Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Huawei P50 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S23+. I'll break down the specs, highlight the real-world implications, and provide clear recommendations to help you decide which phone might be the better fit for your needs.
Huawei P50 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S23+: A Tech Journalist's Deep Dive
Here's a structured look at how these two flagship contenders stack up.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Huawei P50 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S23+ | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 158.8 × 72.8 × 8.5 mm | 157.8 × 76.2 × 7.6 mm | The S23+ is slightly shorter and thinner but a bit wider. The P50 Pro might feel a tad more compact in hand. |
| Weight | 195g | 196g | Negligible difference in weight; both feel substantial but not overly heavy. |
| Build Quality | Unknown Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | The S23+ has a considerable advantage in screen durability. P50 Pro information is missing, it will be more susceptible to damage in drops or scratches |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.6" | Identical screen size; both offer ample viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1228x2700 | 1080x2340 | The P50 Pro has a sharper display; text and images will appear noticeably more crisp. |
| PPI | 450 | 393 | Higher pixel density on the P50 Pro means finer details and less pixelation. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. AMOLED is Samsung's marketing term for their OLED panels, so the difference is minimal. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both; excellent for gaming and general UI experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1750 nits | The S23+ display will be much more visible in bright sunlight; the P50 Pro's usability outdoors is questionable due to the missing nit information. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Kirin 9000 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | The S23+ chipset is significantly faster and more efficient; expect smoother performance in demanding tasks and better power management. |
| AnTuTu Score | 697,566 | 1,508,732 | The S23+ has a massive performance advantage; it will handle games, video editing, and multitasking with ease. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP24 (Adreno 660) | Adreno 740 | The S23+ GPU is considerably more powerful; games will run at higher settings with better frame rates. |
| RAM | 8 GB or 12 GB | 8 GB | The P50 Pro can have up to 12GB of RAM, offering better multitasking capabilities. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57" | The P50 Pro has a slightly larger sensor, potentially capturing more light and detail. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP, f/3.4, 1/2" | 10MP, f/2.4, 1/3.9" | The P50 Pro's telephoto lens has a huge resolution advantage and larger sensor, allowing for more detailed zoomed-in shots. |
| Ultrawide Lens | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | The S23+ has an Ultrawide Lens while Huawei has a Wide Angle + Macro lens |
| B&W Camera | 40MP, f/1.6, 1/1.7" | N/A | The P50 Pro has a Black & white lens; Samsung doesn't have this |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.4 | 12MP, f/2.2 | Minor differences; the S23+ has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light performance. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 8K@30fps | The S23+ can record higher-resolution video; beneficial for professional use or future-proofing. |
| DXOMark Score | 143 (Mobile) | 133 (Mobile) | The P50 Pro has a higher DXOMark score, indicating potentially better overall camera performance (though scores should be taken with a grain of salt). |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4360mAh | 4700mAh | The S23+ has a slightly larger battery; expect marginally better battery life. |
| Charging | 66W wired, 50W wireless | 45W wired, 10W wireless | The P50 Pro charges much faster, both wired and wirelessly. |
| Other | |||
| Software | Unknown | Android 13, upgradable to 17 | The S23+ runs a modern version of Android with guaranteed updates; the P50 Pro's software situation is less clear. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage; choose the storage variant that best suits your needs upfront. |
2. Key Insights
Huawei P50 Pro:
- Strengths: Exceptional camera system (especially telephoto and black and white lens), higher-resolution display, faster charging (wired and wireless), and potentially more RAM depending on the variant.
- Competitive Advantages: The P50 Pro stands out in camera performance (based on specifications and DXOMark scores) and charging speed.
- Trade-offs: Older chipset resulting in lower overall performance, questionable software support and availability, and an uncertain screen protection.
Samsung Galaxy S23+:
- Strengths: Significantly more powerful chipset, brighter display, 8K video recording, better Bluetooth connectivity, more reliable software support with guaranteed updates, and superior build quality (Gorilla Glass Victus 2).
- Competitive Advantages: The S23+ delivers top-tier performance, a vibrant and visible display, and peace of mind with guaranteed software updates.
- Trade-offs: Slower charging speeds (wired and wireless) and a telephoto lens with comparatively lower specs.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Huawei P50 Pro:
- Best Suited For: Photography enthusiasts who prioritize zoom capabilities and unique camera features like the black and white lens. Users who value faster charging speeds.
- Use Cases: Capturing detailed telephoto shots, experimenting with monochrome photography, and quickly topping up the battery.
Samsung Galaxy S23+:
- Best Suited For: Users who demand high performance for gaming, video editing, and multitasking. Those who value a bright, easily visible display and long-term software support.
- Use Cases: Playing graphically intensive games, editing 4K or 8K videos, and relying on the phone for productivity tasks throughout the day.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Three Key Questions:
- How important is top-tier performance to you? If you need the absolute fastest performance for demanding tasks, the S23+ is the clear winner.
- Do you prioritize camera zoom capabilities and unique camera features? The P50 Pro offers more versatile zoom capabilities and specialized lenses like the black and white sensor.
- How crucial is long-term software support and screen protection? The S23+ guarantees years of updates and has superior screen protection.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- You're a mobile gamer or content creator: Go for the Samsung Galaxy S23+ to get the high performance for mobile gaming and content creation with 8K video.
- You're passionate about photography, especially zoom photography: The Huawei P50 Pro delivers with its exceptional telephoto and black and white lens features.
- You value a balance of performance, reliability, and features: Samsung Galaxy S23+ is the most balanced phone.
My Choice: Samsung Galaxy S23+
While the Huawei P50 Pro has some compelling camera advantages, I would personally choose the Samsung Galaxy S23+. Here's why:
- Performance Matters: As a tech journalist, I constantly juggle multiple apps, edit photos and videos on the go, and need a phone that can keep up. The S23+'s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip offers a significant performance boost that directly impacts my productivity.
- Software Assurance: The S23+ receives guaranteed software updates. With the Huawei P50 Pro having no software or support information, this is very important to me.
- Brighter and more durable Screen: Working outside and on the move requires a bright and durable screen, the S23+ is the better choice for my usage.
The camera on the P50 Pro is great, however, in my opinion, the Samsung Galaxy S23+ is the stronger phone. It has more pros than cons, and the pros outweigh the P50 Pro.
