Each manufacturer certainly has its own strengths and differences in marketing products to attract consumers. It's the same as Huawei which is now focusing more deeply on some aspects that feel important. For example, like a fresh touch on a design that highlights classic concepts in a simple modern touch.
It's even more impressive when the performance is also solid if it hits the spot which also involves good photography abilities. Only the Huawei P60 Pro was announced for the global market including Malaysia which is also sold starting at RM4,699.
SPECIFICATION AND DESIGN
Huawei P60 Pro
6.67″ LTPO OLED screen, 120Hz
1220 x 2700 pixels (~444 ppi)
Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G processor (4 nm)
1 x 3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 chip
3 x 2.75 GHz Cortex-A710
4 x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510
Adreno 730 Graphics Chip
RAM 12GB LPDDR5
Internal Storage up to 512 UFS 3.1
Primary Camera 48 MP, f/1.4-f/4.0, (wide), PDAF, OIS
48 MP, f/2.1, (telephoto), OIS, 3.5x optical zoom
13 MP, f/2.2 (ultra-wide)
13MP f/2.4 Selfie Camera
4815mAh battery
Wired 88W
Wireless 50W
Reversed 7.5W
SIM/Telephony Dual SIM nano / 4G
NFC Yes
No Audio Jack
Waterproof IP68
Scan System Fingerprint scanner
Face Scan
Sale Price RM4699 (8GB/256GB)
RM5499 (12GB/512GB)
Beautiful, charming and premium among the main elements for this flagship device that also looks attractive with a new style design. It is not only thin but also receives a touch of neat and good external design. Most notably for the Huawei P60 Pro Rococo Pearl which looks stylish with the latest materials and finishes designed to create more luxurious elements.
Featuring a white color tone as a whole to represent the beautiful appearance of the pearl itself which is often used as a jewelry making material. Meanwhile, the combination of golden elements on it also plays an important role in order to add a draw to the device. Not only specializing in finishes, this collection also provides more comfort through the type of construction materials used.
As previously mentioned, this back panel uses a rough material to help reduce the issue of dirt that sticks easily such as fingerprints. Even so, it is seen that it still causes concern when the device feels slippery when held in the hand.
Therefore, the use of a protective frame is very important to avoid the occurrence of an unwanted tragedy and result in your monthly expenses being affected if any damage occurs. For diversity, there is also a collection of Huawei P60 Pro in black so that it doesn't stand out too much considering that this color is synonymous with a minimalist concept. However I found the fingerprint smudge issue easily attached to this collection.
Furthermore, the same part also includes a tri-camera system that has different designs from each other. It can be clearly seen that a large main lens dominates this bump with a 48MP configuration as the main sensor on the device.
Then two more lenses are placed above and below making the device look balanced. The lens on top is 13MP for ultra-wide purposes, while the lens on the bottom is 40MP which is very clearly matched with a periscope telephoto zoom system.
Although it may seem strange to some people, it is still unique in our eyes. Only careful care is required to ensure that the large sensor on the device is not scratched. This year's device also supports the XMAGE system which is known to produce quality images like the previous Mate50 model. It is considered an interesting feature considering that the smart device industry is now moving towards the production of large sensor camera systems.
To add to the premium feel, this device is also equipped with a hard metal frame with rounded sides. Also synonymous with most of Huawei's flagship devices, the perforated and curved front screen on both sides was also used this year. With this design the device looks more symmetrical from the front, at the same time a larger space can be used to display various contents. In addition, it is also installed with the same tough Kunlun glass layer as the previous Mate 50 Pro model.
Choosing a large skin size of 6.7-inch OLED with FHD+ resolution, the experience of using the device becomes better with the support of a high refresh rate of 120Hz which is in line with its concept as a flagship device. Even so, users who care more about battery life can simply deactivate the 120Hz screen and then select the Dynamic function which allows the refresh rate to change automatically depending on the current content. Then the standard setting allows users to use a 60Hz screen all the time.
The device also uses a fingerprint scanner system built into the screen. Praise is given for its ability to function well along with quick response. The unlocking time rate offered is also at a satisfactory level and as an alternative there is also a face scan system available.
Next, the right side houses the power and audio adjustment buttons with a fairly good build and fun to press. The opposite side is seen to be empty and then the SIM slot space can be found on the bottom of the device.
Through it only dual-sim slot support is given along with additional space via NM card. The same side also houses a stereo-type speaker, a microphone hole and a USB-C connection port. Support for infrared transmitters for remote control was also retained on this year's devices, making Huawei a small part still seeing the need to put the feature on their devices.
