Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison between the Realme C35 and the Huawei Mate 50 Pro. I'll break down the specs, offer some key insights, and help you figure out which phone might be the better fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison table, designed to not just list specs but also explain their real-world implications:
| Feature | Realme C35 | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.4 × 75.6 × 8.1 mm | 162.1 × 75.5 × 8.5 mm | Realme C35 is slightly taller, Huawei Mate 50 Pro is a bit thicker. Both fit well in hand but the Realme is a little less bulky |
| Weight | 189g | 205g | Realme C35 is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use, while the Huawei is heavier. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, not foldable |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.74" | Huawei offers a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and immersive experiences |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 | 1212 x 2616 | Huawei has a much sharper display with more detail for images, text, and video |
| PPI | 401 | 428 | Huawei has slightly higher pixel density, making visuals crisper. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | Huawei provides richer colours, deeper blacks, and better contrast thanks to OLED technology. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Huawei offers noticeably smoother animations and scrolling, resulting in a better gaming and navigation experience |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have similar peak brightness, and we can assume neither of these would shine too brightly in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4nm) | Huawei’s chipset is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading, better multitasking, and smoother gaming |
| Antutu Score | 230,726 | 1,022,043 | Huawei offers dramatically better performance, future-proofing the device for demanding apps and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 730 | Huawei's GPU is much more powerful, providing better graphical performance in gaming and demanding applications |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4700mAh | Realme C35 has slightly larger battery, potentially offering marginally longer battery life, though real-world use is complex. |
| Charging | 18W fast charging | 66W fast charging | Huawei can charge significantly faster, minimizing downtime and improving convenience. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, 50W wireless charging, 7.5W wireless reverse charging, Non-removable | Huawei offers wireless charging and the option to charge other devices, very convenient. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.56" sensor, Sony IMX766, 1.00 µm pixel size | Huawei has a wider aperture and larger sensor, allowing more light for better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 13MP, f/2.4 | Huawei offers slightly higher resolution on its front camera. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP, f/3.5, 1/2" sensor, Omnivision OV64B, 0.70 µm pixel size | Huawei has a dedicated telephoto lens, enabling optical zoom capabilities and far more versatility in photography. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 12MP, f/2.2, Sony IMX688 | Huawei offers a dedicated wide-angle lens for expansive shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Realme includes a macro lens for close-up shots |
| Black & White | 2MP, f/2.8 | None | Realme includes a monochrome lens for black and white pictures. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Up to 4K@60fps, 720p@3840fps slow-motion | Huawei supports higher resolution and frame rates and has more features and slow-motion capabilities. |
| DXOMark | None | Mobile: 149, Selfie: 145 | Huawei's superior camera quality is validated by industry benchmarks. |
| Features | Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, PDAF, CDAF, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, OIS, Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Laser AF, PDAF, CDAF, 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 has advanced features like OIS, Optical zoom, and better autofocus. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Unspecified | Realme runs on Android, while the Huawei operating system is not specified in this document. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Huawei supports the latest Wi-Fi standard, for faster speeds and better connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.2 | Huawei has a newer Bluetooth version for more reliable connections. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Huawei offers more precise location tracking with better positioning capabilities. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both phones support Dual SIM Dual Standby functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB or 128GB | 256GB or 512GB | Huawei offers substantially more storage capacity out of the box. |
| RAM | 4GB | 8GB | Huawei has double the RAM, enabling smoother multitasking and better app performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Stereo Speakers | Huawei offers better audio quality with dual stereo speakers for a richer multimedia experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Realme C35 has a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones use unknown screen protection technologies. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Gravity, Hall | Huawei Mate 50 Pro has a more complete sensor suite for advanced features and capabilities. |
2. Key Insights
Realme C35
Strengths:
- Budget-Friendly: The C35 is designed for affordability, making it a great entry-level smartphone.
- Lighter Build: It’s lighter and easier to handle for extended periods.
- Battery Life: It offers potentially longer battery life due to its higher capacity battery.
- Basic Features: Includes essential features like fingerprint sensor, dual-SIM, and a decent 50MP camera for everyday photography.
- Macro & Black and White Lenses: The addition of a Macro and Black & White camera provides some creative options.
