News

Huawei resurrects ‘Mate’ with the Mate 50 series in China

Four Mates to choose from

Published

on

Image by GadgetMatch

If you can still recall, Huawei launched the last “Mate” in October 2020 — potentially the last of its kind.

But just like the latest rumor of the Mate line being re-launched this September 2022, they have officially announced the comeback of the series with not just one, but four Mate 50 models in China.

Mate 50 + Mate 50E

Let’s start with the two similarly-looking models of the series: The Mate 50 and the Mate 50E.

Image by GadgetMatch

Both phones sport a 6.7-inch Full HD+ OLED flat display with 90Hz refresh rate and 300Hz touch sampling rate. These displays also support 1.07 Billion Colors and DCI-P3 wide color gamut. However, the Mate 50 has Huawei’s in-house Kunlun glass protection and an IP68 water and dust resistance rating that the Mate 50E does not possess.

Image by GadgetMatch

Each phone also has what they call a 50MP “Super Optical Camera” with a variable aperture between f/1.4 to f/4.0 plus a 13MP f/2.2 ultra-wide lens. Their 13MP f/2.4 selfie cameras are also similar. The differentiating factor has got to be the Mate 50’s 12MP periscope telephoto lens that supports 5x optical zoom and up to 50x digital zoom.

Image by GadgetMatch

Other notable differences are the chipsets used. The Mate 50 is equipped with the latest Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset. Meanwhile, the Mate 50E has a toned-down Snapdragon 778G chipset just like the Honor 70, Xiaomi 12 Lite, Nothing Phone (1), and the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G. Unfortunately, despite the mentioned chipsets being 5G-capable, both are only limited to 4G connectivity.

There are other similarities too like the 4460mAh battery, 66W SuperCharge + reverse charging capabilities, and choices between 8GB RAM + 128 or 256GB UFS 3.1 configurations with NM card expansion of up to 256GB. However, the Mate 50 supports 50W Wireless SuperCharge and is available in a bigger 512GB option.

Mate 50 Pro

This 2022, Huawei decided to scrap the “Pro+” model in favor of the lone Mate 50 Pro flagship.

Unlike the two models aforementioned, the Mate 50 Pro features a 6.74-inch OLED curved display with a 120Hz refresh rate that’s totally reminiscent of the Mate 30 Pro from three years ago. Aside from the same 13MP f/2.4 selfie camera, there’s also a 3D depth sensor for more secure biometrics.

Other display specs are similar from the other Mate 50 phones: 300Hz touch sampling rate plus DCI-P3 wide color gamut and 1.07 Billion Color support.

Image by GadgetMatch

Other than that, the cameras are quite similar from the first two Mates: a 50MP Super Optical main camera with an adjustable f/1.4 to f/4.0 aperture plus OIS, paired with a 13MP f/2.2 ultra-wide angle camera. What makes it “Pro” is its 64MP 3.5x periscope telephoto lens with OIS — similar to that of the Huawei P50 Pro that can zoom up to 100x minus the LEICA optics.

Lastly, it’s also powered by the latest Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G chipset and 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM with either 256GB or 512GB storage options + NM card storage expansion. Battery is quite bigger at 4700mAh with 66W SuperCharge, 50W Wireless SuperCharge, and 5W reverse charging. It’s also IP68-rated and has the Huawei Kunlun glass protection.

Porsche Design Mate 50 RS

Lastly, there’s still a variant highlighting the solid partnership between Huawei and Porsche Design — a collaboration that started four years ago. While it has the most aggressive design in the Mate 50 series, the design is very much like the Porsche Design Mate 40 RS as well as the Honor Magic4 Ultimate. Its back is also made out of ceramic glass.

Its hardware specifications are very similar to the Mate 50 Pro: display, cameras, IP rating, battery capacity, charging speeds, and even the non-5G Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset used. But, the Mate 50 RS has a plentiful 12GB of LPDDR5 memory, plus a different periscope telephoto lens with a smaller megapixel count but a wider aperture — 48MP f/3.0 vs Mate 50 Pro’s 64MP f/3.5. Albeit, it still has the same 3.5x to 100x zoom capabilities.

