There was a time when choosing a smartphone consisted of deciding between an iPhone or a Samsung. In the last few years we’ve seen the likes of Lumia, Sony, HTC and LG throw their hats into the ring and produce phones that compete with the two gadget giants. In the last few weeks we’ve seen a new Samsung enter the fray, an HTC One M9 launched and in the next few weeks a the rumoured LG G4 will make her appearance.
Chinese manufacturer Huawei has been knocking at the door for some time, releasing phones with similar specs to compete with the bigger brands while beating them on price points (got to love those Chinese imports).
Today in London, Huawei announced their latest flagship, the Huawei Ascend P8. It’s super skinny at 6.4mm. Huawei’s biggest downfall in the past was that the aesthetics of their phones were, well, cheap and plastic. They’ve upped the game a bit with the P8 using premium materials with an aluminium unibody and offering up a very similar look to that of the iPhone 6. However the phone manufacturer says this won’t effect the pricing we’ve come to expect from Huawei. I’m presuming they took a knock in profit margins to try compete with the big boys then? There’s a 5.2″ display with 78.3% screen-to-body ratio… they’d like you to know that that is industry leading, by the way. I’m not sure it matters.
The specs are pretty decent. A 13MP rear camera, 8MP front facing camera and, just for Matty, a host of “selfie” features that include being able to get great architecture shots in low light (for those selfie backgrounds) and a selfie fix that will remove all the things about your face you might not like. The phone brags a 2680 mAh battery (with quick charge!) which should give you a day of heavy usage and if you don’t choose to Instagram all of your food you’ll likely get a day and a half out of it. They’ve added lots of bells and whistles, some fun features and, for the most part, it’s a really impressive phone. This is mainly because Huawei have costed it at around the R7000-R8000 mark.
But in true “we’ll do what those other (Apple) guys did” form, Huawei didn’t only announce the P8 but also the P8 Max. Smartphone manufacturers seem to feel rather strongly that bigger is better. The P8 Max’s biggest selling point is the battery. It’s a 4360 mAh battery and the marketing folk assure me you can actually watch downloaded video for over 10 consecutive hours… but until I’ve done it, the jury’s out. It has a 6.2″ screen so you can toss out your tablet. The screen is an HD JDI screen which makes it the largest in-cell FHD screen in the world. It’s a beast, utilising the same DX19 high thermal conductivity alloy found in some luxury automobiles to avoid overheating. Again, I’m not sure this is a really big deal but it’s a fun fact to throw out at dinner parties while you look ridiculous with your giant phone bulging out your pocket.
For the most part I like what Huawei has done here. Their P8 presentation consisted of a lot of “this is better than the S6 and iPhone 6” graphics and I like their ballsy nature. They had more than 700 media at the P8’s London launch. Clearly they want a slice of the Apple and Samsung Pie.
Expect the phones to land on SA Shores around mid June, just a few weeks after the HTC One M9 becomes available to the local crowd. The true question is, would the Apple loyal leave their beloved brand for this Chinese (not really but sort of) copy?
Last Updated: April 16, 2015
Captain JJ the flash noob
April 16, 2015 at 09:05
I hate when I switch on my camera and the front facing one is on.
My face; O_o
Her Highness the Hipster
April 16, 2015 at 09:13
SAME! scares the bejeezus out of me.
Captain JJ the flash noob
April 16, 2015 at 09:13
Haha!
Admiral Chief asked for this
April 16, 2015 at 09:15
I’d get the fright of my life if my reflection looks like yours as well!
Captain JJ the flash noob
April 16, 2015 at 09:17
Hey!
Wait. You have a point.
Admiral Chief asked for this
April 16, 2015 at 09:18
Could have been worse, you could have had Rince’s reflection!
Captain JJ the flash noob
April 16, 2015 at 09:19
Well, looking into a “mirror” and seeing someone else is pretty terrifying. No matter who it is. When I’m drunk I see Terminator, so that’s okay.
Admiral Chief asked for this
April 16, 2015 at 09:19
Come with yourself if you want to live
Captain JJ the flash noob
April 16, 2015 at 09:20
LOL
That, uhm, sounds wrong.
RinceThis
April 16, 2015 at 09:33
Um 0_O
RinceThis
April 16, 2015 at 09:33
Um 0_O
Hammersteyn
April 16, 2015 at 09:19
He has a reflection? oh wait, he’s not a vampire. He’s something worse.
Admiral Chief asked for this
April 16, 2015 at 09:20
The soulless have reflections
RinceThis
April 16, 2015 at 09:33
No we bloody well don’t!
RinceThis
April 16, 2015 at 09:33
No we bloody well don’t!
Hammersteyn
April 16, 2015 at 09:16
Same here, I’m so ugly I brush my teeth in the kitchen just so that I can avoid the mirror.
