Just like last year, Huawei released 3 versions of their top tier phone, a standard, a Pro and a luxurious Porsche Design version. The three of them live up to the Mate Series legacy of big screens, big battery, big performance. Building up from last year, the Mate series upgraded the Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities (something that Apple borrowed from them) and also introduced glass construction.
Huawei Mate 10
This is the smallest and most affordable of the group and probably the one that will see the widest availability in international markets. This year all models have glossy glass construction on the front and back with a metallic frame holding the panels together, there is a horizontal matte strip at the camera that gives the Mate series a unique distinction from the sea of glass devices. This standard version comes with a 5.9 inches just like last year but the bezels are much smaller now. The device isn’t bezel-less like the 18:9 devices we have been seeing lately (That was reserved for the pro), but it has significantly reduced bezels. It retains the 16:9 aspect ratio and comes with QHD resolution and front mounted fingerprint sensor. The screen also supports the highly acclaimed HDR10 tech for superior colours and contrast, it is however, an LCD variant.
What Huawei is most proud of is the Kirin 970 processor. It comes with a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) that has machine learning capabilities for enhanced AI features. Most essential actions in the device will have an AI aspect attached to it like camera zooming. The processor is 25% more powerful than its predecessor and the new Mali G72 MP12 is a whopping 4X the raw power of last year’s Mali G71. Both are more energy efficient, up to 8X less battery draw from the GPU. They are assisted by 4GB RAM and 64GB internal.
Battery life is always a priority of the Mate series, this time, they have retained a 4000mAh battery which should be super long lasting considering the devices energy efficient internals and the Android 8 Oreo running under the AI-heavy EMUI 8.0. Fast charge has been implemented under the company’s SuperCharge technology, it promises a full day’s charge in just 20 minutes.
The device comes with Projection mode which turns your phone into a desktop computer experience by simply connecting it to a monitor via the USB-C to Display port. Unlike Samsung Dex, no additional adapters are required. Speaking of ports, the 3.5mm audio jack port is still present and so is the MicroSD slot which is of the hybrid variant (can either accommodate a SIM card or an SD card).
The device will cost 700 Euros ($823 KSh 79,999 in Kenya) and will be on shelves by mid-November.
Huawei Mate 10 Pro
This one is just like the Standard Mate 10 apart from a few changes, it has a full screen display with an 18:9 aspect ratio. It is of the AMOLED type. The resolution is however lower at Full HD which is strange for a pro version but a great move for battery-conscious customers. The screen is HR10 enabled as well.
The camera, internals, battery and software are all similar to the Standard Mate 10. Oddly, the pro neither has a 3.5mm audio jack nor a Micro SD slot, but as a consolation, you get IP67 dust and water resistance plus an extra version with 6GB RAM, 128GB internal storage. The Pro will cost 800 Euros ($940, KSh 89,999 in Kenya)
Huawei Mate 10 Porsche Design
This one is the luxury version which comes with a design that is a bit different, the camera section has a vertical strip instead of a horizontal one like in the Standard and Pro variants.
It comes in an 18:9 aspect ratio AMOLED screen. The internal storage is set at 256GB and 6GB RAM. Everything else is similar to the Pro version (yes audio jack and Micro SD slot are missing here as well). As usual , Porsche Design products come with a higher price tag, this version will go for 1400 Euros ($!640).
New Accessories
Huawei also launched three accessories: the EnVizion 360 Camera, SuperCharge Power Bank, and Smart Scale.
- The EnVizion 360 Camera can shoot 5K photos and 360-degree 2K videos with multiple viewing modes. The content is sharable across their social media channels.
- Huawei’s SuperCharge Power Bank supports a 4.5V / 5A low-voltage fast charge.
- The Smart Scale can monitor and analyze health information such as body fat percentage and Body Mass Index through a mobile app.