Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Huawei Mate 50 Pro and the Huawei Pura 70. I’ll break down the specs, highlight the key differences, and help you figure out which phone might be the better fit for your needs.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the key technical specifications, along with a look at what those specs mean in the real world:
| Feature | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Huawei Pura 70 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-09-28 | 2024-05-06 | The Pura 70 is newer, with more recent tech and software. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones; no foldables here. |
| Dimensions | 162.1 x 75.5 x 8.5 mm | 157.6 x 74.3 x 8 mm | The Mate 50 Pro is slightly larger overall and a bit thicker; the Pura 70 is more compact. |
| Weight | 205g | 207g | Both phones are similar in weight, making them feel substantial but not overly heavy. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.74" | 6.6" | The Mate 50 Pro has a slightly larger display, providing more screen real estate for content consumption. |
| Resolution | 1212 x 2616 | 1256 x 2760 | The Pura 70 has a slightly sharper display with more pixels. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 428 | 460 | The Pura 70 offers slightly clearer visuals thanks to its higher pixel density. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both provide vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, ideal for gaming and everyday use. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | The Pura 70 boasts significantly higher brightness, which makes it much easier to use in bright outdoor conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G | Kirin 9000S1 | The Mate 50 Pro has a Snapdragon chipset; the Pura 70 uses Huawei’s Kirin chip, which might have software optimizations. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,022,043 | 768,000 | The Mate 50 Pro benchmarks better, hinting at faster app loading and smoother performance for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Maleoon 910 | Different GPUs mean varied performance profiles, likely with the Adreno 730 in the Mate 50 Pro offering a gaming edge. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4700mAh | 4900mAh | The Pura 70 has a slightly larger battery, potentially providing a bit more uptime. |
| Charging | 66W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Both phones charge quickly. The Mate 50 Pro technically is slightly faster in charging despite the minimal difference |
| Battery Tech | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | Different chemistry, but mostly similar in terms of charging speeds |
| Features | 50W Wireless, Reverse | 50W Wireless, Reverse | Both support fast wireless charging and the ability to charge other devices wirelessly. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.56" | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.3" | The Pura 70 has a larger sensor for improved low-light performance, even with similar aperture and megapixel. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.4 | 13MP, f/2.4 | Both offer similar specs for front-facing shots. |
| Telephoto | 64MP, f/3.5 | 12MP, f/3.4 | Mate 50 Pro has a higher resolution telephoto lens for more detail at zoom; Pura 70 has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.2 | Very similar performance, with a slight edge to the Pura 70 with a slightly higher resolution. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR/EIS | 4K Video | Mate 50 Pro supports more recording modes and better framerate, while both support 4K. |
| DxoMark Score | Mobile 149, Selfie 145 | Not Available | The Mate 50 Pro has impressive camera performance scores based on DxOMark test. The Pura 70 has not been rated. |
| Features | Laser AF | Ultra stable video, Continuous autofocus | Mate 50 Pro features laser autofocus, while the Pura 70 has additional features, including ultra-stable video and continuous autofocus. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Both have the same OS, which means that they will share similar performance, despite their different chipsets. | ||
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support fast Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.2 | Both use the same version with minor differences; the Pura 70 has A2DP support for better audio transmission. |
| GPS | Dual-band GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou, NavIC | Dual-band GPS, QZSS, BeiDou, NavIC | Both support modern GPS standards, with minor differences in satellite support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 256GB / 512GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1024GB | The Pura 70 offers a 1TB option for those needing maximum storage, and has the same lower storage options as the Mate 50 Pro. |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB | The Pura 70 has more RAM for smoother multitasking and handling of intensive apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | The Pura 70 has a better audio experience through Dolby Atmos support with immersive sound. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both provide fingerprint security. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, RGB | Both include the standard suite of sensors, with the Mate 50 Pro featuring a barometer for altitude information, while the Pura 70 includes an RGB sensor. |
2. Key Insights
Huawei Mate 50 Pro Strengths:
- Strong Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G chipset provides a very high level of performance that rivals even modern flagship phones. The higher AnTuTu benchmark score indicates that the Mate 50 Pro could offer a smoother user experience for heavy multitasking and gaming.
- Superior Telephoto Lens: The 64MP telephoto lens offers a much higher resolution and greater detail when zooming in.
