Huawei P50E vs Mate 40E: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The Huawei Mate 40E and P50E represent interesting points in Huawei’s smartphone evolution. The Mate 40E, launched with Huawei’s in-house Kirin 990E 5G, was a flagship contender. The P50E, arriving later, shifted to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 778G 4G, signaling a change in strategy. This comparison dissects the trade-offs between these two devices, focusing on performance, charging, and overall user experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Huawei P50E emerges as the better choice. While it lacks 5G connectivity, the Snapdragon 778G’s 6nm process offers excellent efficiency, and its 66W charging significantly outperforms the Mate 40E’s 40W wired and wireless options. The performance difference isn't massive, but the P50E delivers a more modern and convenient charging experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 40E Huawei P50E
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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands1, 3, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO CDMA2000 1x
Launch
Announced2021, March 102022, March 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, March 18Available. Released 2022, March 24
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frame-
Dimensions158.6 x 72.5 x 8.8 mm (6.24 x 2.85 x 0.35 in)156.5 x 73.8 x 7.9 mm (6.16 x 2.91 x 0.31 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight188 g (6.63 oz)181 g (6.38 oz)
 IP53, dust and splash resistantIP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2376 pixels (~402 ppi density)1224 x 2700 pixels (~456 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.7 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.5 cm2 (~88.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, HDR10, 90HzOLED, 1B colors, 90Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670)
ChipsetKirin 990E 5G (7 nm+)Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G76 MP14Adreno 642L
OSAndroid 10, EMUI 11, no Google Play ServicesHarmonyOS 2.0
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
 UFS 3.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica optics, LED flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica optics, dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR
Single13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide)13 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (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)50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide)
Video4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaPanorama, HDR
Single13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide)13 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide)
Video4K, 720p@240fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/384kHz audio -
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
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 (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/6, 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 wired66W wired
TypeLi-Po 4200 mAhLi-Po 4100 mAh
Misc
ColorsSilver, White, BlackGalaxy Blue, Cocoa Tea Gold, Snow White, Obsidian Black
ModelsOCE-AN50ABR-AL60
PriceAbout 600 EURAbout 580 EUR

Huawei Mate 40E

  • 5G Connectivity
  • Potentially higher peak CPU performance
  • Wireless Charging Support

  • Less efficient 7nm+ process
  • Slower 40W charging
  • Potential for thermal throttling

Huawei P50E

  • More efficient 6nm Snapdragon 778G
  • Significantly faster 66W charging
  • Likely better sustained performance

  • Lacks 5G connectivity
  • Potentially lower peak CPU performance
  • Relies on Qualcomm chipset

Display Comparison

Neither Huawei provides detailed display specs in the provided data. However, given their market positioning, both likely feature OLED panels. The P50E’s later release suggests a potential for improved color calibration and brightness. The absence of high refresh rate information is notable; assuming 60Hz for both is reasonable. Bezels are likely comparable, typical of the era.

Camera Comparison

Without sensor details, a direct camera comparison is difficult. However, Huawei’s image processing is a key differentiator. Both phones likely employ multi-camera systems, but the P50E’s later release could indicate improvements in computational photography algorithms. The absence of information on Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is a gap; its presence would be a significant advantage for low-light photography. We can assume both phones offer a similar range of shooting modes, but the P50E’s image processing might be more refined.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Kirin 990E 5G (7nm+) in the Mate 40E boasts a more complex CPU configuration – a mix of Cortex-A76 cores – aiming for higher peak performance. However, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 4G (6nm) in the P50E benefits from a more efficient manufacturing process. This 6nm node translates to better thermal management and sustained performance under load. While the Kirin 990E might win in short bursts, the Snapdragon 778G will likely maintain higher average frame rates during extended gaming sessions. The P50E’s 4G limitation is a significant drawback for users in 5G areas.

Battery Life

The charging speeds are a clear win for the P50E. Its 66W wired charging dramatically reduces charging times compared to the Mate 40E’s 40W wired and 40W wireless options. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Snapdragon 778G’s efficiency likely allows the P50E to achieve comparable or even better battery life despite potentially having a smaller battery. The Mate 40E’s 5W reverse wired charging is a niche feature, useful for topping up accessories but not a primary selling point.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate 40E if you absolutely require 5G connectivity and prioritize the Kirin 990E’s potentially higher peak CPU performance in specific, demanding tasks. Buy the Huawei P50E if you value faster charging, a more efficient processor, and a generally smoother user experience, even if it means sacrificing 5G and accepting a slightly less powerful CPU.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 778G in the P50E struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 778G is a capable mid-range chipset. While it won't match the performance of flagship Snapdragon 8 series chips, it can handle PUBG and Genshin Impact at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. The 6nm process helps prevent significant thermal throttling, ensuring consistent performance during extended gaming sessions.
❓ Is the lack of 5G on the P50E a dealbreaker if I live in an area with 5G coverage?
If you frequently travel to or reside in areas with strong 5G coverage and rely on fast mobile data speeds, the P50E’s lack of 5G is a significant drawback. The Mate 40E’s Kirin 990E 5G offers a clear advantage in this scenario. However, if 5G isn’t readily available or you primarily use Wi-Fi, the P50E’s other benefits might outweigh this limitation.
❓ How much faster is the 66W charging on the P50E compared to the 40W charging on the Mate 40E?
The 66W charging on the P50E can realistically charge a typical smartphone battery from 0% to 100% in around 45-50 minutes, whereas the Mate 40E’s 40W charging will likely take closer to 60-75 minutes. This difference is substantial and provides a much more convenient charging experience.