MWC 2017: Huawei P10 & Plus

This week, Mobile World Congress (MWC) returns to Barcelona, Spain.  This is the platform most smartphone manufacturers use to release their latest handsets, or even tablets.  With the exception of Apple who prefer to do their own thing, and again this year so will Samsung.  We can expect to see some ground breaking new smartphones….. and even a modern day twist added to a familiar old one.

• Blackberry KEYone
• Huawei P10/Plus
• New Nokia & Nostalgia

Huawei P10 & P10 Plus

Just as MWC was about to open it’s doors, Huawei held their press conference to launch the replacements to their current flagship devices.

The P10 & Plus models are taking over from the 9 & 9 Plus, but are the new handsets ground breaking or just an evolution on from the current crop?

Well if you own any of the  9 range, then the quick answer is more of an evolutionary change.  However, owners of older handsets have plenty to be happy about!

The Android powered P10 has a few head turning features that could sway users over to Huawei.  This begins with the cameras.  Now, both front and rear facing cameras are built on Leica optics which, if you are going to have a great camera on your handset, is probably the best company to work with!

The P10 has a new 20MP rear camera compared to just the 12MP of it predecessor, and just a slight tweak to the front facing 8MP camera means if you are a media creator with your smartphone you may want to consider the P series!

The rear camera also uses 3D depth sensing technology which is most noticeable on portrait work, something Apple were quick to shout about on the iPhone 7 launch.

In most handsets the lenses are only part of the overall quality of your images, with software playing an ever increasing role! Huawei have developed software with GoPro which automatically create videos and photo books from your media.

Apart from the camera, the handsets fit in to the mid to high end of the smartphone market as it is today.  The full specifications are:

• H 145.3 mm x W 69.3 mm x D 6.98 mm
• Weight 145 g
• P10 Screen 5.1 inch FHD 1920 x 1080 pixels
• P10 Plus Screen 5.5 inch IPS NEO LCD 1440 x 2560 pixels
• Android 7.0
• Rear Camera Dual 20 MP + 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS, Leica optics, phase detection autofocus, dual-LED flash
• Front Camera 8 MP, f/1.9
• P10 Battery 3200 mAh
• P10 Plus Battery 3750 mAh

Sadly, most of the launch was spent highlighting the many colours the P series now comes in with the background behind each of the names!!  If you are interested they are Ceramic White, Dazzling Blue, Dazzling Gold, Graphite Black, Mystic Silver, Rose Gold and Greenery.  All of which will be totally irrelevant once you have put in a case.

The P Series is a great handset for those primarily looking to record and capture video or photos.  If you are heading off on a Gap year from education then the P10 Plus should be near the top of your list!  Huawei will not be persuading many people to snap it up unless they are on a much older handset.

Release dates and prices are still to be confirmed but, it is expected to be around April 2017 with the prices around €649 for the P10 and €699 for the P10 Plus.