El Huawei P9 It is a reality after its official presentation at an event held in London. It focuses its proposal on the high-end market. From the Chinese company, this device has become one of the most complete models in its segment. Below, through an expanded technical comparison, we place its offering against the most relevant Android rivals and explain why it remains a viable alternative.
We review the most important technical characteristics offered by the Huawei P9 compared to the models it competes with in the Android market. We focus on high-end phoneswhich is the Asian manufacturer's objective. For now, we won't be conducting long-term usage tests, but we have compiled verified data and key differences so you can assess its position.
The design
Here, the Huawei P9 firmly holds its own among the best. Whether its aesthetics appeal to some is debatable (this is a matter of taste), but in terms of build quality, it's undeniable. There are no cracks in the new terminal compared to the segment it targets. One example is the manufacturing material: metal (aluminum) is the choice and, moreover, with a polished finish typical of jewelry.
The fact is that neither in the thickness, of 6,95 mmIt stands out, and the truth is that it positions itself here as one of the thinnest on the market. Regarding weight, there has also been a qualitative leap, and the Huawei P9 is manageable, providing good balance in handIncidentally, the side finish has improved a lot, with polished edges and 2.5D glass, although it doesn't quite reach the attractive curved edges of panels like the Galaxy S7 Edge.
Its front bezels are reduced (approx. ~72% frontal utilization), thus joining the group of companies that have managed to reduce space without compromising chassis rigidity. It's worth noting that models like the LG G5 and Galaxy S7 are also impressive. Additionally, the Huawei P9's camera deserves special mention. absolutely nothing protrudes on the back, making it one of the best in this area.
Ultimately, the Huawei P9 doesn't exactly fall short in manufacturing and design, so the election In this section, aesthetics should be more important than anything else. And here, each user's taste reigns supreme (it should be noted that, due to screen size, we haven't included the Galaxy S7 Edge as a direct competitor in terms of format, although it is particularly attractive).
Main hardware
Here the Huawei P9 It has arrived with what was expected: a Kirin 955 processor It features an octa-core processor (big.LITTLE with Cortex-A72 and Cortex-A53 cores) and, in terms of RAM, 4 GB in the more powerful model and 3 GB in the more basic one. Performance is adequate for multitasking and demanding games, supported by the Mali-T880 MP4 GPU. In synthetic benchmarks, it typically falls short of the top-of-the-line Snapdragon 820 or Exynos processors of the time, but the real experience It is competent in navigation, social networks, multimedia, and photography.
There's not much to say about storage, as all models maintain the trend of offering storage options. 32 and 64 GBOne detail is indeed interesting: The Huawei P9 allows you to expand via microSD cards up to 256 GB (eMMC 5.1), a key point to consider when compared to rivals that also include a slot. In the classic comparison, both the Galaxy S7 and the LG G5 offer high levels of expansion with dedicated cards, while the Xiaomi Mi 5 does without a microSD slot. The P9's internal speed is adequate for the system and demanding apps.
Screen and camera
The first surprising aspect is that the Huawei P9 doesn't jump to QHD, unlike some of its rivals. It remains at... Full HD with a pixel density above 400 ppi on a 5,2-inch IPS panel. This ensures good sharpness and coloralong with lower power consumption and less stress on the GPU. In terms of protection, the device incorporates Corning Gorilla Glass (in practice, most versions use Gorilla Glass 3), maintaining acceptable scratch resistance.
Regarding the camera, the joint work of Huawei and Leica brought a qualitative leap Important: Dual rear camera 12 MP + 12 MP, with a sensor monochrome and another RGB sensor, both with 1,25 µm pixels and an f/2.2 aperture. This configuration allows capturing more light and detail in black and white, merging information to improve contrast and sharpness in color mode. The focus combines Laser PDAF (LDAF)The video reaches 1080p at up to 60 fps and features electronic image stabilization (EIS). The front-facing camera is 8 MP with an f/2.4 aperture and records in 1080p.
It is not possible to establish a comparison by resolution without context, since today the key is the lens quality and processingThe Huawei P9 offers creative options with its true monochrome mode, aperture simulation, and Pro controls, and the app Camera It adds RAW, ISO settings, burst shooting, and a timer. The lack of OIS limits nighttime shooting if you don't prop the phone up properly, but the dual sensor reading It compensates in sharpness and detail in many scenes. On screen, the FullHD IPS panel performs with good brightness and viewing angles, and its selection makes sense if you prioritize battery life and low temperatures over pixel density.
Connectivity, networks and sensors
The Huawei P9 supports LTE Cat.6 with theoretical speeds of up to 300/50 Mbps and offers good coverage performance thanks to its design three antennasIt offers Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (dual band, with MIMO), Bluetooth 4.2 LE, NFC, GPS with GLONASS and BeiDou, and USB Type-C Reversible (USB 2.0 interface). The rear fingerprint reader is fast and accurate, and is accompanied by sensors such as a gyroscope, compass, light and proximity sensor, accelerometer and Hall effect sensor.
