Huawei has just unleashed its newest flagship, Huawei P9 to the world at a just closed London launch event. Undoubtedly, its biggest focus this time around is photography but not in the typical fashion we've seen from other flagship successors. It appears that with the P9, Huawei is set to revolutionize smartphone photography this is even more evident since the manufacturer has announced its partnership with Leica, which is a legendary camera-maker. Huawei P9 is packed with a ton of camera features bundled with its dual-camera panel that make it feel more of camera-phone than a phone with a camera.However there is more to this new device than just the Leica influence and the dual camera array. Here is an in-depth look at some of the P9's major features as well as fact you may have missed.
1. It comes with more than just two cameras
Huawei P9 as aforementioned comes with a dual camera setup on the back that is co-engineered in partnership with Leica, with each camera delivering 12 megapixel. One of the cameras features a monochrome – black and white sensor, whilst the other boasts a traditional RGB color sensor. Huawei promises that thanks to this combo, the camera draws in three times more light compared to an equivalent single sensor setup, thus generating pictures with 50 percent as much contrast.Bundled with the dual camera array is a laser autofocus system, which gives users more than enough options to keep subjects within sharp focus. These lasers are vital for up close pics. As for distance, the P9 calculates depth details based on the images produced by both the monochrome and the color cameras.According to Huawei, all this is backed by a one of a kind dedicated dual-core image signal processor specially built for handling depth information.
2. Wide aperture mode
Huawei first introduced the wide aperture mode with the Honor 6 Plus, and now it appears that they have brought it back with the Huawei P9. Because of the P9's ability to photos that capture depth information, it simplifies the simulation of the effects within the software in the exact same way that HTC did with the introduction of the duo camera found at the back of the HTC One M8.This can be accomplished launching the camera app, choosing the wide aperture mode and then tap to focus, thereafter adjust the slider to select a range between f/0.95 and f/16. This is simply an a calculation made by the dual camera system based on the captured depth information.Most of the time it is accurate but it can change when translucent objects or softer subjects are used.
3. Latest Huawei processor
Like with its previous flagship the Huawei Mate 8 and its other top-end phones, Huawei has once again used its very own Kirin CPU. The only difference is that the debut of the Huawei P9 device saw the company upgrade the Kirin version from the 950 chipset found in the Mate 8, to a new Kirin 955 chip. Similarly this new chip is based on a manufacturing process built on a powerful 16nm FinFET, though the clock speeds have increased with its four powerful ARM Cortex A-72 standing at 2.5GHz, while its less powerful Cortex-A53 cores are up to 1.8GHz.
4. USB Type-C
While we are still transitioning from the usual micro-USB to the new USB Type-C, Huawei makes their first move towards the relatively new reversible USB port by featuring it on the P9. Apparently, this type of USB allows for faster charging, although the integrated charging brick has a 5V/2A maximum. It was confirmed that the standard P9 doesn't formally support quick charges at higher voltages, but we will soon find out if with the right charger, it can allow charging at up to 3A like its half sibling, Nexus 6P.Huawei also did not mention if the new smartphone comes with support for USB 3.1 or not.
5. There is also a P9 Plus
Along with Huawei P9, the company also announced the month of May will also see the Huawei P9 Plus launch in Asia and Europe. As you'd expect, the Huawei P9 Plus is seemingly a bigger version of the normal P9 device. Boasting a larger 5.5 inch AMOLED display, the P9 Plus is backed by a similar 1080p resolution, as well as a number of other impressive upgrades to its hardware. Equipped with a larger storage and RAM, the P9 Plus will come bundling 64GB in internal storage along with 4GB of RAM compared to the base P9 model which offers a 32GB storage and 3GB RAM. Additionally, its incorporated with stereo speaker as well.Furthermore, the phone's battery has been boosted up to an adequate 3,400mAh with Huawei also attaching an IR blaster into the top panel to enable you to control your TV.At the back, you'll find the same dual camera along with a fingerprint reader just like the one on the smaller edition.
6. Launch is set for later in April for Asia and Europe
Customers across Europe and Asia, will see the Huawei P9 reach their regions later this month.The regular P9 device edition with 3GB will be available for purchase on April 16 with a set price of €599, whereas the 4GB variant will cost you €649. However if you are eyeing the bigger P9 Plus, Huawei is set to release it on the same day at a buying price of €749.Do you have plans to grab yourself either the Huawei P9 or the P9 Plus? Let us know in the comments.
