A few days ago, Google launched the Pixel 4 series composed of the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL. They are incredible devices not only for their specifications but also because they are phones able to take advantage of all the most recent and advanced features based on artificial intelligence. The Pixel 4 XL is the most powerful model of the series and given the impact that the new line-up had at Google’s event, we decided to compare it with the actual most advanced Android phones in the market: Huawei Mate 30 Pro and Samsung Galaxy Note 10+. Does it make sense to grab a Google device instead of a flagship from the most important smartphone brands? This comparison will clear your ideas.
Google Pixel 4 XL vs Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ vs Huawei Mate 30 Pro
| Huawei Mate 30 Pro | Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ | Google Pixel 4 XL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT | 158.1 x 73.1 x 8.8 mm, 198 g | 162.3 x 77.2 x 7.9 mm, 196 g | 160.4 x 75.1 x 8.2 mm, 193 g |
| DISPLAY | 6.53 inches, 1176 x 2400p (Full HD+), OLED | 6.8 inches, 1440 x 3040p (Quad HD+), Dynamic AMOLED | 6.3 inches, 1440 x 3040p (Quad HD+), P-OLED |
| PROCESSOR | Huawei Hisilicon Kirin 990, octa-core 2.86 GHz | Samsung Exynos 9825, octa-core 2.73 GHz | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+, octa-core 2.96 GHz |
| MEMORY | 8 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 256 GB – nano memory card slot | 12 GB RAM, 256 GB – 12 GB RAM, 512 GB – micro SD slot | 6 GB RAM, 64 GB – 6 GB RAM, 128 GB |
| SOFTWARE | Android 10, EMUI 10 | Android 9 Pie, One UI | Android 10 |
| CONNECTIVITY | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS |
| CAMERA | Quad 40 + 40 + 8 MP + TOF camera, f/1.6 + f/1.8 + f/2.4 32 MP front camera |
Quad 12 + 12 + 16 MP, f/1.5-1.8-2.4 + f/2.1 + f/2.2 10 MP f/2.2 front camera |
Dual 12.2 + 16 MP, f/1.7 + f/2.4 Dual 8 MP f/2.0 + TOF front camera |
| BATTERY | 4500 mAh, fast charging 40W, Fast wireless charging 27W | 4300 mAh, fast charging 45W, Fast wireless charging 20W | 3700 mAh, fast charging 18W and Qi wireless charging |
| ADDITIONAL FEATURES | Hybrid Dual SIM slot, reverse wireless charging, waterproof IP68, Face ID | Hybrid Dual SIM slot, reverse wireless charging, waterproof IP68 | SIM slot + eSIM, IP68 waterproof |
Design
I am not a fan of Google Pixel 4’s design. It has a very thick bezel on the upper part without even boasting a notch, and that iPhone 11-like square camera module on the back never convinced me. I appreciate much more the aesthetics of the Huawei Mate 30 Pro which boasts a Horizon display with side touch and no physical keys, as well as an original round-shaped camera module on the back. But the most minimalistic phone here is the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ with its full borderless punch-hole display and a very clean glass back. However, the Galaxy Note 10+ is definitely too big for an average user. That is why Huawei Mate 30 Pro is more special.
Display
Due to the support of the HDR10+ standard, the S Pen, very high color accuracy and a wide 6.8-inch diagonal, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ without thinking twice, if I had to choose the best display. But the Google Pixel 4 XL is still amazing with its 90 Hz refresh rate and full DCI-P3 coverage, as well as the HDR support. Huawei Mate 30 Pro is inferior due to its Full HD+ resolution and its lower color accuracy, but it still provides a great display for a flagship.
Hardware/Software
Despite Snapdragon 855+ has been in the market for a while, Google decided to equip the Pixel 4 and the Pixel 4 XL with the older Snapdragon 855. Even the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ in its U.S. version is fueled by the Snapdragon 855. Huawei Mate 30 Pro has a more recent Kirin 990 chipset and it guarantees better performance than Snapdragon 855. Further, the Kirin 990 is the first chipset with an (optional) integrated 5G modem, so 5G connectivity guarantees better performance in case you choose the 5G variant. But it is not all about the chipset: there is also the RAM. Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ has 12 GB of RAM, while Mate 30 Pro has just 8 GB. Further, the European version has a different chipset: Exynos 9825, and up to 512 GB of internal storage, unlike the Mate 30 Pro which stops at 256 GB. So, at the end of the day, Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ wins the hardware comparison. Google Pixel 4 XL is better when it comes to the software since it has Android 10 out of the box and more advanced features.
Camera
Huawei Mate 30 wins the camera comparison with a quad camera setup composed of two 40 MP sensors, a TOF camera, and a telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. It provides the most astonishing camera quality with excellent and professional detail in every scene, as well as an amazing quality in low light conditions. On the other hand, Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ has a better selfie camera. Google Pixel 4 XL is still an amazing camera phone, but not at the same level as the Huawei Mate 30 Pro.
Battery
The bigger battery, the Full HD+ display, and the Kirin 990 chipset allow the Huawei Mate 30 Pro to last more on a single charge than Google Pixel 4 XL. It lasts more or less like the Galaxy Note 10+, but the latter seems to provide a longer battery life in some important scenarios thanks to better software optimization.
Price
Google Pixel 4 XL costs €999/$899 globally, Huawei Mate 30 Pro starts from €1099/$1225, and Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ from €1129/$1099. Overall, the winner of the comparison is the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ due to its better display, long battery life and S Pen support, but we think Huawei Mate 30 Pro is a better camera phone.
Google Pixel 4 XL vs Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ vs Huawei Mate 30 Pro: PRO and CONS
Huawei Mate 30 Pro
PROS
- Amazing cameras
- Horizon display with side touch
- Big battery
- 5G (optional with integrated modem)
- Reverse wireless charging
- Face ID
- Android 10
CONS
- Worse display
Google Pixel 4 XL
PROS
- More updated software
- 90 Hz refresh ratio
- Android 10 out of the box
- Face ID
CONS
- Worse cameras
Samsung Galaxy Note 10+
PROS
- Amazing and bigger display
- Reverse wireless charging
- S Pen
- 5G (optional)
- Great cameras
CONS
- Big dimensions