- High-Rated Camera: The Mate 50 Pro has been rigorously tested by DxOMark, with an overall mobile score of 149 and a selfie score of 145.
- Sensor Suite: The Mate 50 Pro has the addition of a barometer which could be helpful for certain applications and enthusiasts.
Huawei Pura 70 Strengths:
- Newer and More Advanced Display: Its screen is brighter, and has a slightly higher pixel density, making it better for outdoor use and a bit sharper overall.
- Larger Main Camera Sensor: The 1/1.3" sensor on the main camera should offer improved low-light performance and better image quality in general.
- More RAM: 12GB of RAM makes this the better choice for those who multitask heavily or use memory-intensive apps.
- Dolby Atmos Audio: This feature will enhance the experience when listening to music, watching movies, or playing games.
- Larger Storage Option: The 1TB storage option is great for users who need to store a lot of high-resolution photos and videos.
- Ultra Stable Video and Continuous Autofocus: The Pura 70 is focused on video recording capabilities that can result in smoother and better quality video output.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Chipset Choice: The Kirin 9000S1 chipset in the Pura 70, while potentially optimized for Huawei's software, benchmarks lower than the Mate 50 Pro's Snapdragon chipset. This might mean that the Mate 50 Pro has the ability to render higher-graphic games with more fluidity.
- Telephoto Lens: The Pura 70's telephoto lens has a lower resolution than the Mate 50 Pro, but may produce better images in low light due to its wider aperture.
- DxOMark: Only the Mate 50 Pro has been tested by DxOMark, and that shows it’s a leading camera performer. The Pura 70 might very well perform as well or even better, however, it remains untested.
- No expandable Storage: Neither phone has a microSD slot, so users need to be careful with their storage options.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Huawei Mate 50 Pro:
- Ideal for: Users who prioritize top-tier performance, the best zooming capabilities, and a phone with an extensively tested camera. Great for those who push their device to its limits with gaming, demanding apps, and want a phone with a high DxOMark rating.
- Use Case: Gaming, heavy multitasking, professional photography enthusiasts who heavily rely on zoom functionality, and general power users.
Huawei Pura 70:
- Ideal for: Users who want a modern phone with a superior display, excellent low-light photography, better overall audio, and ample storage options. It's a solid choice for content creators who require stable and continuous focus in their videos.
- Use Case: Regular video content creation, frequent outdoor use, those needing vast storage for photos and videos, and users who want a well-rounded, modern flagship experience with more RAM for general usage.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide between these two phones:
- Performance or Display Quality?: Do you value raw power and performance (Mate 50 Pro), or do you prioritize display brightness and sharpness (Pura 70)?
- Camera Zoom or Low-Light Capability?: Is a high-resolution telephoto zoom lens your priority (Mate 50 Pro), or is low-light performance on the main sensor more important (Pura 70)?
- Storage and Multitasking?: Do you need maximum storage and the smoothest multitasking (Pura 70), or are you ok with the storage options on the Mate 50 Pro and with slightly lower RAM?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Photography Enthusiast: If zoom is your priority, the Mate 50 Pro is the go-to device. If you tend to take lots of low-light photos and care about the quality of those, the Pura 70 has you covered. Both, however, will produce great images.
- Content Creator: The Pura 70 with its ultra-stable video and continuous autofocus is perfect for those who need a high-quality video output. The Mate 50 Pro can handle high-quality video, but it is not focused on that.
- Gamer: The Mate 50 Pro's top-tier Snapdragon processor and Adreno GPU makes it a great choice for those who want smooth gameplay.
- Everyday User: The Pura 70 offers a well-rounded package with better overall usability, a superior display, and more RAM, making it great for general daily use.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two, I would lean toward the Huawei Pura 70.
While the Mate 50 Pro's raw processing power and telephoto capabilities are definitely impressive, the Pura 70 offers a more compelling package for my daily use. The brighter, sharper display, larger main camera sensor, increased RAM, and Dolby Atmos audio, all while being newer, make it a better overall fit. As someone who appreciates the subtleties of a great display and often uses their phone in a variety of lighting conditions, the Pura 70's advantages would benefit my experience much more. The better recording stability, more RAM, and larger storage option are also great for a phone that is used as heavily as mine.
