Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Huawei Mate 50 Pro and the newer Pura 70 Pro. These two represent Huawei's commitment to innovation, but they target slightly different priorities. I'll break down the key specs and what they mean for your daily life, so you can choose the right phone for your needs.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at how these phones stack up, focusing on real-world implications:
| Feature | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Huawei Pura 70 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 162.1 x 75.5 x 8.5 mm | 162.6 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm | Similar size, easily fits in a pocket; Pura 70 Pro is marginally thinner, more comfortable for extended usage. |
| Weight | 205g | 220g | Mate 50 Pro feels lighter, more comfortable for extended holding. Pura 70 Pro is slightly heavier due to larger battery and possibly new tech. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.74" | 6.8" | Very similar, both are ideal for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1212x2616 | 1260x2844 | Pura 70 Pro has higher resolution, leading to sharper and more detailed visuals. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 428 | 460 | Pura 70 Pro's higher PPI makes text and images appear crisper, especially noticeable with fine details. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast; a hallmark of premium displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations; great for gaming and fast-paced apps. |
| Brightness (nits) | 0 | 2500 | Pura 70 Pro has significantly better outdoor visibility thanks to the dramatically brighter display; crucial for direct sunlight usage. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G | Kirin 9010 (7 nm) | Mate 50 Pro uses a proven Qualcomm chipset, known for performance; Pura 70 Pro has in-house Kirin chipset which introduces some trade-offs. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,022,043 | 869,707 | Mate 50 Pro has a better score in benchmark results, indicating better performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Maleoon 910 | Different GPUs, will impact gaming performance; Adreno 730 tends to have greater raw power while Maleoon 910 has better efficiency. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP (f/1.4, 1/1.56") Sony IMX766, 1.0µm pixels | 50MP (f/1.4, 1/1.3") Omnivision OV50H, 1.20µm pixels | Pura 70 Pro has a larger sensor which means better low light performance and detail capture. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP (f/3.5, 1/2") Omnivision OV64B, 0.70µm pixels | 48MP (f/2.1) | Mate 50 Pro has a higher resolution for zoom shots, Pura 70 Pro has a wider aperture (f/2.1), which excels in low light conditions. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP (f/2.2) Sony IMX688 | 12.5MP (f/2.2) | Both phones have similar wide-angle capabilities. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP (f/2.4) | 13MP (f/2.4) Omnivision | Comparable selfie cameras. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30/60fps, HDR, EIS, Slow-motion: 240fps | Yes, Slow-motion: 960 fps | Mate 50 Pro has more versatile video recording options, Pura 70 Pro has higher slow-motion recording capabilities. |
| DxoMark Mobile Score | 149 | N/A | Mate 50 Pro is a tested camera beast in DxoMark with outstanding scores. |
| DxoMark Selfie Score | 145 | N/A | Mate 50 Pro is a tested selfie camera beast in DxoMark with outstanding scores. |
| Camera Features | Laser AF | Ultra stable video, Continuous autofocus | Both are packed with features; Mate 50 Pro has Laser Autofocus, Pura 70 Pro has enhanced video stabilization and continuous autofocus. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4700mAh | 5050mAh | Pura 70 Pro has a slightly larger battery that may offer slightly better battery life. |
| Charging | 66W wired, 50W wireless | 100W wired, 80W wireless | Pura 70 Pro charges much faster with both wired and wireless options. |
| Reverse Charging | 7.5W wireless | 20W wireless | Pura 70 Pro offers faster reverse charging to power up your other devices |
| Other | |||
| OS | N/A | N/A | Both have N/A OS (likely HarmonyOS), making the software experience very similar. |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB | Pura 70 Pro will handle multitasking and resource-intensive tasks more smoothly with more RAM. |
| Internal Storage | 256/512 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | Pura 70 Pro offers more storage space with a 1TB option; crucial for storing large media files without worrying about capacity. |
| Audio Quality | Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Pura 70 Pro is better for audio experience for music or videos due to the addition of Dolby Atmos. |
| Sensors | Barometer | RGB | Mate 50 Pro has an additional Barometer, whereas Pura 70 Pro has additional RGB sensors |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither has expandable storage; choose the right storage option upfront. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both support using two SIMs simultaneously. |
2. Key Insights
Huawei Mate 50 Pro Strengths:
- Established Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 delivers smooth and reliable performance, especially for gaming.
