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The Huawei Mate 9 is likely to have everything you want in a phone, but it's packaged in a way you probably haven’t considered before.
If you're looking for a large, powerful device this is a good option. You don't get a stylus, as with the Galaxy Note 7, but it's still offering all the other features you'd want from a phablet.
Why should I buy the Huawei Mate 9?
If you’re after a phone with fantastic battery life the Mate 9 is well up to the job; you could even get two days of use from a single charge. And for when you do run low, there's fast-charging to get you going again quickly.
It’s also one of the most powerful phones around, so if you’re a power user this is the perfect setup – and with 64GB of storage and microSD expansion up to 256GB you’ll struggle to fill it up too.
The camera setup is the same as on the P9, but it's capable of capturing some beautiful image, and if you're a photography fan you'll likely find the Pro mode useful and enjoyable.
Another plus point is the software – it's based on Android 7 Nougat, and right now that's a rarity on phablets that aren't made by Google.
Why shouldn’t I buy the Huawei Mate 9?
The price is the biggest downside of the Huawei Mate 9 – it’s not clear why it costs so much when the Huawei Mate 8 was a much cheaper option. That said, it doesn't cost as much as some of the competition, like the Google Pixel XL.
Emotion UI isn't for everyone either – you may not like the look of Huawei's software skin, and if you don't you should probably look at some the phones we've picked out below.
The display on the Mate 9 is also a bit of a let-down, given that Huawei seems to be trying to get in on the virtual reality action.
When Samsung launched its Gear VR project it upgraded its flagship phone to a higher-resolution that was ready for VR. Huawei hasn't done this, and we think it's missed a trick.
First reviewed November 2016
- Looking for a phablet but not entirely sold on the Huawei Mate 9? Here are some other big-screen options to consider.
Huawei Mate 8
The Huawei Mate 9's predecessor is less than a year old, and still has a very impressive spec list with 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage and a Kirin 950 processor.
Much of the spec inside the Huawei Mate 8 is the same as in the Mate 9 – and it’s about half the price after dropping to £319 (about $400, AU$515).
You won’t get such a strong battery, and you also won’t get the upgraded Lecia camera, but it’s still a great choice if you're after a phablet from Huawei and don't want to spend much.
- Read our Huawei Mate 8 review
iPhone 7 Plus
Fancy something with an iOS flavor? If so the iPhone 7 Plus is the best option for you, with a 5.5-inch screen, a powerful A10 processor and a selection of storage options.
It doesn’t have a headphone jack, but it does boast good battery life, and comes with a dual-lens camera that can take shots every bit as good as those you'll get from the Huawei Mate 9.
It’ll cost you a little more, starting at $769 (£719, AU$1,229).
- Read our iPhone 7 Plus review
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
Huawei’s Mate 9 is one of the closest phones you can get to the now defunct Galaxy Note 7, and the biggest Samsung phone you can buy right now is a serious rival to the Mate 9.
It features a curved 5.5-inch screen, and one of the most powerful processors you'll find in a phone.
It's an expensive option, but considering it's now over half a year old and the Mate 9 is so pricey you may be better off opting for this Samsung phone.
- Read our Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge review
Huawei Mate 9 Porsche Design
Be warned: this phone isn't for everyone. Huawei has in the past focused on making phones for a lower price than similar handsets from rival manufacturers, but the Huawei Mate 9 Porsche Design is anything but cheap.
It costs a whopping €1,395 (around £1,200, $1,500, AU$2,000). That's a lot of money to spend on a phone, and most of the spec is similar to the Galaxy S7 Edge – and it's not that dissimilar to the standard-issue Mate 9.
The Porsche Design version comes plastered with the German prestige car maker's logo, and has a QHD, slightly curved display and even more RAM that the regular model at 6GB.
If you do fancy splashing out on one, it won't be here until December 2016.
- Read our Huawei Mate 9 Porsche Design review
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