Huawei P10 Review: A 2017 Mid-Range Powerhouse

Huawei P10 (2017) – Premium Mid-Flagship with Leica Dual Cameras & Kirin 960

Definition

The Huawei P10 (model codes: VTR-L09/VTR-L29/VTR-AL00) is a premium mid-flagship smartphone launched by Huawei in February 2017 at Mobile World Congress (MWC). Positioned as a photography-focused device targeting creative enthusiasts and style-conscious users, it combines a compact 5.1-inch 1080p display, Kirin 960 flagship chipset, and a Leica-co-engineered dual-camera system. Running Android 7.0 Nougat with EMUI 5.1 (later upgradable to Android 9.0 Pie with EMUI 9.1), it competed with the iPhone 7, Samsung Galaxy S7, and Google Pixel XL, emphasizing mobile photography, sleek design, and balanced performance.

Core Specifications Overview (English)

Category	Details
Launch Date	February 26, 2017 (MWC); global release March 2017
Model Codes	VTR-L09 (Europe), VTR-L29 (Asia), VTR-AL00 (China)
Chipset	Huawei Kirin 960 (16 nm FinFET; 4×2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 + 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A53; Mali-G71 MP8 GPU)
Display	5.1-inch FHD IPS LCD (1920×1080, 432 ppi); 60 Hz refresh rate; 16:9 aspect ratio; 2.5D curved Gorilla Glass 5
Camera System	Rear (Leica Dual Cam): 12 MP color (f/2.2, 27 mm, 1.25µm, PDAF, OIS) + 20 MP monochrome (f/1.9, 27 mm); Front: 8 MP (f/1.9, autofocus, beauty mode)
Memory & Storage	4GB/6GB LPDDR4 RAM; 64GB/128GB UFS 2.1; expandable up to 256 GB via Huawei Nano Memory (NM) card (hybrid slot)
Battery	3200 mAh Li-Po (non-removable); 22.5W Huawei SuperCharge (USB-C 2.0); ~10–12 hours mixed usage
Connectivity	4G LTE Cat.12 (600 Mbps down)/Cat.13 (150 Mbps up); Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac; Bluetooth 4.2; NFC; IR blaster; GPS/GLONASS/Beidou; no 3.5 mm headphone jack
Security & Build	Front-mounted fingerprint sensor (home button); aluminum unibody; colors: Graphite Black, Platinum Gold, Prestige Gold, Dazzling Blue, Rose Gold
Dimensions & Weight	145.3 × 69.3 × 6.98 mm; 145 g
Launch OS & Updates	Android 7.0 Nougat (EMUI 5.1); upgradable to Android 9.0 Pie (EMUI 9.1); no further official OS updates
Launch Price (Global)	~€649 (64GB/4GB variant); ~€749 (128GB/6GB variant)

Detailed Hardware & Software Breakdown

1. Display: 5.1-inch FHD IPS LCD

A compact, sharp panel optimized for one-handed use:

FHD Resolution (1080p): 432 ppi delivers crisp text and vivid visuals for media consumption and photography previewing.
IPS Technology: Wide 178° viewing angles and accurate color reproduction, ideal for sharing photos and videos with others.
Gorilla Glass 5: Scratch and drop resistance for daily durability; 2.5D curved edges add a premium touch to the compact form factor.

2. Camera: Leica Dual Cam (12MP Color + 20MP Monochrome)

The P10’s defining feature, co-engineered with Leica for professional-grade imaging:

12 MP Color Sensor: Captures rich, natural colors with OIS for stable shots and PDAF for fast autofocus; f/2.2 aperture balances light intake and depth of field.
20 MP Monochrome Sensor: Dedicated to black-and-white photography, delivering higher contrast and detail than color-to-monochrome conversion; f/1.9 aperture enhances low-light performance.
Leica Color Profiles: Two preset modes (Vivid for vibrant colors, Natural for realistic tones) for personalized photography.
Video Capabilities: 4K@30fps video recording with electronic image stabilization (EIS); 1080p@60fps for smooth motion capture.

3. Performance & Battery

Kirin 960 Chipset: Huawei’s 2016 flagship processor delivers smooth multitasking, 3D gaming (e.g., PUBG Mobile at medium settings), and 4K video editing; Mali-G71 MP8 GPU supports console-level graphics for casual games.
3200 mAh Battery: 22.5W SuperCharge fully charges the battery in ~90 minutes; mixed usage (calls, social media, photography) lasts ~10–12 hours.
NM Card Support: Huawei’s proprietary Nano Memory card expands storage up to 256 GB, using the same slot as a second SIM card (hybrid design).

4. Software & Connectivity

Android 7.0 Nougat (EMUI 5.1): Features a clean, user-friendly interface with AI-powered optimizations for app launch speed and battery efficiency; later updates to EMUI 9.1 added GPU Turbo for gaming performance boosts.
Full Connectivity Suite: NFC for mobile payments (Huawei Pay), IR blaster for remote control of home appliances, and dual-band Wi-Fi for fast wireless internet.
No 3.5 mm Jack: A controversial omission in 2017, requiring users to use USB-C headphones or an adapter.

Core Features & Market Position

Key Features

Leica Dual Cam System: Dedicated color and monochrome sensors for professional color accuracy and black-and-white photography.
Kirin 960 Flagship Performance: Balances speed and efficiency for multitasking, gaming, and content creation.
22.5W SuperCharge: Fast charging for quick top-ups, a major advantage over competitors’ slower charging solutions in 2017.
Compact Aluminum Unibody: Sleek, lightweight design ideal for one-handed use, a rarity among 2017 flagships.

Reception & Target Audience

Target Users: Photography enthusiasts, users who prefer compact flagships, Huawei ecosystem users, and style-conscious consumers seeking a balance of performance and portability.

Strengths: Excellent camera performance, compact design, fast charging, premium build quality, Leica color tuning.

Criticisms: No 3.5 mm headphone jack, limited NM card availability, average low-light video performance, no wireless charging.