Review: Huawei P9 - decent attempt to make perfect camera phone with help from Leica
Despite Leica’s involvement this smartphone is not entirely the success you might expect, but it is competitively priced and will appeal to the casual photographer seeking something different
Camera
The fact that Leica – a top optics/camera manufacturer – is attached to the P9 suggests either the company had a hand in developing the camera or it endorses it. Leica has confirmed that it worked on certain parts of the camera with Huawei, but it did not make the camera sensor nor the lens.
The UI (user interface) starts off with a garden variety simplicity, with a shutter button, video record button and camera roll along the bottom. Along the top there’s flash, aperture mode, filters and toggle between front and rear-facing cameras.
The aperture mode utilises the dual camera to take multiple shots and subsequently allows you to refocus on almost anything you like in the shot. What’s more, you can open (or close) the aperture which changes the depth of field, akin to focusing on one subject or on everything, like an infinity focus.