PhoneLifespan

Huawei Mate 50 Pro

Avoid buyingValue Score 40/100
$520
Launched in China at ¥6,799 (8GB/256GB); USD figures are USD-equivalent estimates, no official US release
$950 at launch

How long will it last?

Our estimate

Supported until September 2026 · Buy-by September 2024

106
days
00
hrs
00
min
00
sec
2022◆ Buy-by Sep 20242026

Apple doesn't publish an end date, but iPhones have a consistent ~4-year update track record — on that basis the Mate 50 Pro should be supported until around September 2026. Buying it today still gets you about 0.3 years of safe use (Apple's written legal minimum is 5 years).

Source: Huawei's documentation · last verified 2026-06-13 · how we compute this

TrueCost

Street price ÷ months of safe use remaining — the number that makes cheap short-lived phones expensive, and well-supported ones cheap.

$148.22/month

1082% above the $300–600 median ($12.54/mo, dying phones excluded)

Our verdict

A durable camera flagship that introduced Beidou satellite texting, but it's 4G-only and Google-free.

Pros

  • Strong 50MP variable-aperture main and 64MP periscope telephoto
  • Beidou satellite messaging for off-grid texts
  • Tough Kunlun Glass front with IP68 rating

Cons

  • 4G only — no 5G (US sanctions on a Snapdragon chip)
  • No Google services or Play Store; uses AppGallery
  • 66W charging now trails newer Huawei models
Best for: Buyers wanting a discounted camera flagshipBest for: Users comfortable with HarmonyOS/EMUIAvoid if: You need 5GAvoid if: You rely on Google apps and Play Store

Full specifications

Display

💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).

Screen6.74-inch LTPO OLED, 2616x1212, 120Hz
Performance

💡 The phone's brain — it decides speed today and how well it ages.

ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4G-only variant)
RAM8GB
Storage256GB / 512GB
Cameras

💡 Megapixels aren't everything — lens variety matters more day-to-day.

main (variable aperture f/1.4-4.0, OIS)50MP
ultra-wide13MP
telephoto 3.5x periscope OIS64MP
front13MP
Battery & charging

💡 Capacity in mAh — bigger usually means longer between charges.

Battery4,700 mAh
Charging66W wired, 50W wireless, 7.5W reverse wireless
Build

💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.

Dimensions162.1 × 75.5 × 8.5 mm
Weight209 g
MaterialsKunlun Glass front, glass/leather back, aluminum frame
Water resistanceIP68
Software & connectivity

💡 The software it ships with, and how far it can upgrade.

SoftwareHarmonyOS 3.0 / EMUI 13 at launch (no Google services)
Connectivity4G LTE only (no 5G), Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, USB-C, NFC, IR blaster, Beidou satellite messaging
Update policy~3 years of updates (our estimate from Huawei's track record — written minimum is 5 years)

Better-value alternatives

Similar price, lower cost per month of safe ownership.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Mate 50 Pro a 5G phone?

No. It uses a 4G-only version of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 due to US sanctions, so it is limited to 4G LTE.

Does the Mate 50 Pro have Google services?

No. It runs HarmonyOS (EMUI globally) with the Huawei AppGallery and no Google Mobile Services, so the Play Store and Google apps are not included.

What was new about the Mate 50 Pro?

It was among the first phones with Beidou satellite messaging, letting you send short texts via satellite when out of cellular range, plus a variable physical aperture on the main camera.

Compare it

Specs are collected from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers and change often. Support end dates follow each brand's official policy (or, for Apple, its documented historical pattern). Last verified 2026-06-13.