Alright, let's dive deep into the battle of the titans: the Huawei Mate 50 Pro versus the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Buckle up, because we're going beyond just the spec sheet to uncover what these numbers actually mean for your daily life.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison table designed to make sense of the technical jargon, with a special focus on real-world implications:
| Feature | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 162.1 x 75.5 x 8.5 mm | 162.3 x 79 x 8.6 mm | The S24 Ultra is slightly wider and thicker, which may affect single-hand use and pocketability. |
| Weight | 205g | 232g | The Mate 50 Pro is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.74" | 6.8" | Both offer large screens for media consumption and productivity. |
| Resolution | 1212 x 2616 | 1440 x 3120 | The S24 Ultra provides sharper visuals, especially noticeable in fine text and detailed images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 428 | 505 | The S24 Ultra offers noticeably sharper and more detailed image quality. |
| Technology | OLED | N/A | Mate 50 Pro screen has superior display technology for better colors & contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer a smooth, fluid experience for scrolling and gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2600 nits | The S24 Ultra is vastly superior for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | The S24 Ultra's newer chip offers significantly faster app loading, multitasking, and superior gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,022,043 | 1,814,869 | The S24 Ultra has much better benchmark scores, indicating better overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 750 | The S24 Ultra will provide higher graphical fidelity in games and graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res. | 50MP | 200MP | The S24 Ultra can capture much more detail with its high-resolution sensor. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.4 | f/1.7 | Mate 50 Pro's wider aperture lets in more light, potentially better in low light. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.56" | 1/1.3" | S24 Ultra's larger sensor size captures more light. |
| Telephoto + portrait | N/A | 50MP | S24 Ultra offers more versatility in zoom capabilities and portrait photography. |
| Selfie Camera Res. | 13MP | 12MP | Both offer similar quality for self portraits and video calls. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.4 | f/2.2 | S24 Ultra has a slightly wider aperture allowing for more light intake. |
| Telephoto Lens Res | 64MP | 10MP | Mate 50 Pro can capture much more detail in telephoto shots than S24 Ultra |
| Telephoto Lens Aperture | f/3.5 | f/3.4 | S24 Ultra has a slightly wider aperture allowing for more light intake. |
| Telephoto Lens Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/3.52" | Mate 50 Pro has a larger sensor for better light intake and picture quality. |
| Wide Angle Lens Res | 12MP | 12.2MP | Similar performance for wide angle shots |
| Video Recording | 4K up to 60fps | 8K up to 30fps | S24 Ultra offers higher resolution for professional video content. |
| DXOMark Main Score | 149 | 144 | Mate 50 Pro has better image quality as per this score |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4700mAh | 5000mAh | S24 Ultra has slightly higher capacity, potentially offering slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging Speed | 66W | 45W | Mate 50 Pro charges faster, meaning less downtime. |
| Wireless Charging | 50W | 15W | Mate 50 Pro charges wirelessly faster. |
| Reverse Wireless Charging | 7.5W | 4.5W | Mate 50 Pro can wirelessly charge other devices faster. |
| Software | |||
| OS | N/A | Android 14 | S24 Ultra is future proof with the latest android version. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E | S24 Ultra supports newer WiFi standard, offering faster speeds, lower latency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 LE | S24 Ultra has a newer version, more features for connectivity. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM / eSIM | S24 Ultra offers additional eSIM support for flexible carrier switching. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 256/512 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | S24 Ultra offers larger storage options for storing more data/media. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB | S24 Ultra is better for heavy multitasking, video editing, and demanding games. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Stereo Speakers | Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | S24 Ultra offers better quality for calls & better audio. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones offer basic biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Armor | S24 Ultra has better screen protection from drops and scratches. |
| Sensors | |||
| Other Sensors | Gravity | Geomagnetic | Both have full array of sensors for advanced features. |
2. Key Insights
Huawei Mate 50 Pro:
- Strengths: The Mate 50 Pro shines in camera performance and battery charging capabilities. Its wider aperture main camera, 64MP telephoto lens, and faster charging are definite highlights. It is noticeably lighter and more comfortable to hold than the S24 Ultra, and for a device launched earlier, it's impressive. The Mate 50 Pro has the best main camera performance based on DXOMark.
