Inside the HUAWEI Mate50 Pro’s XMAGE variable-aperture camera

Huawei has brought smartphone photography in-house with the launch of its XMAGE imaging brand. The first device to reap the benefits of XMAGE technology is the newly launched HUAWEI Mate50 Pro and it’s here to take the fight to the competition.

XMAGE combines an excellent optical system with mechanical and image processing advances to offer one of the most advanced smartphone cameras ever seen in a mobile device. The result of years of research and development, Huawei’s newest camera tech is here to wow you (and everyone who looks at your photographs).

XMAGE by the numbers

The HUAWEI Mate50 Pro’s main sensor is a 50MP Ultra Aperture Camera that brings several new innovations to the Instagram feed. First up is a new RYYB imaging unit that replaces green pixels with something called yellow super pixels. These offer an increased light intake of 40% over traditional capture methods. Paired with an upgraded XD Fusion Pro image-processing algorithm and enhanced optics, that’s already a substantial upgrade on what’s come before. But there’s one more serious upgrade – the Ultra Aperture itself.

The Ultra Aperture Camera is a massive f/1.4 lens that gobbles more light than ever before. 24% more light is allowed inside for better images across the board, from prime daylight to nighttime excursions. But even that’s only a part of the recipe. See, the aperture is also variable.

The adjustment bureau

The HUAWEI Mate50 Pro is fitted with an industry-first variable aperture capable of ten different sizes across its visual range. From the monster f/1.4 to a tighter f/4.0, accessed via the camera app’s Professional Mode, expert photographers have more control over how their camera shoots than ever before. From selecting the perfect option for daylight to improving how your night shots are generated, the variable aperture camera is a serious game-changer.

This allows for easier implementation of shallow depth of field and tighter control over the focus area in shots. ‘Bokeh’ effects, the characteristic blurring of background in some shots, are achieved physically with a tiny bit of algorithmic assistance instead of the other way around, as with competitor cameras.

The variable aperture camera also gives teeth to the HUAWEI Mate50 Pro’s Super Night Mode, which is built from the ground up to handle the contrast of dark areas and the brightest neon lights. You’ll encounter less bleed in those situations unless that’s an effect that you’re consciously going for.

#nofilter (unless you want it)

In the event that you’re more comfortable with the intuitive Auto Mode, Huawei’s new filters offer easy-to-use options to take your snaps to the next level. ‘Original’ retains the realism of your shots while ‘Vivid’ dials up the impact of a scene with little effort. ‘Bright’ rebalances your image to get the best out of a darker photograph.

This is helped along by several different shooting profiles: physical and Virtual Aperture, Super Night, Telephoto Shot, Cinematic-like, Super Macro, Fine Portrait, Large-dynamic-range, and Snapshot. Even if you’re completely inexperienced, there’s an option that will let you capture professional-grade shots right out of the gate.

More standard camera features, like optical image stabilisation, depth sensing, and autofocus, have not been neglected. In short, the HUAWEI Mate50 Pro’s XMAGE camera has what it takes to go up against the best the smartphone world has to offer and come out on top.

Huawei’s XMAGE innovations debut in the HUAWEI Mate50 Pro smartphone, on sale now.

The HUAWEI Mate50 Pro is now available in Vegan Leather Orange, Silver, and Black and can be purchased from selected retail stores or the HUAWEI online store. The smartphone is priced at R24 999 for the 256 GB and R26 999 for the 512 GB.