Huawei Mate 9 has officially launched, and is it a worthy successor of the P9? With Leica’s second generation 12 + 20 MP dual sensor cameras, a more intuitive UI and the latest Kirin 960 processor, it very well is. The series will come in two sleek, slim models; the Huawei Mate 9 (€699 incl. tax) with 4GB and 128GB internal storage and; the more premium and powerful, Porsche Design Huawei Mate 9 (€1395 incl. tax) at 6GB and 256 GB.
Design
Right off the bat, we love the stunning display on both models. The Porsche Design boast a 5.5″ 2K Amoled curved display, while the Mate 9 has a larger 5.9″ FHD display. It is a sleek, thin (3mm) and lightweight (190g) smartphone with an exquisite built.
Colour wise, the Mate 9 has a variety of options: Black, Space Gray, Moonlight Silver, Champagne Gold, Mocha Brown and Ceramic White. The Porsche Design will only come in a sophisticated Graphite Black.
Speed
One of the most exciting points about the Mate 9 is increased performance, thanks to the latest Kirin 960 processor. It is coupled with EMUI 5.0, an intuitive UI, that gives more “power” to frequently used apps to steamline users’ experience on the mobile. Along with all the new hardware, both models will be ready for your next level VR experience. Yes, it is Google Day Dream ready.
The 4000 mAh high-density battery will come with their SuperCharge technology, increasing battery life (2 days of uninterrupted performance) and promising to reach full charge in about 20 minutes. It is coupled with their Super Safe 5-gate protection to provide real-time voltage, current and temperature monitoring to safeguard battery life and eliminate safety hazards.
Professional-quality Smartphone Photography
When they say co-engineered by Leica, they were not kidding. The second generation 12 MP RGB and 20 MP Monochrome dual lens are a force to be reckoned with in the smartphone photography world. They work in tandem to capture true-to-life colours (RGB sensor), intricate details and depth (monochrome).
I was given a brief glimpse of its capabilities when giving their Wide Aperture mode (think bokeh) a try in low light conditions a.k.a. a bar around late evening.
There’s more. The Kirin 960 processor is also there to support the Hybrid Zoom. It sounds technical, but all you need to know is that they use the 20 MP monochrome sensor to deliver more details and less noise when taking a shot through the 12 MP camera. Everything works together like a well-oiled machine with the 4-1 Hybird focus and Optical Image Stabilisation to deliver the next level in mobile photography.
And, of course, the Mate 9 will also support 4K video recording with H.265 codec technology with video file compression up to 50%.
Made With The User In Mind
Dual sim is a no brainer, but Huawei goes further. They will be introducing Dual Instant Messaging, meaning double Whatsapp and Facebook apps on one phone. All you need to do is a quick tap on the settings page, and managing your online communication and social media has never been easier.
There’s also the Smart Touch fingerprint sensor on the rear. The placement is apt, making it easy for users to unlock the phone without an additional step. A simple design detail that goes a long way.
There are currently only plans to bring in the Huawei Mate 9 into Singapore. Exact release date and retail price are to be confirmed.
