Huawei Mate 7

[Raithlin]

I'm definitely getting the dual sim gold variant. I'll play with it over the weekend, and see what happens from there.

Re: covers, I haven't got one on my 730, and nary a scratch on it. YMMV

 

[Tsepz_GP]

Happy to post the full battery use when I do the review as iv charged it up now . Having said that , while screen on time might not be the be all and end all it is a fair indication to me anyways as I have the device set up as I have had all my previous devices (S3 ,S4,S5 , note 3 , LG G3 ,Nexus 6) with the same apps and settings etc .Bottom line is that it has out done all my previous devices in the battery department . That being said it also has a larger battery than my previous devices but I did not expect such a large jump in on screen time .

What I have come to realise with the huawei is that while the new displays on the LG G3 , Note 4,Nexus 6 are really nice and great to look at there is a rather large trade off in battery life with these displays . Iv also realised that it is really not necessary to have these power sapping displays as personally for every day usage I've not been disappointed with the Mate 7 display and it is a trade off I'm more than happy with in order to get the better battery life.

Looking forward to your review

I certainly agree that a 2K display isn't necessary in a phone, even at 5.7-6inch a HD1080P is fine the Note 3, Mate 7...heck even the old 6.4inch Xperia Z Ultra proves that 1080P is all you need but I disagree WRT power use, the Note 4's display is quite efficient, despite the Note 4 having a battery that is only 20mAh larger than the Note 3, yet having a 2K display of the same physical size, the Note 4's battery lasts a lot longer than the 3, I get around 8hours SOT on average with my Note 4 and when I watch series on it I hit +10hours SOT, showing that its display is very frugal for what it is.

Anyway, I look forward to that review, the Mate 7 shows how far Huawei have come, the thing is built like a tank, and Huawei did a better job than ol' Samsung with the finger print scanner.

Compared to your Note 3 does the Mate 7 take advantage of its huge display e.g. have Huawei implemented things like One Handed mode, and have they thrown in some extra stuff like Multi window and so on? As it seems they are truly trying to challenge Samsungs Note series with the Mate 7. Also, how are 3D games on it e.g. Asphalt 8, Real Racing and GTA? Does the GPU cope well as I see they use their Kirin CPU in the Mate 7. Would be great if you cover that to if you can.

 

[Raithlin]

This phone is incredible! I've only been playing with it for about an hour while updating apps, etc. but I am way impressed with the screen, setup, etc. I still need to setup the device properly, but I can definitely say that the fingerprint sensor works like a bomb.

 

[Connor13]

This phone is incredible! I've only been playing with it for about an hour while updating apps, etc. but I am way impressed with the screen, setup, etc. I still need to setup the device properly, but I can definitely say that the fingerprint sensor works like a bomb.

Iv had mine for a week now basically and really happy with it . The fingerprint scanner is the best iv used thus far on any device and it is so simple to use and works just great and is placed perfectly I find for unlocking the device when picking it up etc . Iv always been a Samsung fan but if Huawei keep producing devices like the Mate 7 then Sammy might loose a customer (for now anyway) as personally I find that the new Samsung devices (like S6) somewhat expensive even on contract especially when I compare the good value for money one gets with the Huawei Mate 7 for instance. Taking nothing away from Samsung as they do make good devices and majority of my past devices have been Samsung devices.

 

[Raithlin]

A week later...

I'm going to have to update my blog with this, but still *very* happy with the Mate 7. Playing games, watching videos, Waze & podcasts - nothing fazes this device. No worries about overheating either.

I'm still using the flip cover that came with it, and while the glass on it gets dirty quite often, being behind the phone while in use, it isn't bad. The only gripe I have is the position of the power button - I am constantly switching the screen off while using it! I am having to turn the phone so the buttons are on the top during landscape use to avoid it, and just be careful when in portrait mode.

Nothing else though. I haven't even rooted the phone yet. No need!

 

[riyosatar]

guys does anyone know which variant (2GB RAM or 3GB RAM) Telkom stocks? I'm due for an upgrade and am really undecided between the G3 and the Mate 7

 

[Raithlin]

I think Cell C has an exclusive on the gold version.

 

[FreeStanler]

Can we try summarise the benefits of dual sim? I am so intrigued!

Here is my attempt :

*Keep work and personal life communications separate - you'll see when a particular line is ringing, and thus know be better informed of when to answer (ie you may not want to answer work stuff over the weekend, or unknown numbers on the the personal line on work days)

*You can get the best of both networks used. Maybe Vodacom only has an Edge data connection where you are at, so you can switch to MTN? Or make best use of similar voice calling options. Or use voice mostly on the one whilst mostly using data on the other, if that works out better.

