iQOO 8 Pro vs Huawei P50 Pro: A Deep Dive into Flagship Performance and Photography

The vivo iQOO 8 Pro and Huawei P50 Pro represent distinct approaches to the flagship smartphone experience. The iQOO 8 Pro prioritizes raw performance and blistering charging speeds, leveraging Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888+ 5G. Conversely, the Huawei P50 Pro focuses on a refined camera system and a more established, though now constrained, software ecosystem, utilizing the Kirin 9000 (and a 4G variant). This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing gaming, fast charging, and 5G connectivity, the iQOO 8 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 888+ offers superior processing power and future-proofed network support. However, the Huawei P50 Pro excels in camera versatility and offers a more polished, albeit limited, software experience.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO 8 Pro Huawei P50 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 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, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE
 -1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
Launch
Announced2021, August 172021, July 29
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, August 26Available. Released 2021, August 12
Body
Build-Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions165 x 75.2 x 9.2 mm (6.50 x 2.96 x 0.36 in)158.8 x 72.8 x 8.5 mm (6.25 x 2.87 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight205 g (7.23 oz)195 g (6.88 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Resolution1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~518 ppi density)1228 x 2700 pixels (~450 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 105.4 cm2 (~91.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1500 nits (peak)OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.13 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.54 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x2.05 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm)Kirin 9000 (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 4G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Mali-G78 MP24Adreno 660
OSAndroid 11, OriginOS 1.0HarmonyOS 2.0 (China), EMUI 14.2 (Europe), no Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotNoNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica optics, dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad-50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/3.5, 90mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom, 7x lossless zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), AF 40 MP, f/1.6, 23mm (B/W), AF
Single16 MP, f/2.4, (wide)13 MP, f/2.4, (wide), AF
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, gimbal OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 60mm (telephoto), 1/3.1", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 2.5x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 0.8µm, AF-
Video8K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 1080p@960fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRPanorama, HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.4, (wide)13 MP, f/2.4, (wide), AF
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC
RadioYesNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging120W wired, 100% in 18 min 50W wireless 10W reverse wireless66W wired 50W wireless Reverse wireless charging
Type4500 mAhLi-Po 4360 mAh
Misc
ColorsWhite (BMW M branding), Black, Pilot EditionGolden Black, Cocoa Gold, Pearl White, Charm Pink
ModelsV2141A, I2017JAD-AL50, JAD-LX9, JAD-AL00
PriceAbout 660 EUR$ 196.62 / £ 329.00 / € 473.13
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 76h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -27.3 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 793876 (v8), 786215 (v9) GeekBench: 3145 (v5.1) GFXBench: 44fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo iQOO 8 Pro

  • Blazing-fast 120W wired charging
  • Powerful Snapdragon 888+ 5G processor
  • 5G connectivity for future-proofed network access

  • Camera specs are not readily available
  • Software experience may be less refined than Huawei

Huawei P50 Pro

  • Excellent camera system with advanced image processing
  • High display brightness for outdoor visibility
  • Mature software experience (despite GMS limitations)

  • Limited to 4G connectivity in some variants
  • Slower charging speeds compared to iQOO 8 Pro

Display Comparison

Both phones offer high-quality displays, but differ in key areas. The Huawei P50 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 754 nits, suggesting excellent outdoor visibility. While the iQOO 8 Pro’s display specs aren’t provided, vivo typically employs high refresh rate panels. The P50 Pro’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio is a marketing term, but indicates a strong OLED panel. The absence of refresh rate data for the iQOO 8 Pro is a notable omission, but its focus on gaming suggests a high refresh rate is likely present, potentially offering a smoother visual experience for compatible content.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are marketed as camera-centric, but their approaches differ. The Huawei P50 Pro is renowned for its image processing and versatile camera system, though specific sensor details are missing. The iQOO 8 Pro’s camera specs are not provided, making a direct comparison difficult. However, Huawei’s history suggests a focus on computational photography and color science. The P50 Pro likely excels in low-light performance and dynamic range. The absence of detailed camera information for the iQOO 8 Pro hinders a thorough assessment, but its gaming focus suggests a less emphasized camera experience.

Performance

The iQOO 8 Pro’s Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5nm) is a significant advantage over the Huawei P50 Pro’s Kirin 9000 (5nm) or Snapdragon 888 4G (5nm). The Snapdragon 888+ features a Cortex-X1 prime core clocked at 2.99 GHz, compared to the Kirin 9000’s Cortex-A77 at 3.13 GHz. While clock speed isn’t everything, the Snapdragon 888+ benefits from architectural improvements and a more efficient 5nm process, leading to better sustained performance and thermal management. The P50 Pro’s 4G variant further limits its appeal for users in areas with robust 5G infrastructure. The iQOO 8 Pro’s CPU configuration (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78, 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) is optimized for both peak performance and efficiency, making it ideal for demanding tasks.

Battery Life

Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 76 hours, suggesting comparable battery life despite differing capacities (not specified). However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The iQOO 8 Pro’s 120W wired charging can fully charge the battery in just 18 minutes, a significant advantage over the Huawei P50 Pro’s 66W charging. Both support 50W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, offering convenient charging options. The iQOO 8 Pro’s faster wired charging is a game-changer for users who prioritize minimizing downtime.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO 8 Pro if you are a power user, mobile gamer, or frequently rely on 5G connectivity and need the fastest possible charging. Buy the Huawei P50 Pro if you prioritize camera quality, prefer a more mature software experience (despite the lack of full Google Mobile Services), and are less concerned with peak performance or 5G.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Huawei P50 Pro's lack of full Google Mobile Services (GMS) significantly impact usability?
The absence of GMS means you'll rely on Huawei's AppGallery and potentially sideloading apps. While AppGallery has grown, it still lacks some popular apps. Huawei's HMS Core provides alternatives for many Google services, but the experience isn't always seamless.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 888+ in the iQOO 8 Pro handle sustained gaming performance compared to the Kirin 9000?
The Snapdragon 888+ benefits from architectural improvements and a more efficient 5nm process, resulting in better thermal management and sustained performance during extended gaming sessions. The Kirin 9000, while powerful, may experience more throttling under heavy load.
❓ Is the 66W charging on the Huawei P50 Pro fast enough for most users?
66W charging is still relatively fast, but it pales in comparison to the iQOO 8 Pro’s 120W charging. While it won't fully charge as quickly, it's still a significant improvement over standard charging speeds and should be sufficient for many users.
❓ What are the implications of the Huawei P50 Pro having a 4G-only variant?
If you live in an area with strong 5G coverage, the 4G variant of the P50 Pro will limit your data speeds. This is a significant drawback for users who rely on fast mobile internet access.