Huawei P50 Review: Premium Features and Specifications

The Huawei P50 (2021) is a premium flagship smartphone launched by Huawei in July 2021, featuring a 6.5-inch OLED display, the proprietary X-MAGE imaging system, Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 4G chipset, and dual-system support for Android 11 (limited regions) and HarmonyOS 2.0. Positioned as a high-end device for photography enthusiasts and productivity users, it prioritizes imaging performance and hardware optimization despite lacking 5G connectivity. Below are its detailed English specifications:

1. General Information

Launch Date: Announced July 29, 2021; released August 2021
Model Numbers: ABR-AL00 (China), ABR-LX9 (global)
OS: HarmonyOS 2.0 (primary, upgradable to HarmonyOS 4.0); Android 11 (for selected global markets without GMS)
Core Purpose: Premium mobile photography, flagship-level daily productivity, and seamless cross-device connectivity via HarmonyOS

2. Display

Type: 6.5-inch OLED, 19.5:9 aspect ratio, 1 billion colors, 90Hz adaptive refresh rate, 300Hz touch sampling rate, HDR10+ support, Corning Gorilla Glass 7
Resolution: 2700 x 1228 pixels (FHD+), ~458 ppi, ~86% screen-to-body ratio, centered punch-hole design
Features: Peak brightness up to 1440 nits, DC dimming for low-light eye comfort, color accuracy calibration (Delta E < 1)

3. Performance & Memory

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 4G (SM8350, 5nm), octa-core (1×2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 + 3×2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 + 4×1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) — note: 4G-only due to external restrictions
GPU: Adreno 660, supports 4K video playback, GPU Turbo X for gaming optimization
RAM: 8GB/12GB LPDDR5
Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB UFS 3.1; no expandable storage slot
Performance Optimization: HarmonyOS distributed architecture, RAM Turbo, file system optimization for multitasking

4. Camera (X-MAGE Imaging System)

Rear Triple Camera:
- 50MP main sensor (f/1.8, 23mm wide, 1/1.56″, 1.0μm, PDAF, OIS, RYYB color filter array)
- 13MP ultra-wide-angle lens (f/2.2, 120° field of view, 1/3.06″, 1.12μm)
- 12MP telephoto lens (f/3.4, 5x optical zoom, 1/3.52″, OIS, periscope design)
Front Camera: 13MP (f/2.4, fixed focus, punch-hole design), supports portrait mode and HDR selfies
Video Capabilities: 4K@30fps video recording, 1080p@60fps, EIS for anti-shake, slow-motion video at 1080p@240fps
X-MAGE Features: Computational photography, AI scene recognition, portrait lighting effects, ultra-low-light shooting, 50x digital zoom

5. Connectivity

Network: 4G LTE Cat 22 (2.4 Gbps download, 316 Mbps upload); GSM/HSPA; no 5G support
WLAN: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 ax), dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi hotspot, Huawei Share
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.2 with A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Ports: USB Type-C 3.1 (data/charging, USB-OTG); no 3.5mm headphone jack
Navigation: GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
Other: NFC (for mobile payments and device pairing), infrared blaster, no Google Mobile Services (GMS) on HarmonyOS variants

6. Battery & Power

Type: Non-removable 4100 mAh Li-Po battery
Charging: 66W Huawei SuperCharge (wired), ~30 mins for 0–100% charge; no wireless charging
Battery Life: Up to 12 hours of video playback, ~400 hours standby; AI power management for energy efficiency

7. Design & Physical Specs

Dimensions: 156.5 x 73.8 x 8.5 mm (6.16 x 2.91 x 0.33 in)
Weight: 181g (6.38 oz)
Build: Aluminum alloy frame, glass back (frosted or glossy finish), IP68 water and dust resistance
Colors: Cocoa Gold, Pearl White, Obsidian Black, Mystic Silver, Rococo Pearl (limited edition)
Security: In-display optical fingerprint sensor, 3D face unlock (software-based)

8. Software & Features

HarmonyOS Highlights: Distributed multitasking, cross-device collaboration (connect to Huawei tablets/laptops), service widgets, privacy protection
Multimedia: Dual speakers with Huawei Histen 6.0, Hi-Res audio certification, video playback with AI upscaling
Sensors: In-display fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, ambient light, compass, color spectrum sensor