Huawei Consumer Business Group (BG) and Leica Camera AG announced the start of a strategic partnership, a co-operation with shared premium ambitions and spirit, which will see both technology and photography brands combining their shared ethos in a long-term commitment to the art of craftsmanship, meticulous engineering and the spirit of winning collaboration, to create a powerhouse in the reinvention of Smartphone photography.
As part of the partnership, Huawei and Leica Camera AGrecently launched the Huawei P9 phone which is the world’s first dual-camera smart phone. Our reporter interviewed Jean Baguma, Huawei Marketing Manager on the partnership and what it entails, as well as the unique features that users should look out for on the Huawei P9.
Huawei in partnership with Leica recently launched Huawei P9, this comes at a time when mobile phone usage in Uganda has grown to 21 million people.
What unique features should Ugandans look out for in the Huawei P9?
The Huawei P9 is the first smartphone that has been built in conjunction with the global iconic brand, Leica Camera AG. The Huawei P9 takes smartphone photography to the next level with rich user experience on picture quality and image focusing speed ultimately delivering photos with superior richness, clarity and authenticity.
The P9 also features, Huawei’s world-leading biometric recognition technology aimed at protecting P9 and P9 Plus users against unauthorized access to their device. For theP9 and P9 Plus, Huawei is rolling out an enhanced fingerprint sensor that allows people to personalize and safeguard their devices.
How different is 2D from 3D technology on smartphones?
Fingerprint sensors based on 2D technology may fail to detect fraudulent use. For example, 2D sensors may mistakenly grant access to users who fraudulently obtain someone’s fingerprint. Also, in some cases older fingerprint technology may fail to authenticate rightful users. The new 3D technology on the P9 and P9 Plus will eliminate these flaws and reduce false rejection rates.
When will the Huawei P9 come to the Ugandan market and where will it be stocked for purchase?
The Huawei P9 is already on the Ugandan market and can be purchased from Fonexpress, Simba telecom, Go phones, Nilecom, among others.
Huawei recently partnered with Leica Camera AG, Why did you choose Leica over other camera brands?
Leica is a legend in the world of photography; no other manufacturer has revolutionised the industry as much as them. From building lightweight cameras favoured by street photographer pioneers, to its long tradition of creating high-quality optical lenses, Leica’s status as the leading photography brand has been cemented for over 100 years.
Leica images are unmistakable thanks to their structure, depth and natural expression, which go far beyond the usual parameters of sharpness, contrast and resolution. Leica of course focuses on the highest quality and precision in all it does. Its goal of creating everlasting values that set standards align with Huawei’s own, with both companies priding themselves on the art of craftsmanship.
Working with Leica allows Huawei to have access not just to the best technical minds in the camera business, but to its design-conscious users, who are accustomed to high-quality craftsmanship and passionate about the power of image.
What does the partnership agreement cover? For instance, is it a licensing agreement and what is the duration of the partnership?
The partnership is a long term one; both brands will innovate together in the fields of lens and imaging quality within research and development, co-engineering, trademark and logo usage, user experience, retail distribution, and marketing.
What attracted Leica to working with Huawei?
Both brands share the same vision when it comes to photography and quality products. While Huawei is a much younger company than Leica, both brands have a huge amount of experience in creating, marketing and selling quality products, always keeping the needs of the user at the heart.
Both brands value the power of collaboration, and choose their partners carefully, believing that through collaborating with experts in their own fields, consumers are offered the best elements of two complimentary offerings.
Does this partnership affect Huawei’s relationship with Google on the Nexus 6P?
This partnership with Leica is completely separate to any others that we have. Huawei is committed to making quality products, always working with the best in the business. For example, it is extremely proud to have started a coveted Nexus partnership with Google in 2015.
What impact do you expect this collaboration will have on smartphone photography?
Mobile devices allow everyone to be a creator, and we want to ensure our users have memories that stand the test of time. We are very much looking forward to where this collaboration leads, a true reinvention of smartphone photography.
How does this partnership sit with the brand and creative direction of Huawei?
Huawei believes in the power of collaboration; the art of craftsmanship and the reinvention of smartphone photography. All of these values are at the heart of the Leica and Huawei partnership, and the innovations that will follow.
What is Huawei’s design philosophy and how does this extend into photography?
Huawei believes in starting with the insight of the user, with their needs front of mind. We are taking more photos than ever, and putting greater care and thought into how we curate our visual feeds online. This makes a photography partnership with Leica a natural fit for Huawei.
Were there any obstacles both partners faced when working in different locations?
Huawei is a global business with design centres around the world. Leica, too, spans many countries and this meant we were able to connect the right people from our business to make this unique collaboration possible.