Bucket Tech: HUAWEI P50 Pro - Review

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After attending the launch of HUAWEI's P50 range in March, I was looking forward to getting my hands on either devices which is available locally, as luck would have it I got the opportunity to spend a few weeks with the P50 Pro, the more business orientated device in the P50 range. 

UNBOXING

Unboxing the device is no different from any other HUAWEI smart phone, they box design has remained the same for as long as I can remember, with a sleek case which is very robust and has a nice plastic sheen to it. Once the lid is taken off you will find the P50 device propped right on the top, wrapped in protective paper and sat on a tray. Below this is a slim line box which houses the silicon cover that comes for free with every HUAWEI device and also on this box you will find the pin to eject the slim card slot. Underneath that is the box containing the user manual and there after you will be pleased to see that the P50 Pro comes with the 66W SuperCharger plug socket as well as the USB C fast charging cable. Most other premium devices have opted to sell their phones without the plug socket, making it an additional expense for their customers. I suppose this is one of the pro's that HUAWEI is hoping to keeping their loyal customers happy. 

DESIGN

I've owned a HUAWEI P30 Pro smart phone which has been my primary device for the past 2 years. In terms of design, not much has changed to the P50, the general design remains very much the same as mine and the previous P20 Pro, with the curved edges and metallic unibody. The phone has grown in size though, measuring 158.8 X 72.8mm in length and breath with a thickness of 8.5mm and a weight of 196g The device does feel good in hand but with the metallic finish can feel a bit slippery, the free silicon cover does alleviate this issue but like most covers, it does bulk the phone up a bit and then doesn't feel as good in hand as it does without the cover. The P50 Pro is available in two colours locally, Cocoa Gold and Golden Black, I had the Cocoa Gold which is the more appealing of the two giving the phone a very premium look both in light conditions and the dark. The metallic mirror finish is very eye catching but does get covered in finger prints quite easily. Cleaning them off isn't an issue as one swipe with a cloth or tissue does the trick, or if you like me a quick wipe on the pants to make it look all clean and elegant again. 

PROCESSING

The P50 Pro packs a power house chipset with it having the Kirin 9000, with the Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888. It runs a Octa-core CPU with a Mali-G78 MP24 GPU with Adreno 660. Memory wise the P50 Pro has 8GB of RAM with storage options of 128GB, 256GB and 512GB with 12GB RAM. Pretty powerful set up but the main talking point is the OS, it runs HUAWEI's latest Harmony OS 2.0 with no Google Services, while the platform is android based the device has no access to Google Playstore which in the previous generation device, the P40 Pro proved to be a major deal breaker for many. The bad news is that it doesn't look likely to change in the near future with HUAWEI already heavily investing into their own research and development of their own OS and platform. The Petal search application and App Gallery has seen a tremendous growth over the past 2 years lots of applications becoming available on the Gallery, while it still misses the popular ones predominantly from the Meta Group, there is the option of downloading and installing the APK files via the HUAWEI App Gallery when searching for these apps. Once downloaded and installed, these apps do work but there are some bugs that you'll pick up while using them. A most common one for me was seeing comments on Instagram posts being mixed up. I'm sure there will be a quick fix to this soon but for now, I'm just happy we can get these applications working on the phone without trying any funny hacker stuff. There are links to Google Services APK but the bugs are more prominent in these as my brief use of Google Maps was found to be unpleasant and I found myself reverting to Petal Maps on the phone as it was a more seamless interface. Not sure if this is purposely done this way to encourage use of the HUAWEI Apps. Overall, processing power and usage of the P50 Pro seems to be up there with the likes of the Galaxy S22 Pro and Apple iPhone 13 Pro.

CAMERA

Like with many of the P Series devices of the past, the camera is something that stands out as one of the phones key features. The P50 Pro is no different boasting a Quad camera set up that features a 50M wide lens, a 64MP periscope telephoto lens, 13MP ultra wide len and a 40MP 23mm (B/W) lens developed with Leica optics with a dual-LED flash. With HUAWEI and Leica's partnerships of the past, low light photography has been paramount in their tech, the P50 Pro boast impressive colourisation and detail in low light conditions with the night mode making use of of the the camera AI and chip to bring out the most in the pictures. A worthy note to mention is while taking pictures in night mode, the timing has been reduced significantly so you don't have to stand still for more than 4 seconds for night mode pictures. Other features on the camera include panorama, HDR and Super Macro functions which let you take detailed pictures of objects close up. Video on the main camera is superb as well with a great image stablizer while recording in 4K@30fps in 1080p resolution. There has been vast improvements in the front facing camera better known as the selfie camera these days, with it being a 13MP lens with wide lens offering so you can get everyone in that shot. It also features 4K video recording so it makes it perfect for vlogging.

