Introduction
Huawei continues its rise in the smartphone maker ranks, and the Mate 9 is its latest flagship phablet. As such, it shows everything the company is capable of, both regarding design and hardware.
And you're most likely here reading this to see if it's any good. Worry not, we'll answer all of your burning questions in a little while.
First, let's check the at-a-glance list of Huawei Mate 9's main strong points.
Key specifications
5.9"1920x1080 pixels
20MP2160p
2.4GHzHisilicon Kirin 960
4GB RAM64 GB memory
4000mAhLi-Po
It deserves a mention that Huawei launched the Mate 9 in two versions - a super premium Porsche Design one, and the regular version, which we're reviewing.
It's evident that the Huawei Mate 9's DNA is that of a classic Huawei phablet. It packs a large 5.9" display and an ample 4,000mAh battery to go with it. All of this comes in a premium-built aluminum body.
The Huawei-Leica partnership continues with this premium phablet. This time around, they've joined forces on a 20MP/12MP dual-camera setup featuring OIS and 4-in-1 autofocus. You bet 4K video recording is on the menu, too unlike the Huawei P9, which premiered the dual camera setup.
Design and build quality
The Huawei Mate 9 will delight you with its exquisite design. It is mature looking, and you're left with the feeling that its looks have been the product of many hours spent on the drawing board.
However, there's no getting away from the fact that it's big and heavy. At 190 grams it's 2 grams heavier than the iPhone 7 Plus. While at it, we ought to give credit to Huawei for managing to pack a 5.9" display in a body that's 1.3mm shorter and just a millimeter wider than the iPhone 7 Plus.
The build quality is surely premium, but it also feels quite slippery on its own - a pleasure to handle it may be, but make sure you handle with care.
Good thing then, that a bumper cover comes bundled in the retail box.