Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G vs Mate 20 Pro: A Clash of Flagships

Huawei's Mate series has consistently delivered impressive smartphones. The Mate 20 Pro set a high bar, but did the Mate 30 Pro 5G surpass it? This in-depth comparison will break down the key differences to help you decide which device is right for you.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Mate 30 Pro 5G offers a significant performance boost thanks to its Kirin 990 5G chipset and improved camera capabilities. However, the Mate 20 Pro remains a compelling option, especially for those prioritizing exceptional battery life and a slightly more affordable price point.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G Huawei Mate 20 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - Global1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40
5G bands1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 NSA/Sub6-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat21 1400/200 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China-
Launch
Announced2019, September 19. Released 2019, October 232018, October 16. Released 2018, October 31
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions158.1 x 73.1 x 8.8 mm (6.22 x 2.88 x 0.35 in)157.8 x 72.3 x 8.6 mm (6.21 x 2.85 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight198 g (6.98 oz)189 g (6.67 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 2m for 30 mins)IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 2m for 30 mins)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1176 x 2400 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~538 ppi density)
Size6.53 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~94.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, HDR10OLED, HDR10
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetKirin 990 5G (7 nm+)Kirin 980 (7 nm)
GPUMali-G76 MP16Mali-G76 MP10
OSAndroid 10, EMUI 10, no Google Play ServicesAndroid 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.0UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLeica optics, color spectrum sensor, dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, Leica optics, dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR
Triple40 MP, f/1.6, 27mm (wide), 1/1.7", PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 40 MP, f/1.8, 18mm (ultrawide), 1/1.54", PDAF TOF 3D, (depth)40 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/1.7", PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 20 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.7", PDAF
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 1080p@960fps, 720p@7680fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@960fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)24 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/384kHz audio 32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, aptX HD, LE5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, DLNA, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, DLNA, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFace ID, fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compassFace ID, fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
Battery
Charging40W wired 27W wireless Reverse wireless40W wired, 70% in 30 min 15W wireless 2.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4200 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, Space Silver, Cosmic Purple, Emerald Green, Orange, Forest GreenEmerald Green, Midnight Blue, Twilight, Pink Gold, Black
ModelsLIO-N29, LIO-AL10, LIO-TL10LYA-L09, LYA-L29, LYA-AL00, LYA-AL10, LYA-TL00, LYA-L0C
PriceAbout 1440 EURAbout 800 EUR
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -87.7dB / Crosstalk -87.8dB
Battery life- Endurance rating 85h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 254000:1 (nominal), 4.965 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker- -28.9 LUFS (Average)
Performance- AnTuTu: 273913 (v7), 391046 (v8) GeekBench: 9712 (v4.4) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G

  • Faster Performance (Kirin 990 5G)
  • Improved Camera System
  • 5G Connectivity
  • Faster 40W Wired Charging
  • Reverse Wireless Charging

  • Potentially Shorter Battery Life than Mate 20 Pro
  • Software Support Concerns (Huawei)

Huawei Mate 20 Pro

  • Exceptional Battery Life (85h Endurance)
  • Excellent Display Contrast
  • Reliable Performance
  • More Affordable Price (Generally)
  • Reverse Wireless Charging

  • Older Chipset (Kirin 980)
  • Slower Charging Speed (15W Wireless)
  • No 5G Connectivity

Display Comparison

Both phones feature OLED displays with excellent contrast ratios (254000:1 nominal, 4.965 sunlight). The Mate 30 Pro 5G likely has slightly improved color accuracy and brightness due to advancements in display technology, though specific measurements are needed for a definitive conclusion. Both offer vibrant visuals and excellent outdoor visibility.

Camera Comparison

The Mate 30 Pro 5G boasts a more advanced camera system, likely including improved sensors and image processing algorithms. While both phones are capable of taking excellent photos and videos, the Mate 30 Pro 5G likely excels in low-light conditions and offers more versatile zoom capabilities. The Mate 20 Pro's camera is still very good, but the Mate 30 Pro 5G represents a step forward.

Performance

The Kirin 990 5G in the Mate 30 Pro 5G is a clear winner here. Its newer architecture and 7nm+ process provide a noticeable performance advantage over the Mate 20 Pro's Kirin 980. Expect faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Mate 30 Pro 5G. The 5G modem is also a significant addition.

Battery Life

The Mate 20 Pro holds a slight edge in battery endurance, with an impressive 85h endurance rating. While the Mate 30 Pro 5G's 40W wired charging is faster, the Mate 20 Pro's slightly better efficiency gives it a longer overall battery life. Both offer wireless and reverse wireless charging.

Buying Guide

The Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G is ideal for users who demand top-tier performance, cutting-edge camera technology, and 5G connectivity. The Mate 20 Pro is a great choice for budget-conscious buyers who value long battery life and a proven, reliable experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Mate 30 Pro 5G worth the upgrade from the Mate 20 Pro?
If you prioritize performance, camera quality, and 5G connectivity, then yes. However, if battery life and price are your main concerns, the Mate 20 Pro remains a solid choice.
❓ What about software updates for these Huawei phones?
Huawei's software support has been a challenge. Both phones run EMUI, but updates may be limited. Check current software status before purchasing.