Bucket Seat: Traveler Tips with HONOR 200 Series

Travelling, whether it be within the country or abroad, is on almost everyone’s bucket list. From exploring the natural beauty of the Devil’s Pool in Victoria Falls, to exploring the hidden historical beauty of the Cradle of Humankind in Gauteng – the travel bug is sure to catch us at some point or the other.

But once the planning, booking, and packing are behind us — what really happens during the trip? Is it a day packed with scheduled activities, or do we venture out and explore the wonders on our own without the guidance of a local tour?

HONOR knows travelling can be as confusing as it is exciting, which is why the brand curated the ultimate travel guide for the most memorable trip. The must-pack item, though? The HONOR 200 Series, which features the HONOR 200 Pro and HONOR 200.

Here’s what every traveller should try out on their trip:

Ditch the Tour: Become a Wanderlust

Travel is about discovering the unexpected. Putting away the map and simply wanders gives travellers to open themselves up to serendipitous moments and hidden gems that aren’t in any guidebook.

And with the HONOR 200 Series, which is embedded with Google Mobile Services, travellers will always have access to Google Maps to make sure they’re going the right way.

Wandering without a plan will get travellers to experience a destination in its most authentic form – whether it be a charming café tucked away in a quiet alley, a local artisan shop, or breathtaking views stumbled on by chance.

Be a Tourist: Get Immersed in Those Iconic Sites

There’s a reason why certain landmarks and attractions draw travellers from all over the world – these attractions are awe-inspiring. So, embrace that inner tourist and take the time to visit those iconic sites.

And of course, take pictures. As many as needed because with the HONOR 200 Series ample storage capacity of 512GB, travellers will have enough space to keep their favourite memories stored safely without ever having to delete any.

Whether it’s standing in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower or driving through the open plains of Kruger National Park to see the Big 5, these experiences create lasting memories.

Snap Every Moment: Pictures Last a Lifetime

Moments of the trip can be fleeting, but pictures allow travellers to relive those moments forever.

The HONOR 200 Pro and HONOR 200feature an impressive camera system. Equipped with a 50MP Main Portrait Camera, an impressive 50MP Telephoto Camera, and large sensors, it captures every detail, from the vibrant hues of a bustling city to the subtle nuances of a serene landscape. The devices further impresses with its 50MP Portrait Selfie Camera, crafted to enhance travel and vacation photography with exceptional detail.

With the HONOR AI Portrait Engine, tourists can effortlessly capture the perfect shot while the AI handles the technical aspects. It automatically optimises settings, recognises scenes, and enhances photos so users can focus on enjoying their travels and creating memorable personal portraits that highlight both their experiences and surroundings.

Be the Last One Awake: Witness the City Go to Sleep

There’s something magical about being awake when the rest of the world is winding down. As the hustle and bustle of the day fades, cities reveal a quieter, more intimate side. Stroll through the empty streets, listen to the echoes of distant conversations, and watch as the city transitions into slumber.

After a full day of exploring, city gazing at night can still be on the books with the HONOR 200 Series. Featuring a 5200mAh Silicon-Carbon Battery built to last all day on a single charge, the smartphone becomes the ultimate travel companion – ensuring travellers are connected any time of the day.

With all-day battery life, being the last one awake lets explorers experience the serenity of a destination that most travellers miss.

Travelling is more than just checking off destinations on a map – it’s about embracing and immersing oneself in new experiences and creating memories that will last a lifetime. And with the HONOR 200 Pro as the perfect travel companion, explorers can rest assured they’ll be able to get the most out of their trip.

Pricing and Availability

The HONOR 200 Pro and HONOR 200 are available at the nearest retailer or network provider for the recommended retail price of R19 999 and R15 999, respectively.

The purchase of the HONOR 200 Pro and HONOR 200 will include free gifts to the value of R6 999, including an HONOR SuperCharge plus the cable, a screen protector, free postal repair with pickup and delivery service, a 3-year battery health protection warranty, and a 180-day screen accident warranty, which excludes labour fees.

For more information, please visit HONOR.

Bucket Tech: HUAWEI nova11 Series

Last week HUAWEI South Africa sent through their latest device for me to spend some time with, the nova11 is an exciting new offering in the nova series offering the consumer a smart phone that is of high quality, both in design and aesthetics but also at a reasonable price and with features that can only be found on much more premium devices. While I take the nova11 on my day-to-day adventures, you can read more about what this phone is all about. 

HUAWEI has taken the smartphone market by storm once again with the launch of its highly anticipated HUAWEI nova 11 Series. Designed to cater to the vibrant and tech-savvy younger generation, this innovative line-up #DareToStandOut redefines portrait photography whilst offering an unmatched user experience. With an exquisite design and functionality, the HUAWEI nova 11 Series is poised to make a resounding impact in the tech landscape.

