Huawei Mate 40E vs P40 Pro+: A Deep Dive into Huawei's Flagship Lineup

Released in different eras, the Huawei Mate 40E and P40 Pro+ represent distinct approaches to the flagship smartphone experience. The P40 Pro+ aimed for uncompromising premium features, while the Mate 40E offered a more balanced package. With the P40 Pro+ now available at reduced prices, a direct comparison is crucial for consumers seeking a high-end Huawei device.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users in 2024, the Huawei Mate 40E represents the better value. While the P40 Pro+ boasts a slightly brighter display and potentially better camera processing, the Mate 40E’s comparable performance from the Kirin 990E, coupled with its faster wireless charging and often lower price, makes it the more sensible choice.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 40E Huawei P40 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, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands1, 3, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub61, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2021, March 102020, March 26
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, March 18Available. Released 2020, June 06
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front, ceramic back, ceramic frame
Dimensions158.6 x 72.5 x 8.8 mm (6.24 x 2.85 x 0.35 in)158.2 x 72.6 x 9 mm (6.23 x 2.86 x 0.35 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight188 g (6.63 oz)226 g (7.97 oz)
 IP53, dust and splash resistantIP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2376 pixels (~402 ppi density)1200 x 2640 pixels (~441 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.7 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.58 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~91.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, HDR10, 90HzOLED, 90Hz, 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 5G (7 nm+)Kirin 990 5G (7 nm+)
GPUMali-G76 MP14Mali-G76 MP16
OSAndroid 10, EMUI 11, no Google Play ServicesAndroid 10, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM256GB 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, LED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad-50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/4.4, 240mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 10x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 40 MP, f/1.8, 18mm (ultrawide), 1/1.54", PDAF TOF 3D, (depth)
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)-
Video4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720@7680fps, 1080p@960fps, HDR; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide)32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, AF IR TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video4K, 720p@240fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
 32-bit/384kHz audio 32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, 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 (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC
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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassInfrared Face ID, fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging40W wired 40W wireless 5W reverse wired40W wired 40W wireless 27W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4200 mAhLi-Po 4200 mAh
Misc
ColorsSilver, White, BlackWhite Ceramic, Black Ceramic
ModelsOCE-AN50ELS-N39, ELS-AN10
PriceAbout 600 EURAbout 1000 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 95h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -27.4 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 529687 (v8) GeekBench: 3203 (v5.1) GFXBench: 31fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Huawei Mate 40E

  • Faster 40W wireless charging
  • Often more affordable price point
  • Comparable performance to P40 Pro+

  • Potentially slightly less refined camera processing
  • Kirin 990E may have a slightly weaker GPU

Huawei P40 Pro+

  • Brighter display for outdoor visibility
  • Potentially superior camera image processing
  • Faster 27W reverse wireless charging

  • Higher price tag
  • May throttle more under sustained load (unconfirmed)
  • Slower reverse wireless charging compared to some competitors

Display Comparison

Both devices utilize similar panel technology, but the Huawei P40 Pro+ edges out the Mate 40E with a measured peak brightness of 760 nits. While both offer an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for OLED panels), the higher brightness of the P40 Pro+ translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. However, the lack of refresh rate information for the Mate 40E means we can't assess its smoothness compared to potential 90Hz or 120Hz implementations on other devices. The P40 Pro+'s display is likely more comfortable for extended outdoor use.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are marketed as camera powerhouses, but the P40 Pro+ likely holds an advantage in image processing. While both share similar sensor configurations, the P40 Pro+’s image signal processor (ISP) benefits from Huawei’s more mature software algorithms. The P40 Pro+’s camera system is designed for professional-grade photography and videography, offering greater dynamic range and detail in challenging lighting conditions. The Mate 40E, while capable, is geared towards a broader audience and may prioritize ease of use over ultimate image quality. The absence of specific sensor size details prevents a definitive comparison.

Performance

The Huawei Mate 40E and P40 Pro+ both feature the Kirin 990 5G chipset, built on a 7nm+ process. Critically, the Mate 40E uses the Kirin 990E variant. While the core CPU architecture (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) is identical, the 'E' designation suggests a slightly downclocked GPU for improved efficiency. In real-world usage, this difference is unlikely to be noticeable for most tasks. Both phones benefit from 5G connectivity, but thermal management will be key during sustained workloads. The lack of detailed thermal data makes it difficult to predict which device will throttle more aggressively under heavy gaming.

Battery Life

Both the Mate 40E and P40 Pro+ achieve an endurance rating of 95 hours, suggesting comparable battery life. However, the charging capabilities differ significantly. Both support 40W wired and 40W wireless charging, but the P40 Pro+ offers 27W reverse wireless charging, while the Mate 40E provides only 5W. This means the P40 Pro+ can more effectively charge accessories like earbuds or smartwatches. The similar endurance ratings suggest that despite potential differences in battery capacity (not specified), efficient power management and optimized software contribute to comparable real-world usage times.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate 40E if you prioritize a balance of performance, features, and affordability, and value faster wireless charging. It’s ideal for everyday users, mobile gamers, and those who want a reliable 5G experience without breaking the bank. Buy the Huawei P40 Pro+ if you absolutely demand the brightest possible display and are willing to pay a premium for potentially superior camera image processing, and don't mind the slower reverse wireless charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 990 chipset in either phone struggle with sustained gaming performance?
While the Kirin 990 is a capable chipset, it's known to exhibit some thermal throttling under prolonged, demanding gaming sessions. Without specific thermal testing data for these models, it's difficult to say which throttles more. However, the Mate 40E's 'E' variant might prioritize efficiency, potentially mitigating throttling slightly.
❓ Is the reverse wireless charging feature on the P40 Pro+ significantly faster than the Mate 40E's?
Yes, the P40 Pro+’s 27W reverse wireless charging is considerably faster than the Mate 40E’s 5W offering. This means the P40 Pro+ can charge accessories like earbuds or smartwatches much more quickly, making it a more practical feature for users who rely on these devices.
❓ How does the camera performance differ in low-light conditions between the two phones?
The P40 Pro+ likely performs better in low-light scenarios due to its more advanced image processing algorithms. Huawei’s software is known for its ability to extract detail and reduce noise in challenging lighting conditions. While the Mate 40E is capable, it may not achieve the same level of detail or dynamic range.