- Competitive Advantages: Its camera is exceptionally well-tuned with unique features, faster wireless charging, and lighter weight.
- Trade-offs/Limitations: Older chipset and lack of 5G, limited to 4G. Older Android operating system and lacking the latest WiFi standards.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra:
- Strengths: The S24 Ultra is a powerhouse, boasting a significantly faster processor, a sharper, brighter display, and impressive multi-camera array. The S24 Ultra's main camera offers high resolution for details, plus a telephoto lens for portraits, which the Mate 50 Pro lacks, it provides versatility in photography.
- Competitive Advantages: It is a performance-driven device, ideal for gaming and heavy multitasking. The latest Android operating system, the most recent wifi standard, higher screen brightness and larger storage options are clear advantages.
- Trade-offs/Limitations: Heavier and bulkier, slower charging speed compared to the Mate 50 Pro. Lower camera performance according to DXOMark tests.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Huawei Mate 50 Pro:
- Ideal User: Photography enthusiasts, users who prioritize fast charging and battery efficiency, those seeking a lighter and more ergonomic device.
- Use Cases: Everyday photography, portrait shots, low-light situations, long days without needing to charge and quick top-ups.
- Price-to-Value: It might offer a more competitive price point now, considering it's an older device, but it could still provide outstanding camera capabilities.
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra:
- Ideal User: Gamers, power users, those who value the latest tech, screen quality, multitasking and those who need the flexibility and convenience of eSIM.
- Use Cases: Heavy multitasking, gaming, professional video, outdoor use in bright sunlight, and taking photos in different environments.
- Price-to-Value: Higher price tag justified by its cutting-edge tech, future-proofing, and performance.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to guide your choice:
- How crucial is top-tier performance and the latest tech? If you need the fastest performance and the newest features, the S24 Ultra is your bet. If you're okay with a slightly older but still very capable chipset, and you prioritize camera performance, the Mate 50 Pro could be a better fit.
- Is camera versatility or a specific photo capability more important? If you want a wide array of zoom and the highest possible main sensor resolution, the S24 Ultra has you covered. If you value light sensitivity of main lens and telephoto zoom as well as quicker charging, the Mate 50 Pro is more compelling.
- How important is comfort in hand and battery fast charging? If you prefer a lighter and easier-to-hold phone, the Mate 50 Pro is more ergonomic and charges faster. But if screen brightness and performance are a priority then the S24 Ultra will be your pick.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Photography Pro: If you live and breathe photography, the Mate 50 Pro provides the best main camera performance, but the S24 Ultra is no slouch, with a versatile setup and the latest video specs.
- The Gamer: The S24 Ultra, with its powerful chip, higher RAM, and brighter display, is the clear winner for intensive gaming.
- The Mobile Office User: The S24 Ultra edges out due to its larger storage options, superior multitasking capabilities, and eSIM support.
- The All-Day Adventurer: The Mate 50 Pro, with its faster charging, provides quick power top-ups on-the-go, while its slightly lighter build may be a better fit for an active lifestyle.
My Choice
Personally, if I were choosing between these two devices, I'd lean towards the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. While I deeply appreciate the camera quality and charging speed of the Mate 50 Pro, the S24 Ultra's cutting-edge performance, brighter and higher resolution display, bigger storage options and future-proof nature are too compelling to ignore. My primary uses include demanding applications and gaming, where the S24 Ultra shines. The S24 Ultra is a powerhouse that does more of what I want it to do. Its camera is still great but the overall feature set and latest software outweigh the marginal gains in the Mate 50 Pro.
Ultimately, the best phone depends on your specific needs and priorities. Both the Huawei Mate 50 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra are excellent devices, but they cater to slightly different users.
