Honor continues its adventures in this varied mobile market, and it does so with the intention of being different, of attracting attention. At least that seems to us because of that camera module that stars on the back of this mobile, although in the analysis of the Honor 50 5G we are going to go much further than that singular design.
It is a mid-range mobile with 5G, although some of its specifications would fit in higher ranges. A smartphone that represents the bastion of the brand in its international mid-range and that, spoiler alert , does have Google services (in case there were doubts).
Honor 50 5G datasheet
HONOR 50 5G | |
---|---|
SCREEN | 6.57-inch OLED FullHD + (2,400 x 1,080) 120Hz refreshment Curved panel |
PROCESSOR | Snapdragon 778G |
RAM | 8 GB/12 GB |
STORAGE | 128GB 256GB |
REAR CAMERAS | Main: 108 megapixels f / 1.9 Wide: 8 megapixels f / 2.2 Depth: 2 megapixels Macro: 2 megapixels |
FRONTAL CAMERA | 32 megapixels |
BATTERY | 4,300 mAh 66W fast charge |
SYSTEM | Android 11 Magic UI 4.2 |
CONNECTIVITY | 5G WiFi 6 Bluetooth 5.2 GPS USB tipo C |
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT | 159.96 × 73.76 × 7.78 millimeters 175 grams |
OTHERS | Fingerprint reader under the screen |
PRICE | From 480.14 euros |
HONOR 50 Smartphone 5G quad camera 108 MP, Memory 6GB + 128G, OLED screen 6.57 “120Hz, Qualcomm SnapdragonTM 778G, Battery 4300mAh, Android 11 GMS, ES version, Dual SIM, Emerald Green
Design: the paradise of curved lines
The Honor 50 fits in with the most fashionable features and frontally blends in with those who have decided to place the front camera in the center of a curved screen. A pronounced curvature that is noticeable to the eye and in use, and that makes the front cut the less pronounced curvature of the rear.
With this we have a comfortable edge to grip, which fits a back with a gloss finish but without that fashionable glitter that we have seen in the most striking and youthful proposals. It is a back that does not slip and that resists fingerprints quite well , giving a certain touch of color applied quite soberly.
What distinguishes itself from many others is the rear camera module design, which takes the shape that the Huawei P50 used to somehow debut. by Schrödingerand that others like the Huawei nova 9 have followed . That is, a large circle for the main camera with a 108 megapixel sensor and the three secondary ones (wide angle, depth and macro), which stand out a lot and can have some rocking if we use it resting on a surface (although a cover is attached which avoids it a bit).
It is a bulky mobile per se, although it does not stand out especially if we compare it with others with a similar diagonal and in fact it is even more compact and lighter than others, without reaching the “fearsome” 200 grams and remaining at 175 grams . It is also relatively narrow and in the end, as we said, it is comfortable, but the thinness and lightness are paid with the coin of the volume and capacity of the battery, and there does not seem to have been much left for it considering the 4,300 mAh of the same .
HEIGHT (MILLIMETERS) | WIDTH (MM) | THICKNESS (MILLIMETERS) | WEIGHT (GRAMS) | SCREEN (INCH) | BATTERY | AREA (CM²) | VOLUME (CM3) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HONOR 50 5G | 160 | 73,8 | 7,7 | 175 | 6,57 | 4.300 | 126,19 | 90,92 |
IPHONE 13 PRO | 146,7 | 71,5 | 7,65 | 204 | 6,1 | N. d. | 104,89 | 80,24 |
SAMSUNG GALAXY S21 | 151,7 | 71,2 | 7,9 | 171 | 6,2 | 4.000 | 108,01 | 85,33 |
REALME GT | 158,5 | 73,3 | 9,1 | 186,5 | 6,43 | 4.500 | 116,18 | 105,73 |
XIAOMI MI 11 UTRA | 164,3 | 74,6 | 8,38 | 234 | 6,81 | 5.000 | 122,57 | 102,71 |
SONY XPERIA 5 III | 157 | 68 | 8,2 | 169 | 6,1 | 4.500 | 106,76 | 87,54 |
HUAWEI P40 PRO | 158,2 | 72,6 | 8,95 | 209 | 6,58 | 4.200 | 114,85 | 102,79 |
ONEPLUS 9 PRO | 163,2 | 73,6 | 8,7 | 197 | 6,7 | 4.500 | 120,12 | 104,5 |
Beyond its camera module, which is striking, the blue tone does not leave aside a certain discretion within the patent leather of rigor. The physical buttons are on the right side and the SIM tray goes next to the USB, both sharing the bottom edge with the only speaker available for multimedia audio.
