Camera

Huawei has revamped their flagship camera system with the Mate nine. In that location are still two camera sensors on the rear, simply we're at present seeing what Huawei is calling their "second-generation Leica Dual Camera". Basically, nosotros're seeing an increase in sensor resolution and updates to processing technology.

The first-generation Dual Camera system used two 12-megapixel sensors, one for monochrome information, and the other for RGB. With the 2d-gen organization in the Mate 9, the monochrome sensor has been upgraded to a twenty-megapixel unit with an f/2.2 lens. The 12-megapixel RGB camera remains the same; it's a Sony IMX286 one/2.9" CMOS with 1.25µm pixels, paired with an f/two.2 27mm lens.

This camera solution has some advantages over a standard single-sensor setup. The monochrome sensor does not demand a Bayer filter, so more low-cal can reach the sensor than an equivalent RGB unit. Huawei has too taken reward of the fact that luminance, provided by the monochrome sensor, has a much greater consequence on image detail than chrominance, provided past the RGB sensor. So they were able to increase the resolution of just the monochrome sensor without a significant issue on epitome quality.

Images captured by the rear camera are 20-megapixels, matching the resolution of the monochrome sensor. There's also optical image stabilization here, as well as a dual-tone, dual-LED flash and a light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation-assisted autofocus system that combines with PDAF and contrast AF for ultra-fast focusing. The front end camera is an 8-megapixel Sony IMX179 1/3.2" sensor with i.4µm pixels paired with an f/1.ix lens and autofocus.

This photo was captured using a simulated f/vi.iii discontinuity

Huawei'due south photographic camera app is decent, with like shooting fish in a barrel access to key features similar the aperture simulation mode, video mode, and the front facing photographic camera available with just ane touch. Swiping up a tray near the shutter button reveals a capable transmission mode with controls for ISO, shutter, white rest, exposure and metering modes. The rest of the photographic camera's functions are available in a tray that slides out from the left, while settings are in a tray on the correct.

The discontinuity simulation characteristic has been improved from the implementation on the Huawei P9, offering better edge detection and more than pleasing bokeh effects. It's still not perfect, notwithstanding, with results ranging from first-class to awful depending on how well the camera senses depth. In general, though, if you want better background blur y'all should utilise this manner, as it does a respectable task of simulating wide-aperture DSLR lenses.

This photo was captured using a false f/2.4 aperture

It'southward worth highlighting a few other camera modes. The monochrome way delivers fantabulous greyscale images thanks to an entire sensor dedicated to monochrome capture. The light painting way can accomplish some compelling night imagery. I wasn't equally impressed with the HDR mode, which appears to have little upshot over the standard automatic way.

The Mate 9's epitome quality is good, but it didn't impress me every bit much equally the outstanding Google Pixel Twoscore or the solid Galaxy S7. Images taken with this phone in its 'standard' colour fashion are more accurate than those captured by either the Pixel or the S7, but they aren't equally beautiful or immediately shareable. Switching into 'brilliant' or 'smooth' mode improves color saturation significantly, frequently to unrealistic levels, though this comes at the expense of dynamic range. The Pixel 40 manages to offer both vivid, vibrant colors and fantastic dynamic range due to its superior software and processing.

Photos captured by the Mate nine are most impressive in proficient indoor or outdoor lighting, with excellent white balance and exposure produced by the standard mode. Dynamic range is good, with a slight trend to get washed out on occasion, while the amount of item from the dual sensor system is smashing. There are some noise reduction artefacts present, merely it's not as noticeable as with the Galaxy S7 or the LG G5.

The Mate ix isn't as adept in worse lighting weather. Several indoor photos I captured were noticeably undersaturated, and those taken in high dissimilarity situations suffered from poor exposure and poor dynamic range. As lighting conditions go more challenging, the Mate 9 is more prone to deliver washed out images. Some nighttime results are grainy and quite disappointing compared to other flagship phones, while others were vivid and surprisingly vibrant. I'd similar to come across a software update attempt to address some of these camera inconsistencies.

I'1000 glad to see Huawei has included 4K video capture here, which was oddly missing from the Huawei P9. Video quality is very good at this resolution, with loftier levels of item and great color performance. The video mode is well complemented by slow movement and time lapse shooting modes.