The vivo S9 and Huawei P50E represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both devices utilize 6nm chipsets, they diverge in processor choice – Mediatek’s Dimensity 1100 in the S9 versus Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 778G 4G in the P50E. This comparison dissects these differences, alongside charging speeds and potential user experience impacts, to determine which phone offers the best overall package.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing raw performance and faster charging, the Huawei P50E emerges as the stronger contender. Its 66W charging significantly reduces downtime, and the Snapdragon 778G, while 4G-limited, provides a smooth and responsive experience. However, users needing 5G connectivity will find the vivo S9 the only viable option.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1x | CDMA2000 1x |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, March 03 | 2022, March 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March 12 | Available. Released 2022, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 158.4 x 73.9 x 7.4 mm (6.24 x 2.91 x 0.29 in) | 156.5 x 73.8 x 7.9 mm (6.16 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 173 g (6.10 oz) | 181 g (6.38 oz) |
| | - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1224 x 2700 pixels (~456 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~85.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.5 cm2 (~88.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ | OLED, 1B colors, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 1100 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G77 MC9 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 11, OriginOS 1.0 | HarmonyOS 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 44 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF
8 MP, f/2.3, 105˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica optics, dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | - | 13 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide) |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | 50 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) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 44 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF
8 MP, f/2.3, 105˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | HDR | Panorama, HDR |
| Single | - | 13 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1, 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 66% in 30 min | 66W wired |
| Type | 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Gradient Blue | Galaxy Blue, Cocoa Tea Gold, Snow White, Obsidian Black |
| Models | V2072A | ABR-AL60 |
| Price | About 390 EUR | About 580 EUR |
vivo S9
- 5G Connectivity: Enables faster data speeds where available.
- Potentially Higher CPU Performance: Dimensity 1100 offers a theoretical CPU advantage.
- Mediatek's Power Efficiency: 6nm process offers good power management.
- Slower Charging: 33W charging is significantly slower than the P50E.
- Potential Software Optimization: Mediatek chipsets sometimes lack the software polish of Qualcomm.
Huawei P50E
- Faster Charging: 66W charging dramatically reduces charging times.
- Qualcomm Optimization: Snapdragon 778G benefits from Qualcomm’s software and ISP.
- Efficient GPU: Adreno 642L provides a smooth gaming experience.
- 4G Only: Lacks 5G connectivity, limiting future-proofing.
- Lower CPU Clock Speed: Slightly slower CPU clock speed compared to the S9.
Display Comparison
Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given their market positioning, both likely feature AMOLED panels. The absence of LTPO technology suggests neither offers adaptive refresh rates for optimal power efficiency. The user experience will likely hinge on color calibration and peak brightness, areas where brand-specific tuning will play a significant role. Huawei historically focuses on accurate color reproduction, while vivo often leans towards more vibrant, saturated displays.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a definitive comparison is challenging. However, the market segment suggests both phones will feature multi-camera systems. The Snapdragon 778G’s ISP is known for its strong image processing capabilities, potentially giving the P50E an edge in image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The absence of information regarding sensor sizes is critical; a larger sensor generally translates to better low-light performance. We can assume both phones will include standard features like portrait mode and night mode, but the quality of these modes will depend heavily on software optimization.
Performance
The vivo S9’s Mediatek Dimensity 1100, with its Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.6 GHz, theoretically offers a CPU performance edge over the Huawei P50E’s Snapdragon 778G 4G (2.4 GHz Kryo 670). However, the Snapdragon 778G benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized software and generally efficient power management. The key limitation of the P50E is its 4G connectivity; the S9’s 5G support is a significant advantage for users in areas with 5G coverage. Both utilize a 6nm process, suggesting comparable thermal efficiency, but the Snapdragon’s Adreno 642L GPU is a strong performer for its class, potentially offering a smoother gaming experience despite the CPU difference.
Battery Life
The Huawei P50E’s 66W wired charging is a clear advantage over the vivo S9’s 33W charging. This translates to significantly faster top-ups – Huawei claims 66% charge in 30 minutes, while the S9 will take considerably longer. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the P50E mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery. Users prioritizing minimal downtime will strongly favor the P50E.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo S9 if you absolutely require 5G connectivity and prioritize a slightly more powerful CPU for demanding tasks. This phone suits users who frequently stream high-resolution video or engage in mobile gaming where network speed is critical. Buy the Huawei P50E if you value faster charging, a refined user experience (despite the 4G limitation), and are less concerned with the latest cellular technology. This is ideal for users who primarily rely on Wi-Fi and prioritize battery life convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 778G in the Huawei P50E struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
While not a flagship chipset, the Snapdragon 778G is surprisingly capable. It can run Genshin Impact at medium settings with stable frame rates. However, users seeking the highest graphical fidelity may need to compromise on settings. The Adreno 642L GPU is well-optimized for gaming, providing a smoother experience than some other mid-range GPUs.
❓ Is the lack of 5G on the Huawei P50E a dealbreaker in 2024?
That depends on your location and usage. If you live in an area with widespread 5G coverage and frequently stream high-bandwidth content or download large files on the go, the lack of 5G will be noticeable. However, if you primarily use Wi-Fi, the 4G limitation is less significant. The P50E’s faster charging and efficient performance may outweigh the 5G disadvantage for many users.
❓ How does the Mediatek Dimensity 1100 handle sustained performance under heavy load?
The Dimensity 1100, while powerful, can exhibit some thermal throttling under prolonged heavy load. While the 6nm process helps, sustained gaming or video recording may lead to a slight performance decrease as the chip heats up. The vivo S9’s thermal management system will play a crucial role in mitigating this effect.
