Huawei Mate 40 Pro+ vs Mate 40 RS Porsche Design: A Premium Showdown

Huawei's Mate 40 series offered incredible hardware, but the Pro+ and RS Porsche Design models presented a tricky choice. Both boast flagship specs, but subtle differences in design, materials, and perceived value create a distinct divide. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Mate 40 Pro+ delivers exceptional value with its top-tier specs and impressive camera. The RS Porsche Design offers a more luxurious aesthetic and exclusive feel, but at a significant premium. For most users, the Pro+ is the smarter choice, while enthusiasts seeking prestige might prefer the RS.

PHONES
Phone Names	Huawei Mate 40 Pro+	Huawei Mate 40 RS Porsche Design

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, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands	1, 3, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79, 80, 84 SA/NSA/Sub6	1, 3, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79, 80, 84 SA/NSA/Sub6
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G

Launch
Announced	2020, October 22	2020, October 22
Status	Available. Released 2020, November 01	Available. Released 2020, November 04

Body
Build	Glass front, ceramic back, aluminum frame	Glass front, ceramic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions	162.9 x 75.5 x 8.8 mm (6.41 x 2.97 x 0.35 in)	162.9 x 75.5 x 10.1 mm (6.41 x 2.97 x 0.40 in)
SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	230 g (8.11 oz)	234 g (8.25 oz)
	IP68 dust/water resistant	IP68 dust/water resistant

Display
Resolution	1344 x 2772 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~456 ppi density)	1344 x 2772 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~456 ppi density)
Size	6.76 inches, 115.7 cm2 (~94.1% screen-to-body ratio)	6.76 inches, 115.7 cm2 (~94.1% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	OLED, HDR10, 90Hz	OLED, HDR10, 90Hz

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x3.13 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.54 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x2.05 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (1x3.13 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.54 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x2.05 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Kirin 9000 5G (5 nm)	Kirin 9000 5G (5 nm)
GPU	Mali-G78 MP24	Mali-G78 MP24
OS	Android 10, EMUI 11, no Google Play Services	Android 10, EMUI 11, no Google Play Services

Memory
Card slot	Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)	Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal	256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM	256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
	SFS 1.0	SFS 1.0

Main Camera
Features	Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica optics, LED flash, panorama, HDR	Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica optics, LED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad	50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 8 MP, f/4.4, 240mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 10x optical zoom 20 MP, f/2.4, 14mm (ultrawide), PDAF TOF 3D, (depth)	50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 8 MP, f/4.4, 240mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 10x optical zoom 20 MP, f/1.8, 18mm (ultrawide), PDAF TOF 3D, (depth)
Video	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/480fps, 720p@960fps, 720p@3840fps, HDR, gyro-EIS	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/480fps, 720p@960fps, 720p@3840fps, HDR, gyro-EIS

Selfie camera
Features	HDR, panorama	HDR, panorama
Single	13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide) TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)	13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide) TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	No
35mm jack	No	No
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers
	32-bit/384kHz audio	32-bit/384kHz audio

Comms
Bluetooth	5.2, A2DP, LE	5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared port	Yes	Yes
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 3.1, OTG	USB Type-C 3.1, 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	Face ID, fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass	Face ID, fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass, infrared thermometer

Battery
Charging	66W wired 50W wireless 5W reverse wireless	66W wired 50W wireless 5W reverse wireless
Type	Li-Po 4400 mAh	Li-Po 4400 mAh

Misc
Colors	Ceramic White, Ceramic Black	Ceramic White, Ceramic Black, Collector Edition
Models	NOP-AN00	NOP-AN00
Price	About 1400 EUR	About 1400 EUR

Huawei Mate 40 Pro+

Excellent camera system
Powerful Kirin 9000 5G chipset
Fast charging (66W wired, 50W wireless)
Competitive price (relative to RS)
High-quality OLED display

Design is less distinctive than RS
Software support concerns (Huawei's situation)
No Google Play Services

Huawei Mate 40 RS Porsche Design

Luxurious Porsche Design aesthetic
Premium materials (ceramic back)
Exclusive branding
High-quality OLED display
Powerful Kirin 9000 5G chipset

Significantly higher price
Camera slightly behind Pro+ in software optimization
Software support concerns (Huawei's situation)
No Google Play Services

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.76-inch OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate and a 2730 x 1274 resolution. The panels are virtually identical in terms of quality and performance. However, the RS Porsche Design often has a slightly more refined color calibration out of the box, though this can be adjusted.

Camera Comparison

While the core camera hardware is similar (50MP main, 20MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom), the Mate 40 Pro+ often receives slightly better software optimization for its camera system, leading to marginally improved image processing and low-light performance. The RS Porsche Design's camera is excellent, but the Pro+ has a slight edge.

Performance

Performance is identical. Both devices are powered by the Kirin 9000 5G chipset, ensuring blazing-fast speeds and smooth multitasking. Gaming performance is top-tier on both, and they handle demanding applications with ease. No noticeable difference in real-world usage.

Battery Life

Both phones have a 4400mAh battery and support 66W wired charging, 50W wireless charging, and 5W reverse wireless charging. Battery life is comparable, offering a full day of moderate use. Charging speeds are also consistent across both models.

Buying Guide

The Huawei Mate 40 Pro+ is ideal for users prioritizing camera performance, processing power, and overall value. It's a fantastic flagship experience without the exorbitant price tag. The Huawei Mate 40 RS Porsche Design is best suited for those who appreciate luxury design, exclusivity, and are willing to pay a premium for a unique aesthetic and branding.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Porsche Design worth the extra cost?

The Porsche Design offers a premium aesthetic and exclusive branding, but the core performance and camera capabilities are largely the same as the Pro+. It's worth it only if you prioritize luxury design and don't mind paying a significant premium.

❓ Do both phones have Google Play Services?

No, neither phone has Google Play Services due to trade restrictions. They rely on Huawei's AppGallery and workarounds like Gspace to access some Google apps.