Alright, let's dive deep into the showdown between the Huawei P50 Pro and the Pura 70 Ultra. This isn't just about specs on paper; it's about how these phones perform in your hand and in your life. I'll break it down in a way that's both technically sound and easy to understand, just like explaining it to a friend over coffee.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed comparison, highlighting what each specification means for the everyday user:
| Feature | Huawei P50 Pro | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 158.8 × 72.8 × 8.5 mm | 162.6 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | Pura 70 Ultra is slightly larger and might feel more substantial in hand. |
| Weight | 195g | 226g | P50 Pro is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for longer use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.8" | Pura 70 Ultra offers a bit more screen real estate for immersive viewing and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1228x2700 | 1260x2844 | Pura 70 Ultra has a slightly sharper display, though the difference might not be noticeable to everyone. |
| PPI | 450 | 460 | Both offer excellent pixel density; images and text will appear crisp and clear. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | Pura 70 Ultra’s display is dramatically brighter, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, enhancing the overall user experience. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Kirin 9000 (5 nm) | Kirin 9010 (7 nm) | Pura 70 Ultra’s newer chip offers improved performance and efficiency, though the difference might not be huge in daily use. |
| AnTuTu Score | 697,566 | 869,707 | Pura 70 Ultra scores higher, indicating better performance for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. |
| RAM | 8 GB or 12 GB | 16 GB | Pura 70 Ultra's generous RAM ensures smoother multitasking and better handling of memory-intensive applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55" | 50MP, f/1.6, 1" | Pura 70 Ultra's wider aperture and larger sensor capture more light, resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP, f/3.4, 1/2" | 50MP, f/2.1 | Pura 70 Ultra’s wider aperture allows for brighter, more detailed zoomed-in shots. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Wide Angle + Macro | 40MP, f/2.2, 1/1.7" | Pura 70 Ultra has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing expansive scenes, while P50 Pro had Wide Angle + Macro |
| Black & White | 40MP, f/1.6, 1/1.7" | None | P50 Pro had a black and white camera, while Pura 70 Ultra doesn't. |
| DXOMark Mobile Score | 143 | 163 | Pura 70 Ultra's higher DXOMark score indicates superior overall camera performance. |
| DXOMark Photo Score | 143 | 0 | P50 Pro perfomed better in photo tests |
| DXOMark Video Score | 139 | 0 | P50 Pro perfomed better in video tests |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4360mAh | 5200mAh | Pura 70 Ultra’s larger battery provides significantly longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging. |
| Charging | 66W fast charging | 100W fast charging | Pura 70 Ultra charges much faster, allowing you to quickly top up the battery when needed. |
| Wireless Charging | 50W | 80W | Pura 70 Ultra offers faster wireless charging speeds, adding convenience to your charging routine. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 512/1024 GB | Pura 70 Ultra offers double the maximum storage, ideal for users with large media libraries or demanding apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, so choose a model with sufficient internal storage. |
2. Key Insights
Huawei P50 Pro Strengths:
- Lighter Design: Its lighter weight makes it more comfortable for prolonged use.
- Superior black and white camera: The dedicated camera allows to take photos with higher quality.
- DXOMark Video Score: Video quality is better on the P50 Pro.
- DXOMark Photo Score: Photo quality is better on the P50 Pro.
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra Strengths:
- Brighter Display: The significantly brighter screen makes it much easier to use outdoors in sunlight.
- Faster Performance: The newer chipset and more RAM provide smoother performance for demanding tasks.
- Superior Camera System: The larger sensor and wider aperture on the main camera improve low-light photography.
- Larger Battery: Offers longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging.
- Faster Charging: Both wired and wireless charging are significantly faster.
- More Storage: Options for larger internal storage cater to users with extensive media collections.
- Better camera (DXOMark mobile score): Superior overall camera performance.
Trade-offs:
- The Pura 70 Ultra is heavier, which might not be ideal for everyone.
- Neither phone supports expandable storage, which could be a limitation for some users.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Huawei P50 Pro: Best for users who prioritize a lighter device, value a well-rounded camera system, and are comfortable with the performance of the Kirin 9000 chipset.
- Huawei Pura 70 Ultra: Ideal for users who demand top-tier performance, need excellent outdoor screen visibility, prioritize camera quality (especially in low light), and want longer battery life with fast charging.
Specific Use Cases:
- P50 Pro: Excellent for everyday photography, video recording, and general use where comfort and weight are important.
- Pura 70 Ultra: Perfect for professional photographers, content creators, and power users who need a device that can handle demanding tasks and capture stunning photos and videos in any environment.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you decide:
- How important is screen brightness for outdoor use? If you frequently use your phone in bright sunlight, the Pura 70 Ultra is the clear winner.
- How important is performance and battery life? The Pura 70 Ultra offers better performance and longer battery life, making it ideal for power users.
- Is weight a significant factor? If you prefer a lighter phone for comfortable handling, the P50 Pro might be a better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Outdoor Enthusiast: Choose the Pura 70 Ultra for its incredible screen brightness and excellent camera.
- For the Mobile Gamer: Choose the Pura 70 Ultra for its superior performance and larger battery.
- For the Everyday User: The P50 Pro is a solid choice if you value comfort and a balanced feature set.
- For the Photography Pro: Choose the Pura 70 Ultra for its superior overall camera performance.
My Choice
If I were making the choice, I'd go for the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra.
Here's why:
As a tech journalist and analyst, I value a device that pushes the boundaries of technology and provides a superior user experience. The Pura 70 Ultra offers several key advantages that align with my needs:
- Incredible Screen Brightness: I often work outdoors, so the Pura 70 Ultra's 2500-nit display is a game-changer for visibility.
- Top-Tier Performance: I run a lot of apps simultaneously and often edit photos and videos on the go, so the faster performance and ample RAM are crucial.
- Exceptional Camera: Photography is a big part of my work, and the Pura 70 Ultra's larger sensor, wider aperture, and impressive low-light capabilities would allow me to capture stunning images in any environment.
- Longer Battery Life: I'm often on the move, so the larger battery and faster charging ensure that I can stay productive throughout the day without worrying about running out of power.
Yes, the Pura 70 Ultra is heavier, but the benefits it offers in terms of performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and battery life outweigh this minor drawback for my specific use case. The P50 Pro is a great phone, but the Pura 70 Ultra represents a significant step forward in mobile technology, making it the clear winner for me.
