With Android handset makers continuing to roll out some really serious innovations (like this one here, for example), it makes one wonder what the hell is Apple doing? Resting on their laurels, perhaps? OK. We are not here to bash dear Apple. Instead, we are marveling at Huawei-owned Honor’s newest device, the View20, which the world had a peek in November 2018, and then, subsequently, Honor revealed the China market-only V20 that is essentially the View20.
Anyways, this is the device promised for the rest rest of the world from Huawei’s sub-brand, Honor. Honor started by emphasizing five world’s first features, including an insane 48 MP camera, an equally ridiculous 25 MP in-screen front camera (AKA hole punch camera), 7nm Kirin 980 AI chipset, AI Triple-Antenna Wi-Fi technology and the aurora nano texture design.
Imaging is one of the key selling point with this device and in this case, View20’s rear camera is touted as the first to be outfitted with Sony IMX586 48 MP sensor, a 1/2-inch large CMOS and boats an equivalent 1.6μm pixels in Quad Bayer array.
“The sensor, boosted by the Kirin 980 chipset, supports new 48MP AI Ultra Clarity mode to produce photos with unmatched detail and clarity… the camera takes several 48MP pictures at once, and collates the best details from each photo to create one 48MP picture. The Kirin 980’s dual-NPU processes the photo using an advanced AI algorithm — the quality of the photo is assessed, details in dark areas are optimized, and colors are adjusted to appear more vivid.”
Honor is confident with its new camera setup that it has partnered with National Geographic to showcase the imaging prowess of View20. Like its China twin, V20, the rear also gets a 3D ToF (Time of Flight) camera which Honor new reveal that it has depth sensing, skeletal tracking and real-time motion capture capabilities. Interestingly, this 3D camera also allows user to do 3D motion-controlled gaming like so:
Also thanks to the 3D camera, real-time video retouching is possible. The 3D camera separates the subject from the background with multiple retouch levels, so you can get the prefect look in any situation. Well, those are some of the new bits we have learned about this new device. The rest is pretty much what we have learned from the preview and its twin, the V20.
Speaking of which… View20 also has a special model co-designed with long-time Italian fashion label, MOSCHINO. In this exclusive version, the View20 gets an embossed phone case featuring the iconic MOSCHINO Teddy Bear, along with some “specially designed accessories.” In addition, Honor is teaming up with Epic Games to bring popular battle Royale video game, Fornite, to Honor View20, with users of View20 getting access to the HONOR GUARD outfit in the game.
The Honor View20 is now available in France, the U.K., Germany, Spain, Italy, Finland, Czech Republic, Poland, Russia, Malaysia, India, U.A.E., and Saudi Arabia. Prices for the 6 GB+128 GB is 569 euros (£499.99 in the U.K., or about US$649), the MOSCHINO co-designed model with 8 GB+256 GB, on the other hand, goes for 649 euros (or about US$740). Not cheap. Then again, no one says flagships are affordable.
All images courtesy of Honor.
