enhances location accuracy, which can be crucial for navigation.
- Better Audio Quality: With stereo speakers, the Mate 50 Pro will provide a better audio experience when consuming media.
Honor 90 Strengths:
- Brighter Display: The 1600 nits brightness makes it significantly better for outdoor visibility, especially in bright sunlight.
- Lighter & Thinner Design: A more comfortable form factor for prolonged use.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: Great for users who prioritize selfie quality and detailed pictures.
- Larger Battery: Offers a slightly larger battery for more runtime, which can be helpful if you are away from a power source.
- More RAM Options: Honor 90 offers more RAM variants to choose from, excellent for multitasking and resource intensive games.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Huawei Mate 50 Pro: The lack of 5G could be a deal-breaker for some, and it is heavier and bulkier. The lack of an OS specification may also be concerning as updates may not be timely or guaranteed.
- Honor 90: Less powerful chipset, and a less flexible camera system. Its camera quality is lower and it also has fewer video options compared to the Mate 50 Pro.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Huawei Mate 50 Pro is Best For:
- Power Users: Those who need the best performance for demanding apps, heavy multitasking, and graphics-intensive games.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value versatile camera setups and high-quality images, especially in low-light conditions.
- Travelers: Those who rely on accurate GPS and appreciate the convenience of wireless charging.
Honor 90 is Best For:
- Everyday Users: Those who need a balanced phone for daily tasks, social media, and casual gaming.
- Outdoor Users: Users who need excellent screen visibility in bright environments.
- Selfie Lovers: Those who prioritize high-resolution selfies.
- Lightweight Phone Enthusiasts: Those who prefer a lighter device that’s easy to carry around.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help you decide:
- Do you prioritize performance or portability?
- If performance is key, go for the Huawei Mate 50 Pro.
- If portability is important, the Honor 90 is a better choice.
- How important is camera quality?
- If you need the best overall camera with optical zoom and more features, choose the Mate 50 Pro.
- If a decent camera is good enough for your needs, then the Honor 90 can be a good fit.
- Do you need a bright screen?
- If you spend a lot of time outdoors, then the Honor 90 is your best bet.
- If not, then both phones would serve you well.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Gaming on the Go:
- Mate 50 Pro: The better processor and GPU will provide better performance.
- Traveling Photographer:
- Mate 50 Pro: The versatile camera system and superior GPS will be beneficial.
- Social Media Creator:
- Honor 90: The higher quality selfie camera will be a good fit.
- Outdoor Explorer:
- Honor 90: The high brightness will be beneficial under sunny conditions.
- Budget Conscious User:
- Honor 90: Will most likely be more affordable while still providing a good user experience.
My Choice:
If I had to choose between the two, I would personally opt for the Huawei Mate 50 Pro. Here's why:
As a tech journalist, I am a power user that appreciates a high quality camera system that takes great pictures and provides a great video recording experience. The Mate 50 Pro provides a more powerful processor and GPU, along with more photography options, better video, and better audio with its stereo speakers. Although the lack of an OS is concerning, I am more than willing to make the trade off. It also provides me with wireless charging, which I use quite often when I'm at home. While the Honor 90 is a very capable device, the raw performance, camera flexibility, and overall feature set of the Mate 50 Pro, which outweighs the benefits of a slightly brighter screen, is more aligned with my needs.
