Alright, tech enthusiasts in Indonesia, let’s dive deep into the Huawei P50 Pro! This phone made waves when it was first released, boasting a groundbreaking camera system and sleek design. But the big question remains: Is the Huawei P50 Pro still a relevant choice in Indonesia today? Considering the ever-evolving smartphone market and the unique circumstances surrounding Huawei, we need to take a comprehensive look. This review will cover everything from its design and display to its performance, camera capabilities, battery life, and, most importantly, the software experience, especially given the absence of Google Mobile Services (GMS). So, buckle up as we explore whether the P50 Pro can still hold its own in 2024 and beyond.

Design and Display: A Visual Delight

Let's start with the aesthetics. The Huawei P50 Pro is undeniably a beautiful phone. Its design is both elegant and eye-catching. The dual-matrix camera design on the rear is distinctive and instantly recognizable, setting it apart from the sea of generic-looking smartphones. The phone feels premium in hand, thanks to its curved glass back and aluminum frame. It's available in several stunning colors, allowing you to choose one that perfectly matches your style. The build quality is top-notch, ensuring durability and a luxurious feel.

Turning our attention to the display, the P50 Pro sports a 6.6-inch OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. This combination results in incredibly smooth scrolling, vibrant colors, and deep blacks. Whether you're browsing your social media feeds, watching videos, or playing games, the display offers an immersive and enjoyable experience. The high refresh rate makes everything feel fluid and responsive, while the OLED technology ensures excellent contrast and clarity. The resolution is sharp, making text and images appear crisp and detailed. The display also gets sufficiently bright, ensuring good visibility even under direct sunlight. Overall, the P50 Pro's display is one of its strongest assets, offering a visual experience that rivals other flagship smartphones.

Performance: Power and Efficiency

Under the hood, the Huawei P50 Pro packs a punch. While it comes in two variants – one powered by the Kirin 9000 and the other by the Snapdragon 888 – both offer flagship-level performance. These processors are capable of handling demanding tasks with ease, whether it's running multiple apps simultaneously, editing videos, or playing graphics-intensive games. The phone is equipped with ample RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking and preventing slowdowns. The P50 Pro is a true workhorse, capable of keeping up with your fast-paced lifestyle. The performance is snappy and responsive, making everyday tasks a breeze. You won't experience any lag or stuttering, even when pushing the phone to its limits. Gamers will particularly appreciate the phone's ability to handle demanding titles without any noticeable frame drops or overheating issues. The P50 Pro is designed to deliver a seamless and enjoyable gaming experience.

However, it's important to note that the Snapdragon 888 variant lacks 5G connectivity due to the ongoing restrictions. This might be a deal-breaker for some users who want to take advantage of the latest mobile network technology. If 5G is a priority for you, you might want to consider other options. Nevertheless, the 4G performance on the Snapdragon 888 variant is still excellent, providing fast and reliable internet speeds for most users. The Kirin 9000 variant, on the other hand, does support 5G, offering a more future-proof option for those who want to stay ahead of the curve. Ultimately, the choice between the two variants depends on your individual needs and priorities.

Camera: A Photography Powerhouse

The Huawei P50 Pro's camera system is where it truly shines. It boasts a quad-camera setup that includes a 50MP primary sensor, a 64MP telephoto lens with 3.5x optical zoom, a 13MP ultrawide lens, and a 40MP monochrome lens. This combination of hardware and software results in stunning image quality, with exceptional detail, dynamic range, and color accuracy. The phone excels in various lighting conditions, capturing crisp and vibrant photos even in low light. The telephoto lens allows you to zoom in on distant subjects without sacrificing image quality, while the ultrawide lens lets you capture expansive landscapes with ease. The monochrome lens adds depth and detail to black and white photos, creating a unique and artistic look.

The P50 Pro's camera is also packed with features, including advanced AI algorithms that enhance image quality and automatically adjust settings based on the scene. The phone's camera app is intuitive and easy to use, offering a range of shooting modes and settings to cater to different preferences. Whether you're a casual photographer or a seasoned pro, the P50 Pro's camera has something to offer. The phone's video recording capabilities are also impressive, supporting up to 4K resolution at 60fps. The video quality is excellent, with smooth stabilization and accurate audio recording. The P50 Pro is a true photography powerhouse, capable of capturing stunning photos and videos that will impress even the most discerning users.

Battery Life: Getting Through the Day

The Huawei P50 Pro is equipped with a 4,360mAh battery, which provides decent battery life. While it might not be the best in its class, it's sufficient for getting through a full day of moderate use. If you're a heavy user, you might need to top up the battery in the evening. The phone supports 66W SuperCharge, which allows you to quickly recharge the battery from 0% to 100% in about 30 minutes. This is a lifesaver when you're running low on power and need a quick boost. The phone also supports 50W wireless charging, offering a convenient way to charge your phone without using cables. The battery life is adequate for most users, but it's not exceptional. If battery life is a top priority for you, you might want to consider other options with larger batteries.

Software: The EMUI Challenge

Now, let's address the elephant in the room: software. The Huawei P50 Pro runs on EMUI, Huawei's custom Android skin. While EMUI is feature-rich and offers a range of customization options, the absence of Google Mobile Services (GMS) is a significant drawback. This means you won't have access to the Google Play Store, Gmail, YouTube, and other popular Google apps. Instead, you'll have to rely on Huawei's AppGallery, which has a limited selection of apps compared to the Play Store. While Huawei is working hard to expand the AppGallery and attract developers, it still lags behind in terms of app availability. This can be a frustrating experience for users who are accustomed to using Google apps on a daily basis.

However, there are workarounds. You can use third-party app stores like APKPure to download and install apps that are not available on the AppGallery. You can also use web versions of Google apps through the browser. However, these workarounds are not always seamless and can sometimes be buggy. The absence of GMS is the biggest challenge facing the P50 Pro. It significantly impacts the user experience and makes it difficult to recommend the phone to users who heavily rely on Google apps. If you're willing to adapt to a different ecosystem and use alternative apps, you might be able to live with the absence of GMS. However, if you're heavily invested in the Google ecosystem, the P50 Pro might not be the right choice for you.

Is the Huawei P50 Pro Still Worth It in Indonesia?

So, after considering all the factors, is the Huawei P50 Pro still worth it in Indonesia? The answer is: it depends. If you're a photography enthusiast who values exceptional camera performance above all else, and you're willing to work around the absence of GMS, the P50 Pro is still a compelling option. Its camera system is among the best in the market, delivering stunning image quality in various lighting conditions. The phone's design is also elegant and eye-catching, making it a pleasure to hold and use. The performance is snappy and responsive, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable user experience.

However, if you heavily rely on Google apps and services, the absence of GMS is a significant drawback that might make the P50 Pro a difficult choice. The limited app availability on the AppGallery can be frustrating, and the workarounds are not always seamless. In this case, you might want to consider other options that offer full access to the Google ecosystem. Ultimately, the decision depends on your individual needs and priorities. Weigh the pros and cons carefully before making a purchase. Consider what features are most important to you and whether you're willing to adapt to a different software ecosystem. The Huawei P50 Pro is a great phone in many ways, but it's not for everyone.