The Honor 50 series brought a fresh wave of mid-range smartphones, but with two compelling options – the Honor 50 SE and the Honor 50 Pro – choosing the right one can be tricky. Both offer stylish designs and capable features, but significant differences lie beneath the surface. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor 50 Pro is the clear winner, boasting a significantly faster Snapdragon 778G chipset, a 100W charging brick for incredibly quick top-ups, and likely a superior camera system. However, the Honor 50 SE offers a more budget-friendly entry point for those prioritizing value.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 5, 8, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | CDMA2000 1x |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, June 16 | 2021, June 16 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, July 02 | Available. Released 2021, June 25 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.7 x 75.6 x 8 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.31 in) | 163.5 x 74.7 x 8 mm (6.44 x 2.94 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~387 ppi density) | 1236 x 2676 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~439 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~89.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 110.9 cm2 (~90.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MC4 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 11, Magic UI 4.2 | Android 11, Magic UI 4.2, Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/2.4, 18mm, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.8", 1.25µm
32 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide), 1/3.14" |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 17mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, (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 | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/2.4, 18mm, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.8", 1.25µm
32 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide), 1/3.14" |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 75% in 20 min | 100W wired, 100% in 25 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Silver | Frost Crystal, Amber Red, Emerald Green, Midnight Black |
| Models | JLH-AN00 | RNA-AN00 |
| Price | About 310 EUR | About 480 EUR |
Honor 50 SE
- More affordable
- Decent performance for everyday tasks
- Stylish design
- 66W fast charging
- Less powerful chipset
- Potentially inferior camera
- Slower charging compared to Pro
Honor 50 Pro
- Faster Snapdragon 778G chipset
- 100W ultra-fast charging
- Likely superior camera system
- Smoother performance
- More expensive
- May have slightly less RAM in some configurations
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature OLED displays with a 90Hz or 120Hz refresh rate, offering smooth visuals. The Honor 50 Pro may have a slightly brighter display and potentially better color accuracy due to its higher price point and likely more advanced panel. Screen sizes are likely similar, around 6.7 inches.
Camera Comparison
While both phones feature multi-lens camera setups, the Honor 50 Pro is expected to have a more advanced camera system. This likely includes a higher resolution main sensor, improved image processing, and potentially better low-light performance. The SE will still offer a capable camera for everyday photography.
Performance
The Snapdragon 778G in the Honor 50 Pro is a substantial upgrade over the Dimensity 900 in the Honor 50 SE. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Pro. The Pro's CPU configuration with more Cortex-A78 cores also contributes to its edge.
Battery Life
The Honor 50 Pro's 100W charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast charging times. The Honor 50 SE's 66W charging is still fast, but not as impressive. Battery capacities are likely similar, around 4000-4500 mAh, so real-world battery life should be comparable, assuming similar usage patterns.
Buying Guide
The Honor 50 SE is ideal for budget-conscious users who want a stylish phone with decent performance for everyday tasks. The Honor 50 Pro is for those who demand faster performance, quicker charging, and a potentially better camera experience, and are willing to pay a premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Honor 50 Pro worth the extra money?
If you prioritize performance, fast charging, and a better camera, then yes, the Honor 50 Pro is worth the investment. However, if you're on a tighter budget, the Honor 50 SE still offers a solid experience.
❓ What chipset is better, Dimensity 900 or Snapdragon 778G?
The Snapdragon 778G is generally considered the better chipset, offering superior performance and efficiency compared to the Dimensity 900.
