Huawei P50E vs Huawei P30: A Clash of Generations

Huawei's P series has consistently delivered impressive smartphones, but choosing between models can be tricky. Today, we pit the newer Huawei P50E against the older, yet still capable, Huawei P30. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges as the winner.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Huawei P50E offers a significant performance boost thanks to its Snapdragon 778G and faster charging. However, the P30 boasts exceptional battery life and a potentially superior camera experience, especially in certain lighting conditions. The P50E is the better choice for most users, but the P30 remains a strong contender.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei P50E Huawei P30
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 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, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat21 1400/200 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA2000 1x -
Launch
Announced2022, March 172019, March 26. Released 2019, March 26
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, March 24Discontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Aluminosilicate glass), glass back (Aluminosilicate glass), aluminum frame
Dimensions156.5 x 73.8 x 7.9 mm (6.16 x 2.91 x 0.31 in)149.1 x 71.4 x 7.6 mm (5.87 x 2.81 x 0.30 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight181 g (6.38 oz)165 g (5.82 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)IP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
Resolution1224 x 2700 pixels (~456 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~422 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.5 cm2 (~88.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 90HzOLED, HDR10
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670)Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)Kirin 980 (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 642LMali-G76 MP10
OSHarmonyOS 2.0Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, EMUI 10
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM64GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica optics, dual-LED flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica optics, dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR
Single13 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide)-
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide)40 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/1.7", PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 16 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), PDAF
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@960fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesPanorama, HDRHDR
Single13 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide)32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
 -32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
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
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging66W wired22.5W wired
TypeLi-Po 4100 mAhLi-Po 3650 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsGalaxy Blue, Cocoa Tea Gold, Snow White, Obsidian BlackAurora, Amber Sunrise, Breathing Crystal, Black, Pearl White
ModelsABR-AL60ELE-L29, ELE-L09, ELE-AL00, ELE-TL00, ELE-L04
PriceAbout 580 EURAbout 280 EUR
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -96.2dB / Crosstalk -97.5dB
Battery life-Endurance rating 83h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- Voice 83dB / Noise 75dB / Ring 83dB
Performance- AnTuTu: 314595 (v7) GeekBench: 10114 (v4.4) GFXBench: 28fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Huawei P50E

  • Faster Performance (Snapdragon 778G)
  • 66W Fast Charging
  • Likely Brighter Display
  • More Modern Chipset

  • Potentially Weaker Battery Life than P30
  • Camera performance needs further evaluation

Huawei P30

  • Exceptional Battery Life (83h Endurance)
  • Excellent Contrast Ratio Display
  • Proven Camera System
  • Generally more affordable

  • Slower Charging (22.5W)
  • Older Chipset (Kirin 980)
  • Lower Performance

Display Comparison

The P30's display, while not boasting the latest technology, delivers impressive contrast with its 'infinite' ratio. The P50E likely has a brighter display (estimated 800+ nits) and potentially more vibrant colors, but lacks specific brightness data. Overall, the P30's contrast is a strong point, while the P50E likely wins on brightness and color accuracy.

Camera Comparison

Both phones have capable camera systems. The P30 was renowned for its impressive low-light performance and zoom capabilities. The P50E likely offers improved image processing and potentially better video recording, but the P30's established reputation in photography makes it a strong contender. Real-world testing is needed to definitively declare a winner.

Performance

Here, the P50E takes a clear lead. The Snapdragon 778G 4G is significantly more powerful than the Kirin 980. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the P50E. The P30's Kirin 980 was excellent in its time, but it's showing its age.

Battery Life

The P30's endurance rating of 83h is remarkable and a major selling point. The P50E, while having a smaller battery capacity, benefits from 66W fast charging, significantly reducing charging times. However, the P30's longevity remains unmatched.

Buying Guide

The Huawei P50E is ideal for users prioritizing performance, faster charging, and a more modern chipset. The Huawei P30 is a great option for those seeking exceptional battery life and a proven camera system, especially if budget is a major concern and they don't need the latest processing power.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Huawei P50E worth the upgrade from a P30?
If performance and faster charging are important to you, then yes. The P50E offers a significant upgrade in processing power. However, if battery life is your top priority, the P30 remains a compelling option.
❓ Does the Huawei P50E have Google Play Services?
No, neither the P50E nor the P30 have Google Play Services due to US trade restrictions. Users will need to rely on Huawei's AppGallery and alternative app stores.