Not all smartphone manufacturers are able to strike it big in the US. One of the biggest obstacles is actually getting the devices into the hands of consumers, who mostly still prefer the convenience, if not the safety net, of their carriers. And carriers are not so willing to take just any brand or model under their care, unless they’re sure it’s a big one. Huawei, however, has a plan. It’s launching its latest “mini flagship”, the P8 lite, in the US market, but it’s offering the benefits of a carrier purchase, without the carrier.
First, the smartphone itself. The Huawei P8 lite definitely looks like its namesake in terms of design, with the almost bezel-free design, at least on the side, and the almost premium metal look. Don’t be deceived, though. It’s still all plastic, but it doesn’t exactly feel like one and definitely doesn’t look like one. The specs we spotted at TENAA last April were almost spot on. The 5-inch 720p display is on par for a mid range device. The 13 megapixel rear camera, paired with the selfie-friendly 5 megapixel front shooter, are also there. The one difference is that the processor is Snapdragon 615, a 64-bit octa-core CPU, and not a Kirin. RAM is still at 2 GB and storage is at 16 GB only. All of these for $249.99.
The P8 lite does have a few interesting tricks. It has a dual SIM/SIM+microSD card contraption we’ve seen in the Meizu m2 note yesterday. Basically, you can choose between using two 4G capable SIM cards or just one of those plus a microSD card for storage expansion. Sadly, it can only support up to 32 GB more. The camera software has a “multi-frame noise reduction algorithm” which is practically like HDR but for eliminating grain. There is also an “All Focus” feature lets you change a photo’s focus even after it has been taken.
What might interest US buyers more is how Huawei is selling the P8 lite. While many undoubtedly appreciate the freedom of an unlocked device, they are not so eager to let go of the savings or the guarantees. Which is why Huawei is offering something different. All unlocked smartphones that Huawei launches this year, which includes the SnapTo and the P8 lite, will get a two-year warranty once registered on the GetHuawei.com website. In addition to that, those who will be buying the device from that same website can opt for installment plans in three, six, and 12 months.
This is, admittedly, an interesting strategy, offering the benefits of carrier subsidies but without the hassles of a carrier. That said, it might be hard to let go of old habits and it might be frightening to jump completely into something new. It remains to be seen if this strategy will actually work and how long Huawei will offer this kind of program in the future.
As mentioned, the Huawei P8 lite goes for $249.99 and will be available starting today from GetHuawei.com, Amazon, B&H, Fry’s and Target. BestBuy will also be added to that list soon.