Speaking about the HUAWEI nova 11 Series, Mr. Akhram Mohamed, Vice President of Operations HUAWEI Consumer Business Group, said: 

“The HUAWEI nova 11 Series encompasses an exquisite blend of style and functionality. From the first-ever nova Monogram Vegan Leather design on the HUAWEI nova 11 Pro to the all-powerful portrait camera. This series is designed for the fashion forward or trendsetter consumer “.

Exquisite portrait photography and design

The HUAWEI nova 11 Series is set to raise the bar for portrait photography with the introduction of ground breaking features. The XD Portrait technology ensures that every portrait shot, captures the minutest detail and authentic colour. This technology performs exceptionally even in low-light conditions, preserving natural skin texture and tones and illuminating subjects in poorly lit environments.

The HUAWEI nova 11 Series introduces an upgraded HUAWEI Multi-Vision Photography system empowering users to capture stunning images. With a 60 MP Ultra Portrait Dual Camera and a 100-degree ultra-wide-angle, the HUAWEI nova 11 Pro ensures impeccable resolution and light sensitivity. The 8 MP Close-up Portrait Front Camera offers a versatile zoom range, catering to various photography needs.

Embodying youthful vitality and uniqueness, the HUAWEI nova 11 Series pushes the boundaries of smartphone aesthetics. The Vegan Leather – Green colour on the HUAWEI nova 11 Pro takes centre stage, echoing the vibrancy and spirit of the younger generation. The design innovation perfectly balances comfort and durability, culminating in a captivating and secure grip.

SuperCharge Turbo for uninterrupted power

Equipped with an ultra-large battery, the HUAWEI nova 11 Series ensures long-lasting performance. With the HUAWEI 100W SuperCharge Turbo, the HUAWEI nova 11 Pro can charge up to 60% in just 10 minutes and reach a full charge in 20 minutes with the screen off. Even with the screen on, a 50% charge takes a mere 15 minutes, effectively eliminating battery anxiety. The HUAWEI nova 11 Series offers a powerful 66W HUAWEI SuperCharge for rapid charging.

The reliability of the Kunlun Glass

For the first time in the HUAWEI nova Series, the HUAWEI nova 11 Pro incorporates the formidable Kunlun Glass. This technology substantially enhances glass robustness through the infusion of composite ions forming nanometer crystals. The result? A smartphone that boasts ten times the drop resistance of its predecessor giving users unparalleled peace of mind.

As the excitement surrounding the imminent release of the HUAWEI nova 11 Pro and HUAWEI nova 11 reaches its peak, consumers can already revel in the availability of the HUAWEI nova 11i on the market. Boasting a range of practical features, including a generously sized screen with minimal bezels and an enduring battery life coupled with ample storage capacity, the HUAWEI nova 11i offers a seamless blend of functionality and elegance. Its exquisite design, user experience and unwavering quality encapsulate both beauty and prowess within a single device. This dynamic smartphone speaks directly to those who aspire and dare to chase their dreams.

Do you #DareToStandOut? Explore further details by visiting the HUAWEI online store today or popping into any operator store. You can choose your preferred smartphone from only R799 per month on a 24- month contract for the HUAWEI nova 11 Pro or from R649 per month on a 24-month contract for the HUAWEI nova 11.

Bucket Tech: HONOR 90

Yesterday saw Chinese brand HONOR launch their latest device, the HONOR 90 5G in Dubai, with the Middle East slowly becoming the hub for electronics it made sense why the brand chose Dubai as their location of choice to launch this device. 

Some quick specifications of the HONOR 90 5G

• 6.7-inch OLED Screen
• 91.7% Screen-to-body Ratio
• 1200 x 2664 resolution (435 pixels per inch)
• 120Hz Dynamic refresh rate, low flicker display
• 5000mAh battery 
• 66W SuperCharge 
• Trip lens Matrix camera with 200MP main camera. 
• 50MP Selfie Camera
• AI Video assistant 

As you all know HONOR was a sub division of HUAWEI but as of last year announced that they have split from the brand but in theory most of their devices share the same platform and there are a host of similarities between them. With the trade ban being posed on HUAWEI seeing them lose their Google Services partnership, HONOR dissolving itself was the smart move to make. 

Coming back to the HONOR 90, the build quality on their devices is top notch and the same remains with this model, its a metal unibody with  glass back and the front dominated by the screen. The edges are bezeled giving the phone a nice curved look. With the slim form factor it makes it much easier to use with one hand. The HONOR 90 is available in three colours, Emerald Green, Diamond Silver and Midnight Black but early thoughts from people who've seen the phone is that due to the metallic finish, the device does tend to become a finger print magnet, which show more on the dark colours. 

