Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Huawei Mate 50 Pro and the Motorola Edge 50 Pro. I've always found that spec sheets can be a bit overwhelming, so we'll focus on what really matters: how these technologies translate into everyday usage. Let’s get started.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 162.1 × 75.5 × 8.5 mm | 161.2 × 72.4 × 8.2 mm | Huawei is a touch wider and thicker. Motorola is more compact and easier to handle, especially for smaller hands. |
| Weight | 205g | 186g | Motorola is notably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended periods. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones; neither is foldable. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.74" | 6.7" | Virtually identical display sizes, offering a similar viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1212x2616 | 1220x2712 | Both offer very sharp visuals; negligible real-world difference. |
| PPI | 428 | 446 | Both have very sharp pixel densities, ensuring crisp text and images. |
| Technology | OLED | P-OLED | Similar high-quality display technology, expect rich colors and deep blacks from both. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Motorola’s higher refresh rate should result in slightly smoother scrolling and animations, especially when gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2000 nits | Motorola’s display will be significantly more visible in bright sunlight, a critical advantage for outdoor use. Huawei does not have a brightness value. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm) | Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Huawei’s older flagship chip offers better raw power for demanding tasks; Motorola’s newer chip prioritizes efficiency and good performance for everyday use. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,022,043 | 866,863 | Huawei has significantly higher scores, indicating better overall performance and speed; smoother gaming experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 720 | Huawei's more capable GPU will provide better graphics performance in games and demanding applications. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4700mAh | 4500mAh | Slightly larger battery on Huawei, expect marginally better battery life. |
| Charging | 66W fast charging, Li-Ion | 125W fast charging, Li-Polymer | Motorola’s faster charging will get you back to 100% much quicker; Li-Polymer batteries tend to be more durable and safer. |
| Features | 50W wireless, 7.5W reverse wireless | 50W wireless, 10W reverse wireless | Both offer wireless charging and reverse charging, allowing you to charge accessories. Motorola can charge your accessories a bit faster. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.56", 1.00 µm | 50MP, f/1.4, 2.00 µm | Similar main cameras with slightly different sensor technology and pixel size. Motorola with larger pixels for better low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.4 | 50MP, f/1.9, 0.64 µm | Motorola's higher resolution and wider aperture will capture better selfies, particularly in low light. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP, f/3.5, 1/2", 0.70 µm | 10MP, f/2.0, 1.00 µm | Huawei has much higher resolution telephoto lens; Motorola has wider aperture for better low-light and zoom quality. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm | Very similar wide-angle lens, expect similar performance. Motorola with larger pixel size for better low-light capture. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K, lots of slow-motion options | Up to 4K, similar slow-motion options | Both offer similar video recording quality; Huawei offers more high fps slow-motion options. |
| DxoMark Mobile Camera Score | 149 | N/A | Huawei's tested camera shows excellent performance. |
| DxoMark Selfie Camera Score | 145 | N/A | Huawei's tested camera shows excellent performance. |
| Camera Features | Laser AF, CDAF, LAF, Dual front camera | Time-Lapse, Continuous autofocus, Dual capture | Both have similar feature sets; Huawei has advanced autofocus technologies, while Motorola has additional features. |
| Software | |||
| OS | N/A | Android 14 | Motorola is updated to the latest Android 14; Huawei's OS is unspecified. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 7 | Motorola's WiFi 7 offers faster speeds, lower latency, and better performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.4 LE | Motorola's newer Bluetooth version offers more efficiency. Both offer similar high quality audio codecs. |
| GPS | More satellite systems | Fewer satellite systems | Huawei supports more satellite systems, offering better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | Motorola offers the flexibility of an eSIM alongside a physical SIM. Huawei offers two physical SIM slots. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 256GB or 512GB | 256GB, 512GB or 1TB | Motorola offers a larger 1TB storage option, useful for users who have large files or many photos/videos. |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB or 16GB | Motorola has more RAM, enabling better multitasking and a smoother experience for demanding tasks and games. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 mics | Motorola has improved sound quality with the addition of Dolby Atmos and multiple microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both have similar basic fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Motorola offers superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Extra environmental sensors | Basic Sensors | Huawei has additional sensors, useful for enhanced functionality, gaming. |
2. Key Insights
Huawei Mate 50 Pro Strengths:
- Raw Power: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, despite being older, delivers superior raw performance, making it great for intensive tasks and gaming.
