Huawei P50E vs Huawei P40 4G: A Clash of Generations

Huawei's P series has consistently delivered stylish designs and impressive camera capabilities. But with the P50E and P40 4G, which phone offers the better experience? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Huawei P50E takes the crown thanks to its significantly faster charging, more modern chipset, and generally improved performance. While the P40 4G still holds its own with a solid camera, the P50E's advancements make it the more compelling choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei P50E Huawei P40 4G
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, 41LTE
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA2000 1x -
Launch
Announced2022, March 172021, February 26
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, March 24Available. Released 2021, February 26
Body
Build-Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions156.5 x 73.8 x 7.9 mm (6.16 x 2.91 x 0.31 in)148.9 x 71.1 x 8.5 mm (5.86 x 2.80 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight181 g (6.38 oz)175 g (6.17 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 (~86.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 90HzOLED
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670)Octa-core (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.09 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.86 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)Kirin 990 (7 nm+)
GPUAdreno 642LMali-G76 MP16
OSHarmonyOS 2.0Android 10, EMUI, no Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica optics, dual-LED flash, panorama, HDRLeica optics, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR
Single13 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide)32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm IR TOF 3D, (biometrics sensor only)
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)50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 16 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), AF
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@960fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesPanorama, HDRHDR
Single13 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide)32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm IR TOF 3D, (biometrics sensor only)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, 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 (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, 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, compassInfrared Face ID, fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging66W wired22.5W wired
TypeLi-Po 4100 mAhLi-Po 3800 mAh
Misc
ColorsGalaxy Blue, Cocoa Tea Gold, Snow White, Obsidian BlackFrost Silver, Dark Blue
ModelsABR-AL60ANA-AL00
PriceAbout 580 EURAbout 500 EUR

Huawei P50E

  • Faster Charging (66W)
  • More Modern Chipset (Snapdragon 778G 4G)
  • Improved Performance
  • Slightly more modern design

  • Potentially slightly less impressive zoom compared to P40 4G
  • Software support may be limited due to Huawei's situation

Huawei P40 4G

  • Excellent Camera (especially zoom)
  • Mature Software (potentially)
  • Generally more affordable

  • Slower Charging (22.5W)
  • Older Chipset (Kirin 990)
  • Lower Performance
  • Older Design

Display Comparison

Both phones feature OLED displays, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The P50E likely has a slightly more modern panel with potentially better brightness and color accuracy, though specific details on resolution and refresh rate are needed for a definitive comparison. Both offer excellent viewing experiences.

Camera Comparison

The P40 4G was renowned for its Leica-engineered camera system, particularly its periscope zoom lens. While the P50E also boasts a capable camera, the P40 4G's zoom capabilities might still be slightly superior. Image processing and overall camera features are comparable, but the P40 4G's zoom is a key differentiator.

Performance

The Snapdragon 778G 4G in the P50E is a clear winner here. It's built on a more efficient 6nm process and offers noticeably better CPU and GPU performance compared to the Kirin 990 in the P40 4G. Expect smoother multitasking and better gaming performance on the P50E.

Battery Life

The P50E's 66W wired charging is a game-changer compared to the P40 4G's 22.5W. You'll be able to top up the P50E's battery much faster. Battery capacity is likely similar between the two devices, but the P50E's charging speed provides a significant advantage.

Buying Guide

The Huawei P50E is ideal for users prioritizing fast charging, smooth performance, and a more recent chipset. The Huawei P40 4G is a good option for those seeking a reliable camera and a more budget-friendly price point, especially if charging speed isn't a major concern.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Huawei P50E worth buying in 2024?
Yes, the P50E remains a solid choice, especially if you value fast charging and performance. However, consider the limited software support due to Huawei's restrictions.
❓ Which phone has the better camera for zoom photography?
The Huawei P40 4G generally offers better zoom capabilities thanks to its periscope lens, although the P50E's camera is still quite capable.