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Huawei Ascend Mate 7
Huawei Ascend Mate 7
Huawei Ascend Mate 7
Huawei Ascend Mate 7
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8.3/10
Informr score
The Huawei Ascend Mate 7 currently has an Informr score of 8.3 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 15 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

What's good

  • Great battery life
  • Display has excellent contrast and viewing angles
  • Smooth performance during basic and heavy tasks

What's bad

  • Might be too large for some consumers
  • Confusing UI
  • Suffers from bloatware

The phablet market is quickly becoming the preferred design of most phone manufacturers and Huawei is adding yet another one to the mix with the release of the Ascend Mate 7. In order to compete with the top three smartphone manufacturers, Huawei has taken steps throughout the years to improve their phone design and that trend continues with the Mate 7. Experts consider it to be the best built and designed smartphone in the Huawei lineup to date. The chassis is made almost entirely of aluminum save for the plastic covers at the top and bottom of the device. Despite its large size – 6.2 inches tall and 3.2 inches wide – critics found it fairly comfortable to hold thanks to the curved back and matte metal.

Thanks to the slim bezels, the 6-inch, 1080 display takes up a majority of the face of the phone. The full HD resolution offers a pixel density of 367ppi, which is higher than the iPhone 6. As expected, it provided reviewers with crisp icons, clear images and sharp text. Besides this, the Mate 7 also comes with IPS-Neo technology, which is advertised as having better viewing angles and contrast than its competitors. Hands-on testing confirm this claim as experts were wowed by the viewing angles and deep blacks with Anand Tech adding, "…this is one of the deepest blacks I've come to meet in a device."

It isn't just the display that is powerful and large. The Mate 7 comes equipped with an octa-core processor made up of 4 x 1.8GHz and 4 x 1.3GHz cores and 2GB of RAM. This provides it with plenty of power but only when it's needed. In essence, during more basic tasks it will only access the 1.3GHz quad-core processor and then kick in the faster ones once tasks require more power. While it might not have scored high in certain benchmark tests, reviewers did not experience any lag, crashes or stutters during their hands-on testing regardless of what tasks they were performing. To offset the 8 processors and HD display, Huawei has included a 4,000mAh battery. Battery draining tests clock it in at around 17 hours with real life tests backing this claim. On average, critics were able to get 2 days of battery life of moderate usage.

As an Android device, the Huawei does run Android OS; however Huawei has customized it so much that experts found in practically unrecognizable and not necessarily for the better. Many found the interface to be clunky with many unnecessary features, otherwise known as bloatware. Still, the phone comes with up to 32GB of internal memory so consumers still have plenty of space to download apps they want.

Stuck to the back is a 13MP camera. While experts would not name it a class leader, it performed well in almost every area. Experts were able to take images with crisp details, bright and accurate colors and even saturation even in lower light settings. As well, they add that it is quick to focus and take pictures so they never worried about missing a great a shot. The camera comes with various features such as HDR mode, panorama and various filters like vintage and "nostalgia" to give your photos more character.

For the Mate 7, its biggest issue is its large size, but critics were able to overlook this due to its excellent overall performance. Pocket Lint states, "…the Mate 7 is a contender for best on the market, no doubt about it." CNET adds, "…It's a well-crafted handset and doesn't at all invoke the Chinese knockoff image that many might associate with the brand."


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
1.8 GHz
Processor
Processor
1.8 GHz
6"
Screen Size
Screen Size
6"
13+ MP
Camera
Camera
13+ MP
4100 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Softpedia
Softpedia

Huawei Ascend Mate7 is the first phablet launched by the Chinese company, and the good/bad features ratio is definitely in favor of the former. Not many would have thought that Huawei could make a good-looking smartphone with a high quality build, which proves that the handset maker is now ready to...

- Cosmin Vasile, Softpedia
Pocketnow
Pocketnow

Sitting around the same cost as other large form factor devices like the Galaxy Note 3, it’s hard to say whether or not this device is worth buying right now. It’s certainly better-built than the Note 3, though software is subjective and the multi-tasking capabilities included with Samsu...

- Hayato Huseman, Pocketnow
TechSpot
TechSpot

Its aluminium build is excellent from both an ergonomic and visual perspective, giving this high-end smartphone the premium feel it deserves.

- Tim Schiesser, TechSpot
Digital Versus
Digital Versus

Huawei gets better with each model, but the Mate 7 is verging on perfection. We might bemoan the battery life—the immense capacity led us to hope for much better—but it still lasts a perfectly acceptable amount of time. As for the rest, the build-quality is excellent, responsiveness exem...

- Sofian Nouira, Digital Versus
Fone Arena
Fone Arena

The Ascend Mate 7 is not only a decent rival to these flagships but also packs a lesser price tag which increases its appeal; whether it’s a success or not is still to be seen but one thing’s clear – Huawei aren’t going anywhere and 2015 could be their greatest year yet.

- Nirave, Fone Arena


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Huawei Ascend Mate 7 user manual here.


Huawei backs up the Ascend Mate 7 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your Ascend Mate 7 has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Huawei support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Huawei's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.




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Quick view

Screen Size
6"

The Huawei Ascend Mate 7's screen size is 6 inches with 1080 x 1920 pixels resolution.

Processor
1.8 GHz

There is a HiSilicon Kirin 925 Octa core 1.8 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on the Android 4.4 KitKat operating system (OS).

Camera
13+ MP

You can take photos with the phone's onboard 13+ MP camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera with 5+ megapixels resolution.

Storage
16/32 GB

Internal memory is 16/32 GB. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 32 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
4100mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol), 4100 mAh battery. Huawei's performance ratings are 1206 minutes, 833 minutes Wi-Fi surfing.

Ascend Mate 7 Specs

Overview
Release Date December 31, 2014
Regions Available United Kingdom
Operating System Android 4.4 KitKat

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor HiSilicon Kirin 925 Octa core 1.8 GHz
Internal Storage 16/32 GB
RAM 2 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Unknown
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual, Standard Battery, Headset, Data Cable
Cellular
Networks
HSUPA, HSPA+, LTE
Mobile / Cellular Data
4G/LTE
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling Unknown
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Unknown
SIM card size
Micro-SIM
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 4.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, OPP/FTP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot Yes
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 32 GB)
NFC Yes
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
13+ Megapixels
Zoom
Yes
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, Face detection, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, ASF
Video Recording Parameters
Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels)
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
5+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (IPS)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 1080 x 1920 pixels
Pixel Density 368 pixels
Size 6 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol)
Battery Capacity 4100 mAh
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Video Playback Time Up to 844 minutes
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 833 minutes
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Up to 1206 minutes
Standby Time Unknown
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Aluminium
Colors Black, White
Dimensions [H x W x D] 15.7 x 8.1 x 0.8 cm (6.2 x 3.2 x 0.3 in)
Weight 185 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key No
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor Yes
More
Additional Information Other Names (AKA):
Related Links Manual (PDF)
Huawei Ascend Mate 7 Reviews
Where to buy Huawei Ascend Mate 7
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