Huawei Mate 80 vs Google Pixel 8 Pro: A Detailed Comparison of Flagship Powerhouses

The Huawei Mate 80 and Google Pixel 8 Pro represent distinct philosophies in the Android flagship space. The Mate 80, leveraging Huawei’s in-house Kirin 9020 chipset, prioritizes raw processing power and rapid charging. Conversely, the Pixel 8 Pro, powered by Google’s Tensor G3, focuses on AI-driven features and computational photography. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing camera versatility and long-term software support, the Google Pixel 8 Pro emerges as the stronger choice. Its Tensor G3 chip, while not leading in raw CPU benchmarks, excels in AI tasks, and its 11:14h active use battery life is impressive. However, the Mate 80’s 66W charging is a significant advantage for those who value speed.

PHONES
Phone Names	Huawei Mate 80	Google Pixel 8 Pro

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	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 - G1MNW
5G bands	SA/NSA	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - G1MNW
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G

Launch
Announced	2025, November 25	2023, October 04
Status	Available. Released 2025, November 25	Available. Released 2023, October 12

Body
Build	Glass front, aluminum alloy frame, fiber-reinforced plastic back	Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame
Dimensions	161.9 x 76 x 8 mm (6.37 x 2.99 x 0.31 in)	162.6 x 76.5 x 8.8 mm (6.40 x 3.01 x 0.35 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + eSIM
Weight	217 g (7.65 oz)	213 g (7.51 oz)

Display
Protection	Huawei Kunlun Glass 2	Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution	1280 x 2832 pixels (~460 ppi density)	1344 x 2992 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~489 ppi density)
Size	6.75 inches, 110.3 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio)	6.7 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1440Hz PWM, HDR Vivid	LTPO OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1600 nits (HBM), 2400 nits (peak)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x2.5 GHz & 3x2.15 GHz & 4x1.6 GHz)	Nona-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510)
Chipset	Kirin 9020 (7 nm)	Google Tensor G3 (4 nm)
GPU	Maleoon 920	Immortalis-G715s MC10
OS	HarmonyOS 6.0	Android 14, upgradable to Android 16, up to 7 major Android upgrades

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM	128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM

Main Camera
Features	Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR	Multi-zone Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Ultra-HDR, panorama, Best Take, Zoom Enhance
Triple	50 MP, f/1.4-f/4.0, 24mm (wide), PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5.5x optical zoom 40 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), PDAF	50 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/2.8, 113mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.0, 126˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video	4K, 1080p@240fps, HDR, gyro-EIS, OIS, HDR Vivid	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@24/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS, 10-bit HDR

Selfie camera
Features	HDR, panorama	HDR, panorama
Single	13 MP, f/2.0, 18mm (ultrawide), AF TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)	10.5 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm, PDAF
Video	4K, 1080p, HDR, gyro-EIS	4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps

Sound
35mm jack	No	No
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers

Comms
Bluetooth	6.0, A2DP, LE, L2HC	5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared port	Yes	-
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 3.1, OTG, DisplayPort 1.2	USB Type-C 3.2
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Face ID, fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, thermometer (skin temperature)

Battery
Charging	66W wired 50W wireless Reverse wireless 5W reverse wired	30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min 23W wireless Reverse wireless Bypass charging
Type	5750 mAh	Li-Ion 5050 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, White, Green, Gold	Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, Mint
Models	VYG-AL00	GC3VE, G1MNW
Price	About 570 EUR	€ 362.00 / $ 289.97 / £ 329.95 / ₹ 54,999

Huawei Mate 80

Significantly faster 66W wired charging
Potentially higher raw CPU performance
Reverse wired charging option

Software support and updates are uncertain
Camera system likely lags behind Pixel 8 Pro

Google Pixel 8 Pro

Superior camera capabilities and AI processing
Long-term software support and updates
Brighter display for outdoor visibility

