Huawei P50 review
The Huawei P50 is a mid-range smartphone that offers impressive specs at an affordable price. While it lacks the bells and whistles of its higher-end Pro variant, it still boasts features like a Snapdragon 888 chipset, Leica Optic dual matrix camera construction with Xb Fusion, and stereo speakers. One notable change from the Pro variant is the removal of the mirror-like finish, which made the P50 Pro a major fingerprint magnet. The new design is more practical and refined, with a flat-edge 6.5-inch display that feels more manageable in the hands. The screen itself still retains impressive specs, including an 88% screen-to-body ratio, 90Hz refresh rate, and 458 ppi density. However, the camera setup on the P50 takes a hit compared to the Pro variant, with only a 50MP wide and 12MP periscope telephoto camera. This results in images that are less vibrant and have reduced contrast compared to the Pro variant. Despite this, the cameras still produce sharp images and videos. The battery life is also slightly underwhelming, lasting around a day with moderate use. However, the inclusion of a 66W fast charger means you can quickly top up your phone's power when needed. Priced at $998 (approximately $2999 in ringgit), the Huawei P50 feels like a solid mid-range option that offers impressive specs without breaking the bank. For those looking for a more affordable alternative, the Nova 9 is another option to consider, priced at $698 with similar features. Ultimately, the Huawei P50 feels like a well-rounded device that sits comfortably in its price range. While it may not be the most powerful or feature-packed smartphone on the market, it's definitely worth considering for those looking for a reliable and affordable Android device.
Build Quality and Design
The Huawei P50 boasts a more practical design compared to its predecessor, the P50 Pro. The removal of the mirror-like finish from the latter is a wise decision, as it was a major fingerprint magnet and somewhat ostentatious. In contrast, the P50's coco gold colorway with a muted matte finish is more appealing and feels better in the hands. The phone's build quality has also seen an improvement. Gone is the over-the-edge curved design, replaced by a flat-edged 6.5-inch display that makes it feel more manageable. The screen still boasts an impressive 88% screen-to-body ratio with reasonably thin bezels and a punch-hole cutout housing the 13-megapixel front-facing camera. The true chroma OLED panel remains one of the standout features, delivering a very punchy bright output supporting P3 white color gamut, reaching up to 1 billion colors. It also manages a smooth viewing experience with a refresh rate of 90Hz and touch sampling rate of 300Hz, although it's a step down from the 120Hz found in some other devices. The design change from the P50 Pro has made the P50 feel more refined, despite the smaller display size. However, some may find this to be a compromise if they were expecting an all-rounder with higher gaming specs. Overall, the Huawei P50's design and build quality make it a formidable mid-range offering that is worth considering.
Battery Life
The Huawei P50 is a solid mid-range device that checks many boxes, but unfortunately, its battery life falls short of expectations. With a 4100mAh battery capacity, I was hoping for at least a day and a half of moderate use, but reality fell short. In my testing, the battery life reached up to only about a day's worth of use, which is disappointing given the size of the battery. Heavy users will likely find themselves needing to top up mid-day, which may not be ideal for those on-the-go. While it's true that fast charging can make up for some of this shortfall, the fact remains that the P50's battery life is less than what I would have liked. The 66W fast charger in the box is a nice touch, though, and does get you back to 100% in approximately 40 minutes. In comparison to other devices in its class, the P50's battery life feels a bit underwhelming. If battery life is a top priority for you, you may want to consider other options. However, if you're willing to compromise on battery life for a solid mid-range device with great cameras and performance, the P50 might still be worth considering. Ultimately, the P50's battery life feels like a minor misstep in an otherwise solid package.
Display
The Huawei P50's display is a significant departure from its predecessor, the P50 Pro. Gone are the curved edges, replaced by a more practical flat design. The 6.5-inch True Chroma OLED screen still boasts an impressive 88% screen-to-body ratio and reasonable thin bezels, but it feels more manageable in the hand. While it's a decent display, I couldn't help but feel that it was a step down from the P50 Pro. The resolution is still respectable at 458 PPI, and colors are consistent throughout. However, the punchy bright output supporting p3 white color gamut and reaching up to 1 billion colors is somewhat diminished. The screen's touch sampling rate has been reduced to 300 Hz from the P50 Pro's 120 Hz, which might be a deal-breaker for some gamers looking for an all-rounder. The display still produces smooth visuals, but it's not as responsive or immersive as I would have liked. One positive note is that the stereo speakers are still present and produce loud outputs reaching up to 89 decibels. However, music tracks may lack depth, making them a hit-or-miss experience. Overall, while the Huawei P50's display is not bad by any means, it feels like a compromise on what could have been an exceptional viewing experience. For those who value a premium display, you might want to look elsewhere in the market.
