Huawei P10 and P10 Plus – the next evolution (first look)

Huawei has proven with its recent P and Mate series that it can produce a top-quality, top performing, flagship-class phone at prices a tad more reasonable than other fruity contenders.

iTWire attended a briefing and has received a P10 for review. Spoiler alert: both models equal or better the defined flagship paradigms.

At first looks, these are well designed, well made, and well worth the price. All being approximately equal in the smartphone hardware department, what we can say is that one area all flagships compete on is the camera – it is no use having the biggest screen, fastest processor, longest battery, or whatever if the camera is not right.

{loadposition ray} The art of photography

Huawei has collaborated with Leica to develop its take on a dual-lens camera — a 12MP RGB (colour) and a 20MP monochrome (black) to achieve the “Leica look” — reminiscent of film photography with no oversaturation or excessive post-processing sharpening.

Version one was on the P9 last year and, while good, was not a standout performer, scoring 80 on the DxoMark (an independent camera review site).

The next iteration — version two — was on the Mate 9 phablet and that edged up to a DxoMark of 85. The Mate 9 takes some of the most realistic, “idiot-proof” shots in full-auto and the ability to refocus after a shot is taken is very useful.

The P10 has just received a DxoMark of 87 for what is very similar camera hardware to the Mate 9 but with improved camera firmware and app features – some of which should flow to the Mate 9 soon.

The P10 Plus (yet to be tested) is likely to top the current DxoMark champion, Google Pixel on 89, if only for its brighter, top quality Lecia lens.

Price/availability from 25 May

The P10 Plus has a 5.5”, 2560 x 1440 screen; 6GB RAM, 128GB, microSD/OTG to 2TB; Dual Lens camera with SUMMILUX-H f/1.8 lens; 8MP selfie; and 3750mAh battery for $1099.

The P10 is a 5.1”, 1920 x 1080 screen; and 4/64GB and microSD/OTG to 2TB; Dual Lens camera with SUMMARIT-H f/2.2 lens; 8MP selfie; and 32000mAh battery for $899.

The P10 will be available in Prestige Gold from Vodafone starting at its 1GB Red $40 plan plus $20 handset charge (total $60 minimum cost $1440 over 24 months) right up to its 22GB MyMix Red global plan ($120 per month minimum cost $2880 over 24 months).

Optus has the P10 in Dazzling Blue and has not published plans at the time of writing.

The P10 Plus in Graphite Black will be sold via JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman and selected retailers.

Technical Specifications

iTWire's review of the 6" phablet Mate 9 is here and has a good Leica camera explanation.