Limitations:
- Performance: It is significantly less powerful compared to the Huawei Mate 50 Pro.
- Display: The IPS LCD screen is less vibrant and has lower resolution compared to the OLED screen of the Huawei
- Camera: The camera is not as good in terms of image quality, optical zoom, video recording, and the absence of OIS.
- No Storage Expansion: Lack of expandable storage may be limiting for some users.
Huawei Mate 50 Pro
Strengths:
- Premium Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip delivers top-tier performance for demanding apps, gaming, and multitasking.
- Superior Display: OLED display with higher resolution and 120Hz refresh rate provides a better visual experience.
- Excellent Camera System: The advanced camera system includes wide aperture, Telephoto lens with optical zoom, OIS, and 4k recording up to 60 fps.
- Fast Charging: 66W fast charging and wireless charging are highly convenient.
- Advanced Features: Additional features include stereo speakers, advanced sensors, better connectivity options, etc.
Limitations:
- Heavier Build: It is heavier, which may be less comfortable for some users.
- Battery life: The battery is smaller than the Realme C35, though it is a more efficient chipset.
- Price: It comes at a much higher price compared to Realme C35.
- No Storage Expansion: Just like the Realme C35, it does not support expandable storage.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Realme C35
- Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious users seeking an entry-level smartphone with a large battery and a decent display.
- Users who don’t need high-end performance and prioritize battery life.
- Those who want to have some basic photography capabilities without breaking the bank.
- First-time smartphone users or those looking for a backup device.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday use for basic tasks like calling, texting, and social media.
- Casual photography for social sharing.
- Extended usage for music or audiobooks.
Huawei Mate 50 Pro
- Ideal Users:
- Tech enthusiasts who demand top-tier performance and camera capabilities.
- Users who often take high-quality photos and videos.
- Users who need a device for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, etc.
- Those who appreciate cutting-edge technology and advanced features.
- Those who need fast charging and wireless charging.
- Use Cases:
- Professional photography and videography.
- High-end mobile gaming.
- Resource-intensive tasks like video editing and content creation.
- Business use with lots of multitasking and productivity apps.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help users decide between these two phones:
What is your budget?
- The Realme C35 is significantly more budget-friendly. If cost is a primary concern, it's the obvious choice.
- The Huawei Mate 50 Pro is a premium phone with a price tag to match. If you have the budget, it offers much more.
How important is performance to you?
- If you are just looking for a basic smartphone for essential tasks, the C35 is sufficient.
- If you need top-tier performance for gaming, complex apps, or multitasking, the Mate 50 Pro is the better choice by far.
What are your primary uses for the camera?
- If you only take casual pictures and share them on social media, the Realme C35 might be sufficient.
- If you want high-quality photography and versatility (zoom, wide angle), the Mate 50 Pro is an ideal choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: If you are looking for a budget-friendly secondary device with decent battery life and basic functionality, the Realme C35 is the better choice.
- Scenario 2: If you are looking for a premium device for demanding tasks, gaming, and excellent photo/video quality, the Huawei Mate 50 Pro is clearly the superior option.
- Scenario 3: If you want a mid-range option with decent performance, a good camera, and a reasonable price point, neither the Realme C35 nor the Mate 50 Pro is ideal, you should consider a device between those two in price and features.
Conclusion
The Realme C35 and Huawei Mate 50 Pro are targeted at completely different segments of the market. The Realme C35 is a budget device with basic capabilities, whereas the Huawei Mate 50 Pro is a premium smartphone with high-end performance. The choice depends on the user's budget and primary needs.
My Choice:
Personally, I would choose the Huawei Mate 50 Pro. While it is more expensive, the difference in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities is significant. As someone who uses their phone for demanding tasks, including photography and video, the Mate 50 Pro would be a superior tool for my everyday needs. Additionally, the addition of a telephoto lens with optical zoom, and a wide-angle lens, is crucial to me. Though the Realme C35 does include a macro lens which is something I might enjoy, it does not come close to outweighing the benefits the Huawei offers for me. Ultimately, I value the premium features and cutting-edge technology that the Huawei Mate 50 Pro offers, making the extra cost a worthwhile investment.
