Huawei Mate 60 review
The Huawei Mate 60 Pro is a powerhouse of a smartphone that boasts impressive specs, sleek design, and advanced camera capabilities. With its large display, long-lasting battery, and fast charging feature, this device is perfect for those who need a reliable companion for work or play. However, the high price point and lack of Google services in some markets may deter potential buyers. In this review, we'll dive into the pros and cons of the Mate 60 Pro to help you decide if it's worth the investment.
Build Quality and Design
The Huawei Mate 60 is a device that exudes a sense of premium quality from the moment you hold it in your hands. The build quality of this phone is nothing short of exceptional, with a sturdy metal frame that provides a solid foundation for the stunning design. One of the first things that catch the eye are the sleek and minimalist lines of the Mate 60's exterior. The device's dimensions are perfectly proportioned, making it easy to grip and comfortable to hold. The attention to detail in the design is impressive, with subtle curves and angles that give the phone a luxurious feel. The camera module on the back of the phone is a work of art, featuring a large and prominent lens that gives the device a unique visual identity. While some may find the placement of the fingerprint sensor to be slightly low, it's hard not to appreciate the attention to detail in the design of this feature. One area where the Mate 60 falls short is in its wireless charging capabilities. Due to the large camera bump on the back of the phone, it can be tricky to get the device to charge wirelessly without any issues. This may be a minor inconvenience for some users, but it's worth noting nonetheless. Overall, the Huawei Mate 60's build quality and design are truly exceptional, making it a joy to hold and use. While there may be some minor drawbacks, the overall package is so impressive that it's hard not to overlook them. If you're looking for a premium device with a unique design aesthetic, the Mate 60 is definitely worth considering.
Battery Life
The Huawei Mate 60 Pro's battery life is an area where the device performs decently but not impressively. While it does provide a day's worth of usage, it falls short of expectations considering the phone's large display and powerful processor. In my testing, I found that the Mate 60 Pro managed to last around 12 hours with moderate use, including browsing, social media, and some gaming. However, this dropped to around 8-10 hours when put through more demanding tasks like video streaming or intense gaming sessions. While this is not poor by any means, it's disappointing considering the phone's capabilities. The Mate 60 Pro has a relatively large battery capacity of 5000mAh, which should have provided more juice for users. To be fair, Huawei's PowerSave mode does help in extending the battery life by around 2-3 hours. However, this is not a solution that everyone will want to use, and it still doesn't change the fact that the phone's battery life could be better. Overall, while the Mate 60 Pro's battery life is decent, it's not impressive considering the device's capabilities and price point. If you're looking for a phone with great battery life, there are other options available in the market that might suit your needs better.
Display
The display on the Huawei Mate 60 is a highlight of the device. It boasts an impressive 6.7-inch AMOLED screen with a resolution of 1440 x 3200 pixels. The screen's color accuracy and contrast ratio are exceptional, making it perfect for watching videos or browsing through vibrant content. One of the notable features of this display is its high refresh rate of 120Hz, which provides a smooth viewing experience even when scrolling through content quickly. This is particularly beneficial for gamers, as it reduces motion blur and makes gameplay feel more responsive. The screen's HDR capabilities are also impressive, with support for both HDR10+ and HRR (High Color Gamut). This allows for a wider color gamut and improved contrast ratios, making the display suitable for watching HDR content. In terms of brightness, the Mate 60's display is quite good, reaching peak luminance levels of up to 800 nits. This makes it suitable for use in bright environments, such as outdoors or in well-lit rooms. Overall, the display on the Huawei Mate 60 is excellent and one of the best features of this device. It provides a great viewing experience with its vibrant colors, high contrast ratio, and smooth refresh rate.
Camera
The camera system on the Huawei Mate 60 is one of its standout features. The device boasts an impressive quad-camera setup with a 1-inch sensor and a 25x digital zoom, making it one of the most capable camera phones available. In my testing, the primary camera performed well in various lighting conditions. It was able to capture detailed and vibrant images, even in low-light situations. The camera's ability to produce crisp and sharp photos is impressive, with excellent dynamic range and minimal noise. One of the notable features of the Mate 60's camera system is its telephoto capabilities. With a maximum zoom of 25x, users can get incredibly close to their subjects without needing a traditional zoom lens. This feature, combined with the ability to capture 4K video at 60fps, makes it ideal for photographers and videographers. The ultra-wide-angle camera on the Mate 60 is also noteworthy, offering a wider field of view than most smartphones. It's perfect for capturing expansive landscapes or group shots where everyone needs to be in frame. In terms of portrait mode, the Mate 60's camera system produces excellent results, with a shallow depth of field that blurs the background and emphasizes the subject. The bokeh effect is smooth and natural, making it ideal for creative photography enthusiasts. However, my testing also revealed some areas where the Mate 60's camera falls short. In particularly challenging lighting conditions, such as high-contrast scenes or situations with harsh shadows, the camera sometimes struggled to produce consistent results. Overall, I was impressed by the Huawei Mate 60's camera system, which offers a versatile and capable shooting experience for users. While it may not be perfect in every situation, it is certainly one of the most advanced camera phones on the market today.
