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1Huawei Hits High-End Market With AI Chip-Equipped Mate 10 Smartphones
Chinese telecommunications company Huawei is targeting the high-end smartphone market with a new line of handsets called the Mate 10. The smartphones, which run the new Android Oreo mobile operating system, come with big screens bordered by narrow bezels all around. They also have powerful camera sensors and, with Kirin 907 processors, should run sophisticated apps with ease. But they also have some design quirks that could turn customers away. While Huawei isn’t explicitly positioning the handsets as competitors to the iPhone or Samsung Galaxy models, they do have high-end features and prices. This slide show will examine the new Huawei Mate 10, Mate 10 Pro and Porsche Design Mate 10 models, including features that are likely to attract and possibly turn away buyers.
2Huawei Is Introducing Three Mate 10 Models
Huawei’s latest smartphone line starts with the Mate 10 base model. The Huawei Mate 10 Pro is slightly higher-end, but has the same basic design as the standard version. The top of the line is the Porsche Design Huawei Mate 10, a modified and more streamlined handset designed in partnership with the iconic sports car maker. Its technical specs are identical to the Mate 10 Pro.
3The Mate 10 Displays Support High-Dynamic Range 10 Technology
The Huawei Mate 10 has a 5.9-inch screen featuring a 16:9 aspect ratio. To deliver more vivid colors, the screen supports high dynamic range 10, or HDR10, technology. The Huawei Mate 10 Pro has a true 6-inch screen that’s extended a bit for an 18:9 aspect ratio. The Mate 10 Pro uses OLED technology and similarly comes with HDR10.
4An Interesting Design Choice
The Huawei Mate 10 features an up-to-date smartphone design with narrow bezels all around. A physical home button is located below the display. With its larger screen size, the Huawei Mate 10 Pro doesn’t have a physical home button. However, its glass display doesn’t cover the entire face like the iPhone X. Rather, there’s a bezel at the bottom.
5Kirin 970 Chipset Delivers Processing Power
Huawei’s handset includes the Kirin 970 processor. The chip has a 10nm process and runs on an octa-core design. The device also has a 12-core GPU, a first for Huawei. The company says the Kirin 970 is optimized to work well with artificial intelligence applications. Huawei is promising industry-leading performance with the Mate 10 line.
6Artificial Intelligence Optimizes Battery Power Consumption
7Mate 10 Handsets Equipped With Leica Camera Lenses
Huawei partnered with Leica for the cameras in the Mate 10 devices. The handsets have dual-lens rear-facing cameras, with one lens featuring 12 megapixels and another delivering 20-megapixel resolution. The cameras also have a motion detector built in that Huawei says will ensure better performance with motion.
8Technology Improves Connectivity, Voice Clarity
The Mate 10 line comes with several connectivity tools to improve call clarity. The devices’ intelligent cell search feature seamlessly connects the smartphones to the cell towers offering the best signal. This artificial intelligence feature also boosts sound volume and intelligently applies noise cancellation to improve sound quality.
9What to Know About the Software
Huawei’s Mate 10 devices will be among the first to run on Android Oreo. However, the smartphone won’t come with a standard Android user interface. Instead, Huawei has added its EMUI user interface, which includes a multicolumn display and smart split screen to improve multitasking. There’s also a navigation dock that lets users quickly call up mobile apps.
10Mate 10 Pro Includes Stronger Water, Dust Protection
11The Mate 10 Will Reach the non-U.S. Market in Mid-October
Huawei has priced the Mate 10 at $824, while the Mate 10 Pro will cost $942 and the Porsche Design Mate 10 will be priced at $1,645. However, Huawei hasn’t yet announced when the models will be available in the U.S. The company has stated the Mate 10 will be available starting in late October in more than 15 other countries and regions, and the Mate 10 Pro will be available in the same countries in mid-November. The Porsche Design Mate 10 will be available in mid-November in countries to be announced later.