- Proven Camera: The Mate 50 Pro has been battle-tested and boasts a high DxoMark score, showing its excellent camera capabilities.
- Lighter Build: It's more comfortable for long usage sessions due to its lighter weight.
- Versatile Video: Has a more diverse array of video capabilities including up to 4K@30/60fps with HDR and EIS.
Huawei Pura 70 Pro Strengths:
- Brighter Display: Its brighter screen makes it a winner in direct sunlight visibility, a significant advantage for outdoor users.
- Enhanced Camera: Despite slightly lower telephoto resolution, the main sensor with large pixel size and wider aperture telephoto lens make it suitable for better low light capture.
- Faster Charging: Both wired and wireless charging speeds are significantly faster, which is a huge time-saver.
- Higher RAM & Storage: Offers a more future-proofed experience with 12GB RAM and options up to 1TB of storage.
- Better Audio: The inclusion of Dolby Atmos will be better for music and video watching.
- Enhanced Video: Has "Ultra Stable" video which should produce better footage and has 960 FPS slow motion compared to 240 FPS of the Mate 50 Pro.
- Latest Tech: Newer phone with latest tech including faster charging and newer sensors.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Mate 50 Pro: It's older, slightly heavier, and has a weaker main camera sensor.
- Pura 70 Pro: Has a weaker chipset compared to Mate 50 Pro and no DxoMark scores for reference.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Huawei Mate 50 Pro is best for:
- Gamers: Its more powerful chipset and GPU, combined with its lighter weight, makes it a good gaming device.
- Users familiar with Qualcomm: Users comfortable with the power and performance of Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors.
- Those who value a proven camera system: If you're looking for a well-established camera system that performs reliably under any condition, the Mate 50 Pro won't disappoint.
- Those who want a lighter phone.
Huawei Pura 70 Pro is best for:
- Outdoor enthusiasts: The brighter display ensures perfect visibility, even under harsh sunlight.
- Multitaskers: The increased RAM and storage make it ideal for power users who need to switch between demanding apps.
- Media Consumers: The superior display, together with Dolby Atmos, enhances the media consumption experience.
- Those who need fast charging: The fastest charging available on a phone will get you up and running with power in just a few minutes.
- Video Creators: With the inclusion of "Ultra stable video", and superior slow-motion video capabilities, it will enhance the video experience.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Those that always want the newest tech.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three crucial questions to ask yourself:
- Do I need superior outdoor screen visibility? If you spend a lot of time outdoors, especially in direct sunlight, the Pura 70 Pro is the clear choice.
- Do I need a proven camera experience, or a low-light camera specialist? If you need the best tested camera, then the Mate 50 Pro is better. But if you want the best low light capture then the Pura 70 Pro is the winner.
- Do I value faster charging and a smoother multitasking experience? If yes, the Pura 70 Pro with its faster charging and increased RAM is a better match.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the gamer: Go with the Mate 50 Pro which has more processing power.
- For the outdoor photographer: The Pura 70 Pro is a better match with its brighter screen and superior low light camera.
- For the on-the-go power user: The Pura 70 Pro with faster charging, better battery, and more RAM is the ideal phone.
- For the user looking for a proven device: The Mate 50 Pro would be better due to its performance and camera reliability.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I'd personally go with the Huawei Pura 70 Pro. Here's why:
As a tech journalist, I frequently take photos and videos in various locations and lighting. The Pura 70 Pro's improved low-light main camera, significantly brighter display, and faster charging would align better with my day-to-day demands and priorities. The increased RAM will ensure my phone performs smoothly when I use it for tasks such as video editing or content creation, and 1 TB of storage would prevent me from constantly having to delete content off my phone. The inclusion of Dolby Atmos is also a welcome addition as it elevates the overall audio experience. While I appreciate the Mate 50 Pro's proven performance and strong DxoMark results, the enhancements that the Pura 70 Pro offers in terms of screen technology, charging speed, and the latest camera technology outweigh the more established performance of the older Mate 50 Pro.