Captain JJ the flash noob
April 16, 2015 at 09:17
Haha. Learn from me and stay away from the sink, that thing is reflective also.
Hammersteyn
April 16, 2015 at 09:19
Nah, it’s filled with last weeks dishes.
Captain JJ the flash noob
April 16, 2015 at 09:20
LOL
Blood Emperor Trevor
April 16, 2015 at 09:29
Now you know how everyone else feels. ;P
Blood Emperor Trevor
April 16, 2015 at 09:29
Now you know how everyone else feels. ;P
Blood Emperor Trevor
April 16, 2015 at 09:29
Now you know how everyone else feels. ;P
Captain JJ the flash noob
April 16, 2015 at 09:30
Haha. It’s like that one moment when you see yourself how other people see you. And it’s scary.
RinceThis
April 16, 2015 at 09:32
Can’t blame you with a face like yours *RUNS SCREAMING
Captain JJ the flash noob
April 16, 2015 at 09:33
You’re always so pleasant to hear from. 😉
RinceThis
April 16, 2015 at 09:53
Oh shush. I get as much abuse as you so we are in this together!
Admiral Chief asked for this
April 16, 2015 at 09:55
Rince and JJ….sitting it a tree…..
Man, you must be heartbroken hearing JJ is getting hitched
RinceThis
April 16, 2015 at 09:57
Is he? IS HE?! It’s all a cover!
Dutch Matrix
April 16, 2015 at 10:03
Russian Mail Order Bride?
Kidnapped 18 year old Brunette yankee girl? Ooooohhhh. Liam Neeson is going to murder him in very delicious ways…
Admiral Chief asked for this
April 16, 2015 at 10:05
Crazy Stockholm kicking….
Captain JJ the flash noob
April 16, 2015 at 10:11
Sucker for punishment
Blood Emperor Trevor
April 16, 2015 at 10:00
Note to self: be nicer to JJ
Captain JJ the flash noob
April 16, 2015 at 10:04
Shortly before losing the note 😉
Captain JJ the flash noob
April 16, 2015 at 10:04
Haha. True.
Captain JJ the flash noob
April 16, 2015 at 09:33
You’re always so pleasant to hear from. 😉
RinceThis
April 16, 2015 at 09:32
Can’t blame you with a face like yours *RUNS SCREAMING
Brandon van Reenen
April 16, 2015 at 09:11
I don’t own a Huawei, but I’ve managed to play around with a few of them and they’re fantastic. Heck, even those HiSense phones are pretty decent for what they cost.
Geoffrey Tim
April 16, 2015 at 09:19
Huawei stuff is actually really, really good. The Chinese manufacturers are mostly done creating knock offs, and are ready to affect the market in a big, big way.
Hammersteyn
April 16, 2015 at 09:20
They’ve had lots of practice with those knock-offs
Captain JJ the flash noob
April 16, 2015 at 09:20
They really have stepped up their game, I must agree.
Gavin Mannion
April 16, 2015 at 09:34
They also place snooping devices in all their equipment to steal your porn password #Fact.. #Maybenot
FoxOneZA
May 7, 2015 at 13:51
So does the American Tech companies due to NSA requests :p
Ross Woofels Mason
April 16, 2015 at 13:05
I haven’t used their phones but on both their mobile routers, as well as adsl routers haven been fantastic.
Admiral Chief asked for this
April 16, 2015 at 09:14
Nice write-up Sam
Tech Girl
April 17, 2015 at 11:20
Thanks.
Hammersteyn
April 16, 2015 at 09:17
I don’t like purchasing brands who’s name I can’t pronounce.
Admiral Chief asked for this
April 16, 2015 at 09:18
Hoo a way
Captain JJ the flash noob
April 16, 2015 at 09:21
GO A WAY
Geoffrey Tim
April 16, 2015 at 09:21
Easier, and more correct: Wah-Way.
Captain JJ the flash noob
April 16, 2015 at 09:22
“more correct”
Geoff, the master of politics 😀
Admiral Chief asked for this
April 16, 2015 at 09:22
Wah wah wah WiiiiU
Hammersteyn
April 16, 2015 at 09:23
HAI!
Captain JJ the flash noob
April 16, 2015 at 09:23
So it begins….
Hai!
Hammersteyn
April 16, 2015 at 09:22
I thought it’s How-weigh? Ugh, I don’t want to argue the pronunciation in the pub again.
RinceThis
April 16, 2015 at 10:07
Ben dan ren…
Admiral Chief asked for this
April 16, 2015 at 09:19
I heard that Huawei are showing significant growth currently (33% if I remember correctly)
justlikemo
April 16, 2015 at 09:37
huawei
hu r u
Sageville
April 16, 2015 at 10:09
Sam looks so sad, the phone must be horrible!
Tech Girl
April 17, 2015 at 11:21
It’s just resting bitch face. My go to for selfies.