The entire body of the device passes the IP68 standard so there is no worry of damage if you are caught in the rain or spilled water. There is also a pair of stereo speakers with one on the bottom and the earpiece. The audio is not very balanced because the bottom speakers are louder. There is no Dolby Atmos support instead it is replaced by a Histen system that operates when audio accessories are plugged in.
USAGE EXPERIENCE
What I like? It's definitely about the build and home screen on this device. I like the finish and the quality of the material used which is not only thin but also good for the premium class. This can actually be expected especially for Huawei's flagship device segment under the P and Mate series.
This is matched again with the use of colors that are not too prominent and have also practiced simplicity but still managed to maintain an aesthetic feature. The sturdy, rounded frame that surrounds the device provides long-lasting comfort in the hand. Its position is easily accessible to the fingers and the buttons used provide a good response.
The main screen has a good quality with the ability to display a bright and beautiful display. Color reproduction is also vibrant for a pleasant viewing experience. It gets better when the screen is also capable of displaying clear details. At the same time the use of the device outdoors is also satisfactory as I did not have any problems with it including under the scorching sunlight.
The use of a 120Hz screen makes the device feel very responsive when used without the issue of time lags resulting in slow animation issues. If you've used a flagship device from Huawei before, you'll know what to expect here.
Huawei's decision to provide other options such as 60Hz screen (Low) and Smart Resolution (automatic) through the settings I can praise. This is very helpful in reducing battery usage on the device, so users will not be plagued by the worry of running out of battery quickly.
However, with the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G chip, the weaknesses of the Huawei P60 Pro begin to appear. We often see that most flagship devices this year are powered by the latest processing chips such as Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
But Huawei decided to stick with the same chip that was also used on the Mate50 Pro without 5G support. We compared this device with the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip on the Poco F5 Pro and Xiaomi 12T Pro and here are the score results :
AnTuTu 3D
Huawei P60 Pro – 1,016,994
Poco F5 Pro – 1,049,997
Xiaomi 12T Pro – 1,071,162
Geekbench 6
Huawei P60 Pro – 1387/3544
Poco F5 Pro – 1868 / 5272
Xiaomi 12T Pro – 1314 / 4322
3D Mark Wildlife Extreme
Huawei P60 Pro – 2666
Poco F5 Pro – N/A
Xiaomi 12T Pro – N/A
Huawei's decision to keep the same processing chip may cause many of us to see this as a weakness, including ourselves. However, it does not mean that the device is not able to function well, in fact the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip is actually still quite powerful at the moment. The scores recorded may not be the highest but these are all synthetic test benchmark scores.
Even the use of this device in the real world does not cause chronic problems. During the review period we did not experience any problems such as lags or difficulty running the application. There is no doubt that this experience is also contributed by the adaptive 120Hz screen. Opening multiple apps simultaneously and switching between them can also be done quickly.
The experience of testing several prototypes with high graphics settings also shows that the device is capable of working well. MLBB game specific settings provide graphics settings reaching High + Ultra frame rate. This is paired with HD and HP abilities that can be activated. PUBG Mobile provides the highest settings and can achieve HDR graphics + Extreme frame rate.
Just one thing I noticed that the device gets hot after using the camera and the first application for a long time. This problem can be felt significantly when no protective frame is used on the device.
Therefore, for those looking for a smooth device, the P60 Pro can be a choice that does not disappoint. The lack of 5G connection can also be considered not a big problem considering that there are still a few of the users who do not care much about the feature in their devices. But if it's the other way around, that is contradicting what was said earlier, then this device is not marketed for you.
The Huawei P60 Pro device in our hands uses EMUI 13.1 which is the latest version of Huawei's proprietary operating system. It can be said that it is quite difficult for us to find a big change in this new interface. It still looks attractive with cheerful icons and Huawei also allows the freedom to change it as needed.
There is also Smart Personalized Interaction that allows information to be accessed quickly by just swiping on the device. Next, SuperHub simplifies the process of sharing files in different formats which are then inserted into emails - for example by drag & drop. Widgets can also be arranged and resized, and SuperDevice makes it easier to control all devices that support the Huawei ecosystem.
However, like most of Huawei's latest devices, the biggest drawback that can be found on the device is the absence of GMS support. This limitation has made the complete experience not fully enjoyable on this Huawei device. However, that does not mean that Huawei does not provide other solutions. In fact, it can still be used as usual through AppGallery, but there must also be a security risk when it comes to the process of downloading files from third parties.
CAMERA & IMAGE QUALITY
The main strength of the P60 Pro lies in the capabilities of the photography system. The tri-camera system used this year consists of a 48-Megapixel Super Ultrasensing camera as the main sensor. It also uses an RYYB sensor instead of the traditional RGGB intended to allow the sensor to receive more light, thereby improving low-light and nighttime photography performance. The device is also equipped with the XMAGE system with variable aperture between f/4.0 and up to f/1.4 with OIS.
