Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Huawei Mate 50 Pro and the TCL 40 SE. I'm going to break this down as if we're chatting over coffee, keeping the tech talk clear and relatable.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a breakdown of the key specifications, focusing on what they mean for you in the real world:
| Feature | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | TCL 40 SE | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-09-28 | 2023-04-04 | The TCL is newer by about 6 months, potentially offering slightly more up-to-date software, though this isn't the entire story. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, no foldable design here. |
| Dimensions | 162.1 x 75.5 x 8.5 mm | 167.9 x 76.5 x 8.5 mm | The TCL is a bit taller but similar in width and thickness. You might notice a slight difference in hand feel if you're particular. |
| Weight | 205g | 190g | TCL 40 SE is lighter, so it will feel less tiring during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.74" | 6.75" | Virtually identical screen sizes. You won’t notice the 0.01" difference. |
| Resolution | 1212 x 2616 | 720 x 1600 | The Huawei screen is much sharper—images and text will look clearer. The TCL has significantly lower pixel density, which may be noticeable to some. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 428 | 260 | A higher PPI means much sharper text and crisper images. The Huawei has a significantly more detailed display. |
| Technology | OLED | IPS LCD | OLED displays offer richer colors, true blacks, and better contrast compared to IPS LCD. Huawei's display will likely appear more vibrant and immersive. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Smoother scrolling and animations on the Huawei. The difference is noticeable when you're quickly swiping through content or playing games. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 900 nits | The TCL is substantially brighter, which is vital for viewing your phone in direct sunlight. This could make the TCL preferable for outdoor use. However, the Mate 50 Pro likely has brightness that's just not recorded here. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4nm) | Helio G37 (12nm) | The Huawei's chipset is a powerhouse, built for high performance. The TCL's chip is designed for basic tasks and moderate gaming. The difference will be very noticeable in terms of speed. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,022,043 | 160,000 | A massive performance gap. Huawei can handle anything you throw at it. The TCL will be noticeably slower and may struggle with demanding games or apps. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | PowerVR GE8320 | The Adreno 730 is designed for high-end graphics, while the PowerVR GE8320 is a lower-end option. The gaming experience will differ drastically. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4700mAh | 5010mAh | The TCL has a slightly larger battery, but battery life depends on other factors like the efficiency of the chipset. |
| Charging | 66W Fast, 50W Wireless | 18W Fast | The Huawei charges much faster, and has a wireless charging option, giving it a significant charging speed advantage. |
| Additional Features | Reverse, Wireless charging | None | Huawei can charge other devices wirelessly and offers fast wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.4, 1.0µm pixel, Sony IMX766 | 50MP, f/1.85, 0.7µm pixel | Wider aperture (f/1.4) and a larger sensor with larger pixels means the Huawei will capture better low-light photos and likely have overall better image quality in the main camera. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.4 | 8MP, f/2.0 | The Huawei's selfie camera has a higher resolution and likely produces better quality. The TCL’s wider aperture should help a bit with low light. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP, f/3.5, 0.7µm pixel | None | Huawei can zoom optically without losing much detail due to the inclusion of a telephoto lens. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | None | Huawei captures wide-angle shots with ease, which gives it more versatility in photos. |
| Portrait Mode Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | The TCL has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait shots, which helps with blurring the background. The Huawei does this through software. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | The TCL lets you take close-up photos using a macro lens. |
| Video | 4K@60fps, HDR, EIS, Slow Motion | 1080p@30fps | Huawei offers significantly higher video quality with more features including HDR, EIS and slow-mo. |
| DXOMark | 149 overall | Not Tested | Huawei's camera is highly rated by DXOMark, which indicates solid real-world camera performance. |
| Camera Features | Lots of extra like OIS, RAW, 4K video | Basic features | Huawei has more pro-level features for photography enthusiasts. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | N/A | Android 13 | The TCL runs a more modern Android version. This means it may get more timely security and software updates in comparison to the Mate 50 Pro, which may have a version of Android via EMUI or HarmonyOS. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | Huawei supports a faster Wi-Fi standard. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.1 LE | Huawei has a newer Bluetooth version, which will give you slightly better efficiency and audio quality. |
| GPS | Advanced system | Basic system | Huawei has more advanced GPS, meaning better accuracy in navigation. |
| SIM | Dual Nano-SIM | Dual Nano-SIM | Both have dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 256/512GB | 128/256GB | Huawei gives you more base and higher storage option. |
| RAM | 8GB | 4/6GB | Huawei provides more RAM, offering better multitasking capability. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Speakers | Stereo | Stereo | Both have stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Side-Mounted | The TCL offers a more convenient, side-mounted fingerprint scanner. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Comprehensive | Basic | Huawei has more comprehensive sensors, including barometer, gyroscope and compass which makes it better for more advanced usage like gaming, AR etc. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones offer similar screen protection technologies. |
2. Key Insights
- Huawei Mate 50 Pro: This is a powerhouse of a phone. Its strengths are in its top-tier performance, high-quality display, and superior camera system. It’s designed for power users who want the best of everything. The higher DXOMark score is indicative of real-world photo quality and not just spec-sheet bragging. The wireless charging and reverse charging are a nice bonus, but it lacks support for 5G, a significant limitation for many. Its lack of Google Play Services is another thing to keep in mind.
