There’s no doubt that the Huawei Mate 10 Pro has successfully managed to devour the competition without sacrificing its key functionalities. Moreover, it packs OLED technology that’s identical to the one found on the iPhone X, OnePlus 6, and the Samsung Galaxy Note 8. The dual camera is also evocative of the iPhone 8 Plus and the Samsung Galaxy Note 8. It’s also loaded with the latest version of Google’s operating system. All these specs allured me to look out for a great deal on Amazon; which I found at $549.90. It’s been two months now and I feel satisfied with my purchase.

Performance

My profession as a data scientist revolves around managing and handling data, for this reason, I require a smartphone that has the latest security features, a powerful Operating System, and ample storage. Well, that’s exactly what this phone provides. The 128 GB storage coupled with the Android 8 performs most of the vital tasks in an indefatigable way. I also use it for Social media for business because it’s equipped with a powerful dual camera that enables me to capture high-resolution pictures. All this does not sacrifice the magnanimous 4,000mAh battery which delivers a powerful battery life for prolonged periods of time.

Best Features

Design and OLED Display

The Huawei Mate 10 Pro has a new OLED display that’s coupled with a HDR10 support both combine to produce a high resolution. This is an improvement from the IPS LCD technology display that Huawei was previously using. This provides a profound display experience with its 6-inch display. It’s also worth mentioning that the viewing angles and color integrity position the phone at the upper echelons of the screen ladder.

The phone’s design constitutes a profound glass back cover with a curved gorilla screen leaving an outline that’s lustrous and refined by the metal frame. The back of the phone is made of a curved Gorilla glass cover. The 18:9 aspect-ratio is also ultra-wide serves the purpose. The IP67 and the Gorilla 5 that are fitted on both sides ensures that the phone is both water and dust resistance.

I find the buttons on the right-side are easy to press while the SIM card tray sits on the left side and the USB-C port which is at the base of the phone. I, therefore, feel compelled to give credit where’s its due by proposing that the display and the design are top-notch apart from the bumps that result from the dual-camera.

Huawei has done a great job in ensuring that the phone is finger-print friendly; this has been achieved by the use of glass which is less slippery. The texture combination and transition to high-gloss metal sides that make it easy to grip. The phone is also pre-fitted with a screen-protector that saves you from additional expenses. It’s also worth mentioning that the phone has an impressive 80.9% screen-bezel ratio although it’s not as light as its competitors.

The phones HD resolution falls short in terms of clarity; that’s when compared to its competitors. I found the profound mix of glass and metal to be very elegant and shiny. I strongly feel that this is the best Mate so far and Huawei did a great job in refining the features of this flagship. The phone is available in four colors; guaranteeing a perfect fit for everyone. The colors include; Pink Gold, Titanium Gray, Midnight Blue, and Mocha Brown.

Worst Features

The absence of a Headphone jack

If you’re a music junk like me then the Huawei Mate Pro 10 will do you a disservice due to its lack of headphone jacks. This is a big problem although the headphone jack is headed for extinction. It’s with this in mind that I feel compelled to complain about the same. This led me to purchase the USB-C headphones and a 3.5mm adapter.

Another thing I don’t like about this phone is the fact that it doesn’t have a carrier support. This is a big deal especially for the people who are in the US now that there’s no support for Sprint or Verizon. This places a huge limitation within the scope of LTE/GSM networks.

Software Issues

The phone’s software has an issue; keeping in mind that Huawei does a great job at moving ahead of its competitors in the customization build of Android. The problem is that Huawei has crammed unnecessary features in Android this serves no major purpose apart from creating lots of confusion to the users. There are also elements in the user interface that are not refined, for this reason, I feel compelled to criticize Huawei for that minor glitch which seems to be the source of other problems.

Overheating and Wifi Issues

Overheating is another issue, this is especially the case whenever I try to play high-performance games or when I’m streaming high-resolution online videos. I have found that when I use the device while it’s plugged-in, the problem seems to persist so it’s only right that you unplug it. I also have to mention that I have experienced WIFI issues in-terms of slow speeds and poor connectivity. I have been able to resolve this by restarting the router and updating the phone regularly.

Brightness and Data Connectivity

The other problem I have with this phone has to do with the brightness although there’s an app that I downloaded to fix the problem. The app is called Lux Auto brightness app. There are also certain games and applications that have mobile data connectivity issues; I have found that the source of this problem has to do with APN settings this can be changed by switching to IPV4.

Verdict

My experiences with the Huawei Mate 10 Pro has laid a perfect backdrop for me to issue my verdict on this profound device. First I have to admit that I love the phones OLED display and design coupled with 128 GB storage. Ideal for photo buffs, the camera features and modes are plain amazing. The battery life is also in another echelon as it’s ahead of the competitors. The storage is more than enough for my day to day tasks factoring in the latest Android 8. My only problem is the absence of the microSD and the headphone jack. This phone is flashy yet durable.

Rating 8/10

Considering the overall features and it’s position in comparison with its competitors, my review rates the Huawei Mate 10 Pro at 7/10. This is not only accurate but fair considering it’s price and performance.