Smartphone Comparison: Motorola One 5G Ace vs. Huawei Mate 50 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-14 | 2022-09-28 | Huawei is significantly newer, likely offering better software and feature support. |
| Dimensions | 166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm | 162.1 × 75.5 × 8.5 mm | Motorola is taller and thicker, potentially less comfortable in hand for some. |
| Weight | 212g | 205g | Huawei is slightly lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.74" | Negligible difference in screen size. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1212x2616 | Huawei has a sharper display with finer detail and less pixelation. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 393 | 428 | Huawei offers a slightly clearer display with more detailed text and images. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | Huawei has much better contrast, color accuracy, and deeper blacks. OLED also allows for potential always on display features and generally looks better. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Huawei provides smoother animations and scrolling, making the phone feel more responsive. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness at 0 nits - information is missing to determine actual brightness performance. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) | Huawei has a significantly more powerful chip for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. |
| AnTuTu Score | 330,000 | 1,022,043 | Huawei offers dramatically faster performance for all tasks, feeling more fluid and responsive. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 730 | Huawei's GPU is much more powerful, offering better graphics in gaming and demanding applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4700mAh | Motorola has a slightly larger battery, which might translate to slightly better battery life, depending on optimization. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging, 50W Wireless | Huawei charges much faster, reducing downtime, while also providing wireless charging capabilities. |
| Features | 10W charger in-box | 50W wireless charging, 7.5W reverse wireless charging | Huawei has advanced charging features like reverse wireless charging allowing to charge other wireless devices on the go. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.4, 1.0µm | Huawei's main sensor has a wider aperture for better low-light performance and larger pixels for higher light capture and higher photo quality. |
| Front Camera | 16MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 13MP, f/2.4 | Motorola has higher resolution front camera, though Huawei's might perform better in low light due to processing algorithms. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP, f/3.5, 0.7µm | Huawei has dedicated zoom capabilities, for better close-up and landscape photography. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 12MP, f/2.2 | Huawei's wide angle sensor has a higher resolution which should translate to better wide angle photos. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | None | Motorola offers macro lens for capturing detailed close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps (EIS), 1080p@60fps (EIS) | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR, various 1080p options (all with HDR, EIS), Slow Motion up to 720p@3840fps | Huawei offers a vastly superior and more versatile video recording suite including HDR, more slow motion options, better image stabilization and generally higher quality. |
| DXOMark Scores | N/A | Mobile: 149, Selfie: 145 | Huawei has very high camera scores in DXOMARK, indicating excellent photo and video quality. |
| Features | Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Laser autofocus (LAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Laser AF, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Contrast detection autofocus (CDAF), Laser autofocus (LAF), Dual front camera, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | Huawei offers advanced features like optical zoom and OIS for better image quality, and a variety of autofocusing technologies. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Unspecified | Huawei's OS is not specified, which could be a major drawback given the lack of Google services in recent Huawei phones. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Huawei has a faster Wi-Fi standard for better connectivity and speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.2 | Huawei has a newer Bluetooth version for better efficiency and range. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Huawei provides superior location tracking with a greater number of supported satellite systems. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM | Huawei supports two SIM cards, making it better for travel or separating work and personal contacts. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 256GB/512GB | Huawei offers significantly more storage, which is great for storing high-res media. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 8GB | Huawei has more RAM, enabling smoother multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | 2 microphones | Stereo Speakers | Huawei's stereo speakers provide better audio clarity and immersion for media consumption. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic biometric security via fingerprint scanner, but the exact sensor on the Huawei is unknown |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | unknown | unknown | Screen protection technology of both devices is unspecified. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Gravity, Hall | Huawei has additional sensors (barometer, gravity, hall) suitable for advanced features and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola One 5G Ace Advantages:
- Potentially Better Battery Life: Slightly larger battery may offer longer usage between charges depending on optimisation.
- Macro Camera: Dedicated macro lens for detailed close-up photography.
- Lower Price: Likely to be more affordable, targeting budget-conscious consumers.
- Higher Resolution Front Facing Camera: 16MP vs 13MP on the Huawei.
Huawei Mate 50 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: OLED technology, higher resolution, 120Hz refresh rate for a much better viewing experience.
- Much Faster Performance: Cutting-edge processor and GPU for smooth multitasking and gaming.
- Advanced Camera System: Higher resolution main sensor, wider aperture, dedicated telephoto lens and OIS for excellent image quality across different situations.
- Faster Charging: 66W fast charging and 50W wireless charging for quick replenishment.
- More Storage and RAM: Significantly more built-in storage and RAM for better performance and future-proofing.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers for richer sound quality.
- More Comprehensive Connectivity: Faster Wi-Fi, newer Bluetooth version, and better GPS.
- More Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Includes a barometer and hall sensor.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Motorola: Trade-offs include lower screen quality, performance, camera capabilities and lack of fast charging and modern features like wireless charging.
- Huawei: Trade-offs could be software related, due to lack of Google Play Store support. It might also be a significantly higher price tag.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Motorola One 5G Ace:
- Budget-conscious users seeking 5G connectivity.
- Users who prioritize battery life over top-tier performance.
- Individuals who do not need a high-end camera system and are looking for basic smartphone capabilities.
- Users who need a macro camera for close up photography.
Use Cases:
- Basic social media, web browsing, and communication.
- Occasional photography.
- Light gaming.
- Users needing long battery life.
Ideal User for Huawei Mate 50 Pro:
- Users who demand top-tier performance and a great display experience.
- Enthusiast photographers who require advanced camera features.
- Users who value a premium design and build quality.
- Users who need fast charging and wireless charging capabilities.
- Users who need a high-end device for demanding tasks like mobile gaming, content creation, and video editing.
Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile gaming and applications.
- Professional photography and videography.
- High-quality media consumption.
- Users who need dual SIM capability.
- Users who value a premium and future-proofed experience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? Motorola will be cheaper, but the Huawei provides significantly better features for the higher price.
- What do you value most in a smartphone? Display quality, camera performance, or overall speed?
- Are you comfortable with potentially limited software support on the Huawei due to the lack of Google Play Store?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: If you are looking for a basic, functional 5G phone with a large screen and good battery life at a low price point, the Motorola One 5G Ace is a suitable option.
- Scenario 2: If you want the best possible display, camera, and performance for demanding tasks, the Huawei Mate 50 Pro is the clear winner despite the higher price, assuming software limitations aren't a major concern.
- Scenario 3: If your budget is somewhere in the middle you should consider devices that fall between these two in terms of price and specs.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Huawei Mate 50 Pro. Despite the missing information about its operating system and potential limitations due to lack of Google services, the massive differences in display quality, performance, and camera capabilities are too significant to ignore. As an enthusiast, those are very important features for me. The Motorola, while potentially cheaper, lags too far behind in almost every key area. The higher cost of the Huawei will be worth the investment for the dramatically better user experience. However, if I was on a tight budget, then the Motorola would be a decent budget option for general use, as long as I can accept its drawbacks.
