Huawei MateBook hands-on, first impressions

Huawei, at this year’s Mobile World Congress, launches its MateBook which is a 2-in-1 device that aims to combine mobile productivity and reliable performance. We spend some quick alone time with it and here’s our hands-on and first impressions.

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The Huawei MateBook carries a 12-inch IPS TFT LCD display with 2160 x 1440 resolution that equates to a decent 214ppi. Based on the screen size itself, you know you have room to multitask for productivity on-the-go.

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Flip it on its back and you’ll be greeted with the lonesome Huawei logo situated right smack in the middle of its high-quality aluminum unibody back plate. At only 6.9mm thin and 640 grams, the MateBook could easily slip in and out a bag without much fuss.

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Over here we see the world’s first single touch side fingerprint sensor flanked by the volume up and down buttons. The company claims that it is currently the fastest fingerprint recognition in the industry as it supports 360-degree sensitive identification that minimizes authentication failures.

The placement of the sensor at the upper right side makes it easily reachable for the index finger to unlock the device.

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On the opposite side, there’s the 3.5mm audio jack abruptly following the rounded corner of the slate.

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The MateBook has been equipped with dual speakers featuring Dolby audio and is located up top on opposite sides. This works fine as the sound is thrown upwards while watching videos or playing music.

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Lastly, the device’s lock button is located at the top just beside one of its speakers.

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The MateBook comes with optional accessories that further enhance the user’s experience whether how they use the device. There’s the detachable and splashproof keyboard which features a 1.5mm keystroke and a chiclet keycap design with larger key surfaces to minimize typing errors.

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To further maximize the spacious screen real estate, the MateBook can also be used with the Huawei MatePen. It could be the perfect companion for you if you draw or doodle a lot since it boasts 2,048 levels of sensitivity for creating diverse pen-tip actions without any delay.

The device is designed more as a business companion and its stylus has functions specifically for that use. As an example, it has support for graphics and mathematic features and it can even be used as a laser pointer while showing presentations.

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There is also the MateDock that’s basically a power bank-sized hub which houses most of the connectivity ports you’ll need to work efficiently and output content to different platforms. It has ports for USB 3.0, LAN,  HDMI, and VGA.

Overall, we see the MateBook as a necessary gadget for users who demand a capable machine to conduct presentations while at the same time is light and slim for easy portability. Getting the additional accessories could also expand the use of the MateBook as a more efficient way of getting work done wherever you go.

Huawei’s newest MateBook, in gray and gold colors, is slated to arrive in stores in the coming months with a $699 (~Php33,600) price for the entry-level Intel Core m3 version sporting 4GB RAM and 128GB SSD, while the full-spec’d Core m7 variant with 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD will cost you $1599(~Php76,300). The Keyboard, MatePen and MateDock will be sold separately with $129(~Php6,200), $59 (~Php2,900), and $89 (~Php4,300) price tags, respectively.

Huawei MateBook specs:
12-inch IPS TFT LCD Display @ 2160 x 1440, 214ppi
Up to 3.1GHz Dual-core 6th Gen Intel Core m3 / m5 / m7 processor
4GB / 8GB SDRAM
128GB / 256GB / 512GB SSD internal storage
5MP front camera
WiFi
Bluetooth
GPS
Dolby Audio
Micro USB-C
Fingerprint scanner
Windows 10 Home / Professional
33.7Wh Battery
6.9mm thin, 640g

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Specs Comparison: Firefly Intense Desire vs MyPhone my36

Firefly Mobile just introduced its new Intense Desire smartphone that offers a decent bang for the buck value. A similar local smartphone came to mind bearing a close lineup of specifications and even a price tag that’s just a few hundred pesos away — the MyPhone my36.

We place the two in a side-by-side comparison to determine their strengths and weaknesses for those planning on buying smartphones in this price range.

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Firefly Intense DesireMyPhone my36
5.5-inch Tru HD IPS OGS display @ 1280 x 720 resolution5.2-inch Full HD IPS display @ 1920 x 1080 resolution
AGC Dragontrail GlassCorning Gorilla Glass 3
267ppi424ppi
1.3GHz MediaTek MT6753 64-bit octa-core CPU1.3GHz MediaTek MT6753 64-bit octa-core CPU
Mali-T720 MP3 GPUMali-T720 MP3 GPU
3GB RAM3GB RAM
32GB internal storage (expandable up to 128GB)16GB internal storage (expandable up to 64GB)
13MP Sony Exmor RS IMX214 AF BSI rear camera w/ dual-LED flash13MP rear camera w/ Samsung optics, dual-LED flash, and Phase Detect AF
8MP front BSI camera5MP front camera w/ LED flash
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/acWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 4.0Bluetooth 4.0
GPS with A-GPS GPS with A-GPS
USB-OTGUSB-OTG
Dual-SIM (micro)Dual-SIM (micro)
4G LTE, 3G HSPA+4G LTE, 3G HSPA+
3,550mAh non-removable battery w/ Fast Charge (1.5A Fast Charger included)2900mAh non-removable Li-Ion battery
Android 5.1 LollipopAndroid 5.1 Lollipop
Php6,499Php6,999

