Huawei P9/P9 Plus: Australian pricing and release date
Huawei’s latest high-end handsets feature twin Leica-branded cameras at a premium price point.
Huawei’s primary play in the Australian market to date has revolved around more affordable handsets such as the Huawei P8 Lite, but it’s a company that still releases some surprisingly premium handsets as well.
Overnight in London, Huawei took the wraps off its two latest premium devices, the Huawei P9 and P9 Plus. They’re both Android 6.0 ("Marshmallow") devices with, as is the style at the moment, aluminium bodies and not one, but two cameras at the rear of the phone. They’re Leica-branded -- Leica had a hand in the design and software that runs each camera -- with one lens capturing RGB detail, while the other captures monochrome images. Images captured across both cameras are combined for a single high quality final image. Huawei also claims that the use of dual lenses gives the Huawei P9/P9 Plus superior low light capabilities.
Huawei haven’t announced local pricing for the P9 or P9 Plus, but they have detailed expected European pricing. The P9 is expected to sell in Europe for 599 Euro for the 32GB version and 649 Euro for the 64GB version, while the P9 Plus will sell for 749 Euro. In conversion terms and with GST added, that suggests a retail price of around $987 for the 32GB P9, $1070 for the 64GB version and $1236 for the P9 Plus.
The first P9 and P9 Plus handsets will go on sale on 16 April, which means that you could see them popping up from direct importers quite soon.
- Check out our comparison of SIM-only plans that will help get the Huawei P9 connected
In specifications terms, here’s how the Huawei P9 and Huawei P9 Plus compare:
Huawei | P9 | P9 Plus |
---|---|---|
OS | Android 6.0 ("Marshmallow") | Android 6.0 ("Marshmallow") |
Screen size | 5.2in | 5.5in |
Resolution | 1080x1920 | 1080x1920 |
Display density | 423ppi | 409ppi |
Storage | 32GB/64GB | 64GB |
Weight | 144g | 162g |
Processor | Huawei Kirin 955 64-bit octa-core | Huawei Kirin 955 64-bit octa-core |
Rear camera | Dual 12MP | Dual 12MP |
Front camera | 8MP | 8MP |
Battery | 3000mAh | 3400mAh |