Okay, let's break down the Huawei Mate 50 Pro and the Motorola Moto G04s. This is going to be a fun one because these two phones sit at drastically different ends of the smartphone spectrum, so let's get to it!
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Motorola Moto G04s | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-09-28 | 2024-04-29 | The Moto G04s is about 7 months newer, benefiting from newer software and potentially improved components, but the Mate 50 Pro is a proven flagship. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are traditional smartphones, not foldable or anything fancy. |
| Dimensions | 162.1 × 75.5 × 8.5 mm | 163.5 × 74.5 × 8 mm | The Moto G04s is slightly taller and thinner, but the Mate 50 Pro has more overall volume. G04s is easier to pocket, while the Mate 50 Pro is more solid. |
| Weight | 205g | 178.8g | The Moto G04s is notably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and one-handed operation. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.74" | 6.56" | The Mate 50 Pro has a larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1212x2616 | 720x1612 | The Mate 50 Pro's display is significantly sharper, with much greater detail and clarity. |
| PPI | 428 | 269 | The Mate 50 Pro’s higher pixel density leads to crisper text and images. |
| Technology | OLED | IPS LCD | The Mate 50 Pro has an OLED display, with deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors compared to the IPS LCD of the G04s. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | The Mate 50 Pro offers smoother animations and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is identical between the two phones. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | The Mate 50 Pro’s chipset is dramatically more powerful. The G04s has a basic chip for light tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,022,043 | 220,000 | The Mate 50 Pro will load apps faster, multitask seamlessly, and handle demanding games with ease, while the G04s is only designed for basic tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Mali-G57 MP1 | The Mate 50 Pro's GPU is significantly more powerful, resulting in vastly better gaming performance. The G04s GPU is for basic graphics. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4700mAh | 5000mAh | The Moto G04s has a slightly larger battery, which may offer slightly longer battery life but not by a significant margin given performance differences. |
| Charging | 66W Fast, Li-Ion | 15W Fast, Li-Polymer | The Mate 50 Pro will charge much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse, 50W Wireless, 7.5W Wireless Reverse | Non-removable | The Mate 50 Pro provides wireless and reverse charging options, adding versatility and convenience. The G04s has no extra charging features. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.56" Sony IMX766 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" Samsung S5KJN1 | The Mate 50 Pro’s main camera has a wider aperture and larger sensor, capturing more light and detail, resulting in superior low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.2 | The Mate 50 Pro has much higher resolution for selfies, providing more detail. The G04s's wider aperture may slightly help low light selfies, but it wont beat the extra detail of the Mate 50 Pro. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP, f/3.5, 1/2" | None | The Mate 50 Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens for zoom capabilities, offering more versatility for different shooting situations. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | None | The Mate 50 Pro has a wide-angle lens for more expansive shots, while the G04s lacks this capability. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps, various slow motion options | 1080p@30fps, 120 fps slow motion | The Mate 50 Pro offers much higher resolution and frame rate options, resulting in more detailed and versatile video. |
| DxOMark Scores | Mobile: 149 (Photo: 152, Video: 141), Selfie: 145 (Photo: 147, Video: 143) | None | The Mate 50 Pro is a highly rated camera phone, proven to take excellent photos and videos. |
| Features | 4K, OIS, RAW, Night Mode etc. | OIS etc. | The Mate 50 Pro offers significantly more camera features and modes, including RAW image capture and enhanced night mode, that the G04s cannot compete with. |
| Software | |||
| OS | - | Android 14 | Both run similar operating systems, but the Huawei OS is not specified, which would most likely be some version of their HarmonyOS, while the G04s is on Android 14, with the benefits of the Google ecosystem. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, MIMO etc. | Wi-Fi 5 | The Mate 50 Pro supports faster and more reliable Wi-Fi, while the G04s has basic Wi-Fi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2, LDAC, SBC, AAC | 5.0 LE | The Mate 50 Pro has a more modern version of Bluetooth, supporting higher quality codecs. |
| GPS | Full suite, dual band etc. | Basic suite | The Mate 50 Pro has more robust GPS systems, offering greater accuracy in a wider variety of environments, while the G04s has only basic GPS. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both phones support two SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 256 GB or 512 GB | 64 GB, 128 GB, or 256 GB | The Mate 50 Pro offers much higher base storage, and it only comes in 256 GB and 512 GB options, while the G04s has 64 GB as a base, potentially limiting the use case. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 4 GB | The Mate 50 Pro has double the RAM, supporting smoother multitasking and resource-intensive applications. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports external storage via SD card, which might be a downside for some. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos | The Mate 50 Pro provides stereo speakers for more immersive audio experience. The G04s has Dolby Atmos processing, which enhances audio, but may not be comparable to the physical speakers on the Mate 50 Pro. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The G04s has a more convenient and potentially faster side-mounted fingerprint sensor, while the Mate 50 Pro has a basic fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | The Moto G04s offers a more durable display with Gorilla Glass, while we do not have any screen protection details for the Mate 50 Pro, which may mean that it might be more fragile and need screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Suite | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | The Mate 50 Pro has additional sensors, including a barometer, which can be beneficial for fitness tracking and environmental measurements. |
2. Key Insights
Huawei Mate 50 Pro Strengths:
- Flagship Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset is leaps and bounds more powerful, providing a premium experience with smooth multitasking and gaming.