Image by GadgetMatch

The Mate 50 RS is also limited to a 512GB storage option, still with NM card support. As obvious as it looks, the Huawei Porsche Design Mate 50 RS also has a different set of leather cases and accessories that complement well the aesthetic of the sports car’s fashion-focused subsidiary.

Pricing and Availability

The Huawei Mate 50 series is currently available for pre-orders in China. There’s no word on global availability just yet.

Image by GadgetMatch

There are several color options and pricing configurations* (in Chinese Yuan or Renminbi SRP) for the Mate 50 series:

Mate 50E (Obsidian Black, Frost Silver, Streamer Purple)

  • 128GB = CNY 3999 (US$ 559 / EUR 579 / GBP 518 / SG$ 801 / PhP 32,946)
  • 256GB = CNY 4499 (US$ 628 / EUR 651 / GBP 582 / SG$ 902 / PhP 37,065)

Mate50 (Obsidian Black, Frost Silver, Streamer Purple, Daybreak Kunlun, Kunlun Xiaguang)

  • 128GB = CNY 4999 (US$ 721 / EUR 727  / GBP 628 / SG$ 1013 / PhP 41,055)
  • 256GB = CNY 5499 (US$ 793 / EUR 800 / GBP 691 / SG$ 1114 / PhP 45,162)
  • 512GB = CNY 6499 (US$ 938 / EUR 1317 / GBP 816 / SG$ 1317 / PhP 53,374)

Mate 50 Pro (Obsidian Black, Frost Silver, Streamer Purple, Daybreak Kunlun, Kunlun Xiaguang)

  • 256GB = CNY 6799 (US$ 981 / EUR 989 / GBP 854 / SG$ 1377 / PhP 55,838)
  • 512GB = CNY 7799 (US$ 1125 / EUR 1134 / GBP 979 / SG$ 1580 / PhP 64,051)

Porsche Design Mate 50 RS (Dark Blue Porcelain, Carmine Porcelain)

  • 512GB = CNY 12999 (US$ 1875 / EUR 1890 / GBP 1632 / SG$ 2634 / PhP 106,757)

News

Dreame enters smartphones with AURORA debut

Modular imaging, AI-native OS, and luxury design lead new “perception-first” push

Published

on

By

DREAME AURORA

Dreame has officially stepped into the smartphone space with the debut of its AURORA lineup in Silicon Valley, positioning itself beyond appliances and into next-generation intelligent devices.

Unveiled on April 29, the new AURORA brand introduces what Dreame calls three core breakthroughs: imaging, communication, and an AI-native operating system — all built around a “human-centric” approach to technology.

A new take on smartphones

At launch, Dreame showcased three key directions under the AURORA lineup.

Leading the charge is the AURORA NEX, a modular imaging flagship designed to unlock more advanced, flexible photography setups. The idea is to move beyond typical camera upgrades and give users more control over how they capture content.

Alongside it is the AURORA LUX, a luxury-focused series that leans into premium materials and craftsmanship. Dreame positions this as “heirloom-grade” tech — less gadget, more statement piece.

Completing the lineup is a new flagship range aimed at balancing performance, design, and everyday usability for high-end users.

Moving past spec wars

Dreame isn’t framing this as another specs race. Instead, it’s calling this shift a “perception revolution.”

The pitch is simple:

  • Better imaging should feel like creating, not just capturing
  • Connectivity should be stable and seamless everywhere
  • AI should be invisible but proactive, not something users have to manage

To get there, Dreame says it’s addressing familiar industry pain points — from camera hardware stacking to inconsistent signal performance and surface-level AI features.

Its solution is a full-stack approach:

  • A dedicated imaging system built with input from professional photographers
  • A “full-time signal” communication system for more stable connectivity
  • An AI-native OS designed to flip the model from users adapting to devices → devices adapting to users

From tools to partners

The bigger ambition here is clear. Dreame wants devices to evolve from passive tools into what it calls “proactive service partners.”

