Huawei Mate 8 vs Mate 10 Pro: A Generational Leap?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei Mate 10 Pro is the clear winner. While the Mate 8 boasts incredible battery life, the Mate 10 Pro’s superior chipset, improved camera, faster charging, and brighter display make it a more compelling and modern smartphone experience. It represents a significant upgrade.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Huawei Mate 8 | Huawei Mate 10 Pro |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (optional) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - NXT-L29, NXT-L09 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 38, 39, 40 - NXT-L29 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40 - NXT-L09 | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2015, November. Released 2015, November | 2017, October. Released 2017, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 157.1 x 80.6 x 7.9 mm (6.19 x 3.17 x 0.31 in) | 154.2 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm (6.07 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM (NXT-L09)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (NXT-L29) | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 178 g (6.28 oz) |
| - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 mins) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~368 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 98.7 cm2 (~78.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~80.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS-NEO LCD | OLED, HDR10 |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A72 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex A53) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Kirin 950 (16 nm) | Kirin 970 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T880 MP4 | Mali-G72 MP12 |
| OS | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat), EMUI 4 | Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10, EMUI 10.2 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| - | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/1.6, 27mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm, PDAF, OIS 20 MP B/W, f/1.6, 27mm (wide), 1/2.7" |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR | Laser AF, Leica optics, dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/2.8", PDAF, OIS | - |
| Video | 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.4µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | 32-bit/384kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, EDR, LE | 4.2, A2DP, aptX HD, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, DLNA, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, DLNA, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, 37% in 30 min | 22.5W wired, 58% in 30 min |
| Music play | Up to 98 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 528 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Champagne Gold, Moonlight Silver, Space Gray, Mocha Brown | Midnight Blue, Titanium Gray, Mocha Brown, Pink Gold |
| Models | NXT-AL10, NXT-CL00, NXT-DL00, NXT-TL00, NXT-L09, NXT-L29 | BLA-L29, BLA-L09, BLA-AL00, BLA-A09, BLA-TL00 |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 450 EUR |
| SAR | 1.49 W/kg (head) 0.32 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 1.46 W/kg (head) 0.21 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -97.8dB / Crosstalk -97.3dB | Noise -93.5dB / Crosstalk -93.4dB |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 103h | Endurance rating 96h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 1361:1 (nominal), 2.949 (sunlight) | Contrast ratio: Infinity (nominal), 4.096 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 67dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 66dB | Voice 70dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 84dB |
| Performance | Basemark OS II 2.0: 2017Basemark X: 15593 | GeekBench: 6783 (v4.4) GFXBench: 21fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei Mate 8
- Exceptional battery life
- Large display
- Good value for money (now)
- Solid build quality
- Older chipset
- Less impressive camera
- Slower charging
- Larger and heavier design
Huawei Mate 10 Pro
- Faster processor (Kirin 970)
- Improved camera with Leica lens
- Faster charging
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- More modern design with face unlock
- Slightly shorter battery life than Mate 8
- Can be more expensive (depending on availability)
Display Comparison
The Mate 10 Pro features a brighter and more vibrant display with a significantly better sunlight readability thanks to its 4096:1 contrast ratio compared to the Mate 8's 2949:1. The 'Infinity' display on the Mate 10 Pro also offers a more immersive viewing experience with smaller bezels. While both offer excellent contrast, the Mate 10 Pro's advancements are noticeable.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer capable camera systems, but the Mate 10 Pro’s camera is noticeably better. It benefits from improved image processing, better low-light performance, and a more sophisticated AI scene detection. The Mate 10 Pro also features a dedicated Leica lens, further enhancing image quality. While the Mate 8 takes decent photos, the Mate 10 Pro consistently delivers superior results.
Performance
The Kirin 970 in the Mate 10 Pro is a substantial upgrade over the Kirin 950 in the Mate 8. The 10nm process allows for greater efficiency and performance. The Cortex-A73 cores in the Mate 10 Pro also provide a noticeable boost in speed and responsiveness, especially in demanding tasks and gaming. The Mate 10 Pro handles multitasking and resource-intensive applications with greater ease.
Battery Life
The Mate 8 holds a slight edge in raw battery endurance with a reported 103h rating compared to the Mate 10 Pro's 96h. However, the Mate 10 Pro’s faster 22.5W charging significantly reduces charging times, offering a 37% charge in 30 minutes versus the Mate 8's 30 minutes for 37%. This makes the Mate 10 Pro more convenient for users who need a quick power boost.
Buying Guide
The Huawei Mate 8 is a good choice for users prioritizing exceptional battery life and a large screen on a budget. The Mate 10 Pro is ideal for those seeking a faster processor, better camera performance, and a more modern design with features like face unlock and improved display visibility.