More power with Huawei's new Mate 20 Series

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Gene Jiao, Saeed Hareb and Issam Kazim at the launch of Huawei Mate20 Series in Dubai on Wednesday. — Photo by Juidin Bernarrd
Gene Jiao, Saeed Hareb and Issam Kazim at the launch of Huawei Mate20 Series in Dubai on Wednesday. - Photo by Juidin Bernarrd

Dubai - The Mate 20 Series - which includes the Mate 20, Mate 20 Pro and Porsche Design Mate 20 RS - is Huawei's second major launch this year.

By Alvin R. Cabral

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Published: Wed 24 Oct 2018, 10:00 PM

Last updated: Thu 25 Oct 2018, 12:49 AM

Huawei Consumer Business Group (CBG) unveiled its newest flagship range in Dubai on Wednesday, with artificial intelligence and imaging once again at the forefront, plus a new take on power.
The Mate 20 Series - which includes the Mate 20, Mate 20 Pro and Porsche Design Mate 20 RS - is Huawei's second major launch this year, the follow-up to the P20 Series that was launched last March.
Shenzhen, China-headquartered Huawei has been known to deliver smartphones with lower prices compared to its rivals, coupled with a number of industry-first features, most notably the triple-lens camera system it introduced with the P20 Pro.
This has been a factor in helping it climb to the No.2 spot in the rankings of biggest smartphone vendors globally, finally surpassing Apple and trailing only Samsung Electronics.
For the Mate 20 Pro, Huawei retained the triple-lens camera. And while also introducing wireless charging for the first time on its device, Huawei added reverse wireless charging; the Mate 20 Pro can act as a power bank for other compatible devices. And aside from 3D face unlock, it also has an in-screen fingerprint scanner.
"Through innovative features... the Huawei Mate 20 Series aims to empower users by responding to their daily needs and allowing them to fully immerse into today's digital world," Gene Jiao, president of Huawei CBG in the Middle East and Africa, said in a statement.
At the event, Jiao said: "We keep creating and keep innovating because we believe this is key for us to move forward."
He also stressed understanding market-specific requirements in order for its devices to appeal further, based on one of their philosophies: "We think globally, but act locally."
Jiao was joined at the event by Saeed Hareb, secretary-general of the Dubai Sports Council (DSC). Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, also graced the event.
Hareb also announced the second year of collaboration between Huawei and the DSC, as the former will be the official presenting partner of the Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup. "Huawei is a brand that is a strong supporter of the UAE government's innovation vision, as well as community initiatives and they are as passionate as we are about connecting people through sports and other activities, and moments that unite the region," Hareb said in a statement.
"[Huawei is] an active partner in a number of other events and activities as well."
Hareb added at the event that the collaboration will have a "good result not only for ourselves but also for all involved".
The Mate 20 Pro, the main highlight of the series, comes with the latest iteration of Huawei's proprietary chipset, the 7-nanometre Kirin 980.
The company had earlier revealed that compared to the 10-nanometre 970, the new processor provides 75 per cent better performance and 58 per cent improved power efficiency. Graphics would perform 48 per cent better and power efficiency has been improved 178 per cent.
Image signal processing, meanwhile, is pegged to be 46 per cent faster and 23 per cent more power-efficient.
The Mate 20 and Mate 20 Pro are priced at Dh2,599 and Dh3,299, respectively. And there's a reason why Huawei has been able to keep its prices lower than its rivals.
"Because our vision compared to other companies is different. Our vision is to focus on end-user experience," David Wang, UAE country manager at Huawei Consumer Business Group, told Khaleej Times in an interview after the launch. "That's the reason why we can come up with really reasonable prices."
Another factor for this, he added, is the fact that since Huawei is a private company, "we do not need to answer to the requests of the stockholders".
Good money is earmarked to come up with its innovations.
"We are now investing more than 10 per cent of our sales revenue in research and development," Wang says. "This is the reason why we can introduce the latest technologies in our devices. We don't position ourselves as just a manufacturer but, more importantly, an innovator of the industry." Wang says Huawei believes that the next wave in mobile technology will be driven by AI, AI camera and fast charging, all of which Huawei has introduced in its devices.
As for the UAE, it is once again one of the first markets to get the new Huawei phones, and Wang pointed out several factors why the country has evolved into an important sector for the company.
"The UAE has always been an innovation country. People here are open and curious about technologies," he says.
"Consumers are also well-educated and always keep their passion in technology."
Pre-orders for the Huawei Mate 20 Series start today; it will hit UAE shelves on November 8. The company also unveiled the new Huawei Watch GT, which starts at Dh799.
The lowdown: Huawei Mate 20 Pro
>Processor - HiSilicon Kirin 980, octa-core
>RAM/Storage - 6GB/128GB, expandable up to 256GB
>Display - 6.39" Amoled capacitive touchscreen, 3120 x 1440, 539ppi, 88% screen-to-body ratio
>Platform - Android 9.0 Pie, EMUI 9.0 . Main camera - Leica triple-lens system: 40MP wide (f/1.8) + 20MP ultra-wide (f/2.2) + 8MP telephoto (f/2.4)
>Front camera - 24MP (f/2.0)
>Battery - 4200mAh, 40W Super Charge (70% in 30 minutes), 15W Wireless Quick Charge, reverse wireless charging
>Biometrics - 3D Face Unlock, in-screen fingerprint
 >Price - Dh3,299
alvin@khaleejtimes.com


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