Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Huawei Mate 50 Pro and the Realme 12 Pro. Both are interesting contenders in the smartphone arena, but they cater to slightly different priorities. I'll break down the specs, offer insights, and give you a clear idea of which phone might be the best fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison, focusing on practical implications:
| Feature | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Realme 12 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 162.1 × 75.5 × 8.5 mm | 161.5 × 74 × 8.8 mm | Mate 50 Pro is a tad wider, Realme 12 Pro a bit thicker; similar in-hand feel. |
| Weight | 205g | 190g | Realme 12 Pro is noticeably lighter, more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.74" | 6.7" | Very similar screen size; negligible difference in day-to-day use. |
| Resolution | 1212x2616 | 1080x2412 | Mate 50 Pro has a sharper display; noticeable difference in clarity, especially for text. |
| PPI | 428 | 394 | Mate 50 Pro displays have a slight increase in pixel density offering slightly sharper visuals. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer excellent contrast and vibrant colors; negligible practical difference. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations; great for gaming and media. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 950 nits | Realme 12 Pro has significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. Mate 50 Pro brightness is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G | Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 | Mate 50 Pro has a much faster, flagship-level chip for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,022,043 | 574,000 | Mate 50 Pro is considerably faster in day-to-day usage and heavy workloads. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 710 | Mate 50 Pro offers superior graphics performance, important for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.56" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2" | Mate 50 Pro has a larger sensor and wider aperture, for better low-light performance and natural background blur. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.4 | 16MP, f/2.4 | Realme 12 Pro has slightly higher selfie resolution. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP, f/3.5, 1/2" | 32MP, f/2.0, 1/2.74" | Mate 50 Pro offers higher telephoto resolution, while the Realme 12 Pro has a wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | None | Mate 50 Pro includes a dedicated ultrawide lens, while Realme 12 Pro does not. |
| Wide + Macro Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | Realme 12 Pro includes a dedicated macro + wide lens for close-ups. |
| Video Recording | 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS, other options | 4K@30fps with EIS | Mate 50 Pro has better video features, including 4K@60fps and more HDR options |
| DxoMark (Mobile) | 149 (152 Photo, 141 Video) | N/A | Mate 50 Pro has a significantly better DXOmark score on the main camera |
| DxoMark (Selfie) | 145 (147 Photo, 143 Video) | N/A | Mate 50 Pro has a significantly better DXOmark score on the selfie camera |
| Camera Features | Manual focus, Laser AF, CDAF, LAF, RAW, Night Mode, etc | PDAF, basic features | Mate 50 Pro provides a wider range of options to enhance photos |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4700mAh | 5000mAh | Realme 12 Pro has a slightly larger battery, which may offer a tad more use on a single charge. |
| Charging | 66W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Similar Fast Charging speeds, with the Realme 12 Pro having the edge. |
| Features | 50W wireless, reverse charging | Non-removable | Mate 50 Pro offers significantly better charging options, including wireless and reverse charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | N/A | Android 14 | Realme 12 Pro has a much newer OS out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), etc | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), etc | Both support similar wifi standards for good wireless speed. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Bluetooth 5.2, LE, A2DP, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Both have similar bluetooth profiles, with the Realme 12 Pro having the edge with more features. |
| GPS | A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Mate 50 Pro has more precise GPS capabilities. |
| SIM | Dual Nano Sim | Dual Nano Sim | Both have dual sim capabilities for better connectivity. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 256/512 GB | 256/512 GB | Both offer same storage variants. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8/12 GB | Realme 12 Pro offers a 12 GB option for better multitasking capabilities. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither support SD cards, important for users who need more storage space. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Realme 12 Pro offers improved audio capabilities. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint | Fingerprint | Both offer similar fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones have unknown screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Mate 50 Pro offers more sensors. |
2. Key Insights
Huawei Mate 50 Pro:
- Strengths: The Mate 50 Pro is a powerhouse focused on performance and imaging. Its flagship chipset, superior camera sensors and features, sharper display, and robust charging capabilities make it a top choice for power users and photography enthusiasts. The extensive features for video recording and post processing provides amazing results.
- Competitive Advantages: The combination of a flagship Snapdragon chip, a wide f/1.4 main camera aperture, versatile telephoto lens, better overall camera capabilities, and wireless charging is unmatched by the Realme 12 Pro. The display also has significantly higher resolution and pixel density.
- Trade-offs: The Mate 50 Pro is a heavier phone with an unknown display brightness. There is also no confirmation for the Android OS being used on the phone.
Realme 12 Pro:
- Strengths: The Realme 12 Pro is designed for users who prioritize a balanced experience with a great display, a lightweight design, and a newer OS. It also shines with improved audio capabilities and a bright screen for outdoor viewing.
- Competitive Advantages: The Realme 12 Pro has the edge with its more modern OS, slightly larger battery, and brighter display, making it more suitable for outdoor use. The Realme 12 Pro is also more affordable.
- Trade-offs: The Realme 12 Pro falls short in raw performance and camera capabilities when compared to the Mate 50 Pro. It also lacks a dedicated ultrawide lens.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Huawei Mate 50 Pro: Best suited for power users, photography enthusiasts, and mobile gamers. It excels in scenarios demanding the highest levels of performance and imaging. Perfect for those who value top-tier processing power and advanced camera features like laser AF, 4k@60fps recording and higher photo and video scores.
- Realme 12 Pro: Ideal for everyday users who want a reliable phone with a good balance of features. Its lighter design, brighter display, and longer-lasting battery make it suitable for general use, media consumption, and casual gaming. This is a budget friendly phone, for someone who needs a great display, a modern operating system, improved audio features, and slightly longer battery life.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to consider when deciding between these phones:
- Do you prioritize performance and camera capabilities over everything else?
- If yes, the Huawei Mate 50 Pro is the clear choice.
- Do you need a lighter phone with a brighter screen and a modern OS, and is budget a concern?
- If yes, the Realme 12 Pro is a better fit.
- Will you be taking lots of photos in varying lighting conditions?
- If yes, the Huawei Mate 50 Pro's superior main camera, video recording, and extra camera features make it a better option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Photographer: Choose the Huawei Mate 50 Pro for its superior camera system, low-light performance, and advanced photo and video features, including additional stabilization features like Laser AF.
- The Mobile Gamer: Choose the Huawei Mate 50 Pro due to its powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor and Adreno 730 GPU.
- The Casual User: If you just need a reliable smartphone for everyday tasks, the Realme 12 Pro will serve you well with a better OS, lighter design, brighter display, and better audio capabilities for a more budget friendly price.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would personally lean towards the Huawei Mate 50 Pro. While the Realme 12 Pro is a great phone, my priorities are usually centered on performance and camera capabilities, and this is where the Mate 50 Pro shines. I value the superior main camera quality for low-light performance and detail, the advanced video recording capabilities, and the powerful Snapdragon processor for demanding tasks, editing, and mobile gaming. The additional wireless charging is also a great feature, and the higher resolution display would be beneficial for reading text and reviewing content. The Mate 50 Pro's build quality and feature set, although not all confirmed, also provide a more well-rounded premium experience overall. For me, these advantages outweigh the more budget-friendly and modern OS of the Realme 12 Pro.
