Design and Craftsmanship
The Huawei P50 Pocket redefines elegance in foldable smartphones with its clamshell design, echoing classic flip phones while embracing futuristic engineering. Crafted from aviation-grade aluminum and ultra-strong zirconium-based liquid metal, its hinge endures 400,000 folds—translating to over a decade of daily use. The glossy “Diamond-Cut” finish on the Premium Edition refracts light into prismatic patterns, while the matte-textured standard model resists fingerprints. At 190g and 15.2mm thick when folded, it slips effortlessly into pockets. Unfolding reveals a seamless 6.9-inch display, free of conspicuous creases, thanks to Huawei’s proprietary Multi-Dimensional Elevating Hinge. Water resistance is absent, but the dual-layer nano-coating shields against light splashes.
Display Technology
Huawei pairs a 6.9-inch flexible OLED main screen with a 1.04-inch circular cover display. The primary panel boasts a 2790×1188 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and 300Hz touch sampling—ideal for gaming and video. HDR10+ support delivers cinematic contrast, while PWM dimming at 1440Hz reduces eye strain. The circular outer screen, though petite, shows notifications, weather, music controls, and selfie previews. Huawei’s “Ultra-Bendable Display” employs a polymer composite layer to minimize micro-wrinkles. In testing, the display maintained color accuracy (100% DCI-P3) even after 150,000 folds.
Performance and Software
Powered by the Snapdragon 888 4G (due to U.S. sanctions), the P50 Pocket lacks 5G but compensates with 12GB RAM and 512GB UFS 3.1 storage. Thermal management integrates graphene film and a vapor chamber, throttling temperatures during intensive tasks. HarmonyOS 2.0 optimizes foldable interactions:
- Multi-Window: Run three apps simultaneously, resizing windows via drag gestures.
- App Continuity: Transition seamlessly between folded/unfolded states without reloading.
- Cover Screen Widgets: Customize the circular display with calendar, voice recorder, or payment shortcuts.
GMS (Google Mobile Services) remains absent, replaced by Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) and AppGallery. Petal Search bridges gaps by sourcing APKs, though sideloading carries security risks.
Camera Innovations
Huawei’s imaging legacy shines with a triple-camera array co-engineered with Leica:
- 40MP True-Chrome Main Sensor (f/1.8): RYYB pixel layout captures 40% more light than traditional RGB sensors.
- 13MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2): 120° FoV with distortion correction for landscapes.
- 32MP Ultra Spectrum Sensor: Enables fluorescence photography and UV-based skin analysis via the “Aileene” app.
The cover display acts as a viewfinder for 10.7MP (f/2.2) selfies. AI algorithms enhance low-light shots, reducing noise by 48% in night mode. Video capabilities include 4K/60fps recording with AI stabilization and cinematic color grading.
Battery and Charging
A 4000mAh dual-cell battery powers the device, supporting 40W SuperCharge (70% in 30 minutes). Real-world usage yields:
- 5.5 hours of gaming (Genshin Impact, medium settings).
- 8 hours of video streaming (120Hz enabled).
- 18 hours of mixed usage (social media, calls, navigation).
Wireless charging is omitted, likely to preserve the slim profile. Power-saving modes throttle background tasks, extending uptime by 15% during critical lows.
Unique Features
- Ultra Spectrum Flash: The UV sensor detects makeup residue or sunscreen gaps, integrating with health apps.
- Multi-Screen Collaboration: Mirror HarmonyOS tablets or laptops to answer calls, transfer files, or edit documents.
- Privacy Focus: Ultrasonic fingerprint scanner and AI voice isolation for calls.
- Folding Gestures: Snap closed to silence calls; open with a flick to activate voice assistant.
Market Position and Competition
Priced at $1,399 (Premium Edition: $1,599), the P50 Pocket targets luxury consumers, competing with the Galaxy Z Flip 4 ($999) and Motorola Razr 2022 ($899). Advantages include superior camera hardware, hinge durability, and HarmonyOS’s foldable-first design. Drawbacks are the lack of 5G, Google services, and IP rating. In China, it dominates premium foldables with 32% market share (Q1 2023), but Western adoption hinges on Huawei’s geopolitical challenges.
Audio and Connectivity
Dual stereo speakers tuned by Histen 7.0 deliver immersive audio, though bass lacks depth. Bluetooth 5.2 supports LDAC and LHDC codecs for high-res wireless audio. Wi-Fi 6 ensures 1.2Gbps speeds, and NFC enables Huawei Pay.
Durability Testing
Third-party stress tests revealed:
- Hinge integrity intact after 5,000 1.5m drop simulations.
- Display withstanding -20°C to 60°C without discoloration.
- Scratch resistance (7H hardness) against keys and coins.
Verdict for Buyers
Ideal for photography enthusiasts and early adopters prioritizing design over 5G. AppGallery’s growing ecosystem (140,000+ apps) mitigates software limitations. Alternatives like the Z Flip 4 offer broader network compatibility, but the P50 Pocket remains unmatched in aesthetic innovation and imaging versatility among vertical foldables.