Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Huawei Mate 50 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy M35. As a tech journalist, I'm always excited to break down the specs and see how these phones stack up in the real world.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-09-28 | 2024-05-24 | The Samsung is newer by about 8 months, meaning it benefits from newer tech and design trends. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, no foldable tech here. |
| Dimensions | 162.1 × 75.5 × 8.5 mm | 162.3 × 78.6 × 9.1 mm | The Mate 50 Pro is slightly narrower and thinner, potentially feeling more ergonomic in hand. The M35 has larger volume. |
| Weight | 205g | 222g | The Mate 50 Pro is notably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.74" | 6.6" | The Mate 50 Pro offers a slightly larger screen, giving a more immersive visual experience. |
| Resolution | 1212 x 2616 | 1080 x 2340 | The Mate 50 Pro has a higher resolution, resulting in sharper and more detailed images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 428 | 390 | The Mate 50 Pro has a slightly crisper display due to the higher pixel density. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both use excellent display tech, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer a smooth, fluid experience, especially when scrolling or gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | No peak brightness data available, making it impossible to compare their performance in very bright conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4nm) | Exynos 1380 (5nm) | The Mate 50 Pro has a high-end Snapdragon chip, offering better overall performance than the M35's mid-range Exynos chip. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,022,043 | 578,500 | The Mate 50 Pro significantly outperforms the M35, ideal for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Mali-G68 MP5 | The Adreno 730 in the Mate 50 Pro is more powerful, ensuring smooth graphics rendering in demanding games. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4700mAh | 6000mAh | The Galaxy M35 has a considerably larger battery, potentially providing much longer battery life. |
| Charging | 66W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | The Mate 50 Pro offers faster charging, reducing downtime when you need to top up the battery. |
| Features | 50W wireless, reverse charge | None | The Mate 50 Pro is more versatile, offering both fast wireless and reverse charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.56" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2" | The Mate 50 Pro's main camera has a wider aperture and larger sensor, enabling superior low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.4 | 13MP, f/2.2 | The M35 has a slightly wider aperture for selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP, f/3.5 | None | The Mate 50 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities thanks to the dedicated telephoto lens. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | The Mate 50 Pro has a higher resolution wide-angle lens for more detailed landscapes. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | The M35 has a macro lens, allowing you to take close-up pictures. |
| Video | Up to 4K 60fps | Up to 4K 30fps | Both can capture high quality video, but the Mate 50 Pro has more options and higher framerates. |
| DxoMark Scores | Main: 149, Selfie: 145 | Not Available | Mate 50 Pro has a benchmark camera performance with strong photo and video results. |
| Features | Optical/laser zoom, Dual front cam, Raw | AutoFraming, Ultra Stable, Raw 12 bit | Mate 50 pro has optical zoom and additional sensors while M35 has more video related features |
| Software | |||
| OS | Unknown | Android 14 | The M35 is using a modern Android system. The Mate 50 Pro software is unspecified. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 | Both offer the latest Wi-Fi standards for fast wireless internet. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | The M35 has a newer version of Bluetooth, offering improved efficiency and stability. |
| 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 | Huawei offers more accurate navigation thanks to more supported systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support two SIM cards for flexibility with multiple carriers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 256/512GB | 128/256GB | The Mate 50 Pro has more internal storage options, ideal for users with many apps, photos, and videos. |
| RAM | 8GB | 6/8GB | Both offer capable RAM options for efficient multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage via microSD card, which means you are stuck with your initial configuration. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers, Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | The M35 has additional audio features for better quality sound, especially with headphones. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The M35 offers more convienent and precise fingerprint scanning. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The Samsung has superior screen protection, making it less susceptible to scratches and cracks. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual, Geomagnetic | The Mate 50 Pro has additional sensors such as barometer, while the M35 has geomagnetics. |
2. Key Insights
Huawei Mate 50 Pro:
- Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset provides significantly higher performance for gaming and resource-intensive tasks.
