Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Huawei Mate 50 Pro and the Mate X3. I'll structure this analysis to make the technical differences clear and, more importantly, to highlight how those differences impact your daily smartphone experience.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Huawei Mate X3 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| DESIGN | |||
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | The Mate X3 offers a larger display that folds down, providing a tablet-like experience when open and a pocketable phone when closed. The 50 Pro is a traditional design. |
| Dimensions | 162.1 x 75.5 x 8.5 mm | 156.9 x 141.5 x 5.3 mm (open) | Mate 50 Pro is taller and thicker; Mate X3 is wider when open, significantly thinner when unfolded and more compact when closed. Mate X3 feels like having both a phone and a small tablet. |
| Weight | 205g | 239g | Mate 50 Pro is lighter by 34g, making it more comfortable for extended one-handed use. The Mate X3's extra weight is a trade-off for its larger screen and foldable design. |
| DISPLAY | |||
| Display Size | 6.74 inches | 7.85 inches | The Mate X3 provides a much larger screen real estate, ideal for multitasking, media consumption, and detailed viewing. |
| Resolution | 1212 x 2616 | 2224 x 2496 | The Mate X3 has significantly higher resolution, resulting in sharper, more detailed images and text. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 428 | 426 | Both have nearly the same pixel density, meaning both offer crisp images at normal viewing distances. |
| Display Technology | OLED | N/A | Mate 50 Pro uses OLED technology, which generally offers more vibrant colors and deeper blacks; no information on Mate X3's display technology is available, this might be an area for concern. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, which makes the user experience feel more fluid and responsive. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both devices have the same brightness, which is an unusual spec. This needs to be verified for real-world usage scenarios. |
| PERFORMANCE | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4nm) | Both use the same high-end processor, providing excellent performance for demanding apps and games; No 5G support in either phone |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,022,043 | 1,238,400 | Mate X3 scores about 21% higher in benchmarks, suggesting slightly smoother multitasking and faster app loading, although real world difference might not be very noticeable. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 730 | Both have the same GPU, meaning similar graphics performance for gaming and graphics-intensive applications. |
| BATTERY | |||
| Capacity | 4700mAh | 4800mAh | Similar battery capacity; both should offer comparable all-day battery life with typical usage. |
| Charging | 66W wired, 50W Wireless | 66W wired, 50W Wireless | Mate X3 supports 50W wireless charging in addition to the same 66W wired charging. Wireless charging provides convenience; wired is faster for a full charge. |
| Features | Reverse, 50W wireless, 7.5W reverse | Wireless 50W | Mate 50 Pro supports reverse wireless charging; the Mate X3 lacks this feature but offers 50W wireless charging |
| CAMERA | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.4 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Both have 50MP main cameras, Mate 50 Pro’s larger aperture allows more light which translates into better low-light performance; both utilize the same sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.4 | 8MP, f/2.4 | Mate 50 Pro has a higher resolution front-facing camera; better for selfies and video calls |
| Telephoto Camera | 64MP, f/3.5 | 16MP, f/3.4 | Mate 50 Pro has significantly higher resolution; Mate X3 has a slightly wider aperture; both cameras will perform well in different situations. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | N/A | The Mate 50 Pro includes a dedicated wide angle lens, useful for capturing expansive landscapes. The Mate X3 only has wide angle on the macro lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Camera | N/A | 12MP, f/2.2 | The Mate X3 has a wide angle lens that doubles as a macro lens, offering versatility in close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 4K@60fps HDR, EIS | 4K@60fps EIS | Both record 4K video with stabilization, resulting in high-quality, smooth footage. The Mate 50 Pro has more options for slow-mo recording. |
| DXOMark Camera | Mobile: 149, Selfie: 145 | N/A | Only the Mate 50 Pro has been tested by DXOMark and it has excellent camera performance; however, no data was available for the Mate X3. |
| Camera Features | Extensive | Extensive | Both offer comprehensive camera features for photos and videos with small differences; Mate 50 Pro offers PDAF, CDAF, and LAF while the Mate X3 offers "ultra stable video" and the use of the main camera for selfies. |
| SOFTWARE & CONNECTIVITY | |||
| OS | N/A | N/A | Both devices use the same OS, but the version information is missing. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, MIMO | Wi-Fi 6, MIMO | Both support the latest Wi-Fi standards for fast and reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.2 LE | Both support Bluetooth 5.2 with LDAC, SBC, and AAC. The Mate X3 also has A2DP, EDR, LE functionality; |
| GPS | Extensive | Extensive | Both offer comprehensive GPS support including dual-frequency GPS for improved location accuracy with small differences in the supported satellites. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Full Active | Mate X3 provides dual sim full active functionality while Mate 50 Pro provides dual sim dual standby, which implies the Mate X3 offers a slight advantage for global travelers. |
| STORAGE | |||
| Internal Storage | 256/512GB | 256/512/1024 GB | Mate X3 offers a 1TB option, which is great for people who need vast storage for photos, videos, or apps. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8/12GB | The 12GB RAM option in Mate X3 provides more multitasking headroom, reducing lag when running multiple apps simultaneously; if you use a lot of apps, you want the 12GB option. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device supports expandable storage; if you need more storage you will need to purchase a model with greater internal storage. |
| AUDIO | |||
| Speakers | Stereo | Stereo | Both offer stereo speakers for a better audio experience. |
| SECURITY | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Side-Mounted | The Mate X3’s side-mounted fingerprint sensor is more convenient and faster than a basic fingerprint sensor. |
| BUILD QUALITY | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both use similar screen protection technologies, but there is no data available for either phone. |
| SENSORS | |||
| Sensors | Comprehensive | Comprehensive, RGB | The Mate X3 has an RGB sensor; both phones have an array of sensors for various functions. |
2. Key Insights
- Huawei Mate 50 Pro:
- Strengths: Excellent camera system with a variable aperture, top-tier DxOMark scores, and the better camera zoom, lighter and better for one handed use.
