1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus Nord | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 158.3 × 73.3 × 8.2 mm | 162.1 × 75.5 × 8.5 mm | Mate 50 Pro is larger, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use, especially for smaller hands. |
| Weight | 184g | 205g | Nord is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build Quality (Screen Protection) | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Nord offers better-known scratch and impact resistance for the screen. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus Nord | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.44" | 6.74" | Mate 50 Pro offers a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1212x2616 | Mate 50 Pro has a sharper, more detailed display, especially noticeable when viewing high-resolution content. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 408 | 428 | Mate 50 Pro has slightly better sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. Differences are minimal in real-world use. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Mate 50 Pro provides smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the overall user experience, especially in fast-paced games. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is an important factor for outdoor visibility. Both phones have identical peak brightness at 0 nits which is a major disadvantage. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus Nord | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm) | Mate 50 Pro offers significantly faster performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 714,400 | 1,022,043 | Mate 50 Pro provides a smoother and more responsive user experience overall. |
| GPU | Adreno 620 (9x Arm Mali-G77 MC9) | Adreno 730 (Qualcomm Adreno 730) | Mate 50 Pro provides better graphics performance for gaming and other graphically intensive applications. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus Nord | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" Sony IMX766, 1.00 µm | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.56" Sony IMX766, 1.00 µm | Mate 50 Pro's wider aperture (f/1.4) allows more light, resulting in better low-light performance and shallower depth of field. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP, f/3.5, 1/2" Omnivision OV64B, 0.70 µm | Mate 50 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities, allowing for detailed close-up shots without significant quality loss. |
| Ultrawide Lens | 8MP, f/2.25, 1/2.8" Sony IMX355, 1.14 µm | 12MP, f/2.2, Sony IMX688 | Mate 50 Pro captures more detailed ultrawide photos with a wider field of view due to higher resolution and wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.45, 1/2.74" Sony IMX615, 0.80 µm | 13MP, f/2.4 | Nord captures more detailed selfies in good lighting conditions due to higher resolution. Mate 50 pro has a wider aperture. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps with EIS | 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS, up to 720p@3840fps slow-mo | Mate 50 Pro offers more versatile video recording options, including higher frame rates at 4K and extreme slow-motion capabilities. |
| DXOMark (Mobile) | N/A | 149 | Mate 50 Pro has a significantly better camera system according to DXOMark. |
| Features | OIS, PDAF, RAW | OIS, PDAF, Laser AF, Optical Zoom, Night Mode | Mate 50 Pro offers a more comprehensive set of camera features, including optical zoom, laser autofocus, and a dedicated night mode for improved low-light performance. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus Nord | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4700mAh | Mate 50 Pro offers slightly longer battery life, potentially lasting through a full day of moderate to heavy use. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging, Li-Polymer | 66W fast charging, Li-Ion | Both phones charge very quickly. The difference is negligible. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, 50W wireless charging, 7.5W wireless reverse charging, Non-removable | Mate 50 Pro offers more convenient charging options, including wireless charging and reverse wireless charging for compatible devices. |
Storage
| Feature | OnePlus Nord | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | N/A | 256 GB or 512 GB | Mate 50 Pro offers significantly more internal storage for storing files, apps, and media. |
| RAM | N/A | 8 GB | Mate 50 Pro has more RAM, good for multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for expanding storage via microSD card. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus Nord Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: More comfortable for one-handed use and carrying around.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 provides peace of mind.
- Noise cancellation microphone: clearer calls, better audio separation and immersion.
Huawei Mate 50 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly More Powerful Performance: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 offers a smoother and more responsive experience.
- Superior Camera System: Offers telephoto lens, better low-light performance, and more versatile video recording options.
- Larger and Sharper Display: Provides a more immersive viewing experience.
- Wireless Charging and Reverse Wireless Charging: Offers convenient charging options.
- Larger Storage Options: Provides more space for files, apps, and media.
- Better GPS: Supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy.
- Barometer: Includes additional environmental sensors.
Trade-offs:
- Choosing the OnePlus Nord means sacrificing performance and camera quality for a more compact and lighter design.
- Choosing the Huawei Mate 50 Pro means a larger and heavier phone, but gaining significantly better performance and camera capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus Nord:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize a lightweight and compact phone for everyday tasks.
- Use Cases:
- Casual social media browsing
- Making calls and sending messages
- General productivity tasks
- Price-to-Value: Good value if the primary concern is affordability and portability.
Huawei Mate 50 Pro:
- Ideal User: Power users who demand top-tier performance, a high-quality camera, and a premium multimedia experience.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming
- Photography and videography
- Demanding productivity tasks
- Media consumption
- Price-to-Value: Justified for users who heavily utilize their smartphone's performance and camera capabilities.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your budget? The OnePlus Nord is likely more affordable.
- How important is performance? The Mate 50 Pro offers significantly better performance.
- How important is camera quality? The Mate 50 Pro offers a superior camera system.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget is tight, and the phone is mainly for basic communication and social media.
- Recommendation: OnePlus Nord. It covers the basics adequately.
- Scenario 2: Camera quality and performance are essential for photography, gaming, and demanding apps.
- Recommendation: Huawei Mate 50 Pro. The superior camera and performance justify the higher price.
- Scenario 3: A balance between price, performance, and camera is needed.
- Recommendation: Huawei Mate 50 Pro. Even at a higher price, the Mate 50 Pro provides better value due to the better performance and camera.
Which phone would I choose?
I would choose the Huawei Mate 50 Pro.
Reasoning:
While the OnePlus Nord has the advantage of being lighter and more compact, the Huawei Mate 50 Pro offers a superior experience in almost every other aspect that I value in a smartphone. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset provides significantly better performance, which is crucial for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and multitasking. The camera system on the Mate 50 Pro is also a major selling point, with its versatile telephoto lens, excellent low-light performance, and more versatile video recording capabilities. I also consume a lot of media on my phone and really appreciate the higher resolution and larger screen on the Mate 50 Pro. The wireless charging and reverse wireless charging features are a bonus, as they add convenience to my daily routine. The bigger RAM and internal storage options are important for me since I like to keep a lot of apps and files on my device. While the Nord offers a noise cancellation microphone which is very useful, the advantages that come with the Huawei Mate 50 Pro greatly outweigh it. Although the price would be a concern, the overall benefits justify the cost, making it the more sensible choice for my needs.