VERDICT

While there still is a dark shadow hanging over the brand in terms of its lack of Google Services, there is no denying that the quality of their devices is still up there with the other brands in the market. The offerings in terms of features, processing power and the camera is as good if not better than its competitors. I was really impressed with the quality of the pictures from the P50 Pro, so much so it had me considering selling my P30 Pro! It's amazing to see how the technology has improved over the years in this regard. The battery life on the P50 Pro was pretty impressive as well with the 4360mAh battery giving me a full days usage giving me at least 2 days of life, and with the 66W SuperCharge even if you sitting on 0% you'll have up to 70% charge in a matter of minutes. Priced at R19,999 it certainly is the best value for money smart phone in its range, if you can operate without Google then it shouldn't be an issue getting used to this device and while I still think HUAWEI Harmony and Petal have a long way to go until it gets fully adopted, I don't see that transition taking very long. 

Some examples of pictures taken with the P50 Pro:

 

Bucket Tech: OPPO partners with Hasselblad

Global technology brand OPPO announced a three-year partnership with Hasselblad, the legendary camera manufacturer, to co-develop industry-leading camera technologies for OPPO’s flagship Find series. The two brands will focus on breakthroughs in color science to create an improved mobile photography experience on Hasselblad Camera for Mobile.

Since the integration of OPPO and OnePlus, research and development resources between the brands have been combined to maximize efficiency and improve user experience. With the imaging advances made in the partnership between OnePlus and Hasselblad, OPPO is excited to elevate the strategic partnership to the corporate level for both the OPPO and OnePlus brands.

“Following the success of OnePlus and Hasselblad’s collaboration in the past year, we are very pleased to see the partnership enter a new stage of development, giving more users around the world a chance to enjoy the legendary Hasselblad mobile imaging experience,” says Pete Lau, Chief Product Officer. “Camera color performance has always been a focus for OPPO and a part of Hasselblad’s DNA. We are very excited to be able to explore the future of Hasselblad Camera for Mobile together.”

Building top-tier imaging systems capable of delivering a world-class mobile photography experience is a key strategy for OPPO to bring forth a next-generation premium smartphone experience. Following the launch of OPPO's first self-developed imaging NPU MariSilicon X, OPPO is further committed to creating a world-class photography experience through its cooperation with Hasselblad.

OPPO and Hasselblad will now work together to further develop advanced imaging solutions through R&D collaboration, which aims to provide users with more natural colors and a more refined imaging experience. Leveraging Natural Color Calibration with Hasselblad, OPPO also targets to bring the most natural skin tone possible to its portrait photography.

Starting with the software improvements for natural color tuning, the three-year partnership will further enhance the color calibration solution and target to establish the new benchmark for smartphone camera color performance, delivering a consistent natural color performance for OPPO mobile phones to cover all scenarios and across the entire camera system.

The result of this collaboration, “OPPO | Hasselblad Camera for Mobile”, will be first introduced in the next generation of OPPO’s flagship Find X series in the first quarter of 2022.

Bucket Tech: Hisense H50 Zoom

Premium phones at stellar prices. That’s what you can expect from Hisense’s new Infinity H50 and H50 Zoom smartphones, now available in South Africa, and the H50 Lite, which will be in stores from May.

Hisense, China’s unsung hero, has quietly slipped into the playing field with its Infinity H50 range. The phones have been designed to satisfy different consumer needs with boosted-up or stripped-down derivatives, but the fundamental engine room across the range remains the same.

With its 91.26% screen-to-body ratio, the H50 base model, aptly named Infinity, seems like it wraps around the device. The H50 houses four separate cameras – a 64 MP HD main camera, an 8MP wide-angle camera, and an impressive multifunctional 2MP depth and macro-lens. 

The H50 also has a 32MP front camera, with a new Beauty Mode feature that identifies the light conditions and adjusts the aperture automatically so there are no substandard blurry images. 

