This time around we take an exclusive hands-on look on the new Huawei GR5. We were given the gold version of the phone, and it is definitely a looker. As mentioned, the new device looks and feels premium, which is something we should be expecting regardless. With no physical buttons up front, apart from the streamline volume and power buttons on the side, it meets almost every design requirement in today’s market.
The looks
At first, it looks like any other android smartphone. You’ve got the usual minimalistic take on an all-metal body and a sharp 5.5-inch FHD display. But if you take a closer look at the GR5, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by its subtle design attributes you may not find in other phones. The phone actually looks a bit chunky, although it doesn’t feel like it all when you hold the 158g device in your hands. In fact, at that weight, it’s the perfect touch to a 5.5-inch phone. It actually feels like you’re holding something solid that won’t slip out of your pocket.
This brings us to the actual feel of this surprising new number. Again, when held closely, you’ll also find yourself complimenting the ridges on its volume rocker and power button. Not to mention the slight grooves on the back of the phone, both at the top and bottom. And while trying to keep the colour uniform, at least with the gold set, they did a fine job differentiating each aspect with the perfect shade. The colour, all around, looks rich as if its meant to cost more than it actually is.
The works
The richness in colour can also be said about its wonderful display. It seems as if Huawei blended all its native design and UI tricks very well. There’s a neat little feature to the phone that may seem a little gimmicky, but a welcomed one. Every time you press the power button to wake your phone up, the lockscreen wallpaper changes every single time. There’s a large, pre-set, number of beautifully shot photos which looks like they’ve been plucked right out of Pinterest. Apart from the stunning visuals, the phone is wonderfully smooth with its Qualcomm Octa-core Snapdragon 616 chip.
Even though the GR5 only has 2GB of RAM, you will never feel the shift in performance unless you were using multiple and heavy apps at the same time. And with its 3,000mAh battery, there’s plenty of room and time for work and play with this device. Talking about play, the phone does a wonderful job with its fingerprint sensor. One touch lets you unlock your phone, take a photo, or answer a phone call. The sensor, of course, can be found at the back of the phone under its 13-megapixel camera. The front is set up with a standard 5-megapixel camera. This is where the phone is left to be desired.
The outcome of each shot isn’t spectacular but you can get on by. What bothers the most is its autofocus. It simply lags. The shutter speed also follows suit, unfortunately. And no, the many filters from its native camera app doesn’t help either. The easy to navigate, and easy on the eyes UI just doesn’t do enough to divert the attention away. The same could be said for its sound quality coming from the neatly placed speakers at the bottom. That, also, was disappointing.
The display is a treat to experience, with the Apical Assertive Display. It’s basically a light sensor that detects the changing of your environment’s natural light. Unlike other phones, the lighting will adjust by the angle you hold your phone as well. Not a big deal, but it’s a nifty little addition to make your viewing pleasurable. Then again, the subpar speakers won’t enhance your experience either.
