Huawei P9 Design & User Experience

Huawei P9 Design & User Experience 


So I've been using the iPhone 6 for nearly two years now, and it has begun to outlive its purpose when photography is concerned. I'm not sure why, but in recent times, I'm unable to really utilize the phone effectively as my camera replacement, sticking back to my Panasonic Lumix or Nikon DSLR for those much needed event shots, until now. Introducing the Huawei P9, the latest from Huawei, a Leica branded camera smartphone for the masses. 


Huawei P9 Design & User Experience
Huawei P9 Design & User Experience 


Huawei P9 Design - Leica Dual Camera Lenses



We all need want a camera that can be with us at all times, where we could reach out for it whenever a need arises to get that perfect shot. Almost always the nearest camera within reach would be our smartphones, and we will need to make do with mediocre images from it. Not anymore, with the Huawei P9, it features the most prestigious photography brand (Leica) and dual camera lenses. The Huawei P9 uses one for an RGB sensor to capture color, and a monochrome sensor to acquire detail. The two outputs are then synthesized to create an exceptionally sharp photo. 

Leica Dual Camera Huawei P9
Leica Dual Camera Huawei P9

When Leica announced it collaborated with Huawei, it made photographers everywhere sit up and take notice. Then we found out the lenses weren't actually by Leica themselves but were co-engineered together with Huawei. The design itself is really well thought out. The phone itself feels well-constructed with aerospace-class aluminium covering. Size-wise, it is slightly larger than my iPhone 6, and measures about the same thickness, which is a feat in itself considering the iPhone 6 was marketed as a really thin phone when it was announced. 


Simple, white packaging houses the Huawei P9
Simple, white packaging houses the Huawei P9
Love the thin profile of the Huawei P9
Love the thin profile of the Huawei P9
Grips well in the palm of my hand
Grips well in the palm of my hand



Sporting a 5.2-inch 1080p display, the P9 runs on a Kirin 955 2.5GHz 64-bit ARM-based processor and is powered by a 3,000mAh battery. I would think the phone itself would be able to hold its stand against most new smartphones in the market, especially with the larger than usual battery capacity. Real life usage however fell slightly short, in terms of the battery life. 


The Huawei P9 uses its own proprietor charger, and not the usual micro usb charger most android devices uses
The Huawei P9 uses its own proprietor charger to charge, and not the usual micro usb charger most android devices uses


Huawei P9 Camera Capabilities & User Experience


Anyway today's posting will be my take on the Huawei P9's camera capabilities as I really liked the fact that it may just replace my usual cameras that I normally take out. How convenient would that be then. My iPhone 6 can't really compare to this latest dual lense camera, but let's have a look at the photos taken. 


From the back, you could clearly see the dual lense on the Huawei P9
From the back, you could clearly see the dual lense on the Huawei P9


The Huawei P9 display is rather bright and sharp, overly sharp in fact but thats the way it is. Under sunlight, the display is still visible and there's where it excels. The Huawei sports a pair of 12MP cameras, delivering 4:3 images measuring 3968×2976 pixels. One nifty feature is the ability to press the power button and immediately go into camera mode if I was shooting before I powered off the device. This makes shooting with the P9 fast and quick. 


A shot I took of the streets of KL with the Huawei P9
A shot I took of the streets of KL with the Huawei P9
Downtown KL, taken with the Huawei P9
Downtown KL, taken with the Huawei P9
KLCC, taken with the Huawei P9
KLCC, taken with the Huawei P9


Image quality wise, I'm pretty satisfied, although it did have a tad too much contrast and saturation as compared to the images taken by my iPhone 6. Coupled with a noticeable noise reduction and a bit of smearing, it lends the images a digital look. Some may prefer this, and it did look a lot  sharper than my rather 'washed out' image on my iPhone. 


Monochrome images were sharp and crisp, taken with the Huawei P9
Monochrome images were sharp and crisp, taken with the Huawei P9
I did like this image taken with the P9.
I did like this image taken with the P9. 

Camera Features - Shoot like a pro


The Huawei P9 has a comprehensive list of features and control for its camera. There's this really cool ability to separate focus and exposure points during shooting. Where the iPhone relies on one point to focus and expose for, the P9 lets you pick different points for the focus and exposure. Cool feature indeed. Coupled with the ease in doing "bokeh" shots I'm sold. 


It's so easy, there's even a function to take photos with a shallow depth of field
It's so easy, there's even a function to take photos with a shallow depth of field


Conclusion

After fiddling with the Huawei P9 for a week or so, I do think it's a powerful device, well planned, with easy access to its functions. The sheer number of features and controls make the P9 a much more functional camera than most smartphones in the market. Do note that the P9 still houses a small-sensor camera, even though it is co-engineered by Leica, so do not expect miracles. Impressive images, ease of use, you most definately will want to get your hands on one of these babies soon! 




Comments

  1. Hurmm was considering this..but I noticed your opinion on the part that says it's battery doesnt actually last long...T.T change of mind..lols

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  2. wao~ The leica camera on the phone looks so nice ~ But the price not in my budget ~ Need some sponsor..huhu

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  3. Love the camera and photos looks super clear. I think battery is an important point for any phone.

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  4. This is such an amazing phone with awesome camera... wish I can have one but I just got the Huawei Mate 8... huhuhu... if only Huawei allows us to trade... hahahaha

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  5. A friend of mine bought P9 and I almost mistook it for iPhone due to its sleek design and beautiful pictures.

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  6. Anonymous8:37 AM

    The images that has been taken from the phone is so clear. The bottom part of the phone looks just like an iphone. Haha

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  7. hmmm.... do you think the camera quality is better than the samsung s7?

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  8. I can see how amazing Huawei has improved, but but.. still I'm gonna stick with apple hehehe

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  9. I bought one of the first hua wei. Hated it.
    But this phone looks good!! I need to upgrade my phone with a good camera!

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  10. Huawei P9 really captures nice photos. It will be my next smartphone that I would love to have.

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  11. By looking at the photos seems like the big players have a real competitor now. Good job hua wei !

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  12. The Leica mode of a hp camera make this hp worth to invest!! The photo you took is so pretty!

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  13. wow wow wow my ex-company keeps improving themselves! i'm impressed! now they even have the Leica lens!!

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  14. Awesome camera and photo quality. Am wondering if we could change the place of the soft button cos now, the back button is on the left and I prefer it to be on the right.

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  15. I tried their camera!!their camera really nice to use...

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  16. Nice Design and I like the phone camera.

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  17. Wow, this looks one cool phone. It's very thin and pic quality also nice.

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  18. Huawei phone seems cool. will try when my existing one phased out haha

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  19. Heard a lot about the Leica lens on this phone. But still Iphone is my first choice. haha.. XP

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  20. WOW! the camera lens looks pretty good. Im convinced. hands down. haha

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  21. this has gotta be the best phone in the market now. very trendy and many people just want it for photography.

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  22. This is one of my must have phone in list. Currently joining few contest that offer huawei p( as the prize

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  23. Wow, great phone, super love the camera function :)

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  24. I wish to test this phone as well. Heard that their camera is really superb.

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