The parade of new CES 2014 hardware continues! This latest piece of kit comes to us from Huawei, who today introduced its new Ascend Mate2 4G, the follow-up to the original Ascend Mate that debuted at CES 2013. The new Ascend Mate2 4G features a 6.1-inch 720p display, just like its predecessor, as well as a 1.6GHz quad-core processor and a 13-megapixel rear camera with BSI sensor and f/2.0 aperture. There's also a 5-megapixel shooter around front that includes an Auto Face Enhancement feature, meaning that it's ready for all of your selfie needs.
As its name implies, the Ascend Mate2 4G also includes LTE connectivity up to 150Mbps. There are actually a few different models with support for varying LTE bands, including one unit that can access the bands used by AT&T and T-Mobile in the U.S.
Rounding out the Ascend Mate2 4G's spec list is 16GB of storage, 2GB of RAM and a beefy 4050mAh battery that has a couple of tricks up its sleeve. Not only has Huawei included power-saving technology that it claims offers performance that's 30 percent better than comparable phones, the Ascend Mate2 also includes a Reverse Charging feature that enables it to act as a portable battery and recharge other devices.
On the software front, the Ascend Mate2 4G comes preloaded with Android Jelly Bean running beneath Huawei's custom Emotion UI 2.0 overlay. One of the biggest customizations that Huawei has made with its software is the addition of its One-Hand UI that promises to make it easier to use the Mate2 4G's 6.1-inch display with one hand. Also included is a Floating Window feature that allows users to multitask smaller apps like notes, messages and calculator at any time, as well as a Simple UI mode for easy software customization.
Overall the Ascend Mate2 4G looks like a nice little upgrade over the original Mate. Its display may be the same size, but its processor and cameras have gotten beefier, and I'm sure most everyone can agree that the addition of 4G LTE connectivity is a nice upgrade.
Huawei is remaining pretty tight-lipped when it comes to the Ascend Mate2 4G's pricing and availability details, but company chairman Richard Yu did tell Engadget that the device will be making its way to the U.S. While we wait for more information to come to light, you can check out a couple of quick hands-on videos showing the Mate2 4G in action down below, courtesy of our pals at Android and Me.
Via Huawei, Android and Me, Engadget
