The Huawei Mate 20 Pro: A Retrospective on Innovation and Ambition
The Huawei Mate 20 Pro, launched in late 2018, wasn’t just another flagship smartphone; it was a bold statement. A declaration of Huawei’s intent to not only compete with, but surpass the established giants of the mobile industry. It arrived at a time when smartphone innovation felt incremental, and the Mate 20 Pro disrupted the status quo with a barrage of cutting-edge features and a design that exuded premium quality. While time has marched on and subsequent generations have emerged, the Mate 20 Pro’s legacy as a trailblazer remains undeniable. Let’s delve into the details that made this phone a landmark device.
Design and Build: A Masterclass in Aesthetics and Ergonomics
The Mate 20 Pro was a visual treat. Its curved glass back, available in a range of striking colors, reflected light in captivating ways. The “Emerald Green” variant, with its textured hyper optical pattern, was particularly eye-catching, offering a unique tactile experience and reducing fingerprint smudges. The device felt solid and substantial in the hand, a testament to its premium build quality.
The Display: A Visual Feast
The 6.39-inch OLED display was a standout feature, boasting vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. The Quad HD+ resolution ensured crisp visuals, making it ideal for multimedia consumption and gaming. The curved edges, while aesthetically pleasing, also contributed to a more immersive viewing experience.
In-Display Fingerprint Sensor: A Glimpse into the Future
The Mate 20 Pro was among the first smartphones to feature an in-display fingerprint sensor. While the technology was still in its early stages, it worked surprisingly well, offering a futuristic and convenient unlocking method. It was a clear sign that under-display biometric technologies were the future.
3D Face Unlock: Security and Convenience Combined
Complementing the in-display fingerprint sensor was a sophisticated 3D face unlock system. Using a dedicated array of sensors, including an infrared camera and dot projector, it offered fast and secure facial recognition, even in low-light conditions.
Performance and Hardware: Powering the Future
At the heart of the Mate 20 Pro was the Kirin 980 chipset, Huawei’s then-latest flagship processor. Built on a 7nm process, it delivered exceptional performance and power efficiency. The phone handled demanding tasks with ease, whether it was gaming, video editing, or multitasking.
The Camera System: A Triple Threat
The Mate 20 Pro’s camera system was a game-changer. It featured a triple-lens setup, co-engineered with Leica, comprising a 40MP wide-angle lens, a 20MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens. This versatile combination allowed for a wide range of photographic possibilities, from capturing stunning landscapes to zooming in on distant subjects.
Super Macro Mode: Unveiling the Microscopic World
The ultra-wide-angle lens also doubled as a super macro lens, enabling users to capture incredibly detailed close-up shots. This feature opened up new creative avenues, allowing users to explore the beauty of the microscopic world.
AI-Powered Photography: Intelligent Image Processing
Huawei’s AI-powered image processing played a crucial role in the Mate 20 Pro’s camera performance. It automatically recognized scenes and adjusted settings accordingly, ensuring optimal results in various lighting conditions.
Battery Life and Charging: Powering Through the Day
The Mate 20 Pro boasted a large 4,200mAh battery, providing excellent battery life. Combined with Huawei’s efficient power management, the phone could easily last a full day on a single charge.
SuperCharge and Wireless Reverse Charging: Innovative Charging Solutions
The phone supported 40W SuperCharge, allowing for incredibly fast wired charging. It also featured 15W wireless charging, and more significantly, wireless reverse charging, enabling users to wirelessly charge other devices by placing them on the back of the phone. This feature was a novelty at the time and showcased Huawei’s innovative spirit.
Software and User Experience: EMUI and Android
The Mate 20 Pro ran on Android 9 Pie with Huawei’s EMUI 9.0 skin on top. EMUI offered a range of customization options and features, but it also faced criticism for its heavy-handed approach and occasional bloatware.
Performance Optimizations: Smooth and Responsive
Despite the criticisms, EMUI 9.0 brought significant performance improvements, ensuring a smooth and responsive user experience. The Kirin 980 chipset, combined with software optimizations, contributed to excellent overall performance.
Navigation Gestures: A Modern Approach
The Mate 20 Pro offered a full suite of navigation gestures, allowing users to navigate the interface without relying on traditional on-screen buttons. This gesture-based navigation was intuitive and efficient, enhancing the user experience.
Desktop Mode: Transforming the Phone into a PC
The phone supported desktop mode, allowing users to connect it to an external display and use it as a makeshift PC. This feature was particularly useful for productivity tasks and multimedia consumption.
The Legacy of the Mate 20 Pro: Setting New Standards
The Huawei Mate 20 Pro was more than just a smartphone; it was a showcase of Huawei’s technological prowess and its ambition to lead the mobile industry. It pushed the boundaries of innovation with its cutting-edge features, including the in-display fingerprint sensor, 3D face unlock, and versatile triple-lens camera system.
A Pioneer in Mobile Photography
The Mate 20 Pro’s camera system, co-engineered with Leica, set a new standard for mobile photography. Its versatile triple-lens setup and AI-powered image processing capabilities allowed users to capture stunning photos and videos in a wide range of scenarios.
A Champion of Innovation
The Mate 20 Pro introduced several groundbreaking features, such as wireless reverse charging, which were later adopted by other manufacturers. It demonstrated Huawei’s commitment to innovation and its willingness to take risks.
A Symbol of Ambition
The Mate 20 Pro’s success solidified Huawei’s position as a major player in the global smartphone market. It showed that Huawei could not only compete with, but also surpass the established giants of the industry.
The Impact of the US Ban: A Turning Point
The subsequent US ban on Huawei had a significant impact on the company’s smartphone business, hindering its access to Google services and impacting its global sales. However, the Mate 20 Pro’s legacy as a groundbreaking device remains untarnished.
A Testament to Technological Excellence
Despite the challenges faced by Huawei, the Mate 20 Pro stands as a testament to the company’s technological excellence and its ability to innovate. It remains a beloved device among many users, a reminder of a time when Huawei was at the forefront of smartphone innovation.
Looking Back and Looking Forward
The Huawei Mate 20 Pro’s story is one of ambition, innovation, and resilience. It serves as a reminder of the rapid pace of technological advancement and the ever-evolving landscape of the smartphone industry. While the future of Huawei’s smartphone business remains uncertain, the Mate 20 Pro’s legacy as a landmark device will endure. Its contributions to mobile photography, charging technology, and biometric authentication have left an indelible mark on the industry. It stands as a powerful reminder of what innovation can achieve, and the importance of pushing boundaries in the pursuit of technological excellence.