Summary of Advantages

Firefly Intense Desire:

  • 5.5-inch display
  • 32GB internal storage
  • Expandable up to 128GB
  • BSI sensor for the rear camera
  • 8MP front camera with BSI sensor
  • 3,550mAh battery w/ Fast Charge feature and fast charger (1.5A)
  • Cheaper (costs Php500 less)

MyPhone my36:

  • Full HD display
  • 424ppi
  • Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection
  • Phase Detection AF for rear camera
  • LED flash for front camera

Both are equal in:

  • MediaTek octa-core CPU
  • Mali-T720 GPU
  • 3GB RAM
  • 13MP rear sensor with Dual LED Flash
  • Connectivity
  • 4G LTE
  • Android 5.1 OS

In the end, there are many similarities in their specs, but the Firefly Intense Desire offers a bit more than the MyPhone my36 — for a budget-friendlier price.

 

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Blackview BV2000 with LTE priced at Php3,999

Over its Facebook page, Blackview Philippines introduces the local pricing for its entry level BV2000. It sports a 5-inch display, quad-core processor, and LTE connectivity. More of its specs after the break.

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Blackview BV2000 specs:
5-inch IPS HD display @ 1280 x 720 resolution
64-bit MediaTek quad-core processor
Mali T720 GPU
1GB RAM
8GB internal storage
Expandable via microSD
5MP rear camera w/ CMOS image sensor
2MP front camera
Dual-SIM
LTE Cat. 4
Android 5.0 Lollipop
2400mAh removable battery

The Blackview BV2000 is now available at Php3,999. It’s a budget-friendly device for those looking for LTE smartphones, although don’t expect it to handle resource-heavy applications due to its modestly-spec’d 1GB of RAM.

{Source}

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Leica intros its first tough and rugged camera

Leica, the Germany-based optics manufacturer, introduces its new camera that’s built to take some serious beating. The Leica X-U is sealed to its core making it waterproof, shatterproof, and dustproof so you could bring it with you on any adventure you’re on.

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Leica X-U specs:
16.5-megapixel APS-C sensor
Leica Summilux 23mm f/1.7 ASPH lens
ISO up to 12,500
3-inch LCD display
Aluminum shell
Waterproof up to 49 feet
Shock-resistant, freeze-resistant, dust-sealed
Built-in flash
HD/Full HD video recording @ 30fps

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It got its minimalistic looks in collaboration with Audi Design and the top plate and control dials are all aluminum-based. In addition, the entire body of the camera has no space for outside elements to creep in.

The Leica X-U will reportedly be available by the end of this month for $2,950 (approx. Php141K).

{Via 1, 2}

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Gionee releases local prices for Elife E8, Marathon M5, and P5W

Gionee has finally updated the price list for its smartphones namely the Elife E8, Marathon M5, and P5W. Check out its list of specs and local pricing after the break.

Gionee Elife E8

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Gionee Elife E8 specs:
6-inch Quad-HD AMOLED display, 2560×1440 @489ppi
2.0GHz MediaTek Helio X10 octa-core processor
3GB RAM
64GB internal storage
Expandability TBC
23.7-megapixel rear camera with dual-tone LED flash
Optical Image Stabilization
3x Lossless zoom
4K video recording @30fps
8-megapixel front camera
Dual-SIM, Dual Standby
4G/LTE
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth
NFC
GPS
Fingerprint Scanner
Dual Hi-Fi speaker
3,520mAh battery
Android 5.0 Lollipop with Amigo OS 3.1

Gionee Marathon M5

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Gionee Marathon M5 specs:
5.5-inch HD AMOLED display, 1280 x720 @267ppi
1.5Ghz MediaTek MT6735 64-bit quad-core processor
ARM Mali-T720 GPU
2GB RAM
Expandable 16GB internal storage
Dual-SIM, dual Standby
Dual-LTE connectivity support
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.0 w/ A2DP
GPS
FM Radio
13-megapixel rear camera w/ LED flash
5-megapixel BSI front camera
6020mAh battery (2x 3010mAh)
QuickCharge support
Android Lollipop
Dimension: 152 x 76 x 8.5 mm
Weight: 213g

Gionee P5W

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Gionee P5W specs:
5-inch HD IPS display @ 1280 x 720 resolution
64-bit 1.3GHz MediaTek quad-core processor
Mali-T720 GPU
1GB RAM
16GB internal storage
Expandable via microSD
5MP rear camera
2MP front camera
Bluetooth 4.0
Wi-Fi
GPS
Dual-SIM
3G HSPA+
DTS audio
2000mAh battery

The Gionee Elife E8, Marathon M5, and P5W are priced at Php23,999, Php11,999, and Php4,999, respectively. Just like the Gionee S Plus, availability is yet to be announced so keep it locked here as we wait for the updates.

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