Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison between the Huawei P50 Pro and the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra. I'll break down the specs, highlight the key differences, and give you my take on which phone might be the better fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at how these two phones stack up, with an emphasis on real-world implications:
| Feature | Huawei P50 Pro | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 158.8 × 72.8 × 8.5 mm | 161.1 × 72.4 × 8.6 mm | Nearly identical in hand feel. The Motorola is a hair taller, but you likely won't notice. |
| Weight | 195g | 197g | Negligible difference. Both feel substantial without being overly heavy. |
| Build Quality | Unknown Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Motorola offers superior screen protection against scratches and drops. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.7" | The Motorola has a slightly larger screen for a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1228x2700 | 1220x2712 | Practically the same sharpness. Both displays will look crisp. |
| PPI | 450 | 446 | Pixel density nearly identical, both delivering sharp images. |
| Technology | OLED | P-OLED | Very similar OLED technologies, expect vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | The Motorola's higher refresh rate makes scrolling and animations feel slightly smoother. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | Huge difference: The Motorola will be much easier to see in bright sunlight. The Huawei's brightness information is missing, a potential red flag. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Kirin 9000 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) | The Motorola has a newer, more powerful chip. Expect faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 697,566 | 1,523,879 | Motorola offers significantly higher performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP24 | Adreno 735 | The Adreno 735 in the Motorola is generally considered more powerful and efficient. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55" | 50MP, f/1.6, 1/1.3" | The Motorola has a slightly wider aperture and larger sensor, potentially leading to better low-light performance and shallower depth of field. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.4 | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/2.76" | The Motorola boasts a much higher resolution and wider aperture selfie camera for better detail and low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP, f/3.4, 1/2" | 64MP, f/2.4, 1/2" | Motorola's telephoto lens is significantly wider with a f/2.4 aperture compared to Huawei's f/3.4. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Wide Angle + Macro: 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.76" | The Motorola has a dedicated Wide Angle lens camera, which is better than Huawei's Wide Angle + Macro camera. |
| Black & White Lens | 40MP, f/1.6, 1/1.7" | None | Huawei's black and white lens allows capturing stunning monochrome photography. |
| Video Recording | 4K@60fps with EIS | 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS | Both offer excellent video capabilities, but the Motorola supports HDR recording for wider dynamic range. |
| DXOMARK | Mobile: 143, Selfie: 144 | Mobile: 146 | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra boasts a superior Mobile camera with 3 points higher overall. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4360mAh | 4500mAh | A small difference, expect similar battery life under normal use. |
| Charging | 66W wired, 50W wireless | 125W wired, 50W wireless, 10W reverse wireless | The Motorola charges much faster wired. Wireless charging speeds are comparable. |
| Features | Reverse wireless charging | Reverse charging | Both offer wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Unknown | Android 14 | The Motorola has a modern Android OS, while the Huawei's OS is not specified, and might be older or subject to software limitations (no Google Services in some regions). |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | The Motorola supports the latest Wi-Fi standard for faster speeds and better performance on compatible networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.4 LE | The Motorola has a newer Bluetooth version, potentially offering improved efficiency and features. |
| GPS | More systems | Fewer systems | The Huawei supports more satellite systems for potentially better location accuracy in challenging environments. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | The Motorola offers the flexibility of an eSIM for easy switching between carriers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 512/1024 GB | The Motorola offers a higher maximum storage option (1TB vs 512GB). |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 12/16 GB | The Motorola offers more RAM (16GB), excellent for heavy multitasking and demanding games. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, so choose your storage option wisely. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | The Motorola has an extra microphone which will improve audio quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both offer standard fingerprint security. |
| Sensors | Barometer, etc. | Fewer sensors | The Huawei includes additional environmental sensors, which might be useful for specific applications. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Edge 50 Ultra Strengths:
- Display: Significantly brighter display for better outdoor visibility.
- Performance: Newer, more powerful processor for snappier performance.
- Charging: Much faster wired charging.
- Connectivity: Supports the latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards.
- Software: Modern Android OS.
- Storage: Higher maximum storage option (1TB).
Huawei P50 Pro Strengths:
- Camera: 40MP Black and White lens.
- GPS: Supports more satellite systems for potentially better location accuracy.
- Sensors: Includes additional environmental sensors.
- Selfie Camera: Higher DXOMARK score of 144 compared to Motorola.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- The Huawei P50 Pro is an older device, which may affect software support and availability.
- The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra has a better overall Mobile camera with a DXOMARK score of 146 compared to Huawei's 143.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is ideal for:
- Users who prioritize performance and speed.
- People who spend a lot of time outdoors and need a bright display.
- Tech enthusiasts who want the latest connectivity features (Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4).
- Users who want a modern, clean Android experience.
- Huawei P50 Pro is ideal for:
- Users who prioritize great monochrome photos.
- Those who need highly accurate GPS.
- Users who value environmental sensors.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you decide:
- How important is outdoor visibility to you? If you frequently use your phone in bright sunlight, the Motorola's significantly brighter display is a major advantage.
- Do you need the absolute latest performance? The Motorola's newer processor will provide a smoother, faster experience, especially for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing.
- Are you okay with the unknown OS software of Huawei P50 Pro? The Android 14 of Motorola guarantees good support.
Which would I choose?
Given the information available, I would choose the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra.
Here's why:
- Brighter Display: As a tech journalist, I often work outdoors, and a bright, visible display is crucial.
- Performance: I demand a smooth, responsive experience, and the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset offers a significant performance boost.
- Modern Software: I appreciate a clean, up-to-date Android experience with guaranteed support.
- Connectivity: I value having the latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards for faster speeds and better performance.
While the Huawei P50 Pro has some unique strengths, the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra offers a more well-rounded package with a focus on the features that I value most. Plus, the improved screen protection of the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra give me a peace of mind while travelling.