The HONOR 90 comes with a Snapdragon 7 Gen One, its performance is reported to be great with it having thermal management that keeps the device cool when in use outdoors. The device is available in 256GB and 512GB memory options. The phone offers flagship specs on a medium budget phone. There is no indication on when the HONOR 90 will be available in the country neither do we have any local prices yet, but pricing on launch yesterday was $499 for the 256GB and $599 for the 512GB. 

Bucket Tech: HUAWEI Mate Series

HUAWEI has been a major player in the smartphone industry and has made significant strides in smartphone innovation in recent years. The latest HUAWEI Mate50 Pro is stunner in all aspects. It’s technological innovation, integration of art, unique visual style and revolutionary photography experience are hard to miss.

While these characteristics, coupled with its outstanding functionalities make the device an attractive option for users who value a premium user experience - it’s not the first time the tech brand has successfully provided users with an enhanced experience.

Looking at the past 5 generations of the HUAWEI Mate Series, innovation has helped the company to remain competitive in the smartphone industry and provide users with cutting-edge devices. Here’s how every generation has evolved overtime:

High-quality design and hardware

The HUAWEI Mate 10, introduced in 2017 features a modern design with a 5.9-inch display, slim bezels and an 18:9 aspect ratio. It also featured a glass back cover. While the HUAWEI Mate 20 had a more striking design with a gradient-coloured glass back cover and a triple-camera setup. It also featured a larger 6.53-inch display with a small waterdrop-style notch.

The next generation, the HUAWEI Mate 30 came with more futuristic design, thanks to the circular camera module on the back cover. It featured a larger display than the HUAWEI Mate 20. The Mate 40 features a more refined version of the HUAWEI Mate 30's design with a more prominent camera module and a larger 6.76-inch display.

Today, the HUAWE Mate 50 Pro, comes with a remarkable classic design. The smartphone radiates charm in every way, with its iconic symmetrical form, and intricate pyramidal Clous de Paris pattern, which draws you in to the sophisticated camera module. The screen is designed with the powerful Kunlun Glass and keeps the screen from breaking and cracking. The Kunlun Glass has the first-ever five-star glass drop resistance certification from Switzerland's SGS, thanks to its overall drop resistance that is boosted by 10 times.

Advanced camera capabilities

The HUAWEI Mate Series has consistently pushed the boundaries of smartphone photography, introducing new technologies and features with each iteration.

In 2017, the HUAWEI Mate 10 came with a dual-camera setup like the Mate 9, but this time with a 12-megapixel RGB sensor and a 20-megapixel monochrome sensor. The front camera was upgraded to an 8-megapixel camera with autofocus. Introduced in 2018, the HUAWEI Mate 20 Series came with triple Leica cameras, making photography more professional. Enter the HUAWEI Mate30 in 2019, this smartphone packs a rear-facing ultra-sensitive Leica movie quad-camera lens that delivered powerful and revolutionary photography and videography capabilities, gradually becoming a choice for many photography enthusiasts.

In 2020 the HUAWEI Mate 40 featured a triple-camera setup with a 50-megapixel main camera, a 20-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 12-megapixel telephoto. The front camera was upgraded to a 13-megapixel camera with autofocus.

The latest HUAWEI Mate 50 Pro, launched in 2022 features XMAGE, a new camera system, with an exceptional periscope lens for even better zoom capabilities.  XMAGE is the super-optical variable camera, first introduced with the HUAWEI Mate 50 series. The camera uses XMAGE technology with a variable aperture that can achieve a 10-stop adjustable aperture, making it a technological breakthrough in three optical systems. Thanks to XMAGE, this smartphone brings new colour enhancements that is suitable for various real-time photography scenarios.

Power-saving technologies and an optimized battery life

The HUAWEI Mate Series has seen a consistent improvement in battery technology, with larger battery capacities, faster charging times, and better power management features. The AI-powered battery optimization features in the more recent models have made the battery life even more efficient and user-friendly.

The HUAWEI Mate 10’s inception came with a 4000mAh battery with SuperCharge technology that allowed for fast charging times. It also had improved battery management features, including an AI-powered system that learned user habits to optimize battery life. Following this series was the HUAWEI Mate 20 with even faster charging technology, allowing the phone to be charged up to 70% in just 30 minutes.

On the hand, the HUAWEI Mate 30 and HUAWEI Mate 40 improved its fast-charging technology and its wireless charging capabilities.

