The Huawei Mate 50E and Honor 70 Lite both aim for the competitive mid-range 5G market, but they take distinctly different approaches. The Mate 50E, leveraging a more powerful Snapdragon 778G, targets users prioritizing performance, while the Honor 70 Lite focuses on affordability with the Snapdragon 480+. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device delivers the best value for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a smoother, more responsive experience, the Huawei Mate 50E is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset provides a substantial performance advantage over the Honor 70 Lite’s Snapdragon 480+, making it better suited for gaming and demanding applications. While the Honor 70 Lite is more affordable, the performance trade-off is significant.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | LTE |
| 5G bands | - | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 06 | 2023, March 20 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 23 | Available. Released 2023, March 31 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 x 76.1 x 8 mm (6.36 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) | 163.7 x 75.1 x 8.7 mm (6.44 x 2.96 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 201 g (7.09 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1224 x 2700 pixels (~442 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.9 cm2 (~88.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, 90Hz | TFT LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.9 GHz Kryo 460) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM4350-AC Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 619 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 3.0 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, Magic UI 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) | Unspecified |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.4-f/4.0, 24mm (wide), PDAF, OIS
13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), PDAF | - |
| Features | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired
5W reverse wired | 22.5W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4460 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver, Purple | Ocean Blue, Titanium Silver, Midnight Black |
| Models | CET-AL60 | RBN-NX1 |
| Price | About 580 EUR | About 120 EUR |
Huawei Mate 50E
- Significantly faster processor for smoother performance.
- Much faster 66W wired charging.
- More efficient chipset for potentially better battery life.
- Likely a higher price point.
- May lack some of the latest software features due to Huawei's situation.
Honor 70 Lite
- More affordable price.
- Decent performance for basic tasks.
- Lightweight and potentially more compact design.
- Slow 22.5W charging.
- Noticeably slower processor for demanding apps and games.
- Less capable ISP for lower image quality.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. While specific display specs (resolution, panel type) are missing, the focus here is on the chipset's ability to drive the display smoothly. The Mate 50E’s more powerful GPU, paired with the Snapdragon 778G, will likely deliver a more fluid experience, especially in graphically intensive applications. The Honor 70 Lite, with its less capable GPU, may exhibit occasional stuttering or lower frame rates in demanding games.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, the chipset plays a crucial role in image processing. The Snapdragon 778G’s superior ISP (Image Signal Processor) in the Mate 50E will enable faster image processing, better noise reduction, and improved dynamic range compared to the 480+ in the Honor 70 Lite. This is particularly noticeable in low-light conditions. While both phones likely feature similar basic camera setups, the Mate 50E will produce higher-quality images overall.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Huawei Mate 50E’s Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) is a significant step up from the Honor 70 Lite’s Snapdragon 480+ (8 nm). The 778G features a more advanced CPU configuration – an octa-core setup with a prime Cortex-A78 core clocked at 2.4 GHz, alongside additional Cortex-A78 cores, versus the 480+'s Kryo 460 cores. This translates to approximately 30-40% faster CPU performance in benchmarks. The 6nm process node of the 778G also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. The Honor 70 Lite will be adequate for everyday tasks, but will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Huawei Mate 50E’s 66W wired charging is a major advantage, allowing for a full charge in approximately 40-50 minutes. The Honor 70 Lite’s 22.5W charging is considerably slower, requiring over 90 minutes for a complete charge. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the more efficient Snapdragon 778G in the Mate 50E will likely result in comparable, if not better, real-world battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity to the Honor 70 Lite. The faster charging speed significantly improves the user experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei Mate 50E if you need a phone capable of handling demanding games, multitasking, and future software updates without significant slowdown. It’s ideal for users who value performance and are willing to spend a bit more. Buy the Honor 70 Lite if you prioritize absolute affordability and primarily use your phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media browsing. It’s a good option for first-time smartphone users or those on a very tight budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 480+ in the Honor 70 Lite struggle with popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty?
Yes, the Snapdragon 480+ is a budget-oriented chipset and will likely struggle to deliver a consistently smooth gaming experience in demanding titles like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty. You'll likely need to lower graphics settings significantly, and even then, expect occasional frame drops and stuttering. The Mate 50E’s Snapdragon 778G is far better suited for gaming.
❓ Does the Huawei Mate 50E support Google Mobile Services (GMS)?
This is a critical consideration. The Huawei Mate 50E, like many recent Huawei devices, does *not* natively support Google Mobile Services (GMS). It relies on Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) and the AppGallery. While many popular apps are available through HMS and workarounds exist for others, the experience isn't identical to a phone with GMS. This is a significant drawback for users heavily reliant on Google apps.
❓ How much faster is the 66W charging on the Mate 50E compared to the 22.5W on the Honor 70 Lite in real-world use?
The difference is substantial. The Mate 50E can go from 0% to 100% in approximately 40-50 minutes, while the Honor 70 Lite will take well over 90 minutes, potentially exceeding two hours. This means you can quickly top up the Mate 50E during short breaks, whereas the Honor 70 Lite requires a much longer charging period.
