Overview
Design and performance overview of the Huawei G9 Plus.
In the highly competitive smartphone market, Huawei has steadily increased its competitiveness through product development. IDC data shows Huawei shipped 19.2 million units in Q2 2016, ranking first among Chinese smartphone manufacturers. On August 18, Huawei introduced the G9 Plus at a launch event in Beijing, adding a new model to its product lineup.
Positioning and key features
The G9 Plus is positioned in the mid-range segment and combines multiple features typically found on higher-end devices, including higher-performance components, long battery life, optical image stabilization, 3D fingerprint recognition, real-time beauty modes, and a high-definition large display. This review is based on a review unit and several days of hands-on testing.
Design and build
The G9 Plus uses a high-metal-ratio unibody, with metal accounting for approximately 90% of the chassis. The body is made from a 6-series magnesium-aluminum alloy and features a 5.5-inch high-definition negative LCD and 2.5D suspended glass. Internally it uses a Snapdragon 625 processor with a maximum frequency of 2.0 GHz, 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD up to 128 GB. The front camera is 8 MP and the rear camera is 16 MP. The battery capacity is 3340 mAh. The device supports 3D fingerprint recognition and ships with EMUI 4.1 based on Android 6.0.
Appearance and handling
The G9 Plus has a 5.5-inch FHD negative LCD with in-cell touch panel and laminated display construction. The rear cover uses a ceramic sandblasting finish, CNC polished edges, G3 curvature on the front corners, and a hidden A-shell design to improve hand feel. Available colors include Platinum Gold and Moonlight Silver.
Display
The display is a 1080p negative LCD with a contrast ratio of 1500:1, an 85% color gamut, an 85-degree viewing angle, and a peak brightness of 450 nits. The panel uses 16 LEDs for backlight uniformity, improving brightness, uniformity, and outdoor visibility. This is Huawei's first product to use G3 curvature on all four front corners.
Bezel and eye protection
The G9 Plus uses an ID bezel-less approach, achieving a screen-to-body ratio of 77.9% and a visually bezel-less look when the display is off. The device includes an eye protection mode that can adjust backlight and color temperature according to ambient light and filter 45 nm blue light radiation. The device also incorporates a nano coating at ports for everyday water resistance; it is not intended for immersion.
Rear design and camera
The rear uses a classic three-section structure with a uniform color treatment and a sandblasted finish. The camera module uses a Sony IMX298 sensor and protrudes slightly, which contributes to improved imaging. The lens cover is coated with an AF anti-fingerprint film and an AR hard anti-reflection film to enhance scratch resistance and light transmission.
Frame and controls
The frame features high-gloss chamfering. The headphone jack, USB port, SIM tray, volume keys, and power key are arranged around the frame. The buttons are designed with approximately 230 g actuation force and provide solid tactile feedback. Ports receive a nano coating for basic water resistance in everyday scenarios, though the device is not rated for submersion.
