Huawei Mate 9 phones unveiled

[deany]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-37859403

• "they can be fitted with a microSD card, offering up to two terabytes of extra storage."

•"They are both powered by a new chip - the Kirin 960, which was designed by Huawei itself.

It says it is the fastest smartphone processor to date."


Kirin 960 v iPhone 7 A10
http://www.trustedreviews.com/news/huawei-kirin-960-speed-power-battery-performance-specs

 

[Aneres11]

Looks nice.

The end of the article where they talk about a 'softer OS' that isn't as geared to the Chinese market has piqued my interest.
The Huawei skin found on their current devices is definitely not for me, so this is one to watch for sure.
Wonder how the camera performs?

 

[Tsepz]

It looks great, I like how Huawei has consistently improved the Mate series.

Its not as big of an upgrade from the Mate 8 as I expected, but they did just enough.

Interesting they stuck to 4GB RAM like Google, Samsung, LG and HTC did with their 2016 flagships while the Chinese OEMs went with 6GB RAM. Makes me glad I didn't wait for the Mate9 and went with S7 Edge

I do wish Huawei would leave the HD1080P panel and go 2K though, its almost 2017, and the Mate 9 won't be cheap, I am also disappointed to see there is no IP68 protection.

 

[co.ag.2005]

I'm actually very interested in this phone to use as a backup to my 7+ and for a "tablet" like experience for reading and light gaming. But, the price point a bit steep for me given it's a backup device.

 

[deany]

OMG I just noticed at 00.31s the word Leica

along with Hasselblad renowned to be the BEST.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-37859403

Steve Jobs famously compare the iPhone 4 to a Leica camera.

at 4mins 40s

https://www.cnet.com/videos/apples-steve-jobs-in-his-own-words/ (please excuse the 15 sec ads worth the wait).

 

[MRU]

OMG I just noticed at 00.31s the word Leica

along with Hasselblad renowned to be the BEST.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-37859403

Steve Jobs famously compare the iPhone 4 to a Leica camera.

at 4mins 40s

https://www.cnet.com/videos/apples-steve-jobs-in-his-own-words/ (please excuse the 15 sec ads worth the wait).

Just because it's branded Leica doesn't mean it's a Leica lens. Just like the P9, they will likely just use a Sony lens / sensor and licence Leica branding equating to some minor Leica software features / optimisations.

Much like the Hasselblad Moto Mod for the Moto Z range, is branded Hasselblad but is once behind the brand name hides just another Sony sensor yet again ...

As someone with a proper €16,000 Hasselblad digital back with various expensive Leica lenses, I do know a little about cameras - so word of precaution, please don't fall into the trap assuming that just because Huawei here are licencing the Leica brand name on the device; reality is it does not equate to actually utilising hardware from that company unfortunately.

That's not to say you won't get a decent camera, the P9 (Leica branded) and Honor 8 (no Leica branding) both made by Huawei and both using exactly same camera lens / sensors - the Leica branding essentially just brought an addition preset optimisation mode and artificial kudos for using Leica association, were at least cameras. So I'm sure the Mate 9 will have a good camera - the Leica name is only there for kudos.

 

[deany]

Just because it's branded Leica doesn't mean it's a Leica lens. Just like the P9, they will likely just use a Sony lens / sensor and licence Leica branding equating to some minor Leica software features / optimisations.

Much like the Hasselblad Moto Mod for the Moto Z range, is branded Hasselblad but is once behind the brand name hides just another Sony sensor yet again ...

As someone with a proper €16,000 Hasselblad digital back with various expensive Leica lenses, I do know a little about cameras - so word of precaution, please don't fall into the trap assuming that just because Huawei here are licencing the Leica brand name on the device; reality is it does not equate to actually utilising hardware from that company unfortunately.

That's not to say you won't get a decent camera, the P9 (Leica branded) and Honor 8 (no Leica branding) both made by Huawei and both using exactly same camera lens / sensors - the Leica branding essentially just brought an addition preset optimisation mode and artificial kudos for using Leica association, were at least cameras. So I'm sure the Mate 9 will have a good camera - the Leica name is only there for kudos.

Thanks for the reply, and kudos for owning a camera made by the same company as used for the Apollo Moon missions, you wont get a better advert than that - ever.
Cheers

 

[Sensamic]

I really like it. Will check it out once it hit the stores to see if I could adjust to that huge size on a daily basis.

The new skin is miles better: app drawer, better notification panel, etc.

Has almost everything I want. Battery life must be insane on this thing.

 

[deany]

I really like it. Will check it out once it hit the stores to see if I could adjust to that huge size on a daily basis.

The new skin is miles better: app drawer, better notification panel, etc.

Has almost everything I want. Battery life must be insane on this thing.

Yes looks good if they can get the price right.
I think battery is a minimum of two days so double iPhone in my experience.
Android is looking more and more compelling as I said on another thread.
(100% iPhone user for nine years)

 

[MRU]

Huawei is bad phone

Wow thanks for that in depth analysis.:

 

[deany]

Huawei is bad phone

no need to explain why we will just take your word for it and NEVER buy Huawei even if our life depends on it.
Thanks for the review.

 

[C DM]

It's my pleasure)

Sounds like you overlooked the sarcasm there.

 

[5105973]

There is also going to be a Porsche version that's smaller at 5.5". http://www.androidcentral.com/huawe...urce=ac&_ga=1.203973008.1401631388.1478732755


It's beautiful and for once lucky Europeans will be able to get it while folks in the USA will not. No mention of availability in Canada or for the many countries south of the USA. I'd imagine anyone who wants a luxury model like this would simply import it on their own when at all possible.