That means:

  • Devices anticipate needs
  • AI operates in the background
  • Hardware and software feel like a single system

It’s a familiar direction across the industry, but Dreame is betting on tighter integration and a stronger design identity to stand out.

A broader ecosystem play

The AURORA launch also signals something bigger: Dreame is expanding fast beyond its roots in home and personal care tech.

From hair tools to now smartphones, the company is building toward a full ecosystem anchored on AI and connected experiences.

Whether that vision lands will depend on execution — especially in a category as competitive as smartphones.

For now, AURORA marks Dreame’s most ambitious move yet, and a clear statement that it wants to compete not just on devices, but on how those devices fit into everyday life.

Continue Reading

Laptops

MacBook Neo already “supply constrained” amid unexpected demand

New purchases are reportedly getting delayed.

Published

on

It’s been a crazy month for Apple fans on a budget. The debuts of the iPhone 17e and the MacBook Neo have brought the classic Apple experience to a wider market. Though the former is a bright spot on its own, the new MacBook Neo is currently breaking the company’s expectations as new orders are already “supply constrained.”

Last week, Tim Cook held an earnings call (via Six Colors) which includes the latest additions to Apple’s lineup. For the affordable iPhone, Cook gave a special shoutout as “the newest addition to what is already the strongest iPhone lineup we’ve ever had.” However, he was much more appreciative for the MacBook Neo’s role in the company’s notebook lineup.

Responding to a query about the new notebook, Cook says that the company “undercalled the level of enthusiasm” generated by the MacBook Neo. He also cited “tremendous enthusiasm” for the device in his main presentation.

Though he didn’t have the numbers to bolster his claims, he did give anecdotal examples of public schools switching over to Apple from Chromebooks and Windows PCs.

Finally, he says that the MacBook Neo is currently “supply constrained,” meaning new purchases will likely come with a delay before delivery.

Outside of the corporate perspective, there has been a lot of excitement for the notebook. Even if it uses the A18 Pro chip, the MacBook Neo promises a powerful notebook experience as is typical of Apple’s more traditional MacBooks. And to top it all off, it starts at only US$ 599, creating one of the most tempting offers for users who want to dip their toes into the Apple ecosystem.

SEE ALSO: MacBook Neo officially arrives at Power Mac Center

Continue Reading

News

Apple reportedly gives up on the Vision Pro

But Apple will continue to sell the current model.

Published

on

When they unveiled the Vision Pro in 2023, Apple touted the wearable as the next big thing after the iPhone. Now, almost three years removed from the launch, the Vision Pro hasn’t really taken over the coveted spot occupied by the iPhone. Apple, according to a report, is allegedly canning the short-lived wearable.

According to MacRumors, Apple has reportedly given up on making the Vision Pro a thing. The team handling the wearable has supposedly been subsumed by other teams within Apple.

If true, the wearable’s end is unfortunate but not surprising. Despite being out for years, the Vision Pro has sold only a little more than half a million units with numerous returns from customers. Most recently, Apple updated the wearable with the M5 chip, but the move hasn’t revitalized the device’s status in Apple’s lineup.

Most of the complaints about the device stem from its exorbitant price or its cumbersome battery pack. Besides costing a whopping US$ 3,499, the Vision Pro is also difficult to move around with, especially because of its total weight and a battery pack that can get in the way.

To be clear, Apple has not officially discontinued the Vision Pro yet. The company continues to sell the version with the M5 chip. Apple can also restart development in the future.

However, the meantime retirement on future development does coincide with the recent restructuring inside the company. Tim Cook recently decided to step down as CEO with John Ternus as his replacement. Canning the Vision Pro might be Ternus’ first step in redefining Apple according to his plans.

SEE ALSO: Apple Vision Pro gets M5 chip upgrade

Continue Reading

Trending