Fans are now looking forward to the global release of Huawei's new flagship, as the Mate 9 has become official as a full lineup.
In a press statement, Huawei has confirmed that the new Mate 9 has both base model version and a top-tier, premium variant in collaboration with Porsche. Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei Consumer Business Group, summarized the launch: "We know that for today's business users, a fast and functional smartphone is just the beginning. Consumers also want a gorgeous design and intuitive features, so we created two new devices at the forefront of hardware and software innovation. The result is the new Mate Series, breathtakingly new, inside and out."
The release of the Huawei Mate 9 has finally confirmed conflicting rumors on the new flagship. Previously, it is said that the lineup will be released only with a flat-screened display. However, the full lineup has a step-up version, with a dual-edge, 5.5-inch display with full HD resolution. Other confirmed specs for the new flagship include the new Kirin 960 chipset, paired with 4 GB of RAM, and 64 GB of storage. The premium Porsche edition, on the other hand, features 6 GB of RAM and up to 256 GB of onboard storage.
Although Huawei has indirectly said it, the launch of the Mate 9 also took a jab at the discontinued Samsung Galaxy Note 7. One of the noted improvements for the new flagship is a new Supercharge technology that "offers real-time voltage, current and temperature monitoring to eliminate safety hazards and safeguard battery life."
Also confirmed is the rumored new dual cam setup, again co-engineered by imaging giant Leica. The new main camera houses a duo of 20-MP and 12-MP optics, with other premium features like hybrid zoom and OIS.
The global launch of the Huawei Mate 9 is also expected, with pricing and availability for regions — including the US, fans hope — to be announced soon.