*When going abroad, you can keep your (most) important sim card to be contacted by people in home country, yet have a pay as you go local sim card for cheap mobile data access and cheap local phone calls.

 

[Raithlin]

Can we try summarise the benefits of dual sim? I am so intrigued!

Here is my attempt :

*Keep work and personal life communications separate - you'll see when a particular line is ringing, and thus know be better informed of when to answer (ie you may not want to answer work stuff over the weekend, or unknown numbers on the the personal line on work days)

*You can get the best of both networks used. Maybe Vodacom only has an Edge data connection where you are at, so you can switch to MTN? Or make best use of similar voice calling options. Or use voice mostly on the one whilst mostly using data on the other, if that works out better.

*When going abroad, you can keep your (most) important sim card to be contacted by people in home country, yet have a pay as you go local sim card for cheap mobile data access and cheap local phone calls.

Yup. The only thing I would add is using 2 networks to take advantage of the in-network prices. You can set a particular contact to be called using either sim 1 or sim 2. It remembers this for when you call that contact.

 

[FreeStanler]

Yup. The only thing I would add is using 2 networks to take advantage of the in-network prices. You can set a particular contact to be called using either sim 1 or sim 2. It remembers this for when you call that contact.

No ways! Thank you

 

[riyosatar]

I heard the GPU on the mate 7 isn't the greatest, does it stutter or lag on any of the graphic intensive games like asphalt or real racing etc?

 

[Raithlin]

Not that I have seen, and I had Real Racing on for awhile. I play Clash of Clans daily, as well as Marvel Contest of Champions. Both are seamless.

 

[Potato_EX3]

Is the Gold one the only colour option that Cell C offers? Do they perhaps offer a black variant as well?

 

[Raithlin]

Well, I specifically asked for the gold one, but the brochure doesn't seem to offer any other colour either.

 

[Connor13]

I heard the GPU on the mate 7 isn't the greatest, does it stutter or lag on any of the graphic intensive games like asphalt or real racing etc?

I have not played too many games on my Mate 7 but Iv experienced no lag or stutter thus far on my device .

 

[Connor13]

Is the Gold one the only colour option that Cell C offers? Do they perhaps offer a black variant as well?

As far as I know and from what I was told by the Huawei person in the store , the Gold version is the only version that has the Dual Sim and 3gb Ram and is a Cell C exclusive in SA currently .

I am not too sure if Cell C stock the white or black versions ,but my understanding would be that even if they did it would be the model with the single sim and 2gb Ram (as Vodacom have ) . Honestly in my opinion it is better to get the dual sim and 3gb Ram .

I was a bit worried about the gold colour when getting it as I am not usually a big Gold device fan , but the Mate 7 in Gold looks pretty good as its a very subtle gold colour and tastefully done in my opinion . Usually I would have preferred a black version ,but the dual sim functionality and the extra Ram in the Gold version sold it for me .

Anyone managed to find any back covers for the Mate 7 in SA ? Iv checked and not been able to find anything so I have ordered from abroad now together with a Tempered Glass protector for it .

 

[Raithlin]

I was out and about today looking for covers, with no luck. I'm also looking to order abroad. Let me know if you find any good deals.

 

[Raithlin]

So I have been finding that every now and then Waze doesn't find GPS - and only a reboot resolves it. Has anyone else come across this?

 

[Connor13]

So I have been finding that every now and then Waze doesn't find GPS - and only a reboot resolves it. Has anyone else come across this?

Iv not had anything like that as yet on my side . Must admit , I have been really impressed with my Mate 7 and am very happy with it . Absolute pleasure being able to carry one phone around with moth my work and personal lines in it rather than have to carry around two devices . Iv been playing a bit with the various themes on the Mate 7 and they do allow for some nice customisation as well .

 

[Raithlin]

Iv not had anything like that as yet on my side . Must admit , I have been really impressed with my Mate 7 and am very happy with it . Absolute pleasure being able to carry one phone around with moth my work and personal lines in it rather than have to carry around two devices . Iv been playing a bit with the various themes on the Mate 7 and they do allow for some nice customisation as well .

Themes are awesome. I found one that works well, and stuck with it. I'm also still using the default Home Launcher, and still haven't felt the need to root either.

My only issues at this point:

1. GPS loss every few days - fixed by reboot
2. Music lockscreen doesn't work well with 3rd party apps

Other than that, I'm a happy chappy.