Alright, let's dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of the Huawei Mate 50 Pro and the Nothing Phone (2). These are two very different devices, each with a clear focus, and understanding their nuances is key to making the right choice. Here's my breakdown, designed to cut through the marketing fluff and focus on what truly matters for the end-user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Nothing Phone (2) | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-09-28 | 2023-07-17 | Nothing Phone (2) is about 9 months newer, potentially with software and hardware advantages. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are typical smartphones, no foldable tech here. |
| Dimensions | 162.1 x 75.5 x 8.5 mm | 162.1 x 76.4 x 8.6 mm | Practically identical in size, will feel similar in hand. |
| Weight | 205g | 201.2g | Both are in the same weight class, will be comfortable for daily use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.74" | 6.7" | Both have very similar screen sizes, negligible difference in day-to-day usage. |
| Resolution | 1212x2616 | 1080x2412 | Huawei's display will look noticeably sharper due to higher pixel density. |
| PPI | 428 | 394 | Huawei offers a slightly crisper screen. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks expected from OLED displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations are identical on both. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1600 nits | Nothing Phone (2) will be much easier to use in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Similar raw power, but Huawei is limited to 4G; Nothing (2) has full 5G capabilities. |
| Antutu Score | 1,022,043 | 1,135,786 | Nothing Phone (2) will feel marginally faster in demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 730 | Identical graphics performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766 | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56", Sony IMX890 | Huawei's wider aperture may allow better low-light shots. Both share the same sensor size. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.4 | 32MP, f/2.45, 1/2.74", Sony IMX615 | Nothing Phone (2) has much higher selfie resolution. Both share similar aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP, f/3.5, 1/2", OV64B | None | Huawei offers a dedicated telephoto zoom lens which the Nothing Phone (2) lacks. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, Sony IMX688 | None | Huawei offers a dedicated ultrawide camera, missing on the Nothing Phone (2). |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1 | Nothing Phone (2) combines wide and macro in one camera. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 4K@60fps | Both offer comparable video capabilities, though Huawei has additional HDR options for videos. |
| DxoMark (Mobile) | 149 (Overall) | Not Tested | Huawei boasts top-tier camera performance according to DxoMark testing. |
| DxoMark (Selfie) | 145 (Overall) | Not Tested | Huawei boasts top-tier selfie performance according to DxoMark testing. |
| Camera Features | More like Optical zoom, Triple camera, RAW, Laser AF | Time-Lapse, Dual camera | Huawei offers additional camera features, Nothing Phone (2) is missing these. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4700mAh | 4700mAh | Both should offer comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 66W fast | 45W fast | Huawei offers significantly faster wired charging, which is great for quick top-ups. |
| Wireless Charging | 50W, 7.5W reverse | 15W, 5W reverse | Huawei has faster wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, very convenient. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 13, upgradeable to 16 | Nothing Phone (2) offers Android OS, Huawei software is not well specified | |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support current high-speed WiFi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | Nothing Phone (2) has a newer Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | More systems | Fewer systems | Huawei supports more satellite systems potentially having more accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both offer dual SIM capabilities. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 256/512GB | 128/256/512GB | Both offer ample storage, but Nothing Phone (2) offers an additional 128GB option. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8/12GB | Nothing Phone (2) has an option for more RAM, better for heavy multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither device offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Nothing Phone (2) has a slight edge with Hi-Res audio support, and better audio capture. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint | Fingerprint | Both offer basic fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones use similar screen protection technology. |
| Sensors | Barometer, Hall | No Barometer, Hall | Huawei offers comprehensive sensors for advanced functionalities. |
2. Key Insights
Huawei Mate 50 Pro Strengths:
- Superior Display Sharpness: Higher resolution and PPI make for a noticeably clearer display.
- Camera Versatility: Features a triple camera system with telephoto and ultrawide lenses, offering more creative flexibility.
