Oh boy! Mate 9 is available in the US, will you switch?

[juliesdroidsync]

The mate 9 does have CDMA support and works on the worlds largest CDMA Carrier. It even supports Verizon's primary CDMA frequency. It also supports 3 of 4 Verizon LTE bands in case you were wondering, but of course no b13. Of course this is just specs... Verizon activating it on their network is another story.

This listing on Best Buy seems to contradict that... says compatible with GSM carriers like AT&T and T-Mo...

Huawei Mate 9 4G LTE with 64GB Memory Cell Phone (Unlocked) Gray MHA-L29 - Best Buy

are there multiple models being released?

(I'm hoping for the Porsche Design to come out with CDMA support, since I'm stuck with Verizon for now because of coverage... but would consider the Mate 9.)

Thanks!

 

[dpham00]

This listing on Best Buy seems to contradict that... says compatible with GSM carriers like AT&T and T-Mo...

Huawei Mate 9 4G LTE with 64GB Memory Cell Phone (Unlocked) Gray MHA-L29 - Best Buy

are there multiple models being released?

(I'm hoping for the Porsche Design to come out with CDMA support, since I'm stuck with Verizon for now because of coverage... but would consider the Mate 9.)

Thanks!

Huawei page lists CDMA. There are different models depending on the region though.

 

[rimz808]

It does sound like a good device, for sure! Also, congratulations on your Axon 7! I've heard really good things about this phone, as well. What's your favourite part about the experience so far?

Yes. I am really liking the Axon 7, my first android phone.

Favorite part:
1. Feel and look - feel good in the hands and easy to use/functional with one hand
2. Fingerprint scanner on back is much better than having it on the front, and it's very responsive and fast
3. Screen is vibrant and looks good!
4. Dual speakers with Dolby Atom is spectacular! When I show others sample sounds, they are like, "wow, that sounds really good coming from such a small device"

Curious about the Mate 9 though, ever since it was released and now finally in the US.

 

[edwin walke]

Seriously considering switching to Huawei Mate 9 - the specs are just insane!

Huawei Mate 9 arriving in the U.S. Jan 6 for $599, will add Alexa support in a future update https://www.androidcentral.com/huaweis-flagship-mate-9-arriving-us-january-6

What about you guys?

Ordered a Space gray from B&H today. Still love the Honor 8 but just had to have one of these beasts.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

Sadly no because I bought a Moto Z along with some Motomods not too long ago.

But I did play with one for some time and I am very impressed. This is the first Huawei phone I actually want to use as a daily driver. I knew Huawei hardware was great, but the software was usually a low-point for me, until now. They fixed most of my gripes with EMUI, to the point where I find myself enjoying the experience.

And the dual 20MP monochrome + 12MP RGB camera array is just pure icing on a sweet cake, with excellent still photos and much-improved video over the P9. And that battery life.

If you're on the fence, I would say this is definitely worth the $599. It's pricey for a Huawei, but for a big-screen beast with a beast of a battery and great cameras, it's worth it.

 

[BotanicalStig]

Would love one! but the price is too high for... lets be real here, a disposable item. I would absolutely buy it over the competition if I were in that price range. However, I buy my phones a little closer to the poverty line.

Still hoping to see a large phone with a monster battery from honor. I've wanted a Huawei mate for years. They are just awesome phones.

 

[Morty2264]

Yes. I am really liking the Axon 7, my first android phone.

Favorite part:
1. Feel and look - feel good in the hands and easy to use/functional with one hand
2. Fingerprint scanner on back is much better than having it on the front, and it's very responsive and fast
3. Screen is vibrant and looks good!
4. Dual speakers with Dolby Atom is spectacular! When I show others sample sounds, they are like, "wow, that sounds really good coming from such a small device"

Curious about the Mate 9 though, ever since it was released and now finally in the US.

Thank you so much for your response! Sounds like a very good introduction to Android for you, and for anyone, from the sounds of things!

I do agree with you about having the fingerprint scanner in the back - it's much easier to do that and hold your phone one-handed than using a front-facing fingerprint scanner. Glad you are liking the phone! It certainly looks beautiful, and the size is good, so I can totally understand you enjoying how it feels in the hand.

 

[rimz808]

Thank you so much for your response! Sounds like a very good introduction to Android for you, and for anyone, from the sounds of things!

