Alright, let's break down the Huawei P50 Pro and the Honor 90. I'm going to keep it real and tell you which one might be a better fit for you, based on these specs. Forget the marketing fluff – we're diving into real-world performance.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at the key specs, and what they actually mean to you:
| Feature | Huawei P50 Pro | Honor 90 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 158.8 × 72.8 × 8.5 mm, 195g | 161.9 × 74.1 × 7.8 mm, 183g | P50 Pro: More compact, but a bit heavier. Honor 90: Taller and wider, but lighter and thinner. Lighter is almost always better for long-term comfort. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.7" | Minimal difference. You won't really notice the 0.1" |
| Resolution | 1228x2700 | 1200x2664 | Practically identical sharpness. Both are crisp enough for any content. |
| Brightness | 0 nits (Spec Error?) | 1600 nits | HUGE DIFFERENCE. The Honor 90 will be much, MUCH easier to see outdoors in sunlight. If the P50 Pro really is 0 nits, there's an issue. Either it doesn't get very bright or the value is wrong. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Kirin 9000 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition (4 nm) | The Kirin 9000 is older, but still potent. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 is more modern and efficient, though, on paper, their performance is similar. |
| AnTuTu Score | 697,566 | 701,227 | Almost identical. Real-world gaming and app performance will feel very similar. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Sensor | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55", 1.00 µm | 200MP, f/1.9, 1/1.4", 0.56 µm | Honor 90: Higher resolution doesn't always mean better. Larger sensor size and wider aperture are important and the P50 Pro is better here. The P50 Pro will likely perform better in low light. |
| Telephoto | 64MP, f/3.4, 1/2", 0.70 µm | None | P50 Pro: Dedicated zoom lens is a big advantage for far-away shots. |
| Ultrawide | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06", 1.12 µm | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06", 1.12 µm | Nearly identical ultrawide lenses. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.4 | 50MP, f/2.4 | The Honor 90 selfie camera will likely produce sharper photos and videos. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps w/ EIS | Up to 4K@30fps w/ EIS | P50 Pro: Shoots smoother video at higher frame rates and offers video stabilization, which is a plus if you vlog or record a lot of action. |
| DXOMark Score | Mobile: 143, Selfie: 144 | Mobile: 122 | DXOMark Score shows that Huawei P50 Pro performs better in both Mobile and Selfie camera aspects compared to Honor 90. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4360mAh | 5000mAh | Honor 90: Larger battery will likely last noticeably longer on a single charge. |
| Charging | 66W Wired, 50W Wireless | 66W Wired | P50 Pro: Wireless charging is a nice convenience. |
| Other | |||
| Operating System | Unknown (Likely HarmonyOS without Google) | Android 13 | Honor 90: Android 13 = full Google support (Play Store, etc.). Huge consideration for many users. |
2. Key Insights
Huawei P50 Pro Strengths:
- Superior Camera System: Telephoto lens, better video recording capabilities, and potentially better low-light performance.
- Wireless Charging: A convenient feature for many users.
- Potentially Better Audio: If you're an audiophile, Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers are a plus.
- Comprehensive Sensors: Useful for niche applications and gaming.
Honor 90 Strengths:
- Brighter Display: Much better outdoor visibility.
- Larger Battery: Longer battery life, essential for heavy users.
- Android 13 with Full Google Support: A big deal for access to apps and services.
- More RAM: The 16GB option is good for heavy multitasking.
- Lighter and thinner: Easier to carry around.
Trade-offs:
- Huawei P50 Pro: Older phone, potentially limited software support (HarmonyOS without Google).
- Honor 90: Lacks a telephoto lens, and might not perform as well in low-light photography compared to the P50 Pro.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- The Photography Enthusiast (Huawei P50 Pro): If you prioritize camera quality, especially zoom capabilities and low-light performance, the P50 Pro is the better choice.
- The All-Day User (Honor 90): If you need a phone that lasts all day and value a bright display for outdoor use, the Honor 90 is the winner.
- The Google Services User (Honor 90): The Honor 90 has access to the Google Play Store, Google Assistant and all of the Google Services.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Ask yourself these questions:
- How important is having full access to Google services? If it's essential, the Honor 90 is the only option.
- Do you take a lot of zoom photos? If yes, the P50 Pro's telephoto lens is a major advantage.
- Do you need a phone that lasts all day on a single charge? If so, the Honor 90's larger battery is the way to go.
Which would I choose?
For me, it's the Honor 90. I value battery life and the convenience of a brighter screen for outdoor use. While the P50 Pro's camera is compelling, the Honor 90's practicality wins out, especially given the certainty of Google services support. The slightly newer chipset is an added bonus.
