The Huawei P9 lands in the PH on June 15

Huawei’s been on a winning streak lately. Their Nexus 6P and Mate 8 devices have been met with a lot of praise. They’ve become the world’s No. 3 smartphone manufacturer in the third quarter of 2015 with a 9.7 percent market share. And at the local launch for its latest star, the P9, the company is all about growth not just globally but in the country as well.

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To achieve that growth, though, they would need to be putting out compelling and competitive smartphones that the market would want. Their newest phones are looking to do just that. The Huawei P9 and P9 Plus have already been launched globally but the phones are finally arriving on our shores this month (June 15th, to be exact).

What makes them special though? The main feature of both smartphones are the 12-megapixel dual-lens camera Huawei co-engineered with Leica Camera AG. Yes, THAT Leica. What Leica has done for photography, Huawei aims to do the same with smartphone photography. Both brands want to offer users the ability to take both vividly colored image as well as striking black and white photos.

The dual-camera design for the P9 and P9 Plus brings both the RGB and monochrome camera into one smartphone with a promise you’d be able to create images with “superior detail, depth, and color.” The camera also comes with a bokeh setting, which is considered a Leica signature, and other depth-of-field effects. Aside from that low-light photography should be a treat on this device.

The P9 and P9 Plus comes with three film modes: Standard, Vivid Colors, and Smooth Colors. And these phones come equipped with Huawei’s Hybrid Focus for faster, more accurate focusing. We tried taking a few shots while at the event with the P9. Monochrome mode does add that sense of drama to a shot and focusing is quick. But we have to spend more time with the P9 to test it in various environments and lighting conditions to get a better feel for the capabilities of this shooter.

The camera isn’t just what these phones have going for them. To stay true to the flagship P-series premium line, these P9 devices have been made with superior-grade 2.5D glass and an aerospace-class aluminum. They also have diamond-cut edges rounded out by “carefully balanced curvatures.” The P9 and P9 Plus sport 5.2-inch and 5.5-inch 1080p displays, respectively, making them manageable and pleasant to hold even with one hand.

Both are powered by Huawei Kirin 955 64-bit octa-core processor, Android 6.0 Marshmallow with EMUI 4.1 user interface. The P9 comes with 32GB internal storage, 3GB of RAM, and a 3,000mAh battery. Meanwhile, the P9 Plus has 64GB internal storage, 4GB of RAM, and 3,400mAh battery. There is a P6,000 difference between the P9 and P9 Plus—the P9 retails for P23,990, while the P9 Plus goes for P29,990—so it’s best to think if the storage, performance, and battery bump are enough for you to pay that extra money.

The telcos will also be offering these phones with their postpaid plans. Globe will be offering the P9, while Smart has the P9 Plus. Aside from carrying it in Huawei stores and its authorized distributors, the Leica store in Shangri-La Plaza Mall will also have the phone, which Huawei says makes it the first smartphone to be put on display there.

Photos by Luigi Leonardo