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In the last year or so we’ve seen Android smartphone sizes continue to increase dramatically in size, with the 5-inch mark becoming the norm. These days its not uncommon to see phones that push past the 5-inch mark either, with some devices flirting around or above the 6-inch mark.
For those that want even more screenspace? You might want to turn your attention to the two new devices from Huawei, the MediaPad X1 and MediaPad M1.
HUAWEI MediaPad X1
The Huawei MediaPad X1 is easily one of the world’s biggest smartphones, if not the largest. Packing a 7-inch display with a resolution of 1200×1920 and weighing 239g, the X1 is quite the monster. That said, it is actually the lightest and narrowest tablet (or phone?) in its class, beating both the Nexus 7 (2013) and Kindle Fire HDX 7.
Aside from the big display, the MediaPad X1 features a HiSilicon Kirkin 910 1.6GHz quad-core CPU, 2GB RAM and a Mail-450 GPU. There’s also support for FD-LTE and TD-LTE, 32GB storage, Wi-Fi 802.11n, Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, an impressive 5000 mAh battery. The device will be offered in the following colors: black, white, champagne and light pink.
Photo enthusiasts will be happy to hear that this ‘phablet’ has a 13MP Sony Exmor R BSI rear camera and a 5MP front camera with Huawei’s proprietary self-focus tips for taking “the best possible selfies”. The X1 also features a “Voice Photo” function that will allow you to take photos accompanied by a 10-second audio clip, which can then be shared through WeChat or Facebook.
Bottom-line, if you want a massive display and reasonably decent specs, the MediaPad X1 could fit the bill.
HUAWEI MediaPad M1
The Huawei MediaPad M1 is an 8-inch tablet that can send text messages and make voice calls, like we’ve seen with other tablets like the Galaxy Note 8. Unlike the X1, Huawei is not labeling this one as a ‘phablet’.
The M1 has an 8-inch 800×1280 HD IPS display and is powered the same Kirkin 910 1.6GHz quad-core CPU as the X1. Other specs for the MediaPad M1 include 8/16GB storage, microSD, a 5MP rear cam, 1MP front cam, Wi-Fi 802.11n, Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, black/white color choices and 4G LTE.
There’s also a 4800mAh battery, which reportedly can support 8 hours of video playback on a single charge.
While the MediaPad M1 doesn’t have the skinnier profile (for the size) or impressive camera of the X1, it does have front-facing speakers and attractive design that’s clearly ‘inspired’ by the HTC One and other newer HTC-branded devices.
Availability
Not surprisingly, neither of these tablets are expected to arrive in the North American market. Instead, Huawei is targeting China, Russia, Western Europe, Middle East, Japan and Latin America with the MediaPad X1, and all the above plus Asia Pacific for the MediaPad M1.
The MediaPad X1 will be available starting in March with a suggested retail price of €399 — or about $548.39. The MediaPad M1 is expected to arrive in Q1 2014 at €299 (roughly $410.95).
If either device did make it to your local market, would you be interested? Or do you feel that this is just way too big to be practical for voice calling and texts?
“We’re really excited to unveil our new 4G LTE devices which mark a significant step in bringing a truly connected life within reach. Our new MediaPads, together with HUAWEI TalkBand B1, deliver the essential pillars of happiness – health, connection to family, contact with friends, and access to work – without boundaries,” said Richard Yu, Chief Executive Officer, Huawei Consumer Business Group. “Huawei’s culture of innovation places us in prime position to develop devices that bring people the benefits and joy of technology through 4G LTE connectivity.”
HUAWEI MediaPad X1
HUAWEI MediaPad X1 combines the functionality of a smartphone and tablet with 4G LTE connectivity to provide an all-round mobile experience. MediaPad X1’s full aluminum alloy unibody is compact and weighs less than a canned drink at 239g. Ultra-slim at 7.18mm, the device provides outstanding comfort and ease of use, even when operated with a single hand. Its 7-inch 1200 x 1920 FHD LTPS 10-point capacitive touch display provides an incredibly crisp and dynamic visual experience and features an outstanding 80 percent screen-to-body ratio. MediaPad X1 features content adaptive brightness control (CABC) technology together with a 515 nits brightness level to allow amazing visual clarity under direct sunlight, and also includes intelligent grip suppression so you can hold and scroll simultaneously.
