Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Huawei Mate 50 Pro and the Realme 11. We’ll go beyond the specs sheets and figure out what these numbers mean for you and me in our daily lives.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a look at how these two phones stack up, focusing on what matters in real-world usage:
| Feature | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Realme 11 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 162.1 x 75.5 x 8.5 mm | 165.7 x 76 x 8.1 mm | Mate 50 Pro is a tad shorter and thicker, while the Realme 11 is taller and slimmer. Both are within the average size range for modern smartphones, but the difference might affect how it feels in your hand. |
| Weight | 205g | 190g | Realme 11 is noticeably lighter, likely more comfortable during extended use, especially for one-handed operation. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.74" | 6.72" | Almost identical screen size, difference negligible in day to day use. |
| Resolution | 1212 x 2616 | 1080 x 2400 | Mate 50 Pro has a much sharper display. Text and images will look crisper, especially noticeable when reading or viewing high-resolution content. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 428 | 392 | The Mate 50 Pro's higher pixel density further enhances sharpness, making images and text appear more detailed. |
| Technology | OLED | IPS LCD | Mate 50 Pro's OLED screen will offer superior blacks, colors, and contrast than the Realme 11's LCD screen, leading to a much better viewing experience overall. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. The refresh rate is a very positive spec for both devices. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1000 nits | Realme 11 offers far better visibility in bright sunlight, a practical advantage for outdoor use. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G | Dimensity 6100+ | Mate 50 Pro has a significantly more powerful processor, crucial for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. It also runs on 4nm architecture over Realme's 6nm processor. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,022,043 | 389,600 | Mate 50 Pro is in a different performance class, offering a much smoother experience for all tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Mali-G57 MC2 | The Mate 50 Pro's GPU is built for heavy graphics rendering, giving a major advantage in gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP f/1.4 (1/1.56" sensor) | 64MP f/1.79 (1/2" sensor) | Mate 50 Pro's larger sensor and wider aperture should capture more light and detail, especially in low light, it's pixel size is also larger. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP f/2.4 | 8MP f/2.0 | Realme 11 has a wider aperture, allowing more light into the sensor, but Mate 50 pro has a higher resolution. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP f/3.5 | N/A | Mate 50 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities, very handy for capturing detailed shots at a distance. Realme has no Telephoto lens. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP f/2.2 | N/A | Mate 50 Pro offers a wider field of view, while the Realme 11 has no wide angle lens. |
| Depth Sensor | N/A | 2MP f/2.4 | Realme 11 offers a depth sensor to assist in creating bokeh effects, while the Mate 50 Pro has none. |
| Video | 4K@60fps, HDR | 1080p@30fps | Mate 50 Pro can record much higher resolution videos, great for detailed and high quality video recording. |
| DXOMark Score | Mobile: 149 / Selfie: 145 | N/A | Mate 50 Pro performs well with its high DXOMark score. Realme 11 has not been tested by DXOMark. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4700mAh | 5000mAh | Realme 11 has a slightly larger battery, which could lead to a slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 66W Fast, 50W Wireless | 33W Fast | Mate 50 Pro offers much faster wired charging and wireless charging, offering additional utility for users that need to charge on the go. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging | None | Mate 50 Pro has convenient features like wireless and reverse wireless charging, great for those who appreciate flexibility. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 13 | Both phones run similar Android-based operating systems. | |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 5 | Mate 50 Pro supports faster and more efficient Wi-Fi, beneficial in crowded networks and for large file transfers. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.1 | Mate 50 Pro has a slightly newer standard with lower latency and more efficient data transmission. |
| GPS | Advanced Systems | Standard | Mate 50 Pro has a more comprehensive GPS, offering more accurate location tracking. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 256/512 GB | 128/256 GB | Mate 50 Pro has more storage available for media and applications. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8/12 GB | Realme 11 has an option for more RAM, useful for heavy multitasking and demanding games. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither of these phones have expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Stereo speakers | Basic audio | Mate 50 Pro offers higher audio quality and immersive experience with its stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Realme 11 has a more advanced fingerprint sensor which will offer better comfort and ergonomics. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Realme 11 offers superior screen protection against scratches and impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Barometer, Compass | Heart Rate | Mate 50 Pro offers additional sensors (barometer, compass) useful for specific applications like navigating and more accurate atmospheric measurements; while Realme 11 offers Heart Rate sensors |
2. Key Insights
Huawei Mate 50 Pro Strengths:
- Superior Display: The OLED screen with higher resolution and pixel density offers a far better viewing experience than Realme's LCD screen with more vibrant colors and crisper images.
