Huawei Mate 30 RS Porsche Design vs. Google Pixel 5a 5G: A Clash of Philosophies

The Huawei Mate 30 RS Porsche Design represents a bygone era of uncompromising flagship ambition, boasting premium materials and cutting-edge (for its time) hardware. Conversely, the Google Pixel 5a 5G embodies a pragmatic approach, prioritizing essential features and software optimization within a more accessible price bracket. This comparison dissects these contrasting philosophies to determine which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing value and consistent software support, the Google Pixel 5a 5G is the clear winner. While the Huawei Mate 30 RS Porsche Design offers a more powerful chipset and faster charging, its software limitations and age significantly detract from its overall appeal.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 30 RS Porsche Design Google Pixel 5a 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 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, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71
5G bands1, 3, 28, 77, 78, 79 NSA/Sub61, 2, 5, 12, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)HSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - ChinaCDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2019, September. Released 2019, November2021, August 17
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, August 26
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), leather/glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back
Dimensions158.1 x 73.1 x 9.3 mm (6.22 x 2.88 x 0.37 in)156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm (6.15 x 2.88 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight198 g (6.98 oz)183 g (6.46 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 2m for 30 mins)IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1176 x 2400 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~415 ppi density)
Size6.53 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~94.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.34 inches, 97.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, HDR10OLED, HDR
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)
ChipsetKirin 990 5G (7 nm+)Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)
GPUMali-G76 MP16Adreno 620
OSAndroid 10, EMUI 10, no Google Play ServicesAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 14
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal512GB 12GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 UFS 3.0-
Main Camera
Dual-12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm
FeaturesLeica optics, dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Single-8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
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)-
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 1080p@960fps, 720p@7680fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/384kHz audio -
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, aptX HD, LE5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1
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, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFace ID, fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging40W wired 27W wireless Reverse wireless18W wired, PD2.0
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4680 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, RedMostly Black
ModelsLIO-N29, LIO-AN00P, LIO-AN00G1F8F, G4S1M
PriceAbout 1700 EUR$ 189.00 / C$ 249.99
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 122h
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Performance- AnTuTu: 291303 (v8) GeekBench: 1337 (v5.1) GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Huawei Mate 30 RS Porsche Design

  • More powerful processor (Kirin 990 5G)
  • Faster wired and wireless charging
  • Reverse wireless charging capability

  • Lacks Google Mobile Services (GMS)
  • Software support is limited
  • Older device with potentially degrading battery health

Google Pixel 5a 5G

  • Clean Android experience with guaranteed updates
  • Excellent camera performance through software optimization
  • More affordable price point

  • Less powerful processor (Snapdragon 765G)
  • Slower charging speeds
  • No wireless charging

Display Comparison

The Pixel 5a 5G boasts a display capable of reaching 861 nits of peak brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Mate 30 RS Porsche Design’s display specs aren’t provided, its positioning as a luxury device suggests a high-quality panel, though likely not exceeding the Pixel 5a’s measured output. The Pixel 5a’s infinite (nominal) contrast ratio, typical of OLED panels, delivers deep blacks and vibrant colors. The lack of high refresh rate on either device is notable, focusing instead on power efficiency.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs for the Mate 30 RS Porsche Design, a direct comparison is challenging. However, Huawei flagships historically prioritize camera innovation. The Pixel 5a 5G excels in computational photography, leveraging Google’s renowned image processing algorithms to deliver consistently excellent results, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The Pixel’s strength lies in its software, offering features like Night Sight and Super Res Zoom. The Mate 30 RS Porsche Design likely features a more versatile lens array, but the Pixel 5a’s software optimization often compensates for hardware limitations.

Performance

The Huawei Mate 30 RS Porsche Design’s Kirin 990 5G (7nm+) chipset, with its octa-core configuration featuring two high-performance Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.86 GHz, theoretically outperforms the Google Pixel 5a 5G’s Snapdragon 765G (7nm). The Kirin 990’s more complex core arrangement and higher clock speeds suggest superior multi-core performance. However, the Snapdragon 765G benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized software and efficient architecture, potentially closing the gap in real-world usage. The Pixel 5a’s Kryo 475 Prime core, clocked at 2.4 GHz, provides a strong single-core performance boost. The Kirin 990’s 5G integration was a key selling point at launch, but the Pixel 5a’s 5G capabilities are now equally relevant.

Battery Life

Both the Huawei Mate 30 RS Porsche Design and the Google Pixel 5a 5G achieve an endurance rating of 122 hours, indicating comparable battery life despite differing capacities (not specified for the Huawei). However, the Mate 30 RS Porsche Design offers significantly faster charging with 40W wired and 27W wireless capabilities, compared to the Pixel 5a’s 18W wired charging with PD2.0. This means the Huawei can replenish its battery much quicker, while the Pixel 5a prioritizes efficiency and sustained performance. The Mate 30 RS Porsche Design also includes reverse wireless charging, a feature absent on the Pixel 5a.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate 30 RS Porsche Design if you need a statement piece with a powerful processor and don't mind the limitations of EMUI and the lack of Google Mobile Services. This phone is for users who prioritize raw performance and unique design. Buy the Google Pixel 5a 5G if you prefer a clean Android experience, guaranteed software updates, and a reliable camera system, all at a significantly lower price point. This is the phone for users who value practicality and long-term support.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Huawei Mate 30 RS Porsche Design's Kirin 990 5G still feel fast in 2024, considering its age?
While the Kirin 990 5G was a flagship processor in its time, modern mid-range chips like the Snapdragon 765G have closed the performance gap. You'll likely notice slowdowns with demanding apps and games, especially compared to newer devices. The lack of software optimization further exacerbates this issue.
❓ How significantly does the lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS) impact the Huawei Mate 30 RS Porsche Design's usability?
The absence of GMS is a major drawback. It means no direct access to the Google Play Store, requiring users to sideload apps or rely on Huawei's AppGallery, which has a limited selection. Many popular apps may not function correctly or at all without GMS support.
❓ Is the Pixel 5a 5G's camera good enough for serious photography, or is it just a 'point and shoot' experience?
The Pixel 5a 5G's camera is surprisingly capable for serious photography. Google's computational photography excels in dynamic range and low-light performance. While it may not offer the same level of manual control as some flagship cameras, it consistently delivers excellent results with minimal effort.
❓ Given the similar battery endurance ratings, does the Pixel 5a 5G's slower charging become a significant inconvenience?
The Pixel 5a 5G's 18W charging is slower than the Huawei's 40W, but the impact is manageable. A full charge still takes around 1.5-2 hours. The Pixel 5a's efficient power management and long-lasting battery often negate the need for frequent top-ups.