Thus, the construction conveys confidence and the manufacturer has solved this aspect well, using glass and aluminum as materials, although the icing on the cake would have been that the rear was not so susceptible to dirt.
Screen: good for the OLED and 120 Hz, not so much for the curve
The screen, like that design we saw and some other specification, seems equivalent to what we saw on Huawei’s Nova 9. With it we had a good visualization and the experience on the Honor 50 5G has not been inferior by any means, but let’s remember these data and talk about it in more detail.
They are 6.57 inches of OLED screen with a resolution of 1,080 x 2,340 pixels , leaving a density of 392 pixels per inch. Despite not being a striking density and resolution, they are enough to give a good experience at the level of sharpness, aided by a good dose of contrast that favors the concretion of elements.
The panel comes with somewhat high saturation, typical of this technology (and probably well received by most users), but we can always change it in the screen settings , choosing the normal color mode (less saturated) and also being able to adjust the temperature (which is somewhat cold from the factory). Another aspect to choose is the refresh rate, being able to choose between 120 Hz (the maximum), 60 Hz (the minimum) or that the system adapts it automatically.
Automatic adjustment is a convenient way for apps that require more refreshment (usually games, and perhaps require activating an internal option) remain at 120 Hz or 90 Hz while others remain at 60 Hz, as is the case with video (for example , Netflix). You can see the difference in fluidity between 120 and 60 Hz , as usual, so that if you want the maximum degree of it, we will have to leave it at 120 Hz or automatically, so that at least it can stay at 90 Hz. .
The maximum brightness is more than sufficient, in fact the minimum brightness can be even a tad high in low light. The automatic brightness adjustment is somewhat slow to react to changes in lighting in the environment, but it almost always adapts well and is perhaps sometimes not even noticeable by the user.
We have not missed configuration options, being able to “hide” or not the front camera circle or customize other aspects in addition to those we have discussed. But we continue to see no sense (beyond the aesthetic) to the curvature of the screen , without having experienced accidental touches with the base of the thumb but complicating, for example, bringing a YouTube video to the beginning of the playback (or any interaction that requires reaching the edge of the screen) if we carry the cover. With the characteristic camera module and a curvature that has ceased to be novel for years, we believe that this kind of house brand would not be necessary.
Performance: just enough for good performance
The Snapdragon 778 5G is one of the well-known ones on the Xataka analysis table. We found it more than enough on mobiles like the Realme GT Master Edition or the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G , and the experience with the Honor 50 is up to the task. In this case, tied with Samsung in terms of RAM (6 GB).
The point of this SoC is, like many of the 700 series, to scratch and close specifications of the 800 to more modest (and therefore cheaper) mobiles. Thus, in the Honor 50 we will have, in addition to 5G, Bluetooth 5.2 or Wifi 6 , so at the connectivity level it is up to date .
Despite being fair in RAM, the mobile is fluid and does not have manifest problems of loading elements (multitasking, games, etc.) At the temperature level, we have not noticed that it increases more than usual, both at the level of sensations as in a matter of the values that we have seen with the apps.
As usual, we put the usual benchmarks below so that you can consult them. You can see them in the following table with those of mobiles with a close or even configuration.
HONOR 5 5G | HUAWEI NOVA 9 | SAMSUNG GALAXY A52S 5G | REALME GT MASTER EDITION | XIAOMI 11 LITE 5G | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
PROCESSOR | Snapdragon 778G | Snapdragon 778G 4G | Snapdragon 778G | Snapdragon 778G | Snapdragon 780G |
RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB | 6 GB | 8 GB | 6 GB |
GEEKBENCH 5 (SINGLE/MULTI) | 789/2.910 | 789 / 2.968 | 686/2.479 | 788 / 2.759 | 1.771 / 2.909 |
3D MARK (SLING SHOT) | 6.311 | – | – | 6.336 | 7.279 |
PCMARK WORK | 11.818 | 9.559 | 12.416 | 12.697 | 10.743 |
Software: EMUI Magic UI lives, the fight continues
No, we have not made a mistake in the title of this section, although we anticipate some apology if it is confusing. But the memory of the Huawei cape is more than just a persistent déjà vu both at the aesthetic level and in the menu options and settings, as we were already seeing in Magic UI in the pre-independent Honor .