The HUAWEI Mate 50 Pro is even more powerful and efficient, with a longer battery life. You can now go for hours with your favourite films and games, thanks to its 4700 mAh large capacity battery,⁠ 66W Wired Multi-channel HUAWEI SuperCharge⁠. The Low-Battery Emergency mode intelligently enables SuperEnergy Boosting when the battery level falls to 1%, ensuring that the remaining power supports 3 hours of use or up to 12-minute call time.

Boosted performance

Lastly, the performance of the HUAWEI Mate Series has advanced and made significant improvements to its user interface. The latest version, EMUI 13, on the HUAWEI Mate50 Pro offers a clean and streamlined design that is easy to navigate. The HUAWEI Mate 50 Series phones are the first to run EMUI 13, which streamlines daily interactions with effortless one-touch navigation. SuperHub allows users to temporarily store images, documents, and text, and share them in batches, with free and easy transfers between apps and devices.

The evolution of Mate Series is the story of smartphone innovation. The Mate Series products are designed with an uncompromising attention to detail and represent HUAWEI’s commitment to serving its users. To check out the latest Mate Series, the HUAWEI Mate50 Pro, visit the HUAWEI online store today.

Bucket Tech: HUAWEI Mate50 Pro - Official Launch

The HUAWEI Consumer Business Group has announced the launch of the latest member of its flagship Mate series, the HUAWEI Mate50 Pro and celebrates the fourth anniversary of the HUAWEI AppGallery in South Africa. The HUAWEI Mate50 Pro comes equipped with a range of cutting-edge technologies, breaking new ground, and expanding the scope of what users can expect from a smartphone.

Amongst its industry-first features, the HUAWEI Mate50 Pro also packs an Ultra Aperture XMAGE Camera, which boasts the first-ever 10-scale adjustable physical aperture and the most versatile photography capabilities ever seen on a HUAWEI Mate smartphone. In terms of performance, the HUAWEI Mate50 Pro is armoured by the ultra-reliable “Kunlun Glass”, which boosts drop resistance by 10 times. The smartphone’s design represents a major step forward in smartphone aesthetics, thanks to the symmetrical Space Ring Design.

Future-facing features that elevate performance and user experience

The HUAWEI “Kunlun Glass” consists of 10 quadrillion-level nanocrystals, the result of composite ion strengthening, which make it more resilient and drop resistant as verified by the first-ever five-star glass drop resistance certification from Switzerland’s SGS. This makes the HUAWEI Mate50 Pro models the first smartphone to ever achieve this certification. The smartphone supports IP68-rated water resistance of up to 6 metres underwater, allowing it to easily handle wet and dusty environments.

The HUAWEI Mate50 Pro display provides a window into a crystal-clear world. Combined with the P3 wide colour gamut, fine-tuned colours are calibrated to ensure absolute authenticity. The smartphone comes with a 6.74-inch HUAWEI FullView Display, a screen resolution of 2616 x 1212 pixels and a high refresh rate of 120Hz and 1440Hz PWM dimming, to reduce flickering and relieve eye fatigue.

In addition, the HUAWEI Mate50 Pro packs a 4700 mAh battery within its slim body. It offers 66W HUAWEI SuperCharge wired and 50W HUAWEI SuperCharge wireless fast-charging solutions to strike an optimal balance between battery life, fast charging and portability. Moreover, with an innovative low-battery Emergency Mode that activates when the battery level falls to 1%, SuperEnergy Boosting enables the HUAWEI Mate50 Pro to extend standby time by three hours or 12 minutes of call time.

The SuperStorage feature removes duplicate files in an imperceptible way and compresses rarely used apps. This preserves up to 20GB of space (on a phone with 256GB of ROM), leaving more room for the abundance of photos and videos that today’s users capture.

The ground-breaking Ultra Aperture XMAGE camera

HUAWEI launched its very own mobile imaging brand “XMAGE” in 2022, with the goal of offering consumers a new shooting paradigm that fuses science with culture and aesthetics with technology, for an improved shooting experience. The HUAWEI Mate50 Pro features a cutting-edge Ultra Aperture XMAGE camera with a 10-size adjustable physical aperture, which incorporates key advances to the optical system, mechanical structure, imaging technology and image processing. The smart aperture adjusts to match the aperture size with the scene and shooting scenario identified in Auto mode. Switching to Professional mode allows you to manually adjust the depth of field and degree of blur.

What’s more, the HUAWEI Mate50 Pro has advanced hardware and algorithms that are deeply embedded to enhance static image shooting. The Ultra Aperture Camera comes equipped with an F1.4 large aperture, working with the XD Fusion Pro image engine and high light intake to set the image brightness, light and shadow details, as well as cold and warm comparisons to perfection.

