Huawei Ascend Mate smartphone

Photo: Maurizio Pesce from Milan, Italia via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

Huawei

Huawei Ascend Mate

March 2013 7/10 Rating Updated
In brief: The Huawei Ascend Mate, launched in March 2013, was a pioneering large-screen smartphone featuring a 6.1-inch HD display and a substantial 4050mAh battery. Powered by Huawei's own 1.5GHz quad-core HiSilicon K3V2 processor and running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, it aimed to offer a tablet-like viewing experience in a phone form factor. It included an 8MP main camera and 2GB of RAM, positioning it as a strong contender in the early "phablet" market.
DisplayLarge 6.1-inch HD IPS LCD (720p)
ChipsetHuawei HiSilicon K3V2 quad-core 1.5 GHz
Main Camera8 MP with LED flash
BatteryHuge 4050 mAh Li-Po

💰 Huawei Ascend Mate Price

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📌 Full Specifications

Display

TypeIPS LCD capacitive touchscreen
Size6.1 inches
Resolution720 x 1280 pixels
Pixel Density~241 ppi density
Features"Magic Touch" for glove operation

Platform

OSAndroid 4.1 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 4.2.2 (EMUI 1.5)
ChipsetHiSilicon K3V2 (Hi3620)
CPUQuad-core 1.5 GHz
GPUVivante GC4000

Memory

RAM2GB
Internal Storage8GB
Card SlotmicroSDHC, up to 64GB

Main Camera

Single8 MP
FeaturesLED flash
Video1080p@30fps

Selfie Camera

Single1 MP
Video720p

Battery

TypeLi-Po 4050 mAh, non-removable
ChargingStandard charging

Body

Dimensions163.5 x 85.7 x 9.9 mm (6.44 x 3.37 x 0.39 in)
Weight198 g (7.0 oz)
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frame

Comms

WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Bluetooth4.0, A2DP, LE
GPSYes, with A-GPS
NFCNo
RadioFM radio
USBmicroUSB 2.0

Launch

AnnouncedJanuary 2013 (CES)
StatusAvailable
Release DateMarch 2013

⚖ Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Large display for media consumption
  • Excellent battery life for its era
  • Expandable storage via microSD
  • "Magic Touch" for glove use
  • Competitive price at launch for its size

Cons

  • 720p resolution on a 6.1-inch screen resulted in lower pixel density
  • Older Android version (4.1) at launch, though upgradable
  • HiSilicon K3V2 processor was not always as powerful as Snapdragon alternatives of the time
  • Only 8GB internal storage (though expandable)
  • Bulky and heavy for some users
★ Our Verdict

The Huawei Ascend Mate offered a groundbreaking large display and exceptional battery life for its era, making it a strong contender in the nascent phablet market, despite some compromises in screen resolution and internal storage.

The Huawei Ascend Mate is a vintage smartphone from 2013, primarily of interest to collectors or those seeking a nostalgic experience. It runs on an outdated version of Android (4.1/4.2.2 Jelly Bean), meaning most modern applications will not function, and security updates are non-existent. While its large 6.1-inch display and impressive 4050mAh battery were highlights in its day, the 720p resolution is low by today's standards, and the performance will be sluggish for anything beyond basic tasks. Do not consider this device for daily use or as a primary smartphone. If you are looking to purchase it, ensure it's purely for historical value or as a display piece, and verify the battery health, as original batteries from this era are likely degraded.

📦 In The Box & Warranty

  • Huawei Ascend Mate smartphone
  • Charger
  • USB Cable
  • Headphones
  • User Manual
  • SIM Ejector Tool

Standard 1-year manufacturer's warranty at the time of purchase.

❓ Questions & Answers

What is the release date of the Huawei Ascend Mate?

The Huawei Ascend Mate was announced in January 2013 at CES and had its international release in March 2013.

What are the key features of the Huawei Ascend Mate?

Key features include a large 6.1-inch HD display, a powerful 4050mAh battery, a 1.5GHz quad-core HiSilicon K3V2 processor, and the "Magic Touch" feature for glove operation.

What operating system does the Huawei Ascend Mate run?

It launched with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and was upgradable to Android 4.2.2 with EMUI 1.5.

How much RAM and storage does the Huawei Ascend Mate have?

The Huawei Ascend Mate typically came with 2GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage, which could be expanded via a microSD card up to 64GB.

Is the Huawei Ascend Mate still a good phone to buy today?

No, the Huawei Ascend Mate is an outdated smartphone from 2013. It is not suitable for modern daily use due to its old operating system, lack of security updates, and inability to run most current applications. It is primarily for collectors or historical interest.

What was the original price of the Huawei Ascend Mate?

At its launch, the Huawei Ascend Mate was priced around 499 Euros or approximately $575.