Remembering this is not by chance, because it serves as an introduction to what the axis of the distinction in the user experience between the Nova 9 and the Honor 50 is going to suppose : as we said at the beginning, the mobile that concerns us in this analysis It has Google services , something that of course is not essential to use a mobile phone, but which is a certain comfort for many users around the world.
In this way, we have been able to install the usual apps without missing anything, but the important thing at the bottom is that the layer is complete, functional and fluid, which is the case. Magic UI in its version 4.2 provides all the basics, with just its own additions (like the ones we have seen in the screen settings), which gives a very good experience due to its stability and fluidity.
The system comes standard with its own app that we can eliminate , as well as the usual set of Google’s (that we can disable). Except for some exceptions such as the basic tools, we can eliminate them to leave only what we use.
Of course, we find some strange lack given the natural evolution of the customization layers and Android, such as the absence of options in multitasking . In the Honor 50 it is not possible to have a split screen at the moment, for example.
We also did not find the usual game mode, maintaining the digital well-being mode and some extra gestures for accessibility that allow you to personalize the interaction a little more. But in general it is not one of the most nurtured layers in additions , being rather brief compared to others like MIUI.
In favor: those stability and fluidity that we have discussed. There is no lag in animations or transitions and the 60 Hz (that frequency rate that we have had for so many years with correct fluency in many cases) does not become excessively heavy.
Biometrics
In this smartphone we have standard facial recognition and fingerprint reading on the screen. Although there is no advanced system, face reading occurs quite effectively and quickly and will usually be the fastest method for unlocking , even if we are going to unlock by fingerprint.
The fingerprint reader struggles a bit , probably because it is demanding in terms of the surface we support or the inclination. It works well, but not very fast and will be less comfortable than opting for facial recognition, although the latter will not work in the dark.
Cameras: get more out of a 108 megapixel sensor
The main sensor of the Honor 50 has the fashionable resolution in the new mega-pixel war, 108 of these, placed in one of the large circumferences of the camera module. It is accompanied by three secondary cameras that remain in the lower circumference, seeing in total the following:
- Main camera with 108 megapixel sensor (1 / 1.52 inches, 0.7µm pixels) with f / 1.9 aperture lens.
- Wide angle with 8 megapixel sensor (120 degrees field of view) and lens with f / 2.2 aperture.
- Macro with 2 megapixel sensor.
- 2 megapixel depth sensor.
- Front camera with 32 megapixel sensor (1 / 3.14 inches) with f / 2.2 aperture.
Camera app
The Magic UI app maintains aesthetics and distribution in this Honor 50, with some novelty such as the multi-recording mode. The automatic mode shoots at 12 megapixels, while to have the 108 we will have to place the high resolution one.
HDR is still a separate mode that is in the More drawer, where the high resolution is also. And since they can’t be pulled out of there and into main modes, it ‘s a bit awkward to shoot with .
In the settings we see the usual options, here being the possibility of changing the video resolution (and not on the main screen). The night mode is among the main ones, but it only works with the main camera.
Even with old genetics, the app works well, although it requires us to be static when shooting a photo with medium-low light as it has been in the house for so many years. In addition, it continues to differentiate between aperture mode and portrait mode , when the logical thing would be to unify it and if anything, give an internal option.
The app works fine, although some mode changes are slow and it seems that it lacks some optimization. Perhaps this was a good time (to try to define yourself as a brand) to update it and, incidentally, completely renew it so that it is up to date and can be something more practical.
Rear cameras
The Honor 50 is somewhat less off-road than it seems by specifications, seeing its best result during the day and in the open . The dynamic range could be higher, but it’s not bad and is actually almost the same as what you get with HDR shots.
Speaking of HDR , if we add the inconvenience of activating it with the little difference with the automatic and with the questionable result it has at night, it is almost better to forget about it. During the day it is a good option if we prefer to try or recover a little more dynamic range in background skies, but at night it worsens the result of the automatic.
In general, we see that the colorimetry is not as realistic as it could be, partly due to a very slight , but obvious, oversaturation . We can also see that in soft backlights it already tends to underexpose, also on cloudy days, but it is not at all worrisome.
