Huawei Mate 50 Pro

Huawei Mate 50 Pro Review

The Huawei Mate 50 Pro, released on September 28, 2022, is a premium smartphone positioned in the medium price range. It boasts a robust set of features, including an advanced camera system and a high-performance chipset.

Key Features

• Display: 6.74-inch OLED display with 1212 x 2616 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and 1 billion colors.
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm) chipset.
• Memory: 8GB of RAM with 256GB or 512GB of storage (no SD card slot).
• Cameras: Triple rear camera setup (50MP main, 13MP ultrawide, 64MP telephoto with 3.5x optical zoom) and a 13MP front-facing camera with a secondary 3D depth camera.
• Battery: 4700 mAh battery with 66W fast wired charging and 50W wireless charging.
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, and USB Type-C 3.1 with OTG and DisplayPort 1.2.
• Other: In-display fingerprint sensor, Face ID, and a suite of sensors (accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, and color spectrum).

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Exceptional display quality with vibrant colors and smooth 120Hz refresh rate.
• Powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset ensures fast and fluid performance.
• Versatile and impressive camera system with great image quality and zoom capabilities (3.5x optical, 100x digital).
• Fast charging options, including 66W wired and 50W wireless.
• Premium build quality and design.
• Stereo speakers.
• Wide array of video recording capabilities including 4k 60fps with HDR, and up to 720p 3840fps in slow motion.
• Comprehensive sensor suite for advanced functionality.

Cons:

• Lacks 5G connectivity.
• No expandable storage via SD card.
• No HDR10, HDR10+ or Dolby Vision support on the display.
• Absence of a notification LED.

User Experience

The Huawei Mate 50 Pro offers a smooth and responsive user experience, owing to its powerful processor and high refresh rate display. The absence of 5G can be a drawback for some users, however, the device handles most tasks seamlessly, from gaming to multitasking. The camera system stands out, producing high-quality images and videos across various scenarios. The fast charging and wireless charging capabilities offer convenience. The device's build and design feel premium, making it comfortable to hold and use. The user interface is fluid and generally intuitive, but its reliance on Huawei's ecosystem might be a limiting factor for those heavily invested in other platforms.

Hardware & Design

The Mate 50 Pro has a premium build, measuring 162.1mm in height, 75.5mm in width, and 8.5mm in depth, weighing 205 grams. The device incorporates a 6.74-inch OLED display with a 1212 x 2616 resolution and a pixel density of 428 ppi. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset and an Adreno 730 GPU. The phone has 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM and either 256GB or 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage. It houses a 4700 mAh battery with 66W wired charging and 50W wireless charging. The camera setup on the back features a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 64MP telephoto lens, while the front includes a 13MP selfie camera plus an additional 3D depth sensor. The device comes with an in-display fingerprint sensor and Face ID. It features stereo speakers but lacks a headphone jack. It has a USB Type-C 3.1 port with OTG and DisplayPort 1.2.

Conclusion

The Huawei Mate 50 Pro is a high-end smartphone that delivers on most fronts. Its standout features include its impressive camera system, powerful processor, and vibrant display. The absence of 5G is a notable drawback. The phone's build quality and design contribute to a premium feel. It’s a compelling option for those seeking a capable camera phone with a robust performance, but those requiring 5G might need to look elsewhere. Despite not offering the latest generation processor, the phone still provides plenty of power for even the most demanding tasks. The device's positioning in the medium price range makes it a contender in its segment, offering a solid set of premium features for a competitive price.