Galaxy Mega 6.3 vs. Ascend Mate: Shadows of giants

Hardware comparison

Both the Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 and Huawei Ascend Mate are 6+ inch phablets. While both are undeniably big, the Mega 6.3 is bigger - as its name suggests it packs a 6.3" screen versus the 6.1" screen of the Mate. We'll discuss the screens in more detail in the next chapter.

The Huawei Ascend Note boasts a 73% screen to surface ratio, but Samsung is even a tad more efficient than that - the Mate is only 4mm shorter than the Mega 6.3 and both have virtually the same width. Not bad considering you gain 0.2" of diagonal, which is 6% more screen real estate.

Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 and Huawei Ascend Mate size comparison

What actually makes a difference is that Samsung used its traditional hardware keys below the screen, while Huawei opted for on-screen buttons, which reduces the usable screen area. To counter that, the company added a feature that lets you hide the on-screen buttons, but that doesn't work very well (not if you want to use more than one app or the back button).

Hardware buttons on the Mega 6.3 • on-screen buttons only for the Ascend Mate

Anyway, both weigh about the same - a smidge under 200g - but the Galaxy Mega 6.3 is 1.9mm thinner. While that looks good, the Mega packs a smaller battery (3,200mAh vs. 4,050mAh). On the up side, the battery is user-replaceable.

Along with a user-replaceable battery, the Galaxy Mega 6.3 hides the microSIM and microSD card slots under the back cover. The Ascend Mate gives easier access to both - the slots are side-mounted and hidden under individual plastic flaps.

microSIM and microSD card slots on the Mega 6.3 are under the back cover • those on the Mate are under plastic flaps

Let's talk design. The Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 uses the Galaxy family styling, of which many people are getting tired (used on devices with screens ranging from 3" to 8", it's a little played out). The glossy plastic puts off many people as well.

Glossy vs. matte

Not that the Huawei Ascend Mate is a particularly attractive piece of slab, but at least it's not overplayed like the Mega design and has a more sensible matte finish.

As we already mentioned, we like how thin the Galaxy Mega 6.3 is and while the curved back of the Mate hides some of its thickness, those extra 1.9mm are noticeable. On the up side, that curve makes the phablet sit a little better in the hand.

The rest is pretty similar - Power/Lock key and volume rocker on the right, 3.5mm audio jack on top, microUSB port on the bottom, along with a mic. The microUSB port on the Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 gives it an advantage with MHL support.

Ports and buttons on the Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 and the Huawei Ascend Mate

Winner: Bigger screen and thinner body tip the scales towards the Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3, though the lack of Gorilla glass and the worn out design don't do it any favors. It's good that the battery is user replaceable, but the smaller capacity might come back to bite it.

The Huawei Ascend Mate is an okay device that takes the battery and screen protection rounds, but it's not enough to win this fight.