Huawei has brought to the market various models in its Y9 series since the line was introduced in 2018. First to hit the local market was the Y9 2019 followed later by the Y9 Prime 2019. Models launched under the series include Y9 2019, Y9 Prime 2019 and 9Ys among others.
Then in late 2019, Huawei Mobile Kenya introduced the Y9s to the market. The Y9s came with the FullView display after doing away with the notch and bezel, thereby giving gamers 6.59 inches of FHD+ gameplay area. Like in the Y9 Prime 2029, the phone’s 16MP AI selfie camera was relocated to the top left side of the model, where it remained hidden until activated upon which it would pop up to take a photo then slide back into its hiding slot.
And now, as a follow-up to the Y9s, Huawei has unveiled a new model in the series, the Y9a. The Huawei Y9a, currently on pre-order before it formally hits the market in early October, is a significant improvement on the Y9s on various fronts and comes with some key unique attributes.
Design
The Huawei Y9a feels solid on one’s palm and has a metallic body appearance. With its 64MP AI Quad Camera main camera protruding at the rear, the new model has brought back the pop-up selfie camera last seen in the Huawei Y9 Prime 2019 edition in mid last year. The front camera instantly pops up for selfies and video chats once activated by the user. The model’s design has also eliminated notches on the screen, thereby giving users a more immersive viewing experience.
In the Huawei Y9a, the finger print scanner has been moved from the rear to the right side of the device, a location that’s comparatively more discreet. The finger print button also doubles up as the on and off button.
In terms of alterations, and unlike in the Y9 Prime 2019, the earplug (or jack pin) slot has been moved to the top of the device, unlike in previous models where this is located at the bottom of the smartphone. The earplug slot now sits on the top right side area, occupying the location previously nestling the SIM card slot in the Y9 Prime 2019 model.
Another design alteration in the Huawei Y9a is the SIM card slot which occupies the left side position at the bottom of the device, the location which had the earplug slot in Y9 Prime 2019. The model has slots for 2 Nano SIM cards.
In the Huawei Y9a, nothing occupies the left side of the phone just in other models.
The top and bottom frame of the device are straight for a more solid feel while the USB slot occupies the centre of the bottom of the frame.
Even without (and before) inserting it into the protective case (which comes with the device), the size of the phone gives the feeling of a much firmer grip when held on the palm.
Display
With 6.63″ Ultra FullView Display, the Huawei Y9a gives the user a better field of view. It has a screen-to-body ratio of 92% as it is designed with a super narrow frame, enabling the user to conveniently read content online, watch videos and play mobile games with a much wider view.
Specs and features
Targeted at photography enthusiasts, the Huawei Y9a has a 64MP quad-camera setup, a 6.63-inch FullView Display, with 40W HUAWEI SuperCharge capability.
In terms of internal attributes and resources, the Huawei Y9a has a GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, expandable to 256GB via an external memory card.
The quad rear camera includes a 64 MP main camera, an 8 MP Ultra-Wide Angle camera, a 2 MP depth camera and a 2 MP macro camera.
Through Huawei’s AI technology, the four rear cameras read scenes and cooperate seamlessly as one to take stunning photos in direct sunlight or in the dark, when the object is far away or up close. The EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization) technology also help the user to take stable handheld videos even when taken while the camera is shaking.
The 4200 mAh battery in the Huawei Y9a is designed for quick charging speed and extended periods of use before it can be recharged. Using the With 40 W HUAWEI SuperCharge feature, the user can charge the battery efficiently, achieving nearly 70% of power in about 30 minutes. The AI power saving technology also allows the user to utilise the device for long periods without frequent recharging.
Specifications of the Huawei Y9a:
| Attribute | Value |
| Size | Width: 76.5 mm
Height: 163.5 mm Depth: 8.95 mm Weight: Approx 197 g |
| Colour variants | Midnight Black
Space Silver Sakura Pink
|
| Display | Size: 6.63 inches Type: TFT LCD (IPS) Resolution: FHD + 2400 x 1080 |
| Processor | MediaTek Helio G80 CPU: Octa-core Processor |
| OS | Android version 10
EMUI version 10 |
| Memory | 8GB RAM
128GB internal storage (expandable to 256 GB) |
| Camera | Back: 64 MP + 8 MP (120° Ultra-Wide Angle Lens) + 2 MP (Depth Lens) + 2 MP (Macro Lens) Front: 16 MP, f/2.2 aperture |
| Battery | 4200 mAh |
| Connectivity | WLAN Bluetooth USB: Type-C, USB 2.0 Earjack: 3.5 mm |
| Sensors | Ambient Light Sensor Gyroscope Compass Gravity Sensor Fingerprint Sensor |
| Audio formats | mp3, mp4, 3gp, ogg, amr, aac, flac, wav, midi |
| Video formats | 3gp, mp4 |
| In the box:
|
– Phone (with in-built battery)
– Protective plastic cover – Protective film (already attached on the phone before delivery) – Charger – Type-C charging (or data) cable – Earphones – Three-pin plug – Eject tool
|
And just like most of the Huawei mobile devices unveiled this year (and due to the sanctions and trade restrictions imposed on US companies against working with Huawei), the Huawei Y9a does not come with Google Mobile Services. Instead, users of the device can download their favourite apps from Huawei’s own app store, the HUAWEI AppGallery. Apart from the AppGallery, one can also use the Petal Search to conduct more customised app searches.
The US government restrictions is also the reason why instead of having the Hilisilion Kirin or Qualcomm processor, the Huawei Y9a comes with a Media Tek Helio G80 processor, manufactured in Taiwan.
However, not shipping with Google Mobile Services and having a Media Tek processor should not let a prospective buyer assume that the device doesn’t perform to its optimum level and is therefore not a good buy. On the contrary, the Huawei Y9a surely delivers, looking at the quality of images and videos it produces.
That’s why if you feel the Huawei Y9a is your preferred choice for a smartphone upgrade, dash to Huawei, Kilimall or Jumia and get the device for just about Kshs 30,200.
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