Huawei unveils dual-lens P9 and P9 Plus with support from Leica
Huawei has unveiled its two latest flagship devices for 2016 and it does indeed looks like seriously taking on rivals Samsung and even Apple with what can be termed as the first-of-its-kind dual lens camera phone.
Slimmer than the iPhone 6S, more powerful than the Galaxy S7, the Huawei P9 series looks like it is finally ready to take on the smartphone giants.
If until yesterday, Samsung's Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge was considered as the smartphones with the most powerful cameras, Huawei is looking to change the game with the new release.
In a first of its kind initiative, it has fitted its devices with dual-lens camera, with each camera performing two different roles. While one camera is equipped with an RGB lens to take colour images, the second camera has a monochrome sensor, and only takes black and white images. The advanced algorithm built into the camera then combines the two to produce what Huawei claims takes smartphone photography to the next level.
If some of the pictures presented by Huawei as captured by the smartphone camera can be considered as examples, it could well give the Galaxy S7 a run for its money. While the RGB sensor is expected to capture rich colours, the monochrome sensor will capture more details in an image which the former could miss out, it is claimed
"Huawei’s Hybrid Focus technology, the P9 captures images with superior speed, accuracy and stability. The P9 supports camera focusing based on three methodologies – laser, depth calculation and contrast – and automatically selects the one that yields the best result in any given environment.
"The camera can shoot better in low light with a 1.25m pixel size of the dual 12 MP cameras and take professional class photography in all conditions with the P9's ImageSmart 5.0 technology," says the note by Huawei describing its features.
“Huawei is excited to give P9 users the best smartphone photography experience by leveraging the unrivalled capabilities of Leica, the leader in the world of imaging for more than 100 years,” said Richard Yu, CEO, Huawei Consumer Business Group.
Huawei's strategy is clear, the next big thing in a smartphone would be the incorporation of professional level photography and Huawei has decided to move ahead with its dual camera strategy.
“Consumers around the world use their smartphones to take billions of pictures each year, making photography critical to user experience. P9 users can now capture images with unmatched clarity, richness and authenticity, with a masterfully designed and powerful smartphone that looks and feels incredible.”
The Chinese OEM's association with the leading camera brand Leica could well be more of incorporating the latter's quality and standard within the camera segment.
Oliver Kaltner, CEO of Leica was on stage explaining the company's collaboration with Huawei and he stressed on the fact that better lenses mean better pictures and how the P9 smartphone co-engineeed with Leica could change the game with regard to smartphone photography.
Features wise the two devices - the 5.2 inch P9 and the 5.5 inch P9 Plus comes with Kirin 955 2.5GHz 64- bit ARM-based processor. While the P9 has a 3,000mAh battery, the P9 Plus has a more powerful 3,400mAh battery and according to Huawei ,both devices can last almost two days of regular use. The P9 Plus also offers dual-IC Rapid Charge, allowing users six hours of talk time after a 10-minute charge.
With a fingerprint scanner for protection, Huawei has designed the smartphones with a triple-antenna architecture allowing more advanced cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity.
Huawei has announced that both devices will roll out into the market on April 16 and UAE and Oman will be aiming to be among the first set of countries where the device will be rolled out. Huawei has priced the 3GB RAM and 32GB version of P9 at €599 while the 4GB Ram and 64 GB version at €649. The P9 Plus is priced at €749. Expect the prices in the UAE to be a bit lower and around Dh2500 and Dh3000.