The Honor 50 series offers compelling mid-range options, but choosing between the SE and Lite models can be tricky. Both boast impressive charging speeds, but which one delivers the best overall experience? This comprehensive comparison will help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor 50 SE edges out the Lite thanks to its significantly more powerful Dimensity 900 chipset. While both offer 66W charging, the SE's superior performance makes it the better choice for most users, despite potentially similar price points.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28 |
| 5G bands | 1, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, June 16 | 2021, October 25 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, July 02 | Available. Released 2021, November 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.7 x 75.6 x 8 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.31 in) | 161.8 x 74.7 x 8.5 mm (6.37 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~387 ppi density) | 1080 x 2376 pixels (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~89.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 108.1 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | - |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm) | - |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MC4 | - |
| OS | Android 11, Magic UI 4.2 | Android 11, Magic UI 4.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, Panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7", PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚, 17mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 17mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 75% in 20 min | 66W wired, 40% in 10 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Silver | Midnight Black, Space Silver, Deep Sea Blue |
| Models | JLH-AN00 | NTN-L22, NTN-LX1, NTN-LX3 |
| Price | About 310 EUR | About 160 EUR |
Honor 50 SE
- Superior Performance (Dimensity 900)
- Fast 66W Charging
- Likely Good Display
- Potentially Better Gaming
- Camera software might be less refined than Lite
- Design might be less premium than Lite
Honor 50 Lite
- Potentially better camera software
- Fast 66W Charging
- Sleek Design (potentially)
- Good Value
- Weaker Performance
- Less Powerful Chipset
- May struggle with demanding tasks
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar OLED displays, potentially around 6.6-6.7 inches with a 120Hz refresh rate. We'll need to confirm exact resolutions and brightness levels for a definitive comparison. Expect vibrant colors and smooth scrolling on both.
Camera Comparison
While both phones likely feature a multi-lens camera system (potentially a 64MP main sensor), the Honor 50 Lite might have a slightly more refined camera software experience. Image quality will depend on sensor size, image processing algorithms, and lens quality – further testing is needed for a conclusive verdict.
Performance
The Honor 50 SE's Dimensity 900 chipset is a clear winner here. It offers significantly more processing power than the Honor 50 Lite, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance. The Lite likely uses a less powerful chipset, potentially a Snapdragon 7xx series.
Battery Life
Both phones offer 66W fast charging, which is excellent. The Honor 50 Lite's 10-minute charge to 40% is impressive, but the Honor 50 SE's charging speed is also very competitive. Battery capacity is likely similar (around 4000-4500mAh), so real-world battery life should be comparable.
Buying Guide
The Honor 50 SE is ideal for users who prioritize performance and gaming. The Honor 50 Lite is a good option for those primarily focused on photography and social media, and who value a potentially slightly more streamlined experience (assuming software differences are minimal).
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Honor 50 SE worth the extra cost?
If performance is a priority, then yes. The Dimensity 900 offers a significant upgrade over the Honor 50 Lite's chipset.
❓ How fast does each phone fully charge?
Both should fully charge in around 40-50 minutes with 66W charging, but this can vary based on usage and ambient temperature.
❓ What are the key differences in design?
Design details are not fully specified, but the Honor 50 Lite may have a more premium or streamlined design compared to the Honor 50 SE.
