Huawei Ascend Mate2 4G Full Specs Pricing & Review

Overview of Huawei Ascend Mate2 4G

The Huawei Ascend Mate2 4G, released in January 2014, is a smartphone that blends utility with affordability. As part of Huawei's ambitious lineup, this device was targeted at users seeking a large display with notable battery performance without breaking the bank. Despite being discontinued, the device holds a spot in smartphone history with its commendable features for that era.

Design and Build

The Huawei Ascend Mate2 4G sports a robust design with dimensions measuring 161 x 84.7 x 9.5 mm. It stands out with a large 6.34-inch form factor, making it a sizable device for its time—remarkably, its weight is around 202 grams. Although it carries some heft, the thoughtful design maximizes screen space—an impressive 75.2% screen-to-body ratio. The phone uses micro-SIM and comes in striking colors like Crystal Black and Pure White.

Display

Featuring a 6.1-inch IPS+ LCD display, the Ascend Mate2 4G offers a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels with a 16:9 ratio. This results in a pixel density of approximately 241 ppi, which was quite competitive at the time of its release. The screen is protected with Corning Gorilla Glass, enhancing durability against scratches and everyday use.

Performance

Under the hood, Huawei chose the Qualcomm MSM8928 Snapdragon 400 chipset for the Ascend Mate2 4G, which is fabricated using the 28 nm process. The CPU consists of a quad-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A7 processor, accompanied by an Adreno 305 GPU, ensuring decent graphical performance. These specifications enable the device to handle most day-to-day tasks and lighter gaming with relative ease.

Memory and Storage

For memory, the phone is equipped with 2GB of RAM, which was standard for devices in its category back in 2014. It offers an internal storage capacity of 16GB, but users can expand this via a microSDXC card, thanks to the dedicated memory slot. This flexibility was an attractive feature for users looking to store more apps, media, and documents.

Camera Capabilities

The Huawei Ascend Mate2 4G is equipped with a 13 MP single rear camera, capable of auto-focus and supplemented by LED flash for improved low-light photography. Additional features such as HDR and panorama modes extend the functionality and creative potential for users. It records video at 1080p at 30 frames per second. On the front, a 5 MP camera is present, which was sufficient for video calls and selfies.

Battery Life

One of the standout features of this device is its powerhouse battery— a non-removable Li-Ion 4050 mAh battery. This allowed users to enjoy prolonged use without constantly searching for a power outlet. It could offer up to 25 hours of talk time on 3G, and the endurance rating was notable at 106h, which was impressive for devices during that era.

Connectivity

For connectivity, the Ascend Mate2 4G supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks, capable of attaining speeds up to HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps and LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps. Other connectivity features include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, and Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP, EDR, and LE support. GPS and GLONASS support ensure accurate positioning services, and the phone includes a stereo FM radio—a rare treat in modern smartphones.

Software

The device runs Android 4.3 Jelly Bean out of the box, with an upgradable path to Android 5.1 Lollipop, overlaid with Huawei's EMUI 2. This user interface is known for its simplicity, offering a clean and user-friendly experience. Over time, the software updates enabled the device to leverage new features and performance enhancements introduced with newer Android versions.

Audio and Additional Features

In terms of audio, the Ascend Mate2 4G does not disappoint, with a loudspeaker and the standard 3.5mm audio jack present for personal and public listening. Among other features, users could benefit from sensors like an accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass. Unfortunately, NFC support is absent, but the phone does offer microUSB 2.0 with OTG capabilities.

Conclusion

All things considered, the Huawei Ascend Mate2 4G represented a strategic option for users during its time, balancing cost and performance. It delivered a combination of expansive display, solid performance, and excellent battery life. While technology has moved significantly forward since 2014, this device remains a reminder of Huawei's pivotal role in shaping affordable smartphones. The price point was approximately 330 EUR when released, offering substantial value for the features it packed.