Portrait mode applies natural background blurring to make the subject stand out from their surroundings. Night mode captures photos with highly distinct bright and dark regions, even in dimly lit environments. The periscope telephoto camera supports a zoom range of up to 200x, bringing scenes from the great beyond right in front of your eyes.

The wide-angle macro camera magnifies details from tiny worlds, presenting millimetre-level strands and dew droplets with outstanding clarity. The HUAWEI Mate50 Pro also supports macro video shooting and macro picture-in-picture (PiP) to accurately convey scenes in motion.

The first of its kind: A well-crafted classic design

In addition to the signature Mate Series design language of iconic symmetry and Space Ring Design, the HUAWEI Mate50 Pro makes use of the elegant Clous de Paris step-patterned embossing design for the first time ever, showcasing a new kind of ordered beauty that is crafted down to the last detail.

The HUAWEI Mate50 Pro has two different types of rear covers namely glass and vegan leather. The glass cover is available in two colours, Silver and Black, which gives the phone a distinct and elegant finish. The vegan leather version comes in Orange and is inspired by the radiant orange rays of the sun.

Being the first smartphone from HUAWEI to run on EMUI 13, which streamlines daily interactions with an effortless one-touch navigation, EMUI 13 introduces the Super Device SuperHub feature, which is an innovative file transfer capability. Users can simply press and hold on any text, pictures, videos and files, drag to the SuperHub’s floating window to store the files temporarily. Users can then switch to another application, select the files within the SuperHub for a seamless cut and paste. With the batch transfer capability, users can in addition use SuperHub for multi-files transfer between their smartphone, tablet and PC.

The HUAWEI Mate50 Pro comes pre-installed with HUAWEI AppGallery - the third-largest app marketplace in the world. Users can download a wide selection of global and Local apps. The HUAWEI AppGallery is  available in more than 170 countries and has over 580 million active monthly users.

Launching, alongside the HUAWEI Mate50 Pro, HUAWEI also introduced the new HUAWEI FreeBuds 5i and the HUAWEI MatePad SE 10.4-inch, which will be available for retail in South Africa in the coming months.

To pre-order the HUAWEI Mate50 Pro, visit the HUAWEI online store or go to selected network providers, including Vodacom, MTN, Telkom or Cell C. Pre order today in order to receive a free gift courtesy of HUAWEI.

Moreover, introduced in the latest version of HUAWEI’s backup power solution for homes, is the HUAWEI Power-M, backup power solution, along with the updated FusionSolar App.

You can light up your home with HUAWEI Power-M. The stackable modular design allows the system to be customised, providing a maximum of 15kW with 45kWh storage. Power-M also supports various power sources and uses the safest electrochemical cell material, lithium iron phosphate, and supports a very wide voltage range from 90V – 300V. This power makes it a safe and reliable choice as a residential power backup solution. Users can also use the FusionSolar mobile phone app to check the status of their system’s running and energy yield anytime, from anywhere

Bucket Tech: HUAWEI Nova Y70

Huawei has today announced the launch of the HUAWEI nova Y70, its latest entry-level phone with the longest battery life. The smartphone comes with a 6000mAh battery, 22.5W HUAWEI SuperCharge, a stunning display and a great set of cameras. The best part is that the HUAWEI nova Y70 lets you have all these features for an attractive price.

A reliable battery for uninterrupted performance

The HUAWEI nova Y70 comes with a large 6000mAh battery that can power the phone for 3 days on a single full charge. Moreover, the 22.5W HUAWEI SuperCharge allows for fast and reliable charging. As a result, you can get three hours of continuous video playback on a ten-minute charge.

A captivating 6.75-inch HUAWEI FullView Display

The large 6.75-inch HUAWEI FullView Display on the HUAWEI nova Y70 is great for displaying content in its full glory. The high screen to body ratio of 90.26% takes the visual experience up a notch. The FullView Display makes everything captivating and helps you focus on the content. Moreover, the design of the display itself is sleek and simple, with a narrow notch, to make the most of your mobile screen.

Exceptional camera quality

The cameras on the HUAWEI nova Y70 enable you to take exceptional pictures for your social media platforms. The AI Triple Camera on the phone is equipped with a 48MP High-res Main Camera, a 120° 5MP Ultra-Wide-Angle Camera and a 2MP Depth Camera. The Main Camera brings in more light when taking pictures, which results in better quality photos. You can also fit in more content into the frame, so that you can easily incorporate your entire group of friends or a wide landscape in a single shot. The Depth Camera helps create the bokeh effect, which blurs the background to keep the focus on the subject of the photo. 

Huawei's self-developed AI Beauty algorithm can apply a natural beautifying effect to your selfies. The algorithm tailors the 3D beautification effect according to your age and gender, to make your skin look flawless. It also helps improve the quality of the photo by sharpening the image and reducing digital noise. All of these features allow you to produce pictures of yourself, those around you and your adventures.

