Why Huawei Ascend P7 gives complex to Samsung and Apple

Here's the new star of Chinese appliance giant smartphones, Huawei, which now stands in third place worldwide according to IDC. Let us say at the outset, the Ascend P7 is a smartphone that leaves no one indifferent. Far from it ... 

His critics say it is a pale copy of the Apple iPhone 5, XXL, with a bonus ON / OFF switch on the right side, worthy of Sony Xperia. Others will see a beautiful visual and technical prowess for a device with a 5-inch screen, the light weight of 124 grams and thickness of 6.5 mm. 

First with his extremely successful design. The brushed metal finish on the edge is the most beautiful effect, in the image of its Full HD (1.920x1.280 pixels) screen that displays 445 pixels per inch, a level that few high-end smartphones are now entitled . The device operates on Android 4.4.2 with a KitKat wrapper home that perfectly fits the trend of flat design. Again the effect is very nice. 

On the technical side, the camera against a little train. It is equipped with a processor that house shows its limits compared to the famous Qualcomm Snapdragon competition. It also has 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. Can increase its capacity through a microSD port. Note that it can also accommodate a second SIM card, according to usage. If tools AnTuTu benchmark type is used, the camera is unable to match its main rivals and ranks far enough from the Galaxy Samsung S5 (see test) or the HTC One (M8) (see test ). 

The selfies and groufies honor 

Like all manufacturers, Huawei focuses on photography, with a first dorsal sensor 13 million pixels and a front sensor 8,000,000 pixels for surf fashion selfies. And it even has a feature panoramic selfie or "groufie" for taking self portraits group. The photos are generally of good quality, even in low light. But do not expect a wouaouh effect. It makes the job without extra. 

Finally, it is with a very useful application to better manage the battery by optimizing power. Especially that one should not expect miracles, it hard to make ends the day with heavy use. 

The Ascend P7 is sold on the internet from 370 euros. An ultra-aggressive price for a camera that rivals the big stars of the premium segment. This is probably the smartphone with the best quality price ratio moment. Makes you wonder if it is still really worth spending over 600 euros!

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L'Ascend P7 de Huawei au banc d'essai par Challenges

Rumors about the iPhone 6 multiply before the next keynote Tim Cook. One thing seems certain now: a big screen version will be updated. Here is why.

When the iPhone 6 is on everyone's lips, many rumors circulating on ceasing to what could be the next Apple smartphone, two very instructive studies provide an essential insight into the future of the smartphone market. The first was published by Gartner and covers the latest trends in high tech for 2014. The second was unveiled by Accenture and reported on the use of high-tech consumer product. One and the other stand the following observation: the future of mobile through the phablettes. 

The latest figures provided by Counterpoint Research confirms this trend, with 40% of smartphones sold in 35 countries in May were phablettes. 

It is far sacrosanct 3.5-inch screen of the first iPhone came out in 2007 and that Steve Jobs was then presented as the ideal size for the consumer. The Cupertino company has always justified his choice by explaining that the user should be able to navigate the device with one hand. 

With the advent of tablets 7, 8 and 10 inches consumption patterns in mobility have changed and users have made ​​the idea of ​​having in their pocket a large screen. Samsung was the first to dare the 5-inch screen with the first Galaxy Note. Since mobile phones have a screen of 5 to 7 inches are flourishing. LG, Sony, HTC, Nokia ... Everyone gets started. And the latest information about the new iPhone indicates that Apple has realized the obvious: both devices would actually be in the cards, the first with a still reasonable 4.7-inch screen and a second screen with a 5 5 inches. According to the Wall Street Journal, the American group has ordered its Chinese suppliers between 70 and 80 million units, more than the previous two versions, the iPhone 5S and 5C (between 50 and 60 million copies). 

A booming market in Asia 

If phablettes are still a niche market in Europe, these formats are exploding in Asia, says Annette Zimmerman, an analyst at Gartner. 

LIRELes emerging trends in the high tech market 
Shared by Accenture analysis for which the interest is confirmed for its devices in emerging countries. Among the 57% of consumers who plan to upgrade to a smartphone during the year, nearly half (48%) and wear their choice on a phablette - with a screen 5 to 7 inches - rather than a conventional screen with a smartphone 4 to 5 inches. "We did not expect this result," said Jean-Laurent Poitou, Global Head of Strategy and Development for Telecoms sector, Accenture Media & Technology. "This is a point on which the accelerating demand displayed is the strongest." 

