Although we are a couple months on from Huawei debuting their P40 series in Australia, with the P40 and P40 Pro, locals have been patiently waiting for the apex model: P40 Pro+. As the most expensive, and impressively specced, smartphone Huawei has ever made, the Pro+ will officially begin retailing in Australia from Friday 7th August for the ambitious price of A$2,099.
Available both in-store and online, the Pro+ brings with it the most refined camera system seen on a smartphone, building upon Huawei’s consistent flex of besting competition when it comes to smartphone photography. On its unique kilned and polish rear, this ceramic white phone features the world’s first 50MP (f/1.9) Ultra Vision Leica Penta Camera with an industry-leading 1/1.28-inch sensor and 2.44μm pixel size through binning as well as support for Full Pixel Octa PD AutoFocus, plus a 40MP (f/1.8) ultrawide camera that supports 7680fps Ultra Slow-Motion video, 8MP (f/4.4) periscope telephoto and 8mp (f/2.4) telephoto, all bolstered by a ToF 3D depth sensing camera.
Video capture can reach up to 4K 60fps, and is handled well in low-light conditions with ISO 51200 light sensitivity. The dual selfie cameras bring some of that snapping power to the front of the phone, led by a 32MP (f/2.2) wide lens with a 1/2.74-inch sensor and a infrared depth sensor for speedy 3D face unlock even in low light. The front is also capable of 4K video recording (though only at 30fps).
The 5G-ready (with 160MHz Wi-Fi 6 Plus) phone also has the hardware to fully showcase all of Huawei’s nifty new software tricks, which includes the “Golden Snap” feature which allows you to remove unwanted subjects or reflections from shots.
The high-performance Kirin 990 5G Chipset will work with 512GB on-board storage and 8GB RAM to keep Huawei’s EMU1 10.1 OS running under the highly attractive Quad-Curve Overflow Display. Super narrow bezels frame a 6.58-inch 1200x2640px OLED with 16M colour palette and a 90Hz refresh rate.
We’ll be dipping into these feature in our full review coming next week. Spoiler alert: the camera is a beast.
Although there’s still a glaring absence of Google, Huawei has evidently worked hard to make this a non-issue with what is now three different ways to ensure a user can customise their phone with the exact apps they want, whether that be through the quick and painless Phone Clone (which in our experience copies the majority of apps from a previous phone with no problem), Huawei’s ever-growing AppGallery, or the new Petal Search feature which can be used from the device’s home screen.
The HUAWEI P40 Pro+ will RRP at A$2099 available for purchase in ceramic white in Australia from Friday 7 August 2020 from the Huawei Authorised Experience Store (in Chatswood, Sydney) and Mobileciti.
Those who purchase the P40 Pro+ from participating stores will also receive a bonus Huawei Watch GT 2e which is worth A$349.