Access essential apps

The trusted, innovative, user-friendly and secure AppGallery, is available on the HUAWEI nova Y70, where users can easily navigate, explore, find and download a wide range of high-quality apps. You can find apps that you can use in your daily life, such as banking, games, news, online shopping, video streaming, including all the social media networking apps

If you are looking for a smartphone that checks all the boxes but doesn't break the bank in 2022, then go for the HUAWEI nova Y70. The HUAWEI nova Y70 combines many attractive features in a single device including super long battery life with fast charging, large and immersive display and an impressive camera.

Get the HUAWEI nova Y70 today and enjoy the super battery, supercharge, super screen and super camera. Visit the HUAWEI online store and get the HUAWE nova Y70 for R3 999 and receive a HUAWEI Bluetooth headset valued at R699 each, from 1 August to 31 October 2022, limited stock available, the entry-level phone that offers you the best of both worlds, exceptional performance at an inexpensive cost.   

Bucket Tech: HUAWEI P50 Pro - Review

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After attending the launch of HUAWEI's P50 range in March, I was looking forward to getting my hands on either devices which is available locally, as luck would have it I got the opportunity to spend a few weeks with the P50 Pro, the more business orientated device in the P50 range. 

UNBOXING

Unboxing the device is no different from any other HUAWEI smart phone, they box design has remained the same for as long as I can remember, with a sleek case which is very robust and has a nice plastic sheen to it. Once the lid is taken off you will find the P50 device propped right on the top, wrapped in protective paper and sat on a tray. Below this is a slim line box which houses the silicon cover that comes for free with every HUAWEI device and also on this box you will find the pin to eject the slim card slot. Underneath that is the box containing the user manual and there after you will be pleased to see that the P50 Pro comes with the 66W SuperCharger plug socket as well as the USB C fast charging cable. Most other premium devices have opted to sell their phones without the plug socket, making it an additional expense for their customers. I suppose this is one of the pro's that HUAWEI is hoping to keeping their loyal customers happy. 

DESIGN

I've owned a HUAWEI P30 Pro smart phone which has been my primary device for the past 2 years. In terms of design, not much has changed to the P50, the general design remains very much the same as mine and the previous P20 Pro, with the curved edges and metallic unibody. The phone has grown in size though, measuring 158.8 X 72.8mm in length and breath with a thickness of 8.5mm and a weight of 196g The device does feel good in hand but with the metallic finish can feel a bit slippery, the free silicon cover does alleviate this issue but like most covers, it does bulk the phone up a bit and then doesn't feel as good in hand as it does without the cover. The P50 Pro is available in two colours locally, Cocoa Gold and Golden Black, I had the Cocoa Gold which is the more appealing of the two giving the phone a very premium look both in light conditions and the dark. The metallic mirror finish is very eye catching but does get covered in finger prints quite easily. Cleaning them off isn't an issue as one swipe with a cloth or tissue does the trick, or if you like me a quick wipe on the pants to make it look all clean and elegant again. 

PROCESSING

The P50 Pro packs a power house chipset with it having the Kirin 9000, with the Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888. It runs a Octa-core CPU with a Mali-G78 MP24 GPU with Adreno 660. Memory wise the P50 Pro has 8GB of RAM with storage options of 128GB, 256GB and 512GB with 12GB RAM. Pretty powerful set up but the main talking point is the OS, it runs HUAWEI's latest Harmony OS 2.0 with no Google Services, while the platform is android based the device has no access to Google Playstore which in the previous generation device, the P40 Pro proved to be a major deal breaker for many. The bad news is that it doesn't look likely to change in the near future with HUAWEI already heavily investing into their own research and development of their own OS and platform. The Petal search application and App Gallery has seen a tremendous growth over the past 2 years lots of applications becoming available on the Gallery, while it still misses the popular ones predominantly from the Meta Group, there is the option of downloading and installing the APK files via the HUAWEI App Gallery when searching for these apps. Once downloaded and installed, these apps do work but there are some bugs that you'll pick up while using them. A most common one for me was seeing comments on Instagram posts being mixed up. I'm sure there will be a quick fix to this soon but for now, I'm just happy we can get these applications working on the phone without trying any funny hacker stuff. There are links to Google Services APK but the bugs are more prominent in these as my brief use of Google Maps was found to be unpleasant and I found myself reverting to Petal Maps on the phone as it was a more seamless interface. Not sure if this is purposely done this way to encourage use of the HUAWEI Apps. Overall, processing power and usage of the P50 Pro seems to be up there with the likes of the Galaxy S22 Pro and Apple iPhone 13 Pro.

