Both the Samsung Galaxy A50s and the Huawei Y9 Prime (2019) represent compelling options in the mid-range smartphone market, particularly as their prices have fallen since their initial release. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device delivers the best overall experience for users prioritizing performance, battery life, and camera quality.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Samsung Galaxy A50s is the stronger choice. Its Exynos 9611 chipset, fabricated on a 10nm process, offers a slight performance advantage and better thermal efficiency compared to the Huawei Y9 Prime’s 12nm Kirin 710F, translating to smoother multitasking and potentially longer sustained performance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat12 600/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, August 01. Released 2019, August 05 | 2019, August 22. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.5 x 77.3 x 8.9 mm (6.44 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) | 158.5 x 74.5 x 7.7 mm (6.24 x 2.93 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 196.8 g (6.95 oz) | 169 g (5.96 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.59 inches, 106.6 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710F (12 nm) | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Magic UI 2.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 13mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0 | 32 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Emerald Green, Midnight Black, Sapphire Blue | Prism Crush Black, Prism Crush White, Prism Crush Green, Prism Crush Violet2 |
| Models | STK-L21, STK-L22, STK-LX3 | SM-A507F, SM-A507FN, SM-A5070 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 290 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.43 W/kg (head) 1.55 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 154761 (v7)
GeekBench: 5295 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 9.2fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei Y9 Prime (2019)
- More efficient Exynos 9611 chipset
- Faster 15W charging
- Potentially better camera image processing
- May be slightly more expensive
- Software updates may be less frequent than newer Samsung models
Samsung Galaxy A50s
- Potentially lower price point
- Large display for media consumption
- Acceptable performance for basic tasks
- Less efficient Kirin 710F chipset
- Slower charging speeds
- Potentially less refined camera performance
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The focus here isn't on cutting-edge tech like OLED or high refresh rates. However, the A50s benefits from Samsung’s display expertise, potentially offering slightly better color accuracy and viewing angles. While specific nit brightness isn't provided, Samsung's displays generally perform well in outdoor visibility. Bezels are comparable, typical of 2019 designs.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the market positioning suggests the A50s likely has a more refined camera system. Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, but the A50s benefits from Samsung’s image processing algorithms, which are generally known for producing vibrant and detailed photos. The presence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the A50s, if equipped, would be a significant advantage in low-light conditions, reducing blur and improving image clarity. The 2MP macro cameras found on both devices are largely marketing features and offer limited practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A50s’ Exynos 9611 (10nm) features a CPU clocked at up to 2.3 GHz, a slight edge over the Huawei Y9 Prime’s Kirin 710F (12nm) with its 2.2 GHz peak. The 10nm fabrication process of the Exynos 9611 is crucial; it allows for greater transistor density and improved power efficiency, reducing heat generation under load. Both utilize the same CPU core configuration (4x Cortex-A73 & 4x Cortex-A53), but the higher clock speed and smaller node give the A50s a performance advantage in CPU-intensive tasks. While both likely feature similar RAM configurations, the Exynos 9611’s GPU is also likely to offer a modest improvement in graphics performance.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified, but both devices likely feature batteries in the 4000-5000 mAh range, typical for this class. The key differentiator is charging speed. The Samsung Galaxy A50s supports 15W wired charging, a noticeable advantage over the Y9 Prime, which likely relies on slower charging speeds. This translates to significantly faster 0-100% charge times for the A50s, reducing downtime and improving usability. The Exynos 9611’s improved power efficiency also contributes to potentially longer real-world battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei Y9 Prime (2019) if you prioritize a large display and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like social media and light web browsing. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A50s if you value slightly better performance for gaming and multitasking, along with the convenience of 15W fast charging and a more established software ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Galaxy A50s suffer from thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
While not a flagship chipset, the Exynos 9611’s 10nm process helps mitigate thermal throttling compared to the Kirin 710F. Users can expect sustained performance for moderate gaming sessions, but demanding titles at maximum settings may still lead to some throttling after prolonged use.
❓ Is the Huawei Y9 Prime (2019) still receiving software updates?
Software update support for the Y9 Prime (2019) is likely limited at this point. Huawei’s update schedule for older devices can be inconsistent, and users should not expect major Android version upgrades. Security patches may still be available, but are not guaranteed.
❓ How useful are the 2MP macro cameras on either phone?
The 2MP macro cameras on both the A50s and Y9 Prime are largely marketing features. Their low resolution and fixed focus limit their usefulness, and image quality is generally subpar. They are unlikely to produce detailed or impressive macro shots.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A50s handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high frame rates?
The A50s can run PUBG Mobile, but achieving consistently high frame rates (60fps or higher) at maximum settings may be challenging. Users may need to lower graphics settings to maintain a smooth gaming experience. The Exynos 9611 is capable, but not a dedicated gaming chipset.