- Camera Prowess: According to DxoMark, Huawei's cameras deliver excellent quality and detail.
- Telephoto Versatility: The 64MP telephoto lens will be great for zoom capabilities.
- Navigation Precision: With more satellite support, it offers more accurate location tracking.
- Additional Sensors: Includes a barometer and other environmental sensors, which can enhance the user experience for specific use cases.
Motorola Edge 50 Pro Strengths:
- Modern Display: A brighter display with a higher refresh rate, especially beneficial for outdoor visibility and smoother animations.
- Faster Charging: The 125W charging is significantly faster than the Huawei.
- Selfie Superiority: The 50MP selfie camera is a massive improvement, providing clear selfies in all lighting conditions.
- Advanced Audio: The Dolby Atmos and multiple microphones make the audio quality better for media consumption and calls.
- Latest Software: Running on Android 14.
- eSIM Support: eSIM support offers flexibility for digital carrier switching.
- More Storage: 1TB storage option available, handy for users who have a lot of media.
- Lighter and More Compact: More ergonomic and comfortable to carry around all day.
- Superior Screen Protection: Includes Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Huawei’s weaker display: It is unknown if it has screen protection, and the lower brightness will be a problem for outdoor use.
- Motorola’s weaker performance: The processor is not as powerful as the one from the Huawei.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Huawei Mate 50 Pro is best for:
- Power Users: Individuals who demand top-tier performance for gaming, video editing, and other resource-intensive tasks.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a device with excellent camera quality for professional or detailed amateur photography.
- Navigation Fanatics: Users needing the most accurate location tracking, especially in challenging environments.
- Those who need the most amount of slow-motion video options
- Tech Enthusiasts: People who enjoy the latest and greatest sensor technology.
Motorola Edge 50 Pro is best for:
- Everyday Users: Those who want a well-rounded device that performs smoothly in daily tasks.
- Content Creators: Individuals who create selfie videos or photos and want high-quality audio for videos.
- Outdoor Enthusiasts: Users who need a bright display and a strong build quality for outdoor visibility and durability.
- Travelers: Users who need flexible connectivity options with eSIM support.
- Multitaskers: Users who want to have multiple applications open at once.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to guide your decision:
- How crucial is top-tier performance for your daily activities? If you do a lot of gaming or heavy tasks, the Huawei is better.
- How important is display brightness and camera quality for your daily activities? If you are outdoors frequently or take many selfies, the Motorola is better.
- Do you value fast charging and an updated Android version? If so, the Motorola is your go-to.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: The Gamer - Choose the Huawei Mate 50 Pro for its raw performance and better GPU.
- Scenario 2: The Selfie Expert - Choose the Motorola Edge 50 Pro for its excellent selfie camera and display quality.
- Scenario 3: The All-Rounder - Choose the Motorola Edge 50 Pro for its balanced performance, better display and faster charging.
My Choice:
If I had to choose, I'd go with the Motorola Edge 50 Pro. While the Huawei Mate 50 Pro offers more raw power and has an amazing camera system, the Motorola's blend of a brighter screen (a big plus for me), faster charging, a better selfie camera, and lighter body appeals more to my needs. The upgraded software, increased RAM and storage capacity are also welcome additions. Also, the additional screen protection on the Motorola is important for everyday use, and its build quality and design feel more modern than the Huawei. For me, having a practical phone that performs well in all scenarios is more appealing.
Both phones are great devices in their own right, but the best choice depends on the user’s unique needs.