- Advanced Camera System: The combination of a larger sensor, wider aperture, dedicated telephoto lens, and high DxoMark scores results in excellent image quality and versatility.
- Fast Charging: 66W wired and 50W wireless charging allow you to quickly top up your phone’s battery.
- More Storage: You can choose more storage than the M35.
- More Accurate Navigation: A broader array of GPS systems ensures superior positioning accuracy.
- Trade-offs:
- Older Release: Released earlier, it may not have all the latest software features.
- Smaller Battery: The battery life will likely be inferior to the M35.
- Unspecified OS: The OS on this phone is not known.
Samsung Galaxy M35:
- Strengths:
- Excellent Battery Life: A 6000mAh battery, provides significantly longer usage on a single charge.
- Updated Software: The phone runs on Android 14, ensuring access to the latest features.
- Superior Audio: Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio provide a premium sound experience.
- Advanced screen protection: Gorilla Glass Victus offers significant protection.
- Newer Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.3 enhances efficiency and stability in wireless connections.
- Convenient Fingerprint Sensor: Side-mounted fingerprint scanning offers greater ease of use.
- More video features: Ultra stable video, AutoFraming and more features make video capture better.
- Trade-offs:
- Mid-Range Performance: The Exynos 1380 chipset is sufficient for everyday use, but struggles with high-end tasks.
- Basic Camera: While capable, the camera system is not as advanced or versatile as the Mate 50 Pro.
- Slower Charging: 25W charging is significantly slower than the Mate 50 Pro, leading to longer charge times.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Huawei Mate 50 Pro:
- Ideal for:
- Power users who demand top-tier performance for gaming and demanding apps.
- Photography enthusiasts who want versatile camera capabilities and premium image quality.
- Users who value fast wired and wireless charging for their convenience.
- Users who need more storage space.
- Use Cases:
- High-performance gaming, 4K video recording, professional photography.
- Users who prefer more precise navigation.
- Ideal for:
Samsung Galaxy M35:
- Ideal for:
- Users who prioritize long battery life and need a phone to last through a full day.
- Those who enjoy music and prefer high-quality audio.
- Users who value the latest software and are budget conscious.
- Users looking for extra protection for their screen.
- Users who want advanced video features.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday tasks, streaming media, music, and social media.
- Users who need a reliable phone with great battery life for on-the-go use.
- Ideal for:
4. Buying Decision Framework
Questions to consider:
- Do I need top-of-the-line performance, or will a good-enough mid-range chipset suffice?
- Do I prioritize camera quality and versatility, or battery life?
- What is my budget, and what is the balance between performance and cost?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer/Content Creator
- Recommendation: Huawei Mate 50 Pro. Its superior chipset, advanced camera, and higher refresh rate make it a better fit for demanding games and content creation tasks.
- Scenario 2: On-the-Go User
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy M35. The large battery and efficient mid-range chipset ensure a full day of usage.
- Scenario 3: Everyday User on a Budget
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy M35. With solid performance, a great battery, and a more affordable price point, this phone will get the job done.
- Scenario 4: Photography enthusiast
- Recommendation: Huawei Mate 50 Pro. With a superior camera setup, you can take high-quality photos and video.
Final Thoughts:
If you're after the absolute best performance and camera quality, the Huawei Mate 50 Pro is the better choice. However, the Samsung Galaxy M35 offers a great balance of long battery life, updated software, great audio, and durability, making it perfect for everyday use.
My Choice: If I were choosing between these two, I'd lean towards the Huawei Mate 50 Pro. While the battery life of the Samsung is tempting, I value the raw power and advanced camera capabilities that the Mate 50 Pro offers. As a tech journalist, I like to have access to the highest performance available, and the Mate 50 Pro does not disappoint. The superior camera quality also aligns with my needs for producing and sharing high-quality images and videos. While I'm concerned about its older software, the overall tech specs win out for my use cases.
