Huawei has revealed a surprise 2017 update of the P8 lite; the budget handset that accompanied the flagship P8 upon launch.
Names are confusing. While Samsung updates its iconic Galaxy S range in numerals, the company’s lower tier Galaxy A line is updated by year. In a surprise reveal, Huawei now seems to follow the same strategy; the Huawei P and Mate series follow the flagship formula, while the wraps have just been taken off a 2017 update to 2015’s P8 Lite.
Granted, the 2017 shares little design similarities with its predecessor; while the 2015 P8 Lite employed straight lines and a relatively rectangular construction, the 2017 P8 Lite sports a rounder form factor and is – on the front – slightly reminiscent of Samsung’s 2017 Galaxy A series. Go figure.
Read: Huawei P10 to be revealed at MWC 2017
While Huawei’s decision to name the phone after a handset that is now almost two years old is bizarre, the device – if it is released in South Africa – could be a bargain for those wishing to get on board with Android 7.0 Nougat.
Arriving with the latest version of Google’s mobile operating system (with EMUI in tow), the 2017 P