Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Huawei Mate 50 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S24. We'll explore each device's strengths, weaknesses, and how they might fit into your daily life.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a breakdown of the key specs, along with their real-world implications:
| Feature | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S24 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 162.1 × 75.5 × 8.5 mm | 147 × 70.6 × 7.6 mm | The Mate 50 Pro is larger and bulkier, while the S24 is more compact and pocketable. |
| Weight | 205g | 167g | S24 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.74" | 6.2" | Mate 50 Pro offers a larger screen, great for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1212x2616 | 1080x2340 | Mate 50 Pro provides crisper visuals with higher pixel density. |
| PPI | 428 | 416 | Both offer similar sharpness, differences are negligible |
| Technology | OLED | missing | Mate 50 Pro has a superior OLED display known for vibrant colors and deep blacks. Samsung Galaxy S24 is expected to have at least AMOLED. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2600 nits | S24 is significantly brighter, providing much better visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) - USA/Canada/China | S24 has a newer, more powerful chip for faster processing and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,022,043 | 1,639,695 | S24 delivers a much better user experience with higher performance in general apps, gaming and multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 750, (Xclipse 940) | S24’s GPU is newer and faster, offering better graphics performance. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4700mAh | 4000mAh | Mate 50 Pro has a larger battery, likely providing longer battery life. |
| Charging | 66W fast charging | 25W fast charging | Mate 50 Pro charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | 50W wireless, 7.5W reverse wireless | Bypass Charging | Mate 50 Pro offers faster and more advanced wireless charging options. S24 has a bypass feature, avoiding battery degradation. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.56" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57" | Mate 50 Pro has a wider aperture for better low-light performance and a slightly larger sensor |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.4 | 12MP, f/2.2 | S24 has slightly wider aperture for better selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP, f/3.5, 1/2" | 10MP, f/2.4, 1/3.9" | Mate 50 Pro's telephoto boasts a much higher resolution and larger sensor, but S24 has a wider aperture . |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | Both have comparable wide angle cameras. S24's sensor has better pixel size. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30/60fps | Up to 8K@24/30fps | S24 records higher quality videos with 8K, offering more professional video capabilities. |
| DxoMark | Mobile: 149/152/141 Selfie: 145/147/143 | Not available | Mate 50 Pro is rated as a very capable camera phone from DxOMark's tests. S24 is missing DxoMark results. |
| Software | |||
| OS | missing | Android 14 | S24 has the latest Android OS, ensuring access to the newest features and updates. Mate 50 Pro uses an unknown OS. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E | S24 supports a newer standard offering better performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | S24 has a newer version, offering potentially more stable connections and battery performance. |
| GPS | Full Suite | Full Suite | Both have full suites of GPS capabilities with the Mate 50 Pro supporting slightly more variations. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano/eSIM | S24 is more flexible with eSIM support, better for frequent travelers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 256/512 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Both have the same max storage but S24 offers a 128 GB base option. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8/12 GB | S24 offers more RAM on its 12GB variant, resulting in better multitasking capabilities. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports external storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers, Noise Cancel Mic | S24 offers a slight edge with its noise cancellation mic. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint | Fingerprint | Both offer basic fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | unknown | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | S24 has better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Full Suite | Full Suite | Both have full sensor suites, with the Mate 50 Pro having additional biometric sensors. |
2. Key Insights
Huawei Mate 50 Pro Strengths:
- Superior Display (potentially): With a larger OLED screen, the Mate 50 Pro offers a potentially more immersive experience with higher pixel density.
- Larger Battery and Faster Charging: The 4700mAh battery and 66W fast charging mean you’ll likely have longer battery life and less downtime when charging.
- Camera Versatility: A high resolution telephoto lens, and a very wide aperture main lens, combine for great camera performance.
- More Satellites: Greater flexibility in GPS usage.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Strengths:
- Compact and Lightweight Design: More pocketable and comfortable for extended use.
- Superior Brightness Display: The 2600 nits display ensures excellent visibility under direct sunlight.
- Significantly Better Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip significantly outperforms the older chip in the Mate 50 Pro.
- Advanced Software: The latest Android 14 OS with a guaranteed future software upgrade.
- 8K Video Recording: Capability to shoot higher-resolution professional grade video.
- Modern Features: Includes Wifi 6E, and more advanced Bluetooth.
- eSIM support: Flexibility for international usage.
- Better Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 provides superior screen protection.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Huawei Mate 50 Pro: Older chipset, heavier, bulkier, unknown OS and version.
- Samsung Galaxy S24: Smaller battery, slower charging (though it has the bypass charging feature).
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Huawei Mate 50 Pro is ideal for:
- Media Lovers: Those who prioritize a larger screen for watching movies, videos, and browsing content, and have less concern for the bulk of a larger phone.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a high resolution telephoto lens and wide aperture main lens for shooting in various conditions, and appreciate a DxOMark rating.
- Battery life prioritizers: Users that value battery life and faster charging, even if it means more bulk.
Samsung Galaxy S24 is ideal for:
- Performance Seekers: Users who want the fastest performance for gaming, heavy multitasking, and future proofing.
- Outdoor Users: Those who need a bright, clear display that works well under direct sunlight.
- Modern Software: Individuals who value the latest software and all associated features and security.
- Frequent Travelers: Users who appreciate the flexibility of eSIM for international usage.
- Compact Phone Fans: Those who prefer a more compact and lightweight device for daily use.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to guide your decision:
- Do you prioritize performance and the latest features? If yes, the Galaxy S24 is the clear winner with its superior chipset and software capabilities.
- Is battery life and screen size more important than the overall speed? If so, the Mate 50 Pro is a good pick, provided that you do not mind the bulk of the phone.
- Do you shoot a lot of video and want the highest quality? If so, the Galaxy S24 is the better option, providing you with 8K recording.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Power User: A gamer who needs the best performance and also a great screen, would favor the S24 due to its superior chip and bright screen.
- The Media Consumer: Someone who watches a lot of movies, would be better served by the bigger screen and potentially better battery life of the Mate 50 Pro.
- The Travel Photographer: A user who needs a reliable camera and a phone with international connectivity, would benefit from the Mate 50 Pro's camera setup and the S24's eSIM capabilities.
- The Casual User: Someone who needs a simple, good phone that is compact and easy to use, would be better off with the S24.
Conclusion:
The Huawei Mate 50 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24 are both excellent phones that cater to different needs. The Mate 50 Pro excels in display size, camera performance, battery life and charging speeds. The Samsung Galaxy S24 provides superior all-around performance, brightness, modern software and features, at the expense of battery and charging.
Personally, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S24. The primary reason is the performance gains from the superior chipset, making the overall user experience smoother and more responsive, and the benefit of a brighter screen for better outdoor visibility. Additionally, having a more compact and lightweight device is a big plus for me for a daily use phone. While I appreciate the Mate 50 Pro's battery and camera, the Galaxy S24's modern software, better performance, and more compact size make it a more compelling choice for my needs. The addition of 8K video recording is also a big factor.
