Huawei Mate 40E 4G vs Huawei P30 Pro New Edition: A Clash of Titans

Huawei's smartphone lineup has always offered compelling options, but choosing between models can be tricky. Today, we're pitting the Huawei Mate 40E 4G against the refreshed Huawei P30 Pro New Edition to see which one delivers the best overall experience. Both phones boast impressive features, but cater to slightly different needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Mate 40E 4G edges out the P30 Pro New Edition thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset and faster wired charging. However, the P30 Pro's superior camera system and established reputation make it a strong contender, especially for photography enthusiasts. Ultimately, the choice depends on your priorities.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 40E 4G Huawei P30 Pro New Edition
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, 41LTE
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat21 1400/200 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2021, June 282020, May 12. Released 2020, June 01
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, June 29Discontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Aluminosilicate glass), glass back (Aluminosilicate glass), aluminum frame
Dimensions158.6 x 72.5 x 8.8 mm (6.24 x 2.85 x 0.35 in)158 x 73.4 x 8.4 mm (6.22 x 2.89 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight188 g (6.63 oz)192 g (6.77 oz)
 IP53, dust and splash resistantIP68 dust/water resistant (up to 2m for 30 mins)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2376 pixels (~402 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~398 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.7 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.47 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~88.6% 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 (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetKirin 990E (7 nm+)Kirin 980 (7 nm)
GPUMali-G76 MP14Mali-G76 MP10
OSHarmonyOS 2.0Android 10, EMUI 10.1, Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 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/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom, 10x hybrid zoom 20 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.7", PDAF TOF 3D, (depth)
Video4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@960fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide)32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
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, LE5.0, 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
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, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging40W wired 40W wireless 5W reverse wired40W wired, 70% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4200 mAhLi-Po 4200 mAh
Misc
ColorsSilver, White, BlackAurora, Black, Silver Frost
ModelsOCE-AL50-
PriceAbout 550 EURAbout 820 EUR

Huawei Mate 40E 4G

  • More powerful Kirin 990E chipset
  • Faster 40W wired charging
  • Reverse wireless charging
  • Generally more affordable

  • Camera not as impressive as P30 Pro
  • Design may be less premium
  • 4G connectivity only

Huawei P30 Pro New Edition

  • Exceptional camera system with Leica optics
  • Premium design and build quality
  • Established reputation
  • Slightly larger display

  • Older Kirin 980 chipset
  • Slower charging speeds (wired)
  • Higher price point

Display Comparison

Both phones feature OLED displays, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The P30 Pro has a slightly curved display which some may prefer for aesthetics, while the Mate 40E 4G likely has a flatter display, potentially making it easier to use with screen protectors. Resolution is similar, but the P30 Pro's slightly larger size might offer a more immersive viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

The P30 Pro New Edition remains a camera powerhouse. Its Leica-engineered triple-lens system, including a periscope telephoto lens, delivers exceptional zoom capabilities and impressive image quality. The Mate 40E 4G has a capable camera setup, but it doesn't quite match the P30 Pro's versatility and low-light performance.

Performance

The Mate 40E 4G's Kirin 990E chipset holds a slight advantage over the P30 Pro's Kirin 980. While both are capable, the 990E offers a bit more processing power, resulting in smoother multitasking and potentially better gaming performance. However, real-world differences may be subtle for everyday use.

Battery Life

Both phones offer decent battery life, easily lasting a full day for moderate users. The Mate 40E 4G boasts faster 40W wired charging, while the P30 Pro offers 40W wired and 15W wireless charging. The Mate 40E also has reverse wireless charging.

Buying Guide

The Huawei Mate 40E 4G is ideal for users prioritizing performance and fast charging within a mid-range budget. The Huawei P30 Pro New Edition is a better fit for those who value a top-tier camera system and a more refined, premium feel, even if it's a slightly older model.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Kirin 990E significantly faster than the Kirin 980?
Yes, the Kirin 990E offers a noticeable performance boost, particularly in demanding tasks like gaming and multitasking, although the difference may not be drastic for everyday use.
❓ Which phone has better low-light camera performance?
The Huawei P30 Pro New Edition consistently delivers superior low-light camera performance thanks to its larger sensor and advanced image processing capabilities.