- Superior Display: The OLED display with higher resolution and refresh rate makes a huge difference for media and everyday use.
- Exceptional Camera System: With a versatile triple-lens setup, better main sensor, advanced features, and higher video recording capabilities, it’s built for those who prioritize photography.
- Fast Charging & Wireless Options: The 66W fast charging and 50W wireless charging are game-changers for convenience.
- Advanced Connectivity: Supports faster Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Motorola Moto G04s Strengths:
- Affordability: The primary strength is its low cost, making it an accessible option for budget-conscious users.
- Lightweight Design: The lighter build and thinner profile contribute to comfortable everyday use and portability.
- Slightly Larger Battery: A marginal bump in battery capacity is a minor advantage but is easily outweighed by the performance differences.
- Screen Protection: The Moto G04s has Gorilla Glass 3 protection, where no screen protection details are known for the Mate 50 Pro.
Trade-offs & Limitations:
- Mate 50 Pro: The lack of expandable storage and a very unspecified software can be a limitation for some users. The age of the phone can also be a factor to consider if you are looking for something brand new.
- Moto G04s: The chipset is significantly weaker, its display is lower quality, camera is basic, it lacks advanced features, and is built for only entry-level tasks.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Huawei Mate 50 Pro:
- Ideal For: Tech enthusiasts, photography lovers, power users, anyone who demands top-tier performance and a premium experience.
- Use Cases: Gaming, professional photography/videography, content creation, intensive multitasking.
Motorola Moto G04s:
- Ideal For: Budget-conscious users, those who need a simple phone for basic communication, those who prioritize a lighter and more portable device.
- Use Cases: Basic web browsing, social media, messaging, calls, and light media consumption.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to guide the decision-making process:
What is Your Budget? If your budget is the primary concern, the Moto G04s is an obvious choice. If you are willing to spend more for quality, the Mate 50 Pro is the better option by miles.
What Are Your Key Priorities? If high performance, a superior camera, and a premium display are crucial, the Mate 50 Pro is a clear winner. If those aspects are less critical and you only need a basic phone for daily tasks, the Moto G04s will suffice.
What Are Your Daily Use Cases? If you are into gaming, content creation, or media consumption, the Mate 50 Pro is the better pick. For casual users who just need a phone for browsing, social media, and calls, the Moto G04s will work.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
The "Tech Enthusiast": If you are a tech enthusiast who is looking for all the best and new tech, you might be looking for the newest devices and this would rule the Mate 50 Pro out of the picture. However, if you are after the best specs, the Mate 50 Pro is the better choice due to its top of the line specs, but be aware of its aging nature.
The "Casual User": If you need a simple phone to get you through the day without spending too much money, the Moto G04s will easily cater to that.
The "Photo Lover": If you take a lot of photos or are keen on videography, the Mate 50 Pro is without doubt the better pick with it's high quality cameras and many video capabilities.
My Choice
Given that my core goal is always to get the best possible smartphone experience, I would choose the Huawei Mate 50 Pro, with an understanding that it might not be the best pick for everyone. Here's why:
- Performance Matters: The difference in chipset performance is not a small one, it will influence the entire usage experience and I would easily choose this instead of a sluggish phone.
- Display is King: As someone who consumes a lot of media and works on the phone for extended periods, the high-resolution OLED display of the Mate 50 Pro is a huge upgrade in visual quality and clarity.
- Camera Versatility: I enjoy taking photos and videos, so I would choose the Mate 50 Pro due to its advanced camera features, as well as the superior lens options.
- Fast Charging: The Mate 50 Pro has much faster charging, which saves a lot of time over the slower 15W charging of the Motorola, which is critical for me as a power user.
While the Moto G04s is undoubtedly an excellent value proposition, for my usage case, the Mate 50 Pro’s premium experience is worth every penny, despite its older nature.
