Launch report · Huawei
Huawei P50: Snapdragon 888 4G flagship with True-Chroma image engine.
SpecEagle Editorial·Aug 2021·$729·Score 78/100
The P50 launched as the first phone with HarmonyOS 2.0 — Huawei's home-grown OS replacing Android in name if not in foundation — and proved the company could keep its camera leadership running even with Snapdragon 888 4G silicon imposed by US sanctions.
Key specs at launch
Display
6.5" FHD+ OLED, 90Hz
Chipset
Snapdragon 888 4G
RAM
8 GB LPDDR5
Storage
128/256 GB UFS 3.1
Battery
4100 mAh, 66W
Main camera
50 MP True-Chroma + 13 MP ultrawide + 12 MP 5x periscope
Weight
181 g
What stands out
- HarmonyOS 2 introduced cleaner UI vs EMUI
- Camera ranked DXOMark #1 at launch
- IP68 sealing
What to watch
- Snapdragon 888 4G — no 5G allowed under sanctions
- No Google Mobile Services
- Heavy 4G ceiling hurts resale
The phone it has to beat
iQOO 11
$650 · score 90/100