Huawei P50 Pocket review
The Huawei Huawei P50 Pocket ranks as the #355 phones globally, achieving a LibraScore of 60. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #230-ranked battery among 800 phones. Consider the Huawei Mate X3 or Honor V40, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Build Quality and Design
The Huawei P50 Pocket boasts a premium build with a sleek aluminum alloy frame and glass back, available in elegant black, white, or gold finishes. Its ultra-slim 7.2 mm profile and 190 g weight ensure portability without compromising durability. The standout feature is the foldable OLED display, offering a 21:9 aspect ratio with a frameless, scratch-resistant design and a circular secondary screen for seamless multitasking. The 86% usable surface maximizes screen real estate while maintaining compact form. Precision engineering is evident in the hinge mechanism, ensuring smooth folding and stability. Despite lacking an IP rating, its robust materials and minimalist aesthetics position it as a luxurious, future-ready device that blends innovation with everyday usability. You might prefer Huawei Pocket 2, designed with an upgraded design for a better experience.
Battery Life
The Huawei P50 Pocket features a 4000 mAh battery with 40W fast charging, enabling rapid power-ups. While wireless charging is supported, its battery life remains underwhelming for heavy usage, requiring frequent recharging. Despite the high capacity, thermal management issues can lead to overheating during prolonged tasks, impacting performance. The non-removable design ensures durability but limits replacement options. Overall, the battery prioritizes speed over endurance, catering to users who value quick charging over extended runtime. For a superior battery, Huawei Mate Xs 2 could be the right choice.
Display
The Huawei P50 Pocket features a 6.9" foldable OLED display with a 21:9 aspect ratio, delivering QHD+ resolution (1188 x 2790 px) and a vibrant 467 ppi pixel density. Its 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and responsive performance, while the 10-bit color panel and DCI-P3 gamut produce rich, lifelike visuals. The screen incorporates a hole-punch notch housing a secondary circular display for notifications and multitasking, blending innovation with practicality. Scratch-resistant glass and a frameless, capacitive design enhance durability and aesthetics. Though foldable, the display maintains a compact form, optimized for portability without compromising immersive viewing. The combination of ultra-high density, adaptive refresh rates, and foldable flexibility redefines smartphone display standards, offering a seamless blend of style and functionality. A better alternative might be Huawei nova 10 Pro, featuring a next-level display.
Camera
The Huawei P50 Pocket features a versatile triple-camera system on the rear, combining a 40MP standard lens, 13MP wide-angle, and 32MP sensor for detailed imaging. It supports 4K video recording, digital zoom, and advanced autofocus (PDAF/CDAF/LAF) for sharp, stable shots. Night mode and digital image stabilization enhance low-light performance and videography. The front 10.7MP camera offers a 120° ultra-wide angle for immersive selfies and group shots. While the "ultra-spectrum" camera (32MP) aims to capture spectral data, critics argue it lacks practical utility. The system excels in dynamic range, HDR, and scene detection, but the absence of optical zoom and a gimmicky third lens limit its edge over competitors. Overall, it balances innovation with everyday usability, though not without trade-offs in functionality. You may find Honor 300 a better fit, thanks to its superior camera.
Price and Value
The Huawei P50 Pocket commands a premium price, reflecting its foldable design, high-end materials, and flagship performance. While its 12GB RAM and 512GB storage variants cater to power users, the absence of 5G, waterproofing, and Google services may deter some. Competitors like the Galaxy Z Flip 3 offer similar innovation at lower costs. Ultimately, it’s a luxury device for those prioritizing cutting-edge aesthetics and performance over practicality, making value subjective to individual priorities.
Performance
The Huawei P50 Pocket delivers flagship performance with its Snapdragon 888 processor, 12GB RAM, and 512GB UFS 3.1 storage, ensuring smooth multitasking and fast app launches. Its Adreno 660 GPU handles graphically intensive tasks, though thermal throttling may occur during prolonged use. The 900,000+ Antutu score confirms its top-tier benchmarking, outperforming many 2023 devices. However, subpar battery life and heat management limit sustained performance. While ideal for demanding users, occasional lag and overheating may frustrate power users, making it a mixed bag for those prioritizing raw speed over reliability. Honor Magic 3 might be a smarter choice, offering an upgraded performance.
Pros
1. Premium build with aluminum alloy frame and foldable OLED display for a luxurious, future-ready design.
2. Triple-camera system with 4K video, night mode, and advanced autofocus for versatile photography.
3. Flagship performance via Snapdragon 888, 12GB RAM, and 120Hz QHD+ display for smooth multitasking and visuals.
4. Innovative circular secondary screen and frameless design enhance multitasking and aesthetic appeal.
Cons
1. Lacks 5G connectivity and waterproofing (no IP rating), limiting modern usability.
2. Weak battery life despite 4000mAh capacity, requiring frequent recharging for heavy use.
3. Thermal management issues cause overheating during prolonged tasks, impacting performance stability.
4. Absence of Google services (e.g., Play Store) hampers app ecosystem and user experience.
5. Ultra-spectrum '32MP' camera criticized as gimmicky, offering minimal practical value.
6. High price with no clear value proposition compared to competitors like Galaxy Z Flip 3.
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