News & Reviews:   Huawei Ascend P7

The recently announced Huawei Honor 6 is set to come to Malaysia as soon as 27 September 2014 with appearances at Huawei's VMALL.my site along with their Facebook Page. Tech specs for the smartphone are quite high-end including a 1.7GHz octa-core Hi-Silicon Kirin 920 processor, 3GB RAM, 16GB storage with 64GB microSD, 5-inch 1080p display, 13MP rear camera, 5MP front camera and 3100 mAh battery. Other notable features includes an instant shot of 0.6 second (faster than the 1.4 seconds on the Huawei Ascend P7), hardware-based HDR, dual-LED flash and a wide angle 5MP front camera. While there is no specific Malaysia release date or pricing, the Honor 6 was priced at 1999 yuan (RM1056) so there is a high chance that it could cost somewhere around RM1099. This would make it a very attractive smartphone with top of the line tech specs. In addition, Huawei are also offering 6 Huawei Honor 6 smartphones up for grabs via their Facebook Page.

The Apple iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus have already arrived in the US and other select markets. While there are no Malaysia release dates or pricing details yet, many are expecting the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus to reach us in November 2014, so we still have time to decide which Apple iPhone to get. Following the iPhone lineup in the US, we estimate that for Malaysia there will be the Apple iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C. For this comparison we'll see which Apple iPhone you should get as we compare the Apple iPhone 6 vs the Apple iPhone 6 Plus vs the Apple iPhone 5S vs the Apple iPhone 5C. Check out our detailed analysis in this article.

Another day, another bit of information on the still unrevealed tech specs for the Apple iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus smartphones. As we wait for 19 September 2014 when those who have ordered their iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 plus will get them and no doubt reveal all the tech specs, it turns out that both smartphones will come packing 1GB of RAM and have cameras that protrude or stick out from the super thin metal casing. While the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus remain very attractive smartphones for many users out there, for some users they just aren't right at all and here are 5 reasons why you and these users should NOT buy an Apple iPhone 6 or Apple iPhone 6 Plus.

The rumoured Huawei Ascend P7 smartphone with a sapphire crystal display has finally been confirmed ahead of IFA 2014. Like the previous Arsenal Edition, the sapphire crystal covered version will be called the Huawei Ascend P7 Sapphire Edition. Tech specs and features are expected to be more or less the same as the Huawei Ascend P7 and this includes 4G LTE, a 13MP rear camera and 1.8 GHz quad-core HiSilicon Kirin 910T processor. No news yet if the sapphire crystal display will make the 6.5mm thin smartphone thicker but we assume that it will make it heavier than the super-light 124g of the original device. This is because while sapphire crystal is tougher it is also heavier than glass. No news on Malaysia release dates or pricing but we expect the Sapphire Edition to cost a bit more than the normal version. However, since the tech specs and features should not differ too much, if you're interested in getting the Sapphire Edition our Huawei Ascend P7 review may help you make that decision better.

The Huawei Ascend G6 4G is the refresh of the Huawei Ascend G6 with new 4G LTE connectivity. Originally designed to provide a more affordable midrange offering of the former flagship Huawei Ascend P6, the Ascend G6 features the same look and feel with a slightly smaller 4.5-inch screen and a thicker 7.9mm thin chassis. Does it still offer enough punch for today's users? Check out our full review of the Huawei Ascend G6 4G below to find out.

Huawei's earlier invite for the IFA 2014 event included fingerprints, hinting that a device or two could come packing with a fingerprint scanner. Right on the money, some leaks of a smartphone bearing the Huawei brand and coming with a fingerprint scanner have appeared. Turns out, it could be the Huawei Ascend G7 as it offers tech specs that include a 1.6GHz processor, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of storage and 720p display which are decidedly midrange. Personally, it doesn't look at all like the super slim Huawei Ascend P7 but it could be the shell keeping it that way. No news on Malaysia pricing or release dates so stay tuned for the Huawei IFA 2014 event happening on 4 September 2014.

The super-slim 6.5mm thin Huawei Ascend P7 remains one of the best looking and most capable slim and thin smartphones currently available and this has been recognized internationally by the European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA). EISA have since awarded the Ascend P7 with the European Consumer Smartphone 2014 - 2015 award with special focus on the smartphone's beautiful design, capable 8MP front and 13MP rear cameras and affordable RM1499 pricing. Here is what Huawei had to say about it:

“We are thrilled to be presented with this award, and see it as firm evidence that we are challenging existing industry standards by redefining smartphone design, camera experience, and connectivity. We have even more surprises up our sleeves for IFA 2014 as we work to Make it Possible for more people around the world to enjoy great technology.” Shao Yang, Vice President of Marketing, Huawei Consumer Business Group. 

The super-thin Huawei Ascend P7 is currently the company's main flagship smartphone but in terms of screen protection it usually uses a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass. Huawei CEO, Richard Yu recently showed off a Huawei Ascend P7 with a sapphire crystal display even to the point of daring journalists to scratch it with a knife. He also went on to say that more 'Shocking products' will be coming from  Huawei soon. We have no idea what sort of tech specs these 'shocking' devices may have but Huawei has been on a roll recently, revealing the Huawei Honor 6 and other devices. A metal body Huawei Ascend D3 is rumoured to be coming soon at the upcoming IFA 2014 in September where it, the Sapphire crystal display Huawei Ascend P7 and other 'shocking' devices could appear. Still no details on Malaysia release dates, tech specs, features or pricing but we'll be waiting for more good stuff from Huawei Malaysia so stay tuned. In the meantime, do check out our review of the Huawei Ascend P7 as the tech specs for a Sapphire crystal display version probably wouldn't be much different from the original.

Thanks to Huawei Malaysia, we managed to get some time with the Huawei MediaPad M1 8.0 tablet and since made a hands-on video which you can see below. This 8-inch display tablet offers the same flat and thin look as the Huawei Ascend P7 and Huawei MediaPad X1 along with a similar metal unibody chassis. Dual stereo speakers and a HTC One-like look make it a very nice looking tablet while tech specs that include a 1.6GHz quad-core processor, 1GB RAM, 8-inch IPS LCD display with 800 x 1280 pixel resolution, 4G LTE connectivity and massive 4800 mAh battery. The tablet retails at RM1099 for the Huawei MediaPad M1 8.0 4G LTE while the Huawei MediaPad M1 8.0 3G goes for RM899. Check out the hands-on video for yourself below and do check out the full review when it comes out later this month.

Celcom is now offering the Huawei Ascend P7 from RM688 along with the Huawei Honor 3X at RM538. The Huawei Ascend P7 currently retails at RM1499 while the the Huawei Honor 3X is priced at RM1099. To qualify for these deals you'll have to sign-up for a 24-month contract under a Celcom First One plan. In addition to that, subscribers will also get a chance to win one of 100 TAG Heuer watches. Check out the table and links in this article for more details.