After months of rumours, leaks and delays, the Huawei P50 flagship series has finally launched in China. They are the company’s first smartphones to feature its HarmonyOS system, as well as the first to feature another processor other than Huawei’s own Kirin chipset.
Typically, the new phones arrive in two variants: a standard model and a higher-end Pro version. But as mentioned earlier, rather than exclusively featuring the brand’s Kirin 9000 chipset, both models will also be offered in variants that come equipped with Snapdragon 888. To be more specific, the standard P50 and one version of the P50 Pro will come with Qualcomm’s processor, while one variant from the latter will feature the Kirin 9000.
Memory-wise, the vanilla model will have 8GB of RAM with up to 256GB of internal storage, while both Pro models are offered with up to 12GB RAM and 512GB of storage. Unfortunately, all of the P50 smartphone variants won’t feature 5G support due to the ongoing US sanctions.
In terms of display, the P50 Pro sports a 6.6-inch curved OLED display with 1228p resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, while the vanilla model features a slightly smaller 6.5-inch flat OLED display with 1224p resolution and 90Hz refresh rate. Each variant features different battery capacities, with the high-end variant featuring a larger 4,360mAh battery and the standard P50 only sporting a 4,100mAh battery. Both models come with 66W fast charging capabilities, but only the P50 Pro is equipped with wireless charging support at 50W. The duo are also rated IP68 for dust and water resistance.
We’re certain that most of our readers are fully aware of the series’ attention-grabbing dual circular camera bumps on the back of each model. Housed in the top bump on the P50 Pro is a 50MP main shooter, a 13MP ultra-wide, and a 40MP monochrome sensor. Found in the bottom bump is a 64MP telephoto camera with 3.5x optical zoom capability. The standard P50 – on the other hand – comes with a 50MP main, 12MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom, and a 13MP ultra-wide. It’s also worth noting that situated on the topmost hole in the upper bump is actually the P50’s laser focus sensor and not a fourth camera. Meanwhile, featured in the punch-hole cutout on the displays of both P50 variants is a 13MP front-facing camera.
The Huawei P50 Pro is slated to go on sale in China on 12 August 2021 with a starting price of RMB 6,000 (~RM 3,936), while the standard P50 model will only arrive in September retailing at a starting price of RMB 4,500 (~RM 2,952). The company has yet to confirm if it is planning to launch its new flagship series internationally.
