Huawei Mate 50E vs Xiaomi 12 Lite: A Clash of Mid-Range Titans

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Huawei Mate 50E and Xiaomi 12 Lite are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features and performance, but cater to slightly different needs. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one deserves your money.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi 12 Lite edges out the Mate 50E thanks to its slightly faster charging, brighter display, and generally more polished software experience. However, the Mate 50E might appeal to those prioritizing Huawei's ecosystem and design aesthetics. Both offer excellent value for their price point.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 50E Xiaomi 12 Lite
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, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66
5G bands-1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2022, September 062022, July 09
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, October 23Available. Released 2022, July 11
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame
Dimensions161.5 x 76.1 x 8 mm (6.36 x 3.00 x 0.31 in)159.3 x 73.7 x 7.3 mm (6.27 x 2.90 x 0.29 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight201 g (7.09 oz)173 g (6.10 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1224 x 2700 pixels (~442 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.9 cm2 (~88.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~88.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 90HzAMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 950 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 642LAdreno 642L
OSHarmonyOS 3.0Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.2
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.4-f/4.0, 24mm (wide), PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), PDAF-
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDRDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single-32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, AF
Triple-108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR, panorama
Single13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide)32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, AF
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with dual speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, 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, barometer, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging66W wired 5W reverse wired67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 50% in 13 min
TypeLi-Po 4460 mAhLi-Po 4300 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Silver, PurpleBlack, Lite Green, Lite Pink
ModelsCET-AL602203129G
PriceAbout 580 EUR€ 119.80 / $ 269.00 / £ 121.15
SAR-1.09 W/kg (head)     0.73 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.60 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 100h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.2 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 528905 (v9) GeekBench: 2943 (v5.1) GFXBench: 29fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Huawei Mate 50E

  • Elegant design
  • Reliable performance
  • Good color accuracy in camera

  • Slower charging
  • Less bright display
  • EMUI software can be divisive

Xiaomi 12 Lite

  • Brighter display
  • Faster charging (67W)
  • Polished MIUI software
  • Versatile camera system

  • Design might be less distinctive
  • Potential for MIUI bloatware

Display Comparison

Both phones feature OLED displays, but the Xiaomi 12 Lite boasts a measured peak brightness of 824 nits, significantly brighter than the Mate 50E. While the Mate 50E's display is still good, the Xiaomi 12 Lite offers better outdoor visibility. The Xiaomi also has a contrast ratio of 'Infinite' (nominal), suggesting excellent blacks and vibrant colors.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is a key differentiator. While both offer capable cameras, the Xiaomi 12 Lite is expected to have a more versatile camera system with potentially better image processing. The Mate 50E's camera is known for its color accuracy, but may lack some of the advanced features found on the Xiaomi.

Performance

Powered by the Snapdragon 778G 5G, both phones deliver similar performance for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. However, software optimization can play a significant role. Xiaomi's MIUI is generally considered more polished and responsive than Huawei's EMUI, potentially giving the 12 Lite a slight edge in perceived speed.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi 12 Lite boasts an impressive endurance rating of 100 hours, suggesting excellent battery life. The Mate 50E's battery life is also good, but likely not as exceptional as the Xiaomi. The Xiaomi's 67W charging is also faster than the Mate 50E's 66W, allowing for quicker top-ups.

Buying Guide

The Huawei Mate 50E is ideal for users deeply invested in the Huawei ecosystem, appreciating its design, and seeking a reliable all-rounder. The Xiaomi 12 Lite is a better choice for those prioritizing a vibrant display, faster charging, and a more streamlined Android experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Xiaomi 12 Lite is expected to have slightly better battery life, with an endurance rating of 100 hours.
❓ Is the Huawei Mate 50E good for photography?
The Mate 50E offers good color accuracy in its camera, but the Xiaomi 12 Lite likely has a more versatile and feature-rich camera system.
❓ Which phone is easier to use?
The Xiaomi 12 Lite, with its MIUI software, is generally considered to have a more user-friendly and streamlined experience.