Huawei launches ‘flagship’ Mate 9 smartphone in Dubai

Huawei is stepping up its profile in the Middle Eastern smartphone sector after unveiling its ‘flagship’ Mate 9 device at an event in Westin Mina Seyahi Hotel, Dubai on Monday evening.

Targeting ‘on the go’ professionals, the Android-operating phone – which contains dual Sim functionality – debuts the premium Kirin 960 chipset and comes with a 4,000mAh battery designed to provide up to two days of uninterrupted performance and up to 40 per cent more power efficiency.

Business travellers are assured connections to “fastest 4G networks wherever they fly”.

One major bonus is consumers don’t have to wait ages for their phones to recharge with Supercharge, which can provide enough power to watch two full movies within 10 minutes (or up to 58 per cent battery on 30-minute charge). A car accessory is also available.

The Mate 9 is available in space grey, moonlight silver, champagne gold, mocha brown, ceramic white and black.

Huawei displayed a slide showing the Mate 9 is 1mm wider than the iPhone 7 Plus and has a slightly larger screen (5.9 inches compared with 5.5 inches). Holding one outside in the product area, what’s been gained with design may have been lost with handling; the 190g model filled my hand and I found it a little cumbersome, certainly compared with my older iPhone.

But if you’re the sort who likes your screens large and bright, you won’t be disappointed and the imaging looks impressive, featuring a second generation dual-lens camera co-engineered with Leica that provides indoor visibility as good as outdoors.

The device is now available at retailers in the UAE at a price of Dhs2,299.