Slower charging speeds compared to Mate 80
Chipset may throttle under sustained load

Display Comparison

The Pixel 8 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1600 nits, making it far more usable in direct sunlight compared to the Mate 80 (brightness data unavailable). While the Mate 80’s panel quality is likely high given Huawei’s history, the Pixel 8 Pro’s brightness advantage is substantial. The Pixel 8 Pro likely utilizes an LTPO panel for variable refresh rates, contributing to battery efficiency, a feature not confirmed for the Mate 80. Bezels are expected to be comparable, with both aiming for a modern, immersive viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 8 Pro’s camera system is a key differentiator, focusing on computational photography and AI-powered features. While specific sensor details are unavailable for the Mate 80, the Pixel 8 Pro’s image processing excels in dynamic range and low-light performance. The Pixel 8 Pro’s video capabilities are also likely superior, benefiting from Google’s advanced video stabilization and editing tools. The absence of detailed camera specs for the Mate 80 makes a direct sensor comparison difficult, but the Pixel 8 Pro’s software advantage is significant.

Performance

The Google Tensor G3’s nona-core architecture (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3, 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715, 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510) is designed for AI and machine learning tasks, while the Kirin 9020’s octa-core setup (1x2.5 GHz & 3x2.15 GHz & 4x1.6 GHz) focuses on traditional CPU performance. The Tensor G3’s 4nm process node offers better thermal efficiency than the Kirin 9020’s 7nm node, potentially leading to less throttling during sustained workloads. While the Kirin 9020 may win in single-core benchmarks, the Tensor G3’s optimized AI processing will benefit features like voice assistant and image processing.

Battery Life

The Pixel 8 Pro achieves an impressive 11:14h active use battery score, demonstrating excellent real-world endurance. While the Mate 80’s battery capacity is unknown, its 66W wired charging is significantly faster than the Pixel 8 Pro’s 30W charging (50% in 30 min). The Mate 80 also offers 50W wireless charging, exceeding the Pixel 8 Pro’s 23W wireless charging. Both devices support reverse wireless charging, but the Mate 80 adds a 5W reverse wired charging option. The Pixel 8 Pro’s ‘Bypass Charging’ feature, which prioritizes battery health, is absent on the Mate 80.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate 80 if you need blazing-fast charging speeds and prioritize raw CPU performance for demanding tasks. It’s ideal for users who frequently transfer large files or engage in intensive mobile editing. Buy the Google Pixel 8 Pro if you prefer a superior camera experience, seamless integration with Google’s ecosystem, and guaranteed software updates, even if it means slightly slower charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 9020 chipset in the Mate 80 struggle with graphically intensive games compared to the Tensor G3?

While the Kirin 9020 is a powerful chip, the Tensor G3’s 4nm process and optimized GPU architecture likely provide better sustained performance in demanding games. The Kirin 9020 may exhibit more thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions, potentially leading to frame drops.

❓ How does the lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS) on the Huawei Mate 80 impact the user experience?

The absence of GMS means the Mate 80 lacks direct access to the Google Play Store and core Google apps like Gmail and YouTube. Users must rely on Huawei’s AppGallery and sideloading apps, which can be less convenient and may raise security concerns.

❓ Is the Pixel 8 Pro's 'Magic Eraser' feature significantly better than similar photo editing tools available on the Mate 80?

Google’s ‘Magic Eraser’ leverages the Tensor G3’s AI capabilities for more seamless and accurate object removal in photos. While the Mate 80 may offer similar editing tools, the Pixel 8 Pro’s implementation is generally considered more refined and effective.

❓ How does the Pixel 8 Pro's 'Bypass Charging' feature contribute to long-term battery health, and is this feature available on the Mate 80?

The Pixel 8 Pro’s ‘Bypass Charging’ intelligently manages charging to reduce battery degradation by minimizing time spent at 100%. This feature is not available on the Huawei Mate 80, potentially leading to faster battery wear over time.