MediaPad X1 is powered by a Kirin 910 1.6 GHz quad-core processor and runs on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. The ultra-long lasting 5000 mAh battery provides an exceptional 21 days of standby time, more than five full days of continuous video or web surfing, and also powers additional mobile devices with its reverse charging function. MediaPad X1 uses the ‘Super Decode Media Files’ function to differentiate between file types to ensure the smooth streaming of media while preserving battery power and the ‘Mail Grouping Service’ which differentiates between various types of signals and mobile phone ringtones to organize messages.
MediaPad X1 makes professional-quality photography possible on a phablet with an advanced 13MP Sony Exmor R BSI rear-facing camera that has a five plastic elements (5P) lens featuring panoramic shooting and an IMAGESmart engine with auto-scene recognition. MediaPad X1’s 5MP front-facing camera has a four plastic elements (4P) lens and Huawei’s proprietary self-focus tips, preview screen, 10-level auto-facial enhancement and voice-activated hands-free capture, to take the best ‘selfies’. The phablet adds an extra dimension to photos with the ‘Voice Photo’ function, which takes photos accompanied by a 10-second audio clip that can be shared via Facebook and WeChat. The IR blue glass infrared filter also enables filming or photographing in low light.
HUAWEI TalkBand B1
HUAWEI TalkBand B1 is the perfect hybrid ‘talk and track’ mobile companion to MediaPad X1, featuring enhanced connectivity through wireless calling and daily activity tracking on-the-go. With a Bluetooth™ 4.1 wireless earpiece, TalkBand B1 enables up to seven hours of continuous calling and includes a 1.4-inch flexible OLED display. TalkBand B1 is designed to support wireless calling on both Android 2.3+ and iOS 5.0+ compatible devices, and syncs effortlessly via NFC. For added security, TalkBand B1 vibrates if more than 10 meters away from the synced smart device.
TalkBand B1 wirelessly tracks activity time and progress, including steps taken, miles covered and calories burned. It intelligently records the duration and quality of sleep, and has a smart alarm and nap functions to improve rest.
TalkBand B1 is made of hypo-allergenic, sweat-resistant and anti-UV materials to prevent aging and discoloration. Weighing just 26g and only 14.6mm thin, the device features a fashionable bendable curve design that fits perfectly around the wrist. The 9.4g earpiece sits securely within the band of TalkBand B1 and is easily removable when needed. With a 90 mAh battery, TalkBand B1 lasts six days without the need to recharge, and takes only two hours to charge using the USB connector.
HUAWEI MediaPad M1
HUAWEI MediaPad M1 is an all-round and stylish entertainment system, featuring an 8-inch 800 x 1280 HD IPS multi-touch capacitive screen, with Huawei SWS technology, dual front-facing speakers and dual microphones for enhanced sound quality and stereo effects. The multi-window screen and video floating window enables TV and movie viewing in eye-opening 1080p FHD resolution while completing other tasks simultaneously. Powered by a 1.6 GHz quad-core processor and super-strong 4800 mAh capacity battery, MediaPad M1 supports 8 hours of video playing on a single charge.
Ultra-slim at 7.9mm, MediaPad M1’s 329g sleek metallic feel and aluminum body slips easily into pockets or purses. The 1MP front-facing camera and 5MP rear-facing auto-focus camera enables easy snapping and sharing of photos.
LTE Cat4-enabled to make connectivity faster and more reliable than ever, MediaPad X1 and M1 download work files in seconds and a 1GB movie in one minute with speeds of up to 150 Mbps. With in-built WiFi routers, 2.4/5G dual mode WiFi support, as well as voice call and SMS capabilities, the devices provide on-the-spot connection to friends and family. The AirSharing function enables screen sharing and the transfer of images via cloud photo sharing. Navigating MediaPads X1 and M1 is a breeze with the latest intuitive and easy-to-use interface, Emotion UI 2.0, featuring easily customizable homescreens, enhanced ‘Standard’ and ‘Simplicity’ UIs and more than 1,000 diverse themes.
Availability
· HUAWEI MediaPad X1 will be available in black, white, champagne and light pink in China, Russia, Western Europe, Middle East, Japan and Latin America from March 2014 at a suggested retail price of €399. Accessories for MediaPad X1 include a Smart Cover, featuring magnetic closure to protect it from wear and tear.
· HUAWEI TalkBand B1 comes in true black, graphite grey, snow white, lemon yellow, curacao blue and raspberry red. It will be available in China from March 2014, and in Japan, the Middle East, Russia and Western Europe from Q2 2014 at a suggested retail price of €99.
· HUAWEI MediaPad M1 comes in black and white. It will be available at a suggested retail price of €299 from Q1 2014 in Europe, Russia, the Middle East, China, Japan, Asia Pacific, Australia and Latin America with other markets to follow.
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