The Huawei P50 Pocket Decisive Review
The world of foldable phones keeps welcoming more additions to its roster. And it makes sense. The foldable phones are selling well even with their pricy asking point. Huawei’s latest foldable is the Huawei P50 Pocket. While it does many things right, it also has its shortcomings. We will take a deeper look at it.
How Good Does it Look
Huawei did not have much to add when it comes to this style of the foldable phone, it has to be square-shaped, and it has to be foldable. Even with such clear design choices, the phone ended up larger than its closest rival, the Z flip 3. It still offers a compact experience and a pocket-friendly size, nonetheless
The key design feature is undoubtedly the Huawei unique ‘Multi-Dimensional’ hinge. This hinge allows various aesthetic refinements, such as a smooth connected screen when folded shut. Additionally, the hinge tech enables the Huawei P50 pocket to have less crease on the screen when it is operating in its folded state. This might seem minute, but it does give a more refined and visually appealing design.
Moreover, the phone is not waterproof, unlike its rivals. You cannot open the phone within angles. Unlike its competitors, it must be folded entirely, which might seem a drawback. It comes in a premium gold version and the regular white.
The Camera
Huawei is no stranger to great camera systems, and the P50 Pocket has a solid camera. 40MP primary camera with 1.8 sensors, a 13 MP/2.2 ultrawide camera, and a fluorescent shooting mode. Able to record videos at up to 4k resolution with a smooth sixty frames per second. The images are sharp with depth and glorious colors with vibrant details.
Moreover, it does a fair job in low light, but nothing outstanding. It is hard for the camera to keep night photos rich in detail since the Huawei P50 Pocket does not have optical image stabilization.
The fluorescent mode does offer UV light that can help you capture glowing pictures in dim environments. It is a unique feature. It might feel a little gimmicky but to each his own.
The Display
The Huawei p5o pro comes with a large 6.9 inches display. Bigger than many phones on the market, not even just foldable. 120hz OLED guarantees you outstanding display quality. Sharp colors, great viewing angles, bright and enjoyable experience. There is also a mini circular display next to the camera setup, offering you basic information and notification displays.
Furthermore, the Multi-Dimensional hinge reduces the crease on display, it will not disappear by any means, but it will be tough to notice. It is subtle whenever you are using the screen, which is a welcomed addition.
What Software is it Running
The Huawei p50 pocket runs on Huawei’s operating system, EMUI 12. The software is based on some open-source elements of the android counterpart. It offers a decent user experience but let us talk about the elephant in the room. Huawei phones do not have Google support and cannot use chips that run 5g. Huawei does offer their app gallery, but let us be honest, google is essential for most of the users out there. Factor in the outdated 4g network and the fact that most apps rely on google to run, and you will end up with a tough sell.
Battery and Price
Firstly, the Huawei p5o Pocket comes with a 4000mAh battery which is impressive when you remember that it needed to be fitted in a foldable phone. A battery better than its competitors with 40W fast charging can seem like a great deal. The bubble bursts when you realize there is no wireless charging.
Additionally, the phone is priced at 1299 for the 8GB/256GB version and a whopping 1599 for the 12GB/512GB version. A significant push away for customers who can buy cheaper options with google support, wireless charging, and even 5g support.
What Processor Does it Have
The Huawei P50 Pocket rocks a solid snapdragon 888 4G chip. A powerful chip is held back by Huawei’s restriction, which does not allow a 5G chipset. The phone runs smoothly on an outdated android-based skin software. It is hard to get over this fact, especially when this flagship processor is of the better options on the market.
The Verdict
While the Huawei P50 Pocket offers contemporary design choices, a new hinge mechanism, and a great display, it still has significant setbacks. The clear one is the Google support absence, an essential to most of the target customers. The phone does not support 5G for the same reasons that block Google support. Even if buyers decide to ignore this shortcoming, they would be left with an expensive asking price making the Huawei P50 Pocket hard to recommend.
Inside Telecom provides you with an extensive list of content covering all aspects of the tech industry. Keep an eye on our Product Review section to stay informed and up-to-date with our daily articles.