Okay, let's dive deep into the Huawei Mate 50 Pro and the Motorola Edge 40 Pro. This is going to be a fun one, full of subtle differences that will matter a lot to different types of users.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Motorola Edge 40 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-09-28 | 2023-04-04 | The Edge 40 Pro is about 6 months newer, likely with more up-to-date software and hardware. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are classic smartphone designs; no folding or special form factors here. |
| Dimensions | 162.1 x 75.5 x 8.5 mm | 161.2 x 74 x 8.6 mm | The Mate 50 Pro is slightly wider, which might affect one-handed grip; the Edge 40 Pro is marginally thinner. |
| Weight | 205g | 199g | The Edge 40 Pro is a bit lighter, possibly feeling more comfortable during longer use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.74" | 6.67" | Very similar screen sizes; a negligible difference in terms of viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1212 x 2616 | 1080 x 2400 | The Mate 50 Pro’s higher resolution means sharper text and more detailed images on its screen. |
| Pixel Density | 428 ppi | 394 ppi | The Mate 50 Pro offers a slightly crisper display experience. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both phones use vibrant OLED tech, so expect deep blacks and rich colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz | 165 Hz | The Edge 40 Pro’s higher refresh rate offers noticeably smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1100 nits | The Edge 40 Pro is vastly superior for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. A big win for the Motorola here. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4G) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | The Edge 40 Pro has a newer, more powerful processor resulting in faster app launches and better overall performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,022,043 | 1,532,500 | The Edge 40 Pro will be significantly faster in benchmarks, making it snappier in all tasks, particularly gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 740 | The Edge 40 Pro’s newer GPU means superior graphics performance in games and demanding applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.4 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Mate 50 Pro's wider aperture (f/1.4) should perform better in low light. Edge 40 Pro has slightly larger sensor (1/1.55 vs 1/1.56"). |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.4 | 60MP, f/2.2 | The Edge 40 Pro boasts a much higher resolution selfie camera with a wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Camera | 64MP, f/3.5 | 12MP, f/1.6 | Mate 50 Pro has a higher resolution Telephoto. Edge 40 Pro has wider aperture and larger pixels for better quality. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 50MP, f/2.2 | The Edge 40 Pro has a significantly higher resolution wide-angle lens, capturing more detail. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K 60fps | Up to 8K 30fps | The Edge 40 Pro can record 8K videos, offering a higher resolution video option, but only at 30fps. |
| DxOMark Score | Mobile: 149; Selfie: 145 | Mobile: 130 | Huawei Mate 50 Pro performs significantly better in both photo and video based on DxOMark Mobile scores |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4700 mAh | 4600 mAh | Both have very similar battery capacities, likely providing comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 66W Fast Charging | 125W Fast Charging | The Edge 40 Pro charges considerably faster, reducing wait time significantly. |
| Wireless Charging | 50W | 15W | The Mate 50 Pro offers faster wireless charging, a nice convenience for overnight charging. |
| Reverse Charging | 7.5W Wireless | 5W Wired | The Mate 50 Pro can wirelessly reverse charge devices; the Edge 40 Pro only does this wired but faster. |
| Other Features | |||
| Operating System | - | Android 13 | Edge 40 Pro ships with a more recent Android OS; Mate 50 Pro's OS is not specified. |
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 7 | The Edge 40 Pro offers the latest WiFi standard, which will be more future-proof. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.3 | The Edge 40 Pro uses the newer version, which could be more efficient and offer slightly better performance. |
| Storage | Up to 512 GB | Up to 512 GB | Both phones offer plenty of built-in storage; neither provides expandable storage via microSD. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB | The Edge 40 Pro will handle multi-tasking and intensive apps with more ease. |
| Audio | Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | The Edge 40 Pro provides enhanced audio thanks to Dolby Atmos. |
| Build Quality | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The Edge 40 Pro provides superior protection to its screen. |
2. Key Insights
Huawei Mate 50 Pro Strengths:
- Camera Prowess: Superior main camera aperture for low-light performance and a higher-scoring camera system overall according to DxOMark. The telephoto lens has high resolution and good pixel size, promising great zoom capabilities.