- Competitive Advantages: Strong performance, comprehensive camera features, and a more compact traditional form factor with a dedicated wide angle lens.
- Trade-offs: Lacks the foldable display, not as much multitasking performance as the Mate X3 with 12GB RAM and has less storage options; no wireless charging.
- Huawei Mate X3:
- Strengths: Foldable design with a large display for productivity and media consumption, larger RAM options, more storage options, and wireless charging
- Competitive Advantages: The foldable design transforms the phone into a tablet, offering a unique user experience; side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which can be more convenient.
- Trade-offs: Significantly heavier than the Mate 50 Pro, lacks a dedicated wide angle camera, and likely more expensive.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Huawei Mate 50 Pro:
- Best Suited For: Photography enthusiasts who prioritize camera quality, users who prefer a more traditional phone form factor and users that require a lighter smartphone.
- Use Cases: Ideal for capturing high-quality photos and videos, casual users, users who don't require a tablet and users that don't need a foldable screen, one handed users.
- Huawei Mate X3:
- Best Suited For: Power users who need a large screen for multitasking and media consumption, those who want a compact device that opens up to a larger screen, business users that are constantly on the go.
- Use Cases: Ideal for reading, gaming, multitasking, watching videos, and using apps in split-screen mode; the foldable design appeals to those who want a compact device with tablet like capabilities, and users that need maximum storage or ram.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help you decide between these phones:
- Do you need a large screen that folds into a compact device?
- If yes, the Mate X3 is your pick.
- If no, then the Mate 50 Pro is better.
- Do you prioritize camera quality, or do you need more RAM for multitasking and more storage?
- If camera quality, the Mate 50 Pro is likely superior and a safer bet, especially as no information is available for the Mate X3.
- If performance and storage, then the Mate X3 is the better option with a 12GB RAM option and a 1TB storage option.
- Do you value a lighter, more pocketable phone, or a device that transforms from a phone to a tablet?
- If portability is key, then the Mate 50 Pro is your pick.
- If a compact tablet with phone capabilities is key, then the Mate X3 is the better option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Photographer: If you need a dedicated camera and excellent photography in a phone, the Mate 50 Pro is your best bet, because no information was available for the Mate X3, so the quality is unknown.
- The Multitasker: If you frequently use multiple apps and need a large screen to improve productivity, the Mate X3 is your pick. The additional RAM and storage options provide flexibility.
- The Casual User: If you want a capable all-around device, a better choice might be the Mate 50 Pro due to its lighter design and all round good camera and performance.
- The Trendsetter: If you want a phone that is both a compact pocketable device and a small tablet, the Mate X3 is the pick with the foldable form factor.
My Pick
Personally, I would choose the Huawei Mate 50 Pro.
Here’s why: While the Mate X3 offers an impressive foldable design and larger display, my primary focus when using a smartphone is the camera and having something that is easy to use with one hand. The Mate 50 Pro, with its outstanding camera performance and more portable form factor, is the clear winner for me.
Additionally, the lack of comprehensive information regarding the Mate X3's display and camera quality would make me lean towards the safe option, the Mate 50 Pro, which has excellent camera performance according to DxOMark. The additional features such as a dedicated wide angle lens and telephoto lens, paired with the excellent camera scores, would make it my go to option.
I hope this detailed comparison helps you make the best choice for your needs!
