Huawei Mate 50E vs Google Pixel 4 XL: A Clash of Titans

The smartphone landscape is constantly evolving, and choosing the right device can be overwhelming. Today, we pit the Huawei Mate 50E, a mid-range contender, against the Google Pixel 4 XL, a flagship from a few years back. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to see which phone emerges victorious.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Pixel 4 XL offers a superior camera experience and a more polished software experience, despite its age. The Mate 50E provides faster charging and a more modern chipset, making it a compelling choice for budget-conscious users. Ultimately, the Pixel wins for image quality, but the Mate 50E offers better value.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 50E Google Pixel 4 XL
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 - Global
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 -1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - USA
Launch
Announced2022, September 062019, October 15
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, October 23Available. Released 2019, October 22
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions161.5 x 76.1 x 8 mm (6.36 x 3.00 x 0.31 in)160.4 x 75.1 x 8.2 mm (6.31 x 2.96 x 0.32 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight201 g (7.09 oz)193 g (6.81 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1224 x 2700 pixels (~442 ppi density)1440 x 3040 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~537 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.9 cm2 (~88.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 98.0 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 90HzP-OLED, 90Hz, HDR
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 642LAdreno 640
OSHarmonyOS 3.0Android 10, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.4-f/4.0, 24mm (wide), PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), PDAF12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.4, 50mm (telephoto), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDRDual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS)
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide)8 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1.22µm, no AF TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
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, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compassFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging66W wired 5W reverse wired18W wired, PD2.0 Wireless
TypeLi-Po 4460 mAhLi-Po 3700 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, Silver, PurpleClearly White, Just Black, Oh So Orange
ModelsCET-AL60G020P, G020, GA01181-US, GA01182-US, GA01180-US
PriceAbout 580 EURAbout 180 EUR
Pricing
128GB 6GB RAM-$ 364.52
64GB 6GB RAM-$ 274.99
RENEWED-$ 149.00
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -93.9 / Crosstalk -94.1
Battery life- Endurance rating 73h
Camera- Photo / Video
Loudspeaker- Voice 80dB / Noise 78dB / Ring 88dB
Performance- AnTuTu: 323305 (v7), 403267 (v8) GeekBench: 10171 (v4.4), 2267 (v5.1) GFXBench: 21fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Huawei Mate 50E

  • Faster Charging (66W)
  • Modern Chipset (Snapdragon 778G)
  • Larger Display
  • Generally more affordable

  • Camera not as good as Pixel 4 XL
  • 60Hz display
  • Software support may be limited

Google Pixel 4 XL

  • Superior Camera Quality
  • Clean Android Experience
  • 90Hz Display
  • Excellent Battery Life (though aging)

  • Older Device (potential battery degradation)
  • Slower Charging (18W)
  • Less Powerful Chipset compared to newer devices
  • No longer receiving software updates

Display Comparison

The Pixel 4 XL boasts a 6.3-inch OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. The Mate 50E features a 6.7-inch OLED display, likely with a standard 60Hz refresh rate. While the Mate 50E has a larger screen, the Pixel 4 XL's higher refresh rate provides a noticeably smoother experience.

Camera Comparison

This is where the Pixel 4 XL truly shines. Its camera is renowned for its exceptional image processing and computational photography capabilities. The Mate 50E's camera is decent, but it lacks the Pixel's advanced features and overall image quality. The Pixel's Night Sight is a significant advantage.

Performance

The Snapdragon 855 in the Pixel 4 XL still holds up well, offering flagship-level performance for everyday tasks and gaming. The Snapdragon 778G in the Mate 50E is a capable mid-range chipset, providing smooth performance for most users, but it won't match the raw power of the 855. The Pixel's CPU also has a slightly higher clock speed.

Battery Life

The Pixel 4 XL's endurance rating of 73h is impressive, suggesting excellent battery life. However, being an older device, battery degradation is a concern. The Mate 50E's 66W charging is a significant advantage, allowing for much faster top-ups. While the Pixel has wireless charging, the Mate 50E's wired charging is considerably faster.

Buying Guide

The Huawei Mate 50E is ideal for users seeking a reliable, affordable phone with good performance and fast charging. The Google Pixel 4 XL is best suited for photography enthusiasts who prioritize image quality and a clean Android experience, understanding its age and potential battery limitations.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Pixel 4 XL still worth buying?
It depends. If camera quality is your top priority and you don't mind an older device with potential battery limitations, it can still be a good option. However, be aware that it's no longer receiving software updates.
❓ Does the Mate 50E have Google Play Services?
No, due to US sanctions, Huawei phones do not come with Google Play Services pre-installed. Users will need to explore alternative app stores or sideload apps.