Camera
The Huawei P50's camera setup is where we notice some notable differences compared to its more premium variant, the P50 Pro. Gone are the 64-megapixel periscope and 40-megapixel true chroma cameras that made a world of difference in image computations. Instead, we're left with a 50-megapixel wide camera and a 12-megapixel periscope telephoto camera. While still equipped with Huawei's XD Fusion, the camera setup on the P50 feels like a step back in terms of overall quality. Images are sharp, but colors may not exactly live up to the standards set by its more premium sibling. The lack of the true chroma camera means that images can feel muted, especially when compared to other Huawei offerings like the Nova series. In particular, daylight scenarios where highlights and shadows were expertly captured on the P50 Pro now feel lacking in contrast and vibrance. This may be a deliberate decision by Huawei to produce more consistent outputs, perhaps with post-editing features in mind for users looking to edit their photos after the fact. However, it's hard not to compare this camera setup unfavorably to what came before. Video recording fares slightly better, with smooth 4K video at 25 frames per second and a top speed of 60 frames per second. However, even here, we notice some loss in vibrance compared to the P50 Pro. Ultimately, the camera on the Huawei P50 feels like a compromise compared to its more premium sibling. While it's still capable of producing good images and video, the overall quality just doesn't live up to what we've come to expect from Huawei's higher-end offerings. Whether this is enough to sway potential buyers remains to be seen, especially considering the slightly lower price point of the P50 compared to the P50 Pro.
Price and Value
The Huawei P50 is a mid-range smartphone that boasts impressive features, but at what cost? With a starting price of 2999 ringgit (approximately $998 USD), it's essential to evaluate whether this device offers sufficient value for its price. Compared to the higher-end P50 Pro, the mid-range variant makes some compromises. The camera setup, for instance, features a 50-megapixel wide-angle lens and a 12-megapixel periscope telephoto camera, which is less impressive than the 64-megapixel periscope and 40-megapixel true chroma cameras found in the Pro variant. However, despite these cutbacks, the P50 still delivers sharp images with consistent colors. The 6.5-inch True Chroma OLED display may not match the gaming specs of higher refresh rates, but it offers a smooth viewing experience with a high density of 458 pixels per inch. In terms of performance, the P50 is powered by the Snapdragon 888 chipset and Adreno 660 GPU, which provide decent Geekbench scores. While it's not the highest performer in its class, it still outperforms some competitors. The battery life, unfortunately, is a letdown, lasting only around a day with moderate use. However, the inclusion of a 66-watt fast charger makes up for this somewhat. Considering its price and value proposition, the Huawei P50 sits comfortably as a mid-range device that offers impressive features without breaking the bank. If you're looking for an all-rounder that won't empty your wallet, the P50 is a solid choice. However, if you prioritize camera performance or gaming capabilities, there may be better options available at similar price points. Ultimately, whether the Huawei P50 justifies its price tag depends on individual priorities and needs.
Performance
The Huawei P50 is an intriguing mid-range smartphone that seeks to balance features with affordability. When it comes to performance, the device delivers decent results, but falls short in some areas. Under the hood, the P50 is powered by a Snapdragon 888 chipset, paired with 8GB of RAM and Adreno 660 GPU. In our tests, Geekbench scores recorded a respectable 917 for single-core and 3154 for multi-core performance. While not the highest performer in its class, these numbers sit closely to those of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus. Our 3D Mark Wildlife test yielded an overall score of 5865, with an average frame rate of 35.1. This is a noticeable improvement over other devices, with the P50 managing 86% better performance than the competition. However, during extended gaming sessions or graphics-intensive tasks, temperatures do rise to around 40 degrees, and may become uncomfortable to hold. In our experience playing Call of Duty, the device performed well, but did get warm to the touch. Despite this, it's still a commendable effort from the P50. The phone's performance is also helped by its Android 11 operating system, which provides a smooth user experience. While the P50's performance is respectable for a mid-range device, it does show some limitations. The lack of an 120Hz refresh rate and a slightly lower frame rate in gaming sessions may be a disappointment to those seeking an all-rounder with top-notch gaming capabilities. Overall, the Huawei P50 delivers decent performance for its price, but is not a powerhouse by any means. If you're looking for a phone that can handle demanding tasks without breaking a sweat, the P50 may not be the best choice. However, for those seeking a reliable mid-range device with good battery life and respectable performance, the P50 is certainly worth considering.