Huawei vows to raise bar in mobile computing

dubai — Huawei on Wednesday teased the capabilities that will be packed in its next flagship, powered by its very own next-generation processor, which will heat up the battle with its peers in the increasingly-innovating mobile device segment.

The next series, which will be called the Mate 20, will be unveiled at an event in London on October 16. The regional launch will be held in Dubai on October 24.

Figures presented by the Shenzhen-headquartered company showed that Huawei’s comingsoon Kirin 980 chip has substantial upgrades compared to its own previous chips, as well as the latest from its rivals, including Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 845, which is used in most Android flagships, and Apple’s own A12 Bionic, launched last week with the iPhone XS. Samsung Electronics also utilises Snapdragon chips, though it also manufactures its own Exynos processors for specific markets.

Compared to its 10-nanometer predecessor, Huawei says that the 7-nanometer Kirin 980 provides 75 per cent better performance and 58 per cent improved power efficiency. In the graphics metric, it promises 48 per cent better performance and 178 per cent improved power efficiency. Its network is also 16 per cent faster, while bandwidth is up 15 per cent.

Meanwhile, against the Snapdragon 845, Huawei says the Kirin 980’s performance is 37 per cent better and has 32 per cent higher power efficiency. App launch time is also pegged at up to 0.3 seconds faster.

Image signal processing is touted to be 46 per cent faster, 23 per cent more power efficient and 33 per cent better recording latency.

And as a follow-up to the artificial intelligence capabilities in its most recent flagship, the P20 Pro, Huawei believes that AI functions are the future of mobile devices, David Wang, UAE country manager at Huawei Consumer Business Group, told Khaleej Times. “We don’t [even] need to educate users that much [on how to use new innovations], because it’s becoming very easy,” he added.

Wang expects more apps using mobile intelligence will be coming out in the near future to improve user experience.

“I’m sure AI will improve the quality of our daily lives… we can expect more charming features in mobiles.”

Wang also confirmed that the UAE will be the first in the region to have the new series available, “as always”.

“We have always considered the UAE to be the most open country [in the Middle East] and it has the spirit of innovations,” he said.

“The UAE is leading the consumer market. That’s why we always consider the country [to be a launchpad] for our flagships.”

“We believe in the innovation of the industry, as well as the education and quality of the people here — which is one of the best in the world — and, of course, the commitment of the leadership to innovation.”

As far as its smart speaker is concerned, Huawei said that it would be available later this year.

I’m sure AI will improve the quality of our daily lives… we can expect more charming features in mobiles

David Wang, UAE country manager, Huawei Consumer Business Group