- TCL 40 SE: This phone focuses on practicality and affordability. It has a decent display for everyday use, a large battery, and adequate camera capabilities for casual photography. It excels in outdoor visibility with its high brightness and is ideal for those who want a reliable, no-frills smartphone.
Trade-offs:
- Huawei: The biggest trade-off is the potential software experience and lack of Google Play Services as well as the lack of 5G. You're getting top performance but possibly making a sacrifice on convenience. It is also lacking a dedicated macro lens.
- TCL: The TCL compromises on performance, display sharpness, and overall camera quality to keep the price down. It is a budget phone, and this can be seen in most of the specs, which is expected.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Huawei Mate 50 Pro User: This phone is perfect for:
- Tech Enthusiasts: People who want the best performance, camera features, and display quality.
- Photographers/Videographers: Anyone who wants a powerful mobile camera system, especially in low light.
- Gamers: Users who want to play the latest games at high settings, with very responsive gameplay.
- Professionals: Users who need top-tier performance for demanding tasks and multitasking.
- TCL 40 SE User: This phone is best for:
- Budget-Conscious Consumers: Users who want an affordable smartphone without sacrificing essential features.
- Casual Users: Individuals who primarily use their phones for social media, web browsing, and basic apps.
- Outdoor Enthusiasts: Those who need a bright screen for outdoor visibility, although the Huawei's screen may also be bright in reality.
- Reliable Daily Use: Those who need a phone for daily tasks that's light and long-lasting without any need for advanced features.
4. Buying Decision Framework
To make your choice easier, ask yourself these questions:
- How much do you value performance? If you need the absolute best performance, the Huawei is the only choice. If you're okay with a more basic phone for everyday tasks, the TCL is fine.
- How important is camera quality? The Huawei's camera is top-tier, while the TCL offers basic camera functions with decent everyday quality.
- How important is software and access to Google Services? If you need smooth access to all Google apps and features the TCL will be a better choice as the Huawei will not have these.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: The Tech-Savvy Power User
- Recommendation: Huawei Mate 50 Pro
- Reasoning: Top performance, excellent camera, stunning display, and all the bells and whistles you can think of.
Scenario 2: The Budget-Conscious Casual User
- Recommendation: TCL 40 SE
- Reasoning: More affordable with a decent display, a larger battery, and adequate performance for everyday use.
Scenario 3: The Photography Enthusiast
- Recommendation: Huawei Mate 50 Pro
- Reasoning: Advanced camera features like optical zoom, superior sensors, 4k Video and additional features that are required for photography enthusiasts.
- Scenario 4: The Everyday Practical User
- Recommendation: TCL 40 SE
- Reasoning: A simple phone for daily tasks that prioritizes simplicity, battery life and a low price tag.
My Pick
If it were my money, I'd go with the Huawei Mate 50 Pro. Here's why:
- Performance: The sheer processing power of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is just in a different league. I regularly use multiple apps and prefer to not have any lag, which is what the Mate 50 Pro offers.
- Camera Quality: As someone who takes lots of pictures and videos regularly, the camera system in the Mate 50 Pro is a game-changer. The versatility from the triple-lens system, the superior low-light performance, and the higher video capabilities all win me over.
- Display: The OLED display with its high resolution and 120Hz refresh rate is simply more enjoyable and I tend to look at my phone for hours every day.
- I am not bothered by the lack of Google Services: I can easily find workarounds or alternatives for all the apps I use.
- I don't need 5G: As long as the phone has 4G, I can use it for basic work tasks and social media, which is what I use the phone for when I'm not at home, where I have Wi-Fi.
While the TCL 40 SE has a larger battery and is lighter, for my priorities, the performance, display, and camera on the Mate 50 Pro are more valuable. Yes, it’s a significantly more expensive phone, but for me, the value of its features outweighs the increased cost. It’s a powerhouse that fits my lifestyle and workflow better.