- Top-Tier Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset is considerably more powerful, ensuring a lag-free experience for any task. The AnTuTu scores speak for themselves: this phone is leagues ahead in terms of processing capability.
- Advanced Camera System: The combination of a larger main sensor, wider aperture, telephoto lens, and wide angle lens gives it an advantage in image quality, especially in low light and with zooming. It also has 4K recording.
- Faster Charging: 66W wired and 50W wireless charging is a huge convenience. Wireless reverse charging is a great extra feature that adds to the use cases of the device.
- Premium Features: Includes advanced features like Stereo Speakers, more advanced GPS, and Barometer.
Realme 11 Strengths:
- Brighter Display: The 1000 nits brightness is significantly better for outdoor visibility.
- Lighter Build: A more comfortable, lighter device for long-term usage.
- Longer Battery Life: A slightly larger battery capacity that could offer slightly longer usage on a full charge.
- More Advanced Fingerprint Scanner: A side mounted fingerprint scanner is a step up from the basic offering from Huawei, increasing ergonomics and speed.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 offers a noticeable increase in screen protection from scratches and impacts.
- Affordable Price: Typically more budget-friendly than the Mate 50 Pro.
Trade-offs:
- Huawei Mate 50 Pro: Loses out in terms of display brightness and weight. It has also not been confirmed to have any screen protection.
- Realme 11: Performance, camera quality, and display quality are a big step down compared to the Mate 50 Pro.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Huawei Mate 50 Pro is Ideal for:
- Power Users: Gamers, video editors, and anyone who needs top-tier processing power.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera system with great low-light performance and zoom capabilities.
- Multimedia Consumers: Those who prioritize high-quality displays for watching videos and consuming content.
- Users Needing Quick Charging: Those who need to be able to charge their phones quickly and potentially wirelessly, without needing to worry about running out of charge.
Realme 11 is Ideal for:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Users who want a good all-around phone without breaking the bank.
- Everyday Users: People who prioritize a lightweight and practical device for daily tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging.
- Outdoor Users: People who need a phone with a bright display for easy use in sunny environments.
- Users looking for the latest Android OS: The Realme 11 comes with the latest version of android and is likely to receive continued support.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- Do you need the absolute best performance and camera quality, regardless of price? If yes, the Mate 50 Pro is the clear choice.
- Is budget and practicality more important, or do you prioritize a lighter device and longer battery life? Then the Realme 11 is a more sensible choice.
- How important is outdoor visibility and screen protection? If this is an essential, then the Realme 11 is the better pick.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Casual User: If you mainly use your phone for social media, browsing, and basic photography, and you prioritize battery life, a slightly better fingerprint sensor and brighter display, then the Realme 11 is the more practical option.
- For the Tech Enthusiast: If you need the best display, top-tier performance, and a versatile camera, the Huawei Mate 50 Pro is worth the premium.
- For the Gamer: If you want to play demanding mobile games, the Mate 50 Pro is going to offer a far superior experience with it's top-tier CPU and GPU and larger internal storage options.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two, I would choose the Huawei Mate 50 Pro. While the Realme 11 has a couple of advantages, such as a slightly larger battery, a brighter display, more advanced fingerprint sensor and a lighter build, the Mate 50 Pro has an OLED display with better quality and resolution, much better performance, and more camera features, including optical zoom and 4K recording. These are all things that I value greatly. I also like the inclusion of the stereo speakers, as I do enjoy listening to music on my devices. Although the battery is slightly smaller and the device is heavier, I think I can live with that for the improved overall quality of the device.
