Huawei is getting ready to launch a new family of phones. The family is called the P9 series. It will have four different phones. The phones will be different in size and power. All of them will use new camera tricks.
Overview of the Huawei P9 Series
The P9 series follows the success of older Huawei phones. In the past, Huawei sold the Nexus 6P, Mate 8 and Mate S. Those phones helped the company learn a lot. Now the company wants to use that learning for the P9 series.
According to Venture Beat, the four phones will be called:
- Huawei P9 (standard)
- Huawei P9 lite
- Huawei P9 max
- A feature‑upgraded P9 model
All four phones will share some important parts. They will all have a new processor called the Kirin 950. They will also all have a dual‑lens camera made with Leica.
Different Models in the Series
Huawei P9 (standard)
The standard P9 will be the middle‑size phone. It will have a 5.2‑inch screen, similar to the older P8 model. The phone will use the Kirin 950 chip. It will also have the new dual Leica camera.
Huawei P9 lite
The P9 lite will be the smallest phone. It will fit easily in a pocket. The screen will be about 5.0 inches, like the P8 lite that came out in 2015. The lite version will still have the dual camera, but it may have a little less RAM.
Huawei P9 max
The P9 max will be the biggest phone. It will have a large screen, around 6.8 inches, just like the P8 max. The big screen is good for watching videos and playing games. The max version will also use the Kirin 950 and the dual Leica camera.
Feature‑upgraded P9
The fourth phone is a special version. It sits between the standard P9 and the P9 max. It will have more RAM and more internal storage than the other models. It will also have a double‑lens 12‑megapixel camera with two sensors.
This camera can do many new tricks. It can change the aperture after a picture is taken. It can refocus the picture after you click the shutter. It can also add filters automatically.
Key Technologies and Specs
All four phones share some key technology.
- Kirin 950 processor – This is Huawei’s own octa‑core chip. It makes the phone fast and smooth.
- Dual Leica camera – The camera is made with Leica, a famous German camera maker. It has two lenses that work together.
- Fingerprint scanner – The P9 series will be the first in the P line to have a fingerprint scanner built into the home button.
- RAM and storage – The feature‑upgraded model will have the most RAM and the biggest storage.
How the P9 Series Builds on Past Phones
Huawei has a history of improving its phones step by step.
In 2014, Huawei released the Honor 6 Plus. That phone was the first to have a dual‑camera sensor. The P9 series will improve that idea with Leica lenses.
In 2015, Huawei launched three P8 phones. The regular P8 had a 5.2‑inch screen. The P8 lite had a 5.0‑inch screen. The P8 max had a 6.8‑inch screen. The new P9 series follows the same pattern of small, medium and large phones.
The P9 series also adds new camera software. The older phones could not change the aperture after a shot. The new phones can do that, thanks to the double sensor.
What to Expect When It Launches
Huawei plans to skip the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in 2016. Instead, the company will show the P9 series at a different event in March.
The exact date has not been announced yet. But the news says the phones will be shown in March 2016.
When the phones are released, they will likely be sold worldwide. The dual Leica camera will be a big selling point. The fingerprint scanner will also attract many buyers.
Huawei also hinted at a new portable PC that can run two operating systems. That PC will be able to run Windows and Android at the same time. It shows that Huawei is working on more than just phones.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Huawei P9 series be released?
The phones are expected to be announced at a March event in 2016. They may be sold a few weeks after the announcement.
Which model has the biggest screen?
The P9 max will have the biggest screen. It is expected to be around 6.8 inches, similar to the P8 max.
Does the P9 series have a fingerprint scanner?
Yes. The P9 series will be the first in the P line to have a fingerprint scanner built into the home button.
What is special about the camera?
The camera uses two Leica lenses. It can change the aperture after a photo is taken, refocus the picture, and add filters automatically.
Conclusion
The Huawei P9 series will bring four new phones to the market. They will range from a small lite model to a large max model. All will have the fast Kirin 950 chip, a dual Leica camera and a fingerprint scanner. The feature‑upgraded model will add more RAM, more storage and extra camera tricks. Huawei plans to launch the phones in March 2016, skipping the usual MWC show. If you like phones with good cameras and fast performance, the P9 series is worth watching.