Huawei

Huawei Mate 9: Pros and Cons

Android OS v7.0 (Nougat)
HiSilicon Kirin 960
Mali-G71 MP8
4 GB / 64 GB
5.9 inch (1080 x 1920 px)
12 MP, 4032 x 3024 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization

Huawei announced the launch of the Mate 9 smartphone in 2016. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.9 inch IPS display, HiSilicon Kirin 960 SoC, and 4 GB of RAM. The Mate 9 series was launched with Android OS v7.0 (Nougat) pre-installed, but it is upgradable. The 5.9 inch phone comes with a high resolution IPS display (1080 x 1920 px). This smartphone has a single camera on the back (12 MP, 4032 x 3024 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization). Let's dive into what makes this device unique.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Huawei Mate 9 smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

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Huawei Mate 9 specifications

BrandHuawei
NameMate 9
ModelMHA-L29
Release date2016

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight6.7 oz
Dimensions6.18 x 3.11 x 0.31 inch
Colorsblack, brown, champagne, gray, white
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of Huawei Mate 9 is about 6.7 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a small chipcard for a subscriber identity module (SIM).

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v7.0 (Nougat)
SoCHiSilicon Kirin 960
CPUOcta-core, Quad-core 2.4 GHz Cortex-A73, Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53
GPUMali-G71 MP8

The Huawei Mate 9 comes with Android OS v7.0 (Nougat) out of the box. Android is a mobile operating system. Google built it using a modified version of the Linux kernel. They also used other open-source software. An advanced scheduler manages this octa-core CPU. It assigns tasks to the CPU for real-time speed and power efficiency. Many mobile devices use ARM Mali GPUs. They are well known for their good performance and power efficiency.

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size5.9 inch
Resolution1080 x 1920 px
Multitouch supportyes

The 5.9 inch IPS display has better features. These include optimal viewing angles, color accuracy, and unchanging color reproduction. The 5.9 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.

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Memory, storage

RAM4 GB
Internal storage64 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The Huawei Mate 9 comes with 4 GB of RAM, which is considered to be sufficient for most users' needs. More RAM lets you keep more apps and processes open in the background. This keeps the device from slowing down. 64 GB of storage is usually seen as good for a smartphone. It should be enough for most users. You can expand the internal storage (64 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

Cameras, flash

Main camera12 MP, 4032 x 3024 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization
FlashDual LED
Selfie camera8 MP

The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The main camera of Mate 9 has optical image stabilization (OIS). It counters camera shake.

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetoothv4.2, A2DP
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS
NFCyes
FM radiono
USBUSB Type-C
Headphone3.5 mm jack

The 4G provides faster data transfer speeds compared to previous generations. The phone is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Mate 9 smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. The GPS allows this smartphone to find their exact location. It provides accurate navigation and mapping. The Mate 9 comes with NFC (Near Field Communication) functionality. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a light-weight, rechargeable battery. The battery of Mate 9 isn't removable without voiding the warranty.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, barometer, compass, fingerprint, gyroscope, hall, light, proximity
SpecialsDual SIM, EMUI 4.1

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer is a sensor. It measures the tilting motion and orientation of the phone. The Mate 9 phone has a fingerprint scanner. The light sensor detects the level of light in the environment. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Huawei phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • adequate memory
  • microSD slot
  • optical image stabilization (OIS)
  • Dual SIM support

Cons

  • single camera setup
  • no 5G support
  • low-capacity battery
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Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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