- Advanced Low-Light Photography: Wider aperture on the main camera should perform well in low-light conditions.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster wired and wireless charging speeds.
- Comprehensive Sensors: Comprehensive suite of sensors including a Barometer and Hall sensors.
- Higher Quality Scores: According to DxoMark Testing scores, the Huawei Mate 50 Pro has a better camera and selfie camera than the Nothing Phone (2)
- Navigation Capabilities: Features more comprehensive satellite navigation systems.
Nothing Phone (2) Strengths:
- Brighter Display: Much higher peak brightness makes it far more usable outdoors.
- 5G Connectivity: A modern 5G chip that is capable of faster downloads, and more reliable connection.
- Slightly Faster Performance: Higher Antutu score means a marginally snappier experience.
- Higher Resolution Selfie: The front-facing camera boasts higher resolution for detailed selfies.
- Hi-Res Audio and Advanced Microphones: Enhanced audio output and capture capabilities for immersive sound experience.
- Newer Bluetooth Standard: Supports the latest Bluetooth 5.3 standards, which has a greater efficiency than Bluetooth 5.2.
- Software Version: Ships with Android 13 and upgradeable to 16.
Trade-Offs & Limitations:
- Huawei Mate 50 Pro: Lacks 5G connectivity, potentially a big drawback for some users. The software is unspecified, and may not be as up-to-date as the Nothing Phone (2).
- Nothing Phone (2): Camera system may not be as versatile, no telephoto or ultrawide lens. Slower wired and wireless charging. Lacks Barometer and Hall sensors.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Huawei Mate 50 Pro is Ideal For:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who value camera versatility, optical zoom, and strong low-light performance.
- Users Who Prioritize Display Clarity: If you want the sharpest possible display, this is a great choice.
- Power Users: Users that need comprehensive sensors.
- Users Seeking Faster Charging: If you need a phone that charges extremely fast.
Nothing Phone (2) is Ideal For:
- Outdoor Users: The brighter screen makes this phone much more suited for use in sunlight.
- Those Seeking the Latest Software and 5G: Users that want the latest version of Android and fast 5G network capabilities.
- Selfie Lovers: If you prioritize high-resolution selfies, this is the better option.
- Users who care about Audio: If the best quality audio is important to you.
- Users Who Need a Variety of Storage Options: This phone offers a 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB option.
- Gamers and Heavy Taskers: Users who need more RAM for heavy multitasking or gaming.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
Do you prioritize display clarity or outdoor visibility?
- If clarity, then Huawei Mate 50 Pro, if outdoor visibility, then Nothing Phone (2).
Is camera versatility more important than performance and 5G capabilities?
- If camera versatility, then Huawei Mate 50 Pro, if performance and 5G, then Nothing Phone (2).
How important is fast charging and premium sensors?
- If extremely fast charging is important and premium sensors are important, then Huawei Mate 50 Pro, if it is not a priority, then Nothing Phone (2).
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Photographer: Choose the Huawei Mate 50 Pro for its superior camera system.
- The Outdoor Adventurer: The Nothing Phone (2) is ideal with its super bright display and 5G connectivity.
- The Social Media User: The Nothing Phone (2)'s front-facing camera and Hi-Res audio makes it perfect for content creation.
- The General User: The Nothing Phone (2) offers a good combination of features and will serve most users well.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I'd lean towards the Nothing Phone (2). While the Huawei's camera system is impressive and the display is noticeably sharper indoors, the glaring omission of 5G is a significant drawback for me. I work in fast paced and ever-changing settings, so 5G connectivity is essential, and I am often working outdoors, so the brighter display of the Nothing Phone (2) makes it perfect. Additionally, the better audio capture, slightly improved performance and longer software support makes it a better long-term device for my use case. The lack of a telephoto lens is a sacrifice, but not a dealbreaker for me. Ultimately, I am drawn to the slightly better battery life, the slightly faster speeds, and more importantly, the more recent and better-supported software and 5G connectivity.