The H50 Zoom has a first-of-its-kind party trick with a 16MP pop-up camera with flash. This signature piece allows you to capture impeccable selfies in portrait mode.

The power unit on the H50 and H50 Zoom comprises an Octa-Core processor supported by 6GB of RAM and 128GB storage to create a very smooth user interface on the Android II operating system. The H50 Lite is slightly smaller with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage space, yet still packs a punch, performing just as well as the rest of the H50 family in all departments. 

Hisense has also factored security features in the H50 series. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor and facial recognition technology mean these phones are basically impenetrable.

The H50 comes in Pine Green and Black Jade, while a carved 3D gradient that creates a colour-changing effect from different angles.

Overall this is an extremely great value for money offering from Hisense. All 3 devices are available in the country and you can go through the features, specs and pricing below. 

Bucket Tech: Huawei Mate 40 Series

Huawei Consumer Business Group (BG) yesterday bolstered its product line-up with the advanced HUAWEI Mate 40 Series, the latest revolutionary flagship smartphones that empower users to leap further ahead. Showcasing the pinnacle of Huawei technology, the new Series reinforces Huawei’s dedication to innovation and its unrelenting determination to create the best Mate ever.

The HUAWEI Mate 40 Series has the Mate Series DNA at its core. Over the last eight years, there have been 10 outstanding generations of Mate Series devices and now the latest flagship smartphones will take the Mate to new heights with the best technology in the industry. From powerful performance to unique user interactions, everything about the HUAWEI Mate 40 Series has been fine-tuned to provide the most exciting smartphone experience possible. HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro and HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro+ incorporate the world’s first 5 nanometer 5G SoC, Ultra Vision Cine Camera system and the iconic Space Ring Design. The series comes equipped with a smarter, more attentive digital experience.

Richard Yu, Executive Director and CEO of Huawei Consumer BG said: “Each year the HUAWEI Mate Series brings the most exciting technology together into one stunning package. This is what defines the Mate Series DNA and is all made possible by our dedication to innovation. In these unprecedented times, we remain committed to creating a better future, with innovative technology that delivers a positive and meaningful impact on the lives of consumers. In the future, we will continue working closely with our partners to bring the Seamless AI Life experience to consumers all around the world.”

Leap further ahead with the iconic Space Ring Design

Marrying an iconic design with innovative technology, HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro and HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro+ are informed by the design principle that form manifests function. The uncompromised design of the HUAWEI 88° Horizon Display creates an immersive viewing experience in a compact package, while the silky curve also means the devices are comfortable to hold. The handsets also offer IP 68 dust and water resistance, a choice of both virtual and physical volume controls and enhanced mistouch prevention algorithms. 

Objects of sheer beauty, the HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro and HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro+ devices carry a small front camera cut-out, which is packed full of technology, with 3D Face Unlock, an Ultra Vision Selfie Camera and Smart Gesture Control.

Turn the devices over and you will see that the HUAWEI Mate 40 Series adopts the Space Ring Design, an evolution of the HUAWEI Mate Series’ iconic circular and symmetrical design. HUAWEI Mate 40 and HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro are available in Black and White, as well as an enchanting Mystic Silver, a finish with a colour-shifting effect that evokes the mysteries of the unseen. There are also two vegan leather variants, Yellow and Green. Meanwhile, HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro+ features an exquisite nano-tech ceramic back panel available in two iconic colours: Ceramic White and Ceramic Black.

Leap further ahead with Kirin 9000 setting a new standard for performance

Powering the best Mate ever, the Kirin 9000 Series is fully equipped for 5G, capable of handling intensive computations and multi-tasking operations with ease. Embedded in HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro and HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro+, the Kirin 9000 is the most sophisticated 5nm 5G SoC available, delivering vastly improved performance and power efficiency over its predecessor. For the first time ever, the flagship 5G SoC has more than 15.3 billion transistors[1], making it one of the most dense and full-featured 5G SoC to date. The powerful CPU features a three-level power efficiency architecture with cores running at clock frequencies of up to 3.13GHz. Also integrated into the SoC is a 24-core Mali-G78 GPU, as well as an innovative NPU featuring two big cores and one tiny core, taking on-device AI to a new level.