I think it's very pretty but oddly enough reminds me a lot of the LG V20 on the back and my HTC 10 mixed with a Note 7 on the front. I think this is one you'd have to have in hand to truly appreciate.
[doublepost=1479056149][/doublepost]

no need to explain why we will just take your word for it and NEVER buy Huawei even if our life depends on it.
Thanks for the review.

Agh, Deany you made me laugh and choke on my iced tea!

 

[deany]

There is also going to be a Porsche version that's smaller at 5.5". http://www.androidcentral.com/huawe...urce=ac&_ga=1.203973008.1401631388.1478732755


It's beautiful and for once lucky Europeans will be able to get it while folks in the USA will not. No mention of availability in Canada or for the many countries south of the USA. I'd imagine anyone who wants a luxury model like this would simply import it on their own when at all possible.

I think it's very pretty but oddly enough reminds me a lot of the LG V20 on the back and my HTC 10 mixed with a Note 7 on the front. I think this is one you'd have to have in hand to truly appreciate.
[doublepost=1479056149][/doublepost]
Agh, Deany you made me laugh and choke on my iced tea!

Hi Grumps

Nice one! good to hear from you.

 

[AppleRobert]

Anyone rocking this smartphone, the Honor 8 is pretty dang good for the price. I assume the KIRIN 960 Processor blows it away though.

 

[IowaLynn]

Had my Mate 9 since Wednesday and loving it. Nearly same dimensions as 6S+ but lighter and does so by having screen close to edge to edge. Wider for me I'd easier to hold.

Be interesting to see once 7.1.1+ is out but 7.0 is huge improvement. Still finding features and options. And that camera.

 

[MindsEye]

Have a few Q's that i hope someone with the Mate 9 Regular or Pro can help answer.

How is app compatibility with the Kirin 960?

What is your opinion of EMUI 5.0? (e.g. look, speed, responsiveness ect) does it hold up well next to stock?

Lastly how is the battery life?

Trying to decide between the Pro or the One Plus 3T. Although the Pro is more expensive it does seem to be a little more future proof.

 

[IowaLynn]

I have Mate P so 4GB not 6, and 950. I LOVE EMUI 5.0

Battery, no longer have to keepy eye peeled.
The Pro is 5.5' and I appreciate the 5.9 too much to go back.
After three AMOLD screen phones, the 1080 for me is easier, I'm 70 so my eyes are weaker and EMUI has nice adjustments.

For web, can't beat Ghostery, fast works perfect.

 

[AppleRobert]

Well I must have spent an hour with it this morning at BB and I really like it. I would pull the trigger if it was cheaper, I got the 6p when it went on sale at BB.

The SD 835 is upcoming and I know I must consider any device equipped with that will probably cost even more so maybe. And the OP 3T is out of stock unless I buy that one from swappa.

 

[MindsEye]

I have Mate P so 4GB not 6, and 950. I LOVE EMUI 5.0

Battery, no longer have to keepy eye peeled.
The Pro is 5.5' and I appreciate the 5.9 too much to go back.
After three AMOLD screen phones, the 1080 for me is easier, I'm 70 so my eyes are weaker and EMUI has nice adjustments.

For web, can't beat Ghostery, fast works perfect.

Cheers for the feedback glad you're enjoying the phone, the 5.9 does look like quite a beast.

 

[kazmac]

wow, I may have to jump to Cricket and Huawei. Seeing some very nice reviews of the Honor 8 online. Nice to see some of their phones being available here in the States.

 

[AppleRobert]

I caved, the Mate 9 is quite the beast and will do nicely until the Samsung 8 which will not be out till April anyways.

 

[Aneres11]

We've had a guy coming into CPW every week asking about the Mate 9 for a few weeks now after his Note 7 had to be returned.

Finally, we got some stock, but online only and only to buy sim free.

He pulled the trigger last saturday and got it delivered to his house.
He came in today on the off chance we'd have some accessories (we didn't, sadly) but he let me have a little look at the Mate 9.

What a beast of a device!
The screen is absolutely huge, but when I put my 7 Plus on top of it, the 7 is bigger!
Damn bezel.

Really liked the phone, seemed like a power house.

 

[Tsepz]

We've had a guy coming into CPW every week asking about the Mate 9 for a few weeks now after his Note 7 had to be returned.

Finally, we got some stock, but online only and only to buy sim free.

He pulled the trigger last saturday and got it delivered to his house.
He came in today on the off chance we'd have some accessories (we didn't, sadly) but he let me have a little look at the Mate 9.

What a beast of a device!
The screen is absolutely huge, but when I put my 7 Plus on top of it, the 7 is bigger!
Damn bezel.

Really liked the phone, seemed like a power house.

Indeed!

Huawei did a great job. A phone with 5.9inch almost the same size as the 5.5.inch iPhone 7 Plus.

Considering the large difference in screen size if the displays im surprised the Mate 9 manages to be only slightly wider and thicker than the 7 Plus, while being shorter

It gets even MORE interesting when you compare the 5.5inch Mate 9 Pro with 5.5inch display (same size as 7 Plus) to the iPhone 7 Plus, the Mate 9 Pro is much smaller, just look at the difference in body-to-screen ratios, great job by Huawei

 

[AppleRobert]

FYI.

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Huaw...ne-7-Plus-Galaxy-S7-Edge-and-Pixel-XL_id90599

Me likes.