Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Huawei Mate 50 Pro and the Xiaomi 13 Ultra. Both are formidable contenders in the smartphone arena, but they cater to slightly different priorities and preferences. Here's my breakdown.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Xiaomi 13 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 162.1 × 75.5 × 8.5 mm | 163.2 × 74.6 × 9.1 mm | Mate 50 Pro is slightly shorter and thinner, while the Xiaomi 13 Ultra is a touch taller and thicker. Both are large but the Huawei is more comfortable in hand. |
| Weight | 205g | 227g | Huawei is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.74" | 6.73" | Essentially identical screen sizes; negligible difference in daily use. |
| Resolution | 1212x2616 | 1440x3200 | Xiaomi boasts a significantly sharper display with much higher pixel density for clearer and crisper images and text. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 428 | 522 | Xiaomi 13 Ultra is noticeably sharper, which is especially noticeable with small text and detailed graphics. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both are high-quality display technologies offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits (likely incorrect) | 2600 nits | Xiaomi is significantly brighter for outdoor visibility, making it a much better choice for use in direct sunlight. Huawei likely has a high brightness as well, but this is a big win for the Xiaomi. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Xiaomi 13 Ultra has a newer, faster chip, resulting in significantly better performance for demanding apps and games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,022,043 | 1,532,113 | Xiaomi 13 Ultra's faster chip is shown by a 50% better score. This is a big advantage in the real world. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 740 | Xiaomi's more powerful GPU offers smoother graphics and better performance in graphically intensive tasks like gaming. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4700mAh | 5000mAh | Xiaomi offers a slightly larger battery which should provide a bit more usage, especially given its more powerful chip. |
| Charging | 66W fast charging | 90W fast charging | Xiaomi 13 Ultra's faster charging can refill the battery more quickly, minimizing downtime. |
| Wireless Charging | 50W, 7.5W reverse | 50W, 10W reverse | Both offer fast wireless charging. Xiaomi has faster wireless reverse charging, so can be used to charge more peripherals. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.56" | 50MP, f/1.9, 1" | Huawei has a wider aperture, while the Xiaomi uses a much larger 1" sensor, giving it better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP, f/3.5, 1/2" | 50MP, f/3.0, 1/2.51" | Huawei has higher resolution, but the Xiaomi has the wider aperture and is part of a more versatile zoom system. |
| Ultrawide Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 50MP, f/1.8 (Macro) | Xiaomi is more versatile by combining macro capabilities with the ultrawide and has a higher resolution sensor. Huawei has a dedicated ultrawide, but with a lower resolution. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera | N/A | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.51" | Xiaomi 13 Ultra has an extra telephoto lens that helps with portrait images. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.4 | 32MP, f/2.0, 0.7µm pixel | Xiaomi's higher resolution and wider aperture offer more detailed and brighter selfies. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | Xiaomi supports higher resolution video recording, making it suitable for professional content creation. |
| DXOMark Mobile Score | 149 | 140 | Huawei has a slight edge in mobile photography, despite hardware differences. This indicates Huawei's image processing could be superior to Xiaomi's. |
| DXOMark Selfie Score | 145 | 128 | Huawei also has a big edge in selfie quality, with the image processing doing a great job of taking good pictures. |
| Camera Features | Triple Camera, OIS, Laser AF, PDAF, CDAF | Quadruple Camera, OIS, PDAF, LAF, RAW 14bit, Flicker Sensor | Xiaomi has a more comprehensive suite of features for videography and photography with a better and more useful system of cameras, making it more versatile. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 13, Upgradable to 14 | Xiaomi 13 Ultra has a specific OS and is upgradable, while Huawei's OS is unclear. This gives the Xiaomi the edge here. | |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support the latest Wi-Fi standards for high-speed connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | Xiaomi's newer Bluetooth version offers slightly better energy efficiency and connection stability. |
| GPS | Dual-band (L1+L5) | Dual-band (L1+L5) | Both have dual-band GPS for more accurate location tracking, but the Xiaomi adds a few extra systems for more reliable service. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 256GB, 512GB | 256GB, 512GB, 1024GB | Xiaomi offers a higher max storage for those who need a lot of space for files, photos, and videos. |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB, 16GB | Xiaomi offers more RAM options for smoother multitasking, particularly for power users. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, 3 mics | Xiaomi has a superior audio experience with more features for audio quality and recording. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | In-display fingerprint | In-display fingerprint | Both offer a standard biometric fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Xiaomi offers superior screen protection from drops and scratches. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Hall Sensor | RGB Sensor | Both offer a comprehensive range of sensors but have a slight difference here, both which could offer slightly different features. |
2. Key Insights
Huawei Mate 50 Pro
- Strengths: Exceptional still photography, especially with selfies and portrait images. Very comfortable in the hand thanks to its lighter weight and thinner profile. Has a wide aperture on its main sensor for very shallow depth of field in photos, and very detailed images thanks to superior image processing.
- Competitive Advantages: Impressive camera performance, especially in selfies. Superior in DXO mark for both mobile and selfie photography. The lighter build will also be very important for some users.
- Trade-offs: Older chipset, lower display resolution and brightness. Less capable video features.
Xiaomi 13 Ultra
- Strengths: Cutting-edge performance with a newer chipset, a stunning, bright, and high-resolution display, and versatile camera features. The large one-inch sensor on its main lens captures exceptional low-light photos.
- Competitive Advantages: Better overall performance with newer chipset, sharper display, significantly better outdoor visibility thanks to the extremely high brightness. Much better and more versatile video recording capabilities with 8K recording. More versatile camera system overall thanks to the added telephoto lens.
- Trade-offs: Heavier and thicker. Lower DXO scores indicate that images may not be as high quality in some circumstances.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Huawei Mate 50 Pro:
- Best for: Users who prioritize superior selfie quality and very high-quality still images with shallow depth of field. Those looking for a more comfortable device to hold for long periods, or those who take very detailed close up shots with the superior image processing.
- Use Cases: Social media enthusiasts, photography lovers who are less interested in video, users who prefer a lighter phone for daily use.
- Xiaomi 13 Ultra:
- Best for: Power users, mobile gamers, content creators who need the highest level of performance and the best video features. Those who need to use their phone in bright sunlight conditions.
- Use Cases: Videographers, graphic designers, frequent travelers, or anyone who needs a phone that excels in all areas with the added versatality in the camera.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- Do you prioritize still image quality and ergonomics over all else? If yes, the Huawei Mate 50 Pro is the better option.
- Do you need the highest performance, the brightest screen, and the most versatile camera system? If yes, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra is the better choice.
- What is your primary use case for your camera? If it's mostly selfies and portraits, the Huawei has a clear edge. If you are looking for more versatility and video, the Xiaomi is a better choice.
Which one would I choose?
Personally, I would choose the Xiaomi 13 Ultra. While the Huawei Mate 50 Pro has an amazing camera for stills and is more comfortable in the hand, the Xiaomi's combination of top-tier performance, significantly better display, more versatile camera system, superior video recording capabilities, and modern software features are too good to pass up. As someone who values a phone that performs well in all aspects of daily use, including occasional gaming and video capture, the Xiaomi is a better fit for my needs. The much higher peak brightness will also be important for using the phone outdoors, which is something I do often.
The lighter weight and excellent image processing of the Mate 50 Pro is enticing, but the Xiaomi is the overall better device for me.