Price and Value
The Huawei Mate 60 Pro is a powerful and feature-rich smartphone that boasts an impressive array of specs and capabilities. However, despite its excellent performance and unique features, the device's price is a major turn-off for many potential buyers. At a whopping premium, the Mate 60 Pro is priced out of reach for most consumers. The cost of importing this device from China to my home country, Bulgaria, has made it even more expensive. Without any warranty, I feel that the price is simply too high for what you get. While the device's advanced camera system, impressive display, and sleek design make it a compelling choice for those who value these features above all else, the Mate 60 Pro's price seems unjustified compared to other flagship devices on the market. The lack of Google services due to US sanctions does not help, but this is still not a deal-breaker for many users. The wireless charging issue I encountered with the device's large camera bump is another point to consider, although it is unlikely to deter serious buyers. However, the poor placement of the fingerprint sensor, which requires precise alignment and may cause the phone to rotate, is an annoying flaw that detracts from the overall user experience. Ultimately, while the Huawei Mate 60 Pro offers many excellent features, its sky-high price makes it a difficult sell for all but the most dedicated brand enthusiasts. Unless you're willing to pay top dollar for the latest technology and a premium smartphone experience, there are likely more affordable options available that can meet your needs without breaking the bank. A luxurious device with an unaffordable price tag, making it inaccessible to many potential buyers.
Performance
The Huawei Mate 60 boasts an impressive performance that justifies its premium price tag. The device's processor provides seamless multitasking capabilities, effortlessly handling demanding tasks such as gaming and video editing. In terms of CPU performance, the Mate 60 delivers exceptional results, making it a great choice for users who demand high-end processing power. Whether you're editing 4K videos or running multiple resource-intensive apps simultaneously, this device won't disappoint. The phone's memory management is also noteworthy, with a generous RAM allocation that ensures smooth operation even when juggling multiple tasks. This means you can have several apps open at the same time without experiencing any lag or slowdown. One of the standout features of the Mate 60 is its exceptional camera performance. The device's multi-lens setup and advanced image processing algorithms work in tandem to deliver stunning results, whether you're capturing landscapes, portraits, or close-up shots. In addition to its impressive CPU and memory capabilities, the Mate 60 also boasts a robust battery life that easily lasts a full day with moderate use. This means you can enjoy your favorite games, watch movies, or browse the web without worrying about running out of juice. Overall, the Huawei Mate 60's performance is a significant selling point for this device. With its powerful processor, generous RAM allocation, and advanced camera capabilities, this phone is well-suited to handle demanding tasks with ease. While there may be some minor software hiccups or battery life variations depending on usage patterns, the Mate 60 generally delivers a seamless user experience that justifies its premium price tag. The device's ability to multitask efficiently, provide exceptional CPU performance, and deliver impressive camera results make it an excellent choice for users who demand top-of-the-line performance.
Pros
1. The device has a very good camera with multiple zoom levels, including up to 100x digital zoom.
2. The Mate 60 Pro can record 4K 60 FPS video without any stutter or lock issues.
3. The device has improved video recording quality compared to previous Huawei models.
4. The phone's stabilization system works well in various conditions, such as while running or walking.
5. The Mate 60 Pro has a very good camera with impressive HDR capabilities.
6. The device is fully functional within the Huawei ecosystem and can run Google services if desired.
Cons
1. The wireless charging feature is not compatible with all chargers due to the large camera bump on the back.
2. The placement of the fingerprint sensor is too low, making it difficult to reach and potentially causing the device to rotate.
3. The Mate 60 Pro is very expensive, especially when importing it from China without any warranty.
4. The phone's video recording quality is not perfect, although it has improved compared to previous models.
5. Using Google services on this device may require some workarounds due to US sanctions.
6. The Mate 60 Pro is too expensive for most people, making it a less appealing option.