A practical detail that affects the purchase: Some manufacturers include a charger. Some come with the adapter and cable in the box, while others don't. The Huawei P9 usually comes with its own adapter and cable, avoiding additional costs, while in other markets, it's become common to sell it without a charger. Check with your market and retailer.
In telephony, the P9 is a terminal 4G with a 3G/2G base Very wide bandwidth, ideal for global markets. It lacks advanced water and dust resistance certifications, so cases and screen protectors are recommended if you're looking for... greater protection in demanding environments.
Audio, battery life and charging
In terms of sound, the Huawei P9 integrates a main speaker and maintains the 3,5mm jack for headphones, with a clean output and sufficient volume for hands-free calls. The recording utilizes several microphones with noise reduction to improve voice quality in crowded environments.
The battery is 3.000 mAhA well-balanced figure for its size and resolution. With mixed use, you can expect a full day's battery life without issue, even longer if you adjust the brightness and connectivity. Fast wired charging offers power outputs around 18 W with the manufacturer's compatible adapter. It does not have wireless charging or reverse charging, although USB-PD charging does work at moderate speeds depending on the charger.
Huawei P9 vs Huawei P9 Lite: what changes
The P9 ecosystem includes a more affordable variant: the Huawei P9 Lite (VNS-L23 in many markets). Although it shares the same design and screen size (5,2 inches FullHD), its differences are significant:
- Processor: Kirin 650 (octa-core Cortex-A53) versus the Kirin 955 of the P9. Lower power in demanding games, but very low consumption.
- Memory: 3 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal storage in most variants, with microSD up to 256 GB (in some markets it shares a slot with the second SIM).
- Chambers: Single 13 MP rear camera with PDAF and 1080p video at 30 fps; 8 MP front camera. It does not have the dual Leica sensor system of the P9.
- Battery: 3.000 mAh, with similar autonomy thanks to its more efficient hardware; charges by microUSB 2.0.
- Connectivity: 4G LTE Cat.4 (up to 150/50 Mbps), Wi-Fi b/g/n 2,4 GHz, Bluetooth 4.1; NFC by regionrear fingerprint reader.
- Extras: presence of FM radio in many versions of the P9 Lite (the standard P9 does not usually include it).
The P9 Lite is very competitive if you prioritize price and autonomyAnd you want the P9's form factor and ergonomics with more modest hardware. For advanced photography, the P9 with its dual sensor and Leica software makes a clear difference.
Software and user experience
The Huawei P9 comes with Android and the EMUI interface, which brings gestures on the fingerprint readerAdvanced power management, power saving modes, per-app notification control, app cloning, and a full-featured Camera app with pro modeEMUI is customizable in terms of iconography, transitions, and interface layout, with themes and accessibility options. System performance is smooth, with stable animations and good multi-window management in compatible apps.
EMUI's energy optimization limits background processes to extend battery life. If you use apps that rely on instant notifications (email, messaging, or smart home apps), it's advisable to... excluding them from savings so they don't close in the background. In photography, the integration of Leica filtersThe pure monochrome mode, simulated blur, and post-shoot focus control provide creative tools that, when used judiciously, elevate the final result.
Comparison with Android rivals
Compared to models like Galaxy S7, LG G5 o Xiaomi Mi 5The Huawei P9 strikes an interesting balance. Its rivals boast QHD panels, higher refresh rates, or dedicated modules; the P9 focuses on... FullHD efficiencyDual Leica-branded photography and a very convenient size. The lack of OIS and the USB 2.0 Type-C interface are compromises to keep in mind if you prioritize nighttime recording or higher wired bandwidth.
In terms of materials and ergonomics, the P9 is one of the most pleasant in its range, with flush camera of the chassis and an exceptional rear fingerprint reader. In terms of connectivity, its Wi-Fi ac with MIMO, NFC, and multi-band LTE support position it very well for international use. If you need certified water and dust resistance, there are rivals that offer IP68; if you're interested in modularity or curved screens, there are alternative options. But if you're looking for global balance With a focus on photography and battery life, the P9 still has a lot to offer.
Given that we are in a technical comparison, it must be said that this model on paper It performs at a high levelIn addition, the battery of 3.000 mAh It doesn't look out of place and is in line with the models compared, and it doesn't lack the fingerprint reader on the back (which is still a particularly convenient place to unlock).
Before we finish, a couple of details: the use of USB Type C This is very positive because of the connection speed and convenience of the reversible port (on the P9 with a USB 2.0 interface). Furthermore, the inclusion of three antennas ensures a solid connectivity; intelligent WiFi connection management by choosing Recommended networks Its speed, rather than signal strength, is a real plus. Depending on the region, the box includes a charger and cable compatible with the manufacturer's fast charging. The Huawei P9 makes a strong impression, and if you value photography, design, and overall balance, promises to put up a good fight.
The Huawei P9 stands out as a safe bet for those looking for a balanced mobile With its great design, versatile Leica cameras, impressive battery life, and a size that makes it ideal for everyday use, this model is a perfect fit if you're drawn to brand values, robust construction, and a camera with personality (true monochrome and Pro controls). However, if your priority is maximum screen resolution, water resistance, or optical image stabilization, you'll want to look at competitors that excel in those areas.