CAMERA

Like with many of the P Series devices of the past, the camera is something that stands out as one of the phones key features. The P50 Pro is no different boasting a Quad camera set up that features a 50M wide lens, a 64MP periscope telephoto lens, 13MP ultra wide len and a 40MP 23mm (B/W) lens developed with Leica optics with a dual-LED flash. With HUAWEI and Leica's partnerships of the past, low light photography has been paramount in their tech, the P50 Pro boast impressive colourisation and detail in low light conditions with the night mode making use of of the the camera AI and chip to bring out the most in the pictures. A worthy note to mention is while taking pictures in night mode, the timing has been reduced significantly so you don't have to stand still for more than 4 seconds for night mode pictures. Other features on the camera include panorama, HDR and Super Macro functions which let you take detailed pictures of objects close up. Video on the main camera is superb as well with a great image stablizer while recording in 4K@30fps in 1080p resolution. There has been vast improvements in the front facing camera better known as the selfie camera these days, with it being a 13MP lens with wide lens offering so you can get everyone in that shot. It also features 4K video recording so it makes it perfect for vlogging.

VERDICT

While there still is a dark shadow hanging over the brand in terms of its lack of Google Services, there is no denying that the quality of their devices is still up there with the other brands in the market. The offerings in terms of features, processing power and the camera is as good if not better than its competitors. I was really impressed with the quality of the pictures from the P50 Pro, so much so it had me considering selling my P30 Pro! It's amazing to see how the technology has improved over the years in this regard. The battery life on the P50 Pro was pretty impressive as well with the 4360mAh battery giving me a full days usage giving me at least 2 days of life, and with the 66W SuperCharge even if you sitting on 0% you'll have up to 70% charge in a matter of minutes. Priced at R19,999 it certainly is the best value for money smart phone in its range, if you can operate without Google then it shouldn't be an issue getting used to this device and while I still think HUAWEI Harmony and Petal have a long way to go until it gets fully adopted, I don't see that transition taking very long. 

Some examples of pictures taken with the P50 Pro:

 

Bucket Tech: HONOR 50

The HONOR 50 comes with GMS and is the first smartphone to feature Qualcomm’s SnapdragonTM 778G Mobile Platform. The premium model is equipped with multi-video shooting modes, with combinations that use the front and rear cameras at the same time. In just one take it allows the users to choose from six modes which makes the vlogging experience fun, exciting, and engaging. With this the HONOR 50 also features an immersive 6.57-inch 75° curved OLED display which delivers a smooth surface experience visually and in hand, boasts 66W SuperCharge technology, enabling the battery to be charged over 70% in just 20 minutes and powers an outstanding 4300 mAh battery. HONOR 50 (8GB+256GB) will be available on sale from today at R13,999 in two vibrant colour options – Frost Crystal and Midnight Black. HONOR 50 Lite (8+128 GB), another variant under HONOR 50 series, will also be available at R5,499.

 “Continuing the HONOR series’ legacy of integrating aesthetics and technology, the new HONOR 50 smartphone boasts an array of impressive innovations across its camera, design and performance, by collaborating with our global industry leading partners. With the launch of HONOR 50, the brand seeks to change the mobile phone market forever and move forward with its pioneering strategy to become a premium technology brand by focusing on delivering breakthrough technology, advanced features for its products and create an intelligent world for everyone,” says Cao Tansong, General Manager of HONOR South Africa.

 Multi -Video Shooting Modes for One Take Recording

Giving users more flexibility to shoot content from different angles and perspectives, users can change between cameras with six multi-video shooting modes that use the front and rear cameras at the same time, delivering a top tier recording experience that is usually reserved for professionals. Offering even more choice when it comes to capturing content, users can also apply beauty mode, capture photographs from videos, and use pre-set video story templates on all their footage. In addition, wireless headsets[1] connected via Bluetooth can be used as wireless microphones during video capture. Creators can achieve better sound reception while shooting videos, providing an effortless vlogging experience.

The HONOR 50 is equipped with six multi-video shooting modes, with combinations that use the front and rear cameras at the same time. In just one take, users can choose from the following six modes to make the vlogging experience fun, exciting and engaging:

 •        Front to Rear Recording: Users can switch between the front and rear camera while shooting video content

•        Dual-View Recording (Front/Rear): Users can simultaneously shoot with both the front camera and the rear main camera. The dual view shows what is captured by both cameras side by side

•        Dual-View Recording (Rear/Rear): Users can shoot with both the rear main camera and the wide -angle camera at the same time. The main camera also supports 6x zoom while video shooting. The dual view shows what is captured by both cameras side by side

