Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Huawei Mate 50 Pro and the vivo iQOO 12. I'll break down the specs, highlight their strengths, and give you a clear idea of which phone might be the better fit for you.
Smartphone Showdown: Huawei Mate 50 Pro vs. vivo iQOO 12
Here's a structured analysis that considers both the technical details and the practical implications for users:
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | vivo iQOO 12 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 162.1 x 75.5 x 8.5 mm | 163.2 x 75.9 x 8.1 mm | Similar size, iQOO 12 slightly taller and thinner, Mate 50 Pro slightly thicker. Both are large phones. |
| Weight | 205g | 198.5g | iQOO 12 is a tad lighter, which may improve comfort during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.74" | 6.78" | Near identical screen real estate; negligible difference in size |
| Resolution | 1212x2616 | 1260x2800 | iQOO 12 has a sharper display, providing slightly more detail and clearer text. |
| PPI | 428 | 453 | iQOO 12 provides a higher pixel density making images and text appear more defined. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer excellent contrast, deep blacks, and vibrant colors. Minimal difference in quality |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | iQOO 12 provides smoother scrolling and animations. Noticeable difference for gamers and users who value responsiveness. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 3000 nits | iQOO 12 has significantly better outdoor visibility under direct sunlight due to its much higher brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | iQOO 12 is powered by a significantly faster and more efficient chip resulting in smoother multitasking and better gaming perf. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,022,043 | 2,020,000 | iQOO 12 has nearly double the benchmark score, indicating vastly superior overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 750 | iQOO 12 has a newer and more powerful GPU resulting in much better gaming performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4700mAh | 5000mAh | iQOO 12 has a slightly larger battery, which may provide a little more usage between charges. |
| Charging | 66W Fast Charging | 120W Fast Charging | iQOO 12 charges much faster. Noticeable difference in charging times. |
| Features | 50W Wireless, Reverse Charge | None | Huawei offers the flexibility of wireless charging, both forward and reverse, which iQOO lacks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.56", 1.00µm | 50MP, f/1.69, 1/1.3", 1.20µm | Mate 50 Pro has a wider aperture but smaller sensor. iQOO 12 has a larger sensor for better low-light performance, |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.4 | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.1", 1.00µm | iQOO 12 has slightly higher resolution and pixel size for selfies. |
| Telephoto | 64MP, f/3.5, 1/2", 0.7µm | 64MP, f/2.6, 1/2", 0.7µm | iQOO 12's telephoto lens has a wider aperture, likely leading to better low-light performance in zoomed images. |
| Wide-Angle | 12MP, f/2.2 | None | Mate 50 Pro offers dedicated wide-angle shots. |
| Wide + Macro | None | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | iQOO 12 offers a dedicated wide-angle + macro lens for detailed close-up photography |
| Video | 4K@60fps, 720p@3840fps | 8K@30fps, 1080@960fps | iQOO 12 supports higher 8K video recording, Mate 50 Pro has a higher slo-mo recording mode |
| DxOMark (Main) | Main: 149, Photo: 152, Video: 141 | Not Available | Mate 50 Pro has a strong camera performance according to DxOMark |
| Software | |||
| OS | N/A | Android 14 | iQOO 12 runs the latest Android software, promising better performance and improved features. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | iQOO 12 offers significantly faster Wi-Fi speeds and better connection stability. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.4 | iQOO 12 has the latest Bluetooth with better energy efficiency and connectivity. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 256/512GB | 256/512/1024GB | iQOO 12 provides more storage options, including a larger 1TB variant. |
| RAM | 8GB | 12/16GB | iQOO 12 offers significantly more RAM, improving multitasking, app performance and overall responsiveness. |
| Audio | Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers, Dolby Atmos | iQOO 12 has a small edge in audio quality due to the Dolby Atmos support. |
| Security | Basic Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint | Both offer similar fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones use similar screen protection technology. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Hall | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Mate 50 Pro provides an additional Barometer sensor. |
| ### 2. Key Insights |
Huawei Mate 50 Pro:
- Strengths: It boasts a versatile and highly-rated camera system (based on DxOMark), offering features like a wide variable aperture, a dedicated wide-angle lens and 50W wireless charging, plus 7.5W reverse wireless charging. The inclusion of sensors like a Barometer is a bonus.
- Competitive Advantages: The wide aperture main camera is better for natural bokeh. The inclusion of wireless charging options is a significant feature.
- Tradeoffs: The lack of 5G, older chipset, and lower brightness are noticeable drawbacks compared to the iQOO 12.
vivo iQOO 12:
- Strengths: The iQOO 12 is a performance powerhouse, featuring the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, a faster 144Hz display, much higher brightness, faster charging, and a higher 8K video recording capability.
- Competitive Advantages: The iQOO 12's higher refresh rate display, along with significantly improved performance makes it a much better gaming phone. The faster charging and newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards makes it more future-proofed.
- Tradeoffs: The iQOO 12 lacks wireless charging and a dedicated wide-angle camera.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Huawei Mate 50 Pro:
- Best For: Users who prioritize top-tier camera performance and value photography features like a dedicated wide-angle lens and wireless charging. It’s also a good choice for those who like sensors such as a barometer. It's best for those who don't need 5G connectivity.
- Use Cases: Professional and enthusiast photographers, those needing versatile camera setup, users who use wireless charging.
- Consideration: The lack of 5G might be a deal-breaker for users in areas with advanced network infrastructure and its chipset is older.
vivo iQOO 12:
- Best For: Gamers, performance enthusiasts, and users who value future-proof technology, a fast display, and incredibly fast charging.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, heavy multitasking, users who need fast charging, and those who are planning on using 5G.
- Consideration: Lacks dedicated wide-angle camera, and wireless charging, may not appeal to photography enthusiasts.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Questions to ask yourself:
- Is camera versatility and overall quality my top priority, or do I value raw performance above all else?
- How important is having the fastest charging and the most recent tech for my needs?
- Do I need wireless charging and a dedicated wide-angle lens?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Photography Lover: If taking high-quality photos is critical, and you're okay with lacking 5G, the Huawei Mate 50 Pro will better suit your needs due to its versatile camera system and dedicated wide-angle lens.
- For the Power User and Gamer: If you need the ultimate speed, the fastest refresh rate, and the most demanding apps, the vivo iQOO 12 is the clear winner with its cutting-edge chip, fast display, and rapid charging.
- For a Balance of Features: For a good all rounder the vivo iQOO 12 is also the better pick as the performance jump is substantial, even with the drawbacks to the cameras.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two, I'd lean towards the vivo iQOO 12. While I appreciate the Mate 50 Pro's camera and wireless charging capabilities, the iQOO 12's sheer performance advantage, coupled with its superior display, faster charging, and modern connectivity, makes it the more compelling option for my needs. I frequently game on my phone and value smooth, responsive performance, plus the faster charging aligns better with my lifestyle. Also, the lack of 5G on the Mate 50 Pro would make it a difficult choice. While the cameras on the Mate 50 Pro are impressive, the iQOO 12's camera system is no slouch either, plus the trade-off is a huge boost to performance in all other areas of the phone.
Essentially, the iQOO 12 offers a more future-proofed experience, excelling in areas that are most important to me.