Then the second sensor 13-Megapixel MP f/2.2 is for ultra wide angle. Finally, the 48-Megapixel sensor is matched with a periscope mechanism that provides up to 10X optical zoom and 100X digital zoom.
The camera system is also powered by the all-new Huawei XD Fusion Pro processing that helps improve image quality and detail. Interestingly, macro capabilities can also be used on periscope lenses that allow macro shots to be taken from afar.
On the front, a 13MP f/2.4 camera is used and placed in a hole on the camera. Like other Huawei devices, still photos can only be taken at 4:3, 1:1 and full-screen ratios. In terms of functionality, multipurpose camera modes are available such as Aperture, Night, Portrait, Photo, Video, Pro and More.
There is no 8K support instead the video recording format is supported only 4K/60FPS with built-in stabilization. Another advantage can also be found when the device also allows recording with a 16:9 ratio screen to be made at 4K resolution which is considered attractive compared to static snapshots.
Touching on the quality, the picture is taken as expected which is quite good with satisfactory color reproduction and dynamic range. Image quality also shows sharp image detail in most situations. No problem of overexposure can be seen on the light source, in fact the contrast is well maintained.
The color change between the prime lens and the wide angle does not show a significant difference. The same goes for the noise problem which is controlled and almost invisible in some situations. All pictures are taken with Master AI intelligence activated and can be deactivated if necessary.
The Portrait Mode capabilities are also interesting which can be used with a variety of built-in filter options such as Circles, Hearts, Swirl, Photo Booth and Stage Lighting. However, portrait shots give inconsistent results. It can be clearly seen that the device's camera fails to differentiate between the subject and the background in low lighting and blurry conditions.
For example one of the pictures above that shows the red lantern in the back is not completely obscured. But not all of them give bad results because there are still some that are satisfactory. With the condition that the photo taken should be in a relaxed background which will then also undergo a somewhat aggressive post-processing.
The use of the zoom ability is only practical up to 10X. Skipping this zoom level takes pictures that are difficult to take and the slightest movement can cause the zoom level to shift too significantly. Then the macro mode also works quite well with satisfactory quality. The device is also capable of taking stunning nighttime photos with bright subjects and controlled noise.
The macro mode is also satisfying with details well maintained but still not perfectly leveled. The camera is smart enough to detect objects located close to the lens and immediately suggest that macro mode is activated. Not to be left out, the selfie results are also good with built-in beauty features that can be adjusted to suit.
BATTERY
Huawei not only upgraded the battery capacity, but also gave more charging options that users can take advantage of. The 4815mAh battery is larger than the 4,360mAh on the previous Huawei P50 Pro. An upgrade is also given to the 88W wired charging system which is now faster. Also included is 50W wireless charging support which makes it another added value to the device itself.
A charger is provided with every purchase along with a USB-A to USB-C cable. It's interesting here when the design of this charging head contains two types of connections that include USB-A and USB-C connections which give users the advantage of charging various types of devices.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX
Here's what you get with every device purchase in Malaysia.
1x Huawei P60 Pro.
1x USB-A to USB-C charging cable.
1x 88W Charger (Support USB A & C connection)
1x User Manual.
1x Silicone Frame.
1x SIM Pin.
CONCLUSION
The offer on the Huawei P60 Pro becomes attractive if it hits the spot. I mean here, if you want a smooth powerful device and the best photography capabilities. Huawei P60 Pro can be made one of the good choices. The chip used may be a generation behind, but still able to function well. The upgraded camera system and software is also interesting. The absence of a 1-inch sensor and Leica support on the camera system does not mean that the device loses its attractive value.
In fact, Huawei takes a different approach in determining product advantages through its own XMAGE system which is able to maintain Huawei's well-known photographic capabilities. Similarly, the decision to upgrade the battery capacity and charging system is now a device that can be used for longer. Not only that, the charging head supports two different port connections either USB-A or USB-C making it easy to use with various other devices.
It is natural that in this world nothing is perfect, just like this device itself. The lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS) support and 5G network are two of the main weaknesses of this device. But Huawei provides another alternative through AppGallery with Petal Search integration directly to download applications. The app selection on it is also now getting better and expanded with more popular app options. But the process requires two additional steps compared to the Play Store.
Regarding the 5G network, there is no denying that it is also a priority but there are still some users who do not make it a priority. It can be seen that there is still a lot of LTE devices in the market right now, which shows that there is still room in the 5G era. The only drawback is that it cannot be used for a long period of time.
PRO
Adaptive 120Hz screen.
Improved camera system.
Upgraded battery and charging.
Stereo speakers.
CONS
Curved screens aren't for everyone.
No GMS.
No 5G.
No audio jack.