Huawei Mate 40 RS Porsche Design vs. Google Pixel 6 Pro: A Flagship Face-Off

The Huawei Mate 40 RS Porsche Design, released in late 2020, represented the pinnacle of Huawei’s smartphone engineering before significant restrictions impacted its market access. Now, we compare it to the Google Pixel 6 Pro, a 2021 release showcasing Google’s first in-house Tensor chip and a renewed focus on software integration. This comparison isn’t about current availability, but about contrasting two distinct approaches to flagship smartphone design and performance.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the user prioritizing raw processing power and a unique, luxurious design, the Huawei Mate 40 RS Porsche Design holds an edge. However, the Google Pixel 6 Pro’s Tensor chip offers a compelling blend of AI-driven features and a smoother, more consistently optimized software experience, making it the better choice for most users in 2024.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 40 RS Porsche Design Google Pixel 6 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, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 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 - GLUOG, G8VOU
5G bands1, 3, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79, 80, 84 SA/NSA/Sub61, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - G8VOU
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GLUOG
Launch
Announced2020, October 222021, October 19
StatusAvailable. Released 2020, November 04Available. Released 2021, October 28
Body
BuildGlass front, ceramic back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions162.9 x 75.5 x 10.1 mm (6.41 x 2.97 x 0.40 in)163.9 x 75.9 x 8.9 mm (6.45 x 2.99 x 0.35 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight234 g (8.25 oz)210 g (7.41 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistantIP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1344 x 2772 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~456 ppi density)1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~512 ppi density)
Size6.76 inches, 115.7 cm2 (~94.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.6 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, HDR10, 90HzLTPO AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.13 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.54 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x2.05 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.25 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetKirin 9000 5G (5 nm)Google Tensor (5 nm)
GPUMali-G78 MP24Mali-G78 MP20
OSAndroid 10, EMUI 11, no Google Play ServicesAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 SFS 1.0UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica optics, LED flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Quad50 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)-
Single-11.1 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.22µm
Triple-50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/3.5, 104mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 4x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 17mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1.25µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/480fps, 720p@960fps, 720p@3840fps, HDR, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR, panorama
Single13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide) TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)11.1 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.22µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/384kHz audio -
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavICGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFace ID, fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass, infrared thermometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
Charging66W wired 50W wireless 5W reverse wireless23W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 23W wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4400 mAhLi-Ion 5003 mAh
Misc
ColorsCeramic White, Ceramic Black, Collector EditionCloudy White, Sorta Sunny, Stormy Black
ModelsNOP-AN00GLUOG, G8VOU, GF5KQ
PriceAbout 1400 EUR€ 199.99 / $ 204.99 / £ 275.00 / ₹ 29,699
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 84h
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Performance- AnTuTu: 585485 (v8), 719815 (v9) GeekBench: 2831 (v5.1) GFXBench: 39 fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Huawei Mate 40 RS Porsche Design

  • Significantly faster 66W wired and 50W wireless charging
  • Luxurious Porsche Design aesthetic
  • Potentially stronger sustained multi-core CPU performance

  • Software updates are less frequent and reliable
  • Limited global availability due to geopolitical factors
  • Camera relies more on optical quality than computational photography

Google Pixel 6 Pro

  • Guaranteed software updates directly from Google
  • Superior computational photography and AI features
  • Cleaner and more optimized Android experience

  • Slower 23W wired and wireless charging
  • Less distinctive design compared to the Porsche Design model
  • Tensor chip’s peak performance may be lower than Kirin 9000 in some scenarios

Display Comparison

The Pixel 6 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 846 nits, providing excellent visibility in direct sunlight. While the Mate 40 RS Porsche Design’s display specifications aren’t explicitly stated, Huawei flagships typically prioritize color accuracy and vibrancy. The Pixel 6 Pro’s ‘infinite’ contrast ratio, stemming from its OLED panel, delivers deep blacks and a more immersive viewing experience. Both devices likely utilize high refresh rate panels, though the Pixel 6 Pro’s adaptive refresh rate (LTPO) offers more granular control and potential power savings.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 6 Pro’s camera system is heavily reliant on Google’s computational photography prowess, leveraging the Tensor chip’s AI capabilities. While specific sensor sizes aren’t provided, the Pixel 6 Pro’s image processing excels in dynamic range and detail preservation. The Mate 40 RS Porsche Design, known for its Leica-engineered camera system, likely prioritizes color science and optical quality. The absence of detailed camera specs for the Mate 40 RS Porsche Design makes a direct sensor comparison difficult, but Huawei flagships typically feature large sensors and advanced optical image stabilization (OIS). The Pixel 6 Pro’s focus on software-driven enhancements gives it an edge in challenging lighting conditions.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Huawei Mate 40 RS Porsche Design utilizes the Kirin 9000 5G, a 5nm chip with a tri-cluster CPU configuration featuring a high-clocked Cortex-A77 core at 3.13 GHz. The Google Pixel 6 Pro, however, is powered by Google’s Tensor chip, also built on a 5nm process. While the Tensor’s Cortex-X1 cores (2.80 GHz) offer higher peak performance, the Kirin 9000’s more numerous A77 cores may provide sustained multi-core performance advantages. The Pixel 6 Pro’s Tensor chip excels in AI and machine learning tasks, impacting features like voice recognition and image processing. Both devices likely feature LPDDR5 RAM, but the Pixel 6 Pro’s software optimization may lead to more efficient memory management.

Battery Life

Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 84 hours, suggesting comparable real-world battery life despite differing battery capacities (not specified for the Mate 40 RS). However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The Huawei Mate 40 RS Porsche Design supports a blazing-fast 66W wired charging, capable of significantly reducing charge times, alongside 50W wireless charging. The Pixel 6 Pro’s 23W wired charging, while supporting PD3.0, is considerably slower. The Pixel 6 Pro also offers 23W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, mirroring the Mate 40 RS Porsche Design’s capabilities. The Mate 40 RS Porsche Design’s charging speed is a significant advantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate 40 RS Porsche Design if you need a statement piece with exceptionally fast 66W wired and 50W wireless charging, and are comfortable with a potentially less-updated software experience. Buy the Google Pixel 6 Pro if you prefer a cleaner Android experience, cutting-edge computational photography, and guaranteed software updates directly from Google, even if charging speeds are comparatively slower.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 9000 chip overheat under sustained load, like during extended gaming sessions?
The Kirin 9000 5G is a powerful chip, and while it’s well-engineered, it can experience thermal throttling under prolonged, intensive workloads. Huawei implemented advanced cooling solutions in the Mate 40 RS Porsche Design, but the Pixel 6 Pro’s Tensor chip, with its focus on efficiency, generally manages heat more effectively during sustained tasks.
❓ How does the Google Tensor chip’s AI processing impact everyday use beyond just the camera?
Google’s Tensor chip significantly enhances several aspects of the Pixel 6 Pro’s user experience. Features like Live Translate, improved voice typing with Assistant, and Magic Eraser in Google Photos are all powered by the chip’s dedicated AI processing unit. These features provide tangible benefits in daily use, making the phone feel more intelligent and responsive.
❓ Is the reverse wireless charging on either device useful for more than just emergencies?
While convenient, the 5W reverse wireless charging on both devices is primarily intended for emergencies or topping up small accessories like earbuds. It’s too slow to effectively charge another phone, making it more of a niche feature than a primary charging method.