- Wireless Charging: Significantly faster wireless charging and the ability to wirelessly reverse-charge other devices at 7.5W are notable perks.
- Display Sharpness: The higher resolution display and pixel density make for a crisper viewing experience.
- Advanced sensors: The addition of a barometer and other sensors may make it more attractive to users who require precise environmental data for their needs.
Motorola Edge 40 Pro Strengths:
- Performance King: The newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset provides a substantial performance advantage, evident in benchmark scores.
- Display Brilliance: A 165Hz refresh rate and much brighter display make it a visually smoother and outdoor-friendly device.
- Charging Speed: Blazing-fast 125W charging is incredibly convenient for busy individuals.
- Selfie Quality: The 60MP front camera offers superior resolution for those who prioritize selfies or video calls.
- Latest Features: Includes WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, a more recent version of Android, eSIM capabilities and superior screen protection.
Trade-offs:
- The Mate 50 Pro’s camera system, while excellent, is outmatched in some areas by the newer sensors and processing on the Motorola Edge 40 Pro.
- The Mate 50 Pro is lacking the newest operating system.
- The Edge 40 Pro sacrifices some wireless charging speed and wireless reverse charging compared to Mate 50 Pro.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Huawei Mate 50 Pro is Best For:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize image quality, low-light performance, and a versatile camera system will appreciate the Mate 50 Pro's advanced photography features and high DxOMark score.
- Power Users: Those who enjoy the benefits of a sharper display and appreciate faster wireless charging speeds.
- Environmentally Minded: Those who can benefit from sensors such as the barometer.
Motorola Edge 40 Pro is Best For:
- Performance Seekers: Gamers, heavy multitaskers, and anyone who wants a fast and responsive device.
- Outdoor Users: The exceptionally bright display shines in sunlight and the Gorilla Glass Victus protection offers peace of mind.
- Selfie Experts: Those who frequently use the front camera will benefit greatly from the higher resolution and wider aperture.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Those who want the latest features, including a higher refresh rate, the most recent WiFi standard, and the fastest charging speeds.
4. Buying Decision Framework
To help you decide, consider these questions:
- How important is camera quality to you?
- If it's paramount, consider the Mate 50 Pro with its DxOMark score and low-light capability, but the Edge 40 Pro boasts some impressive advantages too.
- Do you prioritize performance or display smoothness?
- The Edge 40 Pro's superior processor and higher refresh rate make it a smoother performer overall.
- Are you an avid wireless charger and reverse charger?
- If wireless is your preferred method, the Mate 50 Pro's faster wireless charging and reverse charging will be appealing.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: The Mobile Photographer:
- Recommendation: Huawei Mate 50 Pro. It’s optimized for low-light conditions and performs very well, according to DxOMark.
- Scenario 2: The Mobile Gamer:
- Recommendation: Motorola Edge 40 Pro. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, Adreno 740 GPU, and high refresh rate are ideal for gaming.
- Scenario 3: The Busy Professional:
- Recommendation: Motorola Edge 40 Pro. The faster performance, rapid charging, and bright display will serve you well in a busy day.
- Scenario 4: The Daily Driver:
- Recommendation: This is a toss up. Both are great daily drivers, but it depends on your needs. If you're more reliant on the camera, the Mate 50 Pro is your answer. If you enjoy speed and newer tech, go for the Motorola Edge 40 Pro.
My Choice
If I were making the decision myself, I'd go with the Motorola Edge 40 Pro. Here’s why:
As a tech journalist, I spend a lot of time researching and using my phone. I'm always moving and working under different lighting conditions, the brighter screen and superior outdoor visibility is a game changer. The faster performance and newer tech are also very attractive to me, as well as faster charging. While the Mate 50 Pro’s camera is excellent, the Edge 40 Pro offers more of what I value in a daily driver, with its all-around performance, modern tech, and features, as well as its build quality with the Corning Gorilla Glass Victus screen.
Ultimately, both phones are excellent options, but the Motorola Edge 40 Pro's combination of speed, display, and features aligns better with my needs.