The 24-core Mali-G78 GPU in HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro and HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro+ is the most powerful GPU ever seen on a Huawei device. This delivers advanced graphics performance and is complemented by an amazing audio-visual experience for immersive gaming. The 90Hz display works together with 240Hz touch sampling rate for greater responsiveness and now provides haptic feedback to correspond with the visual experience. This entertainment set-up is completed with dual stereo speakers to create experiences with super bass stereo.

The HUAWEI Mate 40 Series is also equipped with the battery technology that is needed to keep up with the demands of 5G, supporting the fastest iteration of HUAWEI SuperCharge.

Leap further ahead with an all-round imaging system engineered to make photography simple

The camera system on the HUAWEI Mate 40 Series has been co-engineered with Leica to provide the best camera solution possible and sees breakthrough upgrades to the ultra-wide angle lens, powerful high-definition main camera, impressive telephoto camera and more. With the Dual Cine Cameras and Dual Ultra-Wide Cameras on HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro and HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro+, users can capture amazing wide angle videos and images from both the front-and rear-facing cameras.

When it comes to cinematic videography, the HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro and HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro+ are unparalleled. The Dual Cine Cameras feature a 3:2 cinema-style shooting ratio sensor. Capturing high quality footage is easier than ever with Steady Shot, while the XD Fusion HDR Video ensures balanced exposure, even when users are capturing with extreme lighting contrast. Other evolutions include Tracking Shot, while Story Creator allows for true cinematic effects. Background music, filters and effects can also be added with ease. Not neglecting audio, HUAWEI Mate 40 Series features Audio Focus, Audio Zoom, and dual stereo speakers.

The Ultra-Wide Cine Camera now offers an even wider field of view, as well as richer detail, improved low light performance and distortion correction algorithms, allowing users to capture beautiful expansive landscapes, while the Super Sensing Wide Camera provides true high definition shots. Image quality has been further enhanced with Full Pixel Octa PD AutoFocus. Improved distortion correction targets the face, body and limbs, making the ultra-wide-angle lens useful in more scenarios than ever. HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro features a Periscope Telephoto Camera to support 10x hybrid zoom and 50x digital zoom, and HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro+ takes it further with a dual-telephoto camera system that enables 20x hybrid zoom and 100x digital zoom.

The Ultra Vision Selfie Camera on the HUAWEI Mate 40 Series take selfies and videos to new heights with support for 4K capture and the option to shoot in one of three available fields of view, ranging from up close and personal to ultra-wide. Slow-Motion Selfie adds even more versatility to the front camera by letting users add dramatic flair when documenting their fast-paced actions.

Leap further ahead with an all new user experience

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro and HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro+ are set to revolutionise how consumers integrate smartphones into their lives with new user-centric features including Smart Gesture Control, which allows total hands-free control of your device. Simply hover your hand over the device to wake it up or navigate your phone by swiping left, right, up and down. There is also an air press gesture for call answering.

A device that is always there for you, the all new dynamic Eyes on Display on HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro and HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro+ can be activated at a glance, with fully customisable interactive displays hosting all the information you need from your phone. The ring of incoming calls can be reduced by making eye contact with your phone.

Improved MeeTime functionality is a gateway to a better connected, more intelligent life. When combined with the power of Huawei’s 1+8+N ecosystem, Multi-screen Collaboration offers an intuitive way for users to operate multiple devices at once, running several apps simultaneously, combining smartphone and PC to deliver unique experiences.

When it comes to privacy and security, the EMUI 11 operating system has always featured comprehensive security solutions to protect Huawei device users. The Trusted Execution Environment operating system is CC EAL5+ certified, which is the highest certification level for commercialised security microkernel. EMUI 11 also comes with new privacy features. When transferring images, users can easily purge sensitive personal data such as location, time and device details from the file before it is sent.

HUAWEI Mate 40 Series comes equipped with the innovative Huawei Mobile Services (HMS), bringing users a smarter, richer, more convenient and secure smartphone experience. During the launch, Huawei also unveiled new apps available for global Huawei users, including Petal Search, a search engine with support for multiple types of searches; Petal Maps, a map app that utilises the HUAWEI Mate 40 Series’ gesture control feature; and HUAWEI Docs, a unified word document service. These apps come together to lead the way towards a better digital life for the 700 million Huawei device users worldwide.

Pricing and availability of the HUAWEI Mate 40 series in South Africa will be announced at a later stage.