The main problem is the lack of sharpness . As soon as we shoot in a situation that goes beyond what we described as ideal, we see that the edges are blurred and that some noise appears, especially in foliage and even at 108 megapixels (where there is sometimes even more noise).
At night the automatic defends well, without miracles, although the night mode gives better results and escapes the risk of being moved. As we said, what we should avoid is HDR.
The wide angle does not escape the average of what is usually seen in cameras of these or similar characteristics and, like the main one, it is more comfortable in the open and with abundant light. At night and on cloudy days the result leaves a lot to be desired. and here we do not have night mode, HDR or high resolution, with what you can play with.
The macro also without surprises. Small sensor, overexposure and somewhat diluted colors, although what worries is that it demands a level of stability that the human hand cannot always give, giving many blurred and shaky photos.
Frontal camera
The selfies are balanced at the level of colorimetry and exposure in open and well-lit interiors, although we expected more definition with a 32-megapixel sensor from previous experiences. In these situations it saves quite well, both in automatic and in portrait mode.
As you would expect in any camera, it is going to cost you at night and interiors in low light. In the latter case, the flash is essential, otherwise we will not have anything usable.
Video
4K video is usually well resolved. We see that the dynamic range is not the widest, but it has a good level and even somewhat more realistic colors are seen than in photography. The quality at 1080p is not bad, unless we move on to the wide angle, where the shots are usually not very useful if there is not abundant lighting.
Are we still talking about stereo as something more and more basic in a mobile, leaving aside the high-end? Completely. Stereo sound has characterized mid-priced mobiles for a long time, without being something absolutely abundant, but what we expect from the most ambitious mobiles of a brand in this sector so in the spotlight due to its usual value for money.
Hence, we have been disappointed to see that this is also shared with his twin the Nova 9, so that we only find a sound outlet (at the base). It is a fairly flat sound as a result, so that the acceptable dynamic range that we usually see in the most common mobiles is more necessary.
Power is not bad , with up to 111 decibels at maximum volume at the speaker output that translates into about 84 ambient. At that level it loses quality and it compensates to leave it lower, which already gives the atmosphere to a room.
The Magic UI settings are less nourished than those of other layers and we do not see audio profiles or Dolby Atmos, but we can choose some modes if we connect headphones . Of course, USB type C or wireless headphones, since there is no audio jack.
You’ll go a bit for preference here, but it’s basically all about choosing the reverb and (virtual) direction of the sound. The setting that we liked the most in general is the natural one , especially for podcasts.
The sound in headphones has a medium quality that improves the experience with respect to the speaker, because it has more nuance and because of the natural improvement that listening in this way implies. Although we will also miss the dynamic range , being also somewhat flat.
Autonomy: a somewhat fair capacity, but resultona
We commented at the beginning that what turns out to be a not too bulky volume may have conditioned not seeing a large battery inside, speaking of capacity. It is a 4,300 mAh battery , as we saw with its twin the Nova 9, although with a somewhat different performance (the processor, among other aspects, is different).
In this case we are talking about an average of 25 hours of autonomy, alternating cycles at 60 Hz, 120 Hz and automatic refresh rate. We have not noticed too marked differences between using it at one frequency or another, in fact at 120 Hz it has lasted more than 28 hours without intensive use. Of course, the average screen hours is around 6-7 hours.
Speaking of the load time, this is completed in a little more than 50 minutes, which is not bad. It is not the fastest on the market, but taking into account that in about 30 minutes we already have 60% or more of the capacity and the average autonomy, it is a charging time that seems more than correct (the adapter is 66 watts).
Honor 50, the opinion of Engadget
Honor has managed to make a difference on an aesthetic level with its rivals with this series of mobiles, perhaps not so much in the experience it gives. It is good and has interesting points such as the characteristics of the screen, although with the competition that there is this is not something too differential.
Magic UI fans have an option with 5G capable of moving demanding games and with a curved screen that continues to divide supporters and detractors, but that helps to define that characteristic aesthetic and perhaps it is something that differentiates it from a large majority of the mid-range.
The Honor 50 5G is a good mobile, which in blue looks quite beautiful, and which can be an alternative if what we want is above all to play and watch video, as it is quite comfortable in addition to having that panel. Although yes, with the drums they have been rather conformist.
8.41
In favor
- Very good screen experience
- The processor can do it all
- Fast charging, without being the best, gives a good experience
Against
- Audio has tons of room for improvement
- The wide angle is well below average
- A pity that it gets dirty so easily