Another lesson of the Accenture study, this preference for large screens affects less mature markets. "We might have expected that the increase is more attractive screen size for those who have already had an experience with a smartphone. Yet it is emerging that take demand. This is not a upmarket but a new use. demand is strongest where people are less equipped, "he continues. Francis Hernandez, director of HTC France confirms that the Desire 816, a 5.5-inch mid-range, is one of the bestsellers Taiwanese group in China. 

And among consumers planning to buy a smartphone, they are 67% in India, 66% in China and 65% in South Africa to report that their choice will be probably a phablette. In France, 37% of respondents indicated a preference for phablettes. Similarly, they are 40% in the United States, nearly a third (30%) of Germans and only 19% of Japanese to opt for this equipment. 

An industry that is similar to the way 

Several reasons for this, according to the expert. First, the phenomenon affects countries where access to fixed broadband is lower than for mobile broadband. Ie more by the smartphone from the PC at home, a device often too expensive. "Consumer electronics is an element of status in these countries," also notes Jean-Laurent Poitou, which compares to the industry of fashion. For many, this is an accessory of social differentiation. 

If the specialist management consultancy and technology refuses to address the Apple case, it recognizes that "all those who include in their expansion strategy in emerging countries will have to position itself in this market." 

According to a recent study by research firm IDC, China has drawn global smartphone sales in the first quarter of 2014, producing 40% of global sales. Suffice to say that the firm at the apple can not do without this particular market. Proof? The agreement with China Mobile in 2013, the first operator in the country, providing access to its 800 million subscribers. 

A trend that could evolve the current hierarchy of the smartphone market. But for that, is it still necessary to remove the "killer product", one that will take speed all competitors. "We need the element of differentiation that makes this product more desirable than others," says Jean-Laurent Poitou. On this point, Apple has learned not disappoint us. But for this it will be his famous keynote scheduled for mid-September.

Apple orders 80 million iPhone 6 at its Chinese subcontractors

 The new smartphone will be more like a mini-tablet. The previous iPhone had been ordered in 50 to 60 million copies. 



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Index of the exit in time for the holiday season with a new iPhone much larger: according to the Wall Street Journal, the Californian company commissioned its Chinese subcontractors 70-80000000 of smartphones with two types of screens. One is equipped with a screen of about 12 inches diagonal. The other would dare go up to 14 cm. In all cases the "iPhone 6" would be much larger than the iPhone 5, the screen is a little more than 10 cm. 
The size of future device is not the only highlight, although it confirms the implicit admission by Apple that the bet of his great rival Samsung, whose models have generally larger screens, was wise. The latest addition to the range, the Galaxy S5 for example has a screen of about 13 cm. 
Large screens popular Chinese 

Smartphones will therefore increasingly resemble mini-tablets, hence the nickname "phablettes." Advertisers have reason to celebrate: they will have more space to display their logos and messages ... In addition to the large screens are particularly popular in emerging countries, particularly China. The purchasing power of the consumer is there not as high as in rich countries. So, often, the smartphone will replace the computer, which makes them buy devices with larger screens. 
The volume of the iPhone 6 command is also speaking. Initially the previous iPhone had been ordered in 50 to 60 million copies. Apple could prepare the introduction of a more differentiated model of the previous generation, could boost demand? Apple had been criticized last year for having underestimated the iPhone 5S request, his last more expensive model, and having initially overestimated demand iPhone5C less expensive. 
The smartphone market increasingly crowded 

For Pegraton Corp.. and Foxconn, the two major Chinese suppliers of components for iPhone, the technology associated with the new larger screen is also a new challenge. Foxconn has already begun to hire "hundreds of new employees every day" to ensure the production and increase its capacity robots "Foxbots." 
The smartphone market is becoming more crowded. Furthermore Samsung which is estimated global market share to 29% in the first quarter, Apple fell 18%, while Huawei, Lenovo, LG and many others argue the rest. Samsung has noted this week "a slowdown in overall growth of the market" in the second quarter and a "higher inventories due to price competition and because of the lower demand for 3G models in anticipation of 4G models for the Chinese market. "Apple's strategy has always been not to the market share of its priority. The Cupertino company prefers to maintain high margins and offer products of the highest quality, most innovative possible, deliberately sold at prices higher than those of competitors.