•        Picture in Picture: This mode allows users to overlay the view of the front camera onto the bigger view of the rear camera or vice versa. It is particularly useful if users want the audience to focus on the content but still let them see the person recording

•        Fast -Motion Recording & Slow-Motion Recording: This mode allows users to capture the object or themselves with slow or fast -motion effects, creating a cool and unique layer to video content

•        Single to Dual-View Recording: Users can also change from shooting in single camera to dual cameras at any time while recording

On top of the six multi-video shooting modes, the HONOR 50 comes with “Story” which includes nine sets of different video story templates that help users create cool videos based on different shooting scenarios. The HONOR 50 also allows users to use beauty mode while using the front camera, wide -angle shots while shooting a video, and capture photographs from video content, fulfilling the different needs of content creators and vloggers.

Unparalleled Camera System for the Ultimate Vlogging Experience 

With the rapid growth of short videos, young people have increasingly turned to vlogging to record and share their daily moments with the world around them. The HONOR 50 brings the one-take vlog shooting experience to the next level.

Equipped with a 32MP front camera with a 90o[2] viewing angle, users can take perfect selfies and videos, with more people and scenery captured in the frame. Boasting a pro-grade quad rear camera setup, the HONOR 50 comes with a 108MP[3] main camera, an 8MP wide-angle camera, a 2MP macro camera, and a 2MP depth camera, allowing users to shoot photos and videos in ultra-clarity and in beautiful detail, even at night. 

Stunning Display for an Immersive and Comfortable Viewing Experience

The HONOR 50 is comes with a 6.57-inch[4] 75o[5] curved OLED screen that supports a Full High-Definition resolution of 2340x1080. The display can produce a whopping 1.07 billion colours and covers 100% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut, delivering stunning visuals, sharp and crisp details, and an immersive color experience.

The HONOR 50 is equipped with a screen refresh rate of up to 120Hz and a touch sampling rate of 300Hz[6], promising high screen response speeds to deliver a great video watching experience and gaming with less input lag. With an intelligent dynamic refresh rate, HONOR 50 allows the users to adjust the refresh rate based on on-screen actions, helping to save power consumption.

Power Boost with Fast Charging Capabilities and a Fast Processor

Featuring a single-cell dual-circuit battery design, the HONOR 50 can easily support a full-day of uninterrupted use with its 4,300mAh[7] battery. The device boasts 66W[8] HONOR SuperCharge technology, enabling the battery to be juiced up to 70% within just 20 minutes[9] using the included charger.

Boosting performance to the maximum, the HONOR 50 is armed with the Qualcomm SnapdragonTM 778G 5G chipset, improving both CPU and GPU performance by 45% and AI processing power by 123%[10] compared with the previous generation. Powered by GPU Turbo X, a unique graphics acceleration technology, the HONOR 50 delivers a powerful performance even during intense gaming.

Superior Craftmanship and Dual Ring Camera Design

Embodying a premium and unique aesthetic that reflects the latest design trends, the HONOR 50 features an ultra-slim bezel on the front and 2.5D polishing glass edges on both upper and lower sides of the display, delivering a smooth surface to bring users a greater experience visually and in hand.

When the HONOR 50 is tilted against the light at different angles, it glitters and shimmers, making it the perfect fashion statement to match any outfit.

Paying homage to the classic twin lens reflex camera, the HONOR 50 adopts a dual ring camera design made up of two concentric circles on the back, resembling a pair of eyes to help users see more of the world around them. Drawing inspiration from the classic ring designs of luxury jewellery brands, the top circle featuring the main camera is polished with the same classic, timeless metal ring on the edge.

Magic UI 4.2 for an Exceptional All-Round User Experience

Delivering a seamless and convenient experience, the HONOR 50 is equipped with the upgraded Magic UI 4.2, offering up a creative suite of features which enable users to always stay connected.

Creating a personal, fun, and interactive UX experience for users, the HONOR 50 also includes a range of customizable modern art that lets users personalize their Always-on-Display (AOD).

Colour, Pricing and Availability

Designed to meet the evolving tastes of today’s discerning fashion-conscious crowd, the HONOR 50 goes beyond conventional colours and is available in a range of stunning and fashionable options including Frost Crystal, which is inspired by snow crystals and creates a dreamy diamond-like finish and timeless Midnight Black[11].

Starting from tomorrow, 26 November 2021, the HONOR 50 will be available in South Africa via Takealot, and will be available from MTN, Cell C, Telkom Mobile and selected retail stores, from early December. The smartphone will be available in 8GB + 256GB version priced at R13,999. It comes paired with HONOR Earbuds 2 Lite, an exclusive gift from HONOR worth up to R1,499.

For more information, please visit HONOR online store at www.hihonor.com.