Huawei Mate 40E 4G vs. Mate 30 Pro 5G: A Detailed Showdown

Huawei's Mate series has consistently delivered premium smartphones, but choosing between models can be tricky. We're pitting the Mate 40E 4G against the Mate 30 Pro 5G to determine which offers the best value and performance for today's user. Let's dive in!
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Mate 30 Pro 5G edges out the Mate 40E 4G thanks to its 5G connectivity and slightly superior wireless charging. However, the 40E offers a compelling alternative if 5G isn't a priority and you're seeking a more budget-friendly option with similar core performance.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 40E 4G Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G
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, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - Global
5G bands-1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China
Launch
Announced2021, June 282019, September 19. Released 2019, October 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, June 29Discontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame
Dimensions158.6 x 72.5 x 8.8 mm (6.24 x 2.85 x 0.35 in)158.1 x 73.1 x 8.8 mm (6.22 x 2.88 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight188 g (6.63 oz)198 g (6.98 oz)
 IP53, dust and splash resistantIP68 dust/water resistant (up to 2m for 30 mins)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1080 x 2376 pixels (~402 ppi density)1176 x 2400 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.7 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.53 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~94.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, HDR10, 90HzOLED, HDR10
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetKirin 990E (7 nm+)Kirin 990 5G (7 nm+)
GPUMali-G76 MP14Mali-G76 MP16
OSHarmonyOS 2.0Android 10, EMUI 10, no Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica optics, LED flash, panorama, HDRLeica optics, color spectrum sensor, dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR
Single13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide)-
Triple64 MP, f/1.9, 27mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 85mm (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 16 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide)40 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, 1080p, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 1080p@960fps, 720p@7680fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR, panorama
Single13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide)32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video4K, 720p@240fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
 32-bit/384kHz audio 32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, aptX HD, LE
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavICGPS (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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, DLNA, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFace ID, fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
Battery
Charging40W wired 40W wireless 5W reverse wired40W wired 27W wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4200 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsSilver, White, BlackBlack, Space Silver, Cosmic Purple, Emerald Green, Orange, Forest Green
ModelsOCE-AL50LIO-N29, LIO-AL10, LIO-TL10
PriceAbout 550 EURAbout 1440 EUR

Huawei Mate 40E 4G

  • Excellent camera system
  • Solid performance for everyday tasks
  • Fast 40W wired and wireless charging
  • Reverse wireless charging

  • No 5G connectivity
  • Slightly slower wireless charging than Mate 30 Pro
  • Older model

Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G

  • 5G connectivity
  • Fast 27W wireless charging
  • Slightly better low-light camera performance
  • Premium design with curved display

  • Can be more expensive
  • 5G modem can impact battery life slightly
  • Older model

Display Comparison

Both phones feature OLED displays with excellent color accuracy and contrast. The Mate 30 Pro 5G has a slightly curved display, offering a more immersive feel, while the Mate 40E 4G has a flatter display, which some users may prefer for usability. Resolution is similar, providing sharp visuals on both devices.

Camera Comparison

Both phones boast impressive camera systems. The Mate 30 Pro 5G generally has a slight edge in low-light photography and zoom capabilities due to its more advanced telephoto lens. However, the Mate 40E 4G delivers excellent image quality in most conditions, and its AI features are well-implemented.

Performance

Despite the Kirin 990E in the Mate 40E 4G being a slightly tweaked version of the Kirin 990 5G, performance is generally comparable for everyday tasks. The Mate 30 Pro 5G's 5G modem does consume some power, but the overall experience is smooth on both devices. Gaming performance is good on both, though demanding titles may require some graphical settings adjustments.

Battery Life

Battery life is comparable on both devices, easily lasting a full day with moderate usage. The Mate 30 Pro 5G's 27W wireless charging is faster than the Mate 40E 4G's 40W wireless charging, offering a convenience advantage.

Buying Guide

The Huawei Mate 40E 4G is ideal for users who prioritize a solid camera, good performance for everyday tasks, and don't need 5G. The Mate 30 Pro 5G is better suited for those who want 5G connectivity, faster wireless charging, and a slightly more premium overall experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Kirin 990E in the Mate 40E 4G as powerful as the Kirin 990 5G?
While the Kirin 990E is a slightly tweaked version, performance is generally comparable for most everyday tasks. The differences are minimal.
❓ Does the Mate 40E 4G support 5G?
No, the Mate 40E 4G is a 4G-only device.