I do agree with you about having the fingerprint scanner in the back - it's much easier to do that and hold your phone one-handed than using a front-facing fingerprint scanner. Glad you are liking the phone! It certainly looks beautiful, and the size is good, so I can totally understand you enjoying how it feels in the hand.

Yes. I do like it a lot. However, I will most likely get the Mate 9 and see how that goes. I've been very interested in it ever since I heard of it's release. They just did not release it in time for the holidays, which was why I went with the Axon 7.

 

[digitalbreak]

I tried an Axon 7. Boy their MiFavor sucks big time. I like EMUI way better. And with EMUI 5.0 you can't even compare to MiFavor.

 

[rimz808]

I tried an Axon 7. Boy their MiFavor sucks big time. I like EMUI way better. And with EMUI 5.0 you can't even compare to MiFavor.

So i am new to android. What exactly are these MiFavor, EMUI, called? They are not called launchers correct? Also, how does one know that it sucks? What makes it a good one vs a bad one.

Sorry for the noob questions but again, I am new to the whole android ecosystem.

 

[dpham00]

So i am new to android. What exactly are these MiFavor, EMUI, called? They are not called launchers correct? Also, how does one know that it sucks? What makes it a good one vs a bad one.

Sorry for the noob questions but again, I am new to the whole android ecosystem.

There's base Android called Android open source project (AOSP) . All the manufacturers add customizations to aosp to make it their own, referred to as skins or user interface(UI). What's good and whats bad depends on what you are looking for. Some people like pure Android,some prefer pure Google,some like Samsung TouchWiz,etc.

 

[rimz808]

There's base Android called Android open source project (AOSP) . All the manufacturers add customizations to aosp to make it their own, referred to as skins or user interface(UI). What's good and whats bad depends on what you are looking for. Some people like pure Android,some prefer pure Google,some like Samsung TouchWiz,etc.

Thanks for that info. So I assume the only phone with pure android is pixel? Or is that phone pure Google? I guess people who has used lots of different android phones will know which UI is better?

 

[digitalbreak]

Thanks for that info. So I assume the only phone with pure android is pixel? Or is that phone pure Google? I guess people who has used lots of different android phones will know which UI is better?

Pixel will be pure Google as Pixel has its optimization and customization on top of AOSP.

 

[dpham00]

Thanks for that info. So I assume the only phone with pure android is pixel? Or is that phone pure Google? I guess people who has used lots of different android phones will know which UI is better?

It is pure Google. Pure Android doesn't have the Google play store or the Google apps bundle.

There isn't one that is the best for everyone... You can try different ones out to see what suits you the best.

 

[pkcable]

Some manufacturers are known to highly customize and add lots of features, most of the big guys do this, such as Samsung, HTC, and LG. And of course, Huawei (big in China not so big yet here) also highly customizes. Others do not OnePlus for example, the Google branded phones, Pixel AND the Nexus line. Also Motorola has done both nearly stock AND highly customized.

Different things work for different people. Many prefer nearly stock Android, while many prefer those manufacturer customizations, and still others like to add their own via custom ROMs (Homebrewed - and sometimes quite professional).

 

[edwin walke]

Ordered a Space gray from B&H today. Still love the Honor 8 but just had to have one of these beasts.

Got it yesterday and can't put it down. fantastic device -- perfect size and fast as lightning.

 

[pkcable]

Got it yesterday and can't put it down. fantastic device -- perfect size and fast as lightning.

I know what you mean! Its one of the best phones I have EVER owned!

 

[dpham00]

I am tempted to get one but i bought a new pixel XL on contract for$320. Going on contract also saves me an additional$20/MO or$480 over two years so the price difference between the pixel xl and mate 9 is$760 in my situation.

 

[Morty2264]

Yes. I do like it a lot. However, I will most likely get the Mate 9 and see how that goes. I've been very interested in it ever since I heard of it's release. They just did not release it in time for the holidays, which was why I went with the Axon 7.

Let us know how you like the Mate 9!

 

[rimz808]

Let us know how you like the Mate 9!

I am liking it so far. Nice big 5.9 screen that does not feel big at all in the hands. Easy and comfortable to hold. 1080p resolution is just fine.

Battery life is superb. After 7 hours of use, I am only at 64%. Performance is very speedy and responsive and EMU 5.0 is much better.

A cons is that they decided to have both ringtones and notification volume tone be controlled the same, instead of separate. After looking around, I found the app Volume Control, which can separate both ringtones and notification tones, which solved that problem.

Overall, I am liking it very much.