Disruptive innovation often begins with bold dreams.

During IFA Berlin, Huawei Consumer Business Group introduced its first AI mobile chipset, the Kirin 970. At the same time today in Munich, Huawei announced the HUAWEI Mate 10 Series, which will open the door to new AI mobile applications. The HUAWEI Mate 10, HUAWEI Mate 10 Pro, and Porsche Design HUAWEI Mate 10 are breakthrough AI devices that combine innovative hardware, the Kirin 970 chipset and EMUI 8.0. The HUAWEI Mate 10 Series continues its legacy of superior product performance and long-lasting battery life, while integrating New Leica Dual Camera technology.

“As we enter the age of intelligence, AI is no longer a virtual concept but something that intertwines with our daily life. AI can enhance user experience, provide valuable services and improve product performance,” said Richard Yu, CEO, Huawei Consumer Business Group. “The HUAWEI Mate 10 Series introduces the first mobile AI-specific Neural Network Processing Unit, launching a new era of intelligent smartphones.”

The Kirin 970, is currently the world’s first AI processor for smartphones with a dedicated Neural Network Processing Unit (NPU). Not only is the Mate 10 equipped with this chipset, it also features a 3D Glass Body featuring a barely-there-bezel, HUAWEI FullView Display and HDR10 supported technology for intensely vivid and brighter colors. Whatsmore, TÜV Fast-Charge Safety Certified HUAWEI SuperCharge and 4000 mAh battery with AI-powered Battery Management and new Leica Dual Camera with SUMMILUX-H lenses, with both featuring an aperture of f/1.6, and intelligent photography including AI-powered Real-Time Scene and Object Recognition and AI-powered Bokeh Effect. This is all neatly wrapped up in the easy to use signature interface; an all-new EMUI 8.0 based on Android 8.0.

The HUAWEI Mate 10 and HUAWEI Mate 10 Pro are the first devices powered by the new Kirin 970 processor and deliver AI enhancements for a faster, more customized mobile experience. The Kirin 970 features an octa-core ARM Cortex CPU, a first-to-market Mali-G72 12-core GPU and the first NPU designed specifically for a mobile device.

The specialized NPU, combined with Huawei’s HiAI mobile computing platform, means the Kirin 970 delivers 25x better performance and 50x greater energy efficiency for AI-related tasks, compared to four Cortex-A73 cores.

With an all-new HUAWEI FullView Display, the HUAWEI Mate 10 features a stunning 5.9-inch screen with a 16:9 display, the already mentioned barely-there-bezel and HDR10 to support vivid colors. The 6-inch HUAWEI Mate 10 Pro features an 18:9 OLED display, high screen-to-body ratio and HDR10 for dynamic video viewing.

Huawei has partnered with Leica to co-engineer the dual-lens camera for the HUAWEI Mate 10 Series. They combine 12-megapixel RGB + 20-megapixel monochrome sensors, Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), dual lenses with a large aperture of f/1.6, AI-powered Bokeh Effect and AI-powered Digital Zoom.

The HUAWEI Mate 10 and HUAWEI Mate 10 Pro pack a 4000 mAh high-density battery featuring a smart battery management system that understands user behaviour and intelligently allocates resources to maximize battery life.

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Huawei New Zealand is urging consumers to delay their smartphone upgrade until later this year when the company is expected to launch a new device featuring exciting developments in smartphone technology. This year has seen global smartphone manufacturers, Apple and Samsung, announce the launch of their latest flagship devices. The temptation to upgrade to the newest devices available will undoubtedly have many Kiwis reaching for their wallets, but the world’s second most popular smartphone manufacturer, Huawei Technologies, says consumers should consider delaying their smartphone purchase as they prepare to launch their most advanced business smartphone yet.

Huawei Mate 9

Although the purchase date for Kiwi buyers to get their hands on Huawei’s latest high-end device, the Mate 10, is yet to be confirmed, General Manager of Consumer Business Group Huawei New Zealand Gavin Cheng says smartphone enthusiasts can rest assured that a device set to challenge other new devices will hit New Zealand shelves before the year is up.

With rival smartphone makers’ devices costing a minimum of $1249 NZD and $1599 NZD respectively, the price of upgrading to the latest technology in the smartphone world is no small cost. The HUAWEI Mate 10 will be priced competitively and is set to offer consumers an alternative to the devices currently available from its competitors – with some exciting and unique developments.

At the Berlin IFA this year, Huawei unveiled the powerful new Kirin 970 Artificial Intelligence (AI) feature, which is a key selling point of the Mate 10 and will set the device apart from the competition. While not releasing any specific details, Huawei have said the Mate 10 will be powered by its first ever processer with advanced machine learning algorithm to make the device more user-friendly and efficient.

“Huawei is about to launch into an exciting new era in smartphone development,” says Cheng. “The Kirin 970 is the first announcement in a series for new developments from Huawei that will ultimately seek to improve user experience on smartphones, with significant advancements in AI taking Huawei beyond the competition.”

After surpassing Apple in global smartphone sales this year, Huawei is confident the Mate 10 will also lead in smartphone developments by improving on Apple’s iPhone 8 and X and Samsung’s Note 8. With longer battery life, faster charging speed, and a more advanced camera and photographic experience, the HUAWEI Mate 10 is set to offer a better overall smartphone experience.

“New Zealand consumers would be wise to review all products released to the market this year before making a decision on which smartphone best suits their needs,” recommends Cheng. “The HUAWEI Mate 10 will undoubtedly shake up the New Zealand smartphone market, with more exciting announcements to come.”

Although Huawei are playing their cards close to their chest when it comes to the Mate 10, all information indicates that it will be a game-changer in the smartphone market. Before jumping to purchase one of the new devices on the market, consider waiting until all the major players have brought their product to market – you could find something even better on offer.

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The phone to rule them all… is what I was hoping when the Mate 8 was first announced last year.

Having reviewed and then the bold and proud owner of a Mate 7 the Mate 8 was the shining crown that I was waiting for.

So, is it everything my heart desired?

Well first off those that have owned the Mate 7 or at least eyed one up will see that it is still a phablet, boasting the FHD 6.0 inch size.

The Mate 8 at a quick glance looks extremely similar to it’s predecessor, but, asides from a few aesthetic changes, plugs and ports in different places, the curvature of the Mate 8 is more ergonomic and more snuggly in the hand (or hands).

The finger print sensor is also more user friendly and this even allows you to make payments (if your Banking or Credit Card providor has that service).

The body styling differences are subtle but are welcome.

Where any android phone connoisseur will notice the improvements is when they go under the hood.

Huawei have packed alot of grunt into the slim cased, diamond cut almost non existent bezel phone with a Kirin 950 processor accompanied with 64BIT Architecture and 4GB RAM.

Storage options come in two varieties; 32GB and 64GB. I would have liked to see Huawei adopt the 128GB though. Of course you can expand this via microSD (upto 128GB).

When I’m reviewing an Android phone, I will enter in all of the required setup information, which of course includes Google account information. Google then proceeds to restore all of my apps, and, I guess I can say here I am a power app user with literally 100’s of the tasty micro programs and games that go everywhere with me on whichever handset I am using.

Usually I’ll let Google do it’s thing overnight, as it usually takes a very long time to auto download and install my collection.

The Mate 8 was a surprise. Within only a couple of hours, my 6 or so pages of apps were all there, downloaded and installed at lightning speeds.

Huawei have also managed to make the already beautiful Emotion (EMU) GUI that they overlay on top of the Android OS exquisite.

Bringing a more sharper and defined experience with coloured icons in the top notification bar.

While functionally the interface is still the same and still as super responsive before, it is on par, if not better than Apple’s retina display. The knuckle and finger gestures that we saw in Mate 7 and even P8 are still there, and if you have a one of those super cool Infotainment systems in your car the added Android Auto will see you connected and on the road.

Huawei have ramped up the specs on the camera aswell. With a perfected image stabilizer the 16MP back camera has you snapping or filming like a Pro without the jostling and shaky or blurred visuals other smartphones produce. This is also due to Huawei having an onboard image processor (ISP).

But of course owning a smartphone these days is all about selfies. Huawei have you sorted with the 8MP Selfie camera and a whole myriad of filters which, well, will set the tone for that breathtaking self snap.

Battery performance is outstanding, to almost understate.

On Standby the Mate 8 was able to last up to 5 days without a single charge on moderate to light use. Playing a more graphic intensive game did drain the battery, of course, but we were able to get 4 to 5 hours play before it required a recharge.

Huawei have adopted Fast Charging on the Mate 8 and from almost zero to full charge you would expect to wait around 45 minutes or so. Considering how long the battery will last you on standby, 45 minutes is nothing.

Huawei have also added an Easter Egg into their device, which other smartphone manufacturers tend to have either not thought of or just don’t add.

The Mate 8 is fully equipped for world explorers. They added in more frequency and band recognition to make it easier to latch on and connect to any Global cellular network anywhere in the world. Huawei have always been pushing the envelope in this respect, with the Mate 7 also being a dual sim (and probably the only Dual Sim handset that released on the New Zealand markets commercially).

Pricing on the Mate 8 had me surprised however. At just over 1K it is Huawei’s most expensive device. That said, if you compare to equivalents on the market in both spec and performance it’s still very budgetly priced.

So to answer my question at the start of this review, yes the Mate 8 is all that I hoped for and more. It actually exceeded my expectations.

Huawei’s Mate 8 is more than just another Android phone. If a larger handset gets your juices going, the Mate 8 is a power rocket that not only outshines and outperforms any other handset on the market, but is your fully equipped, highly spec’d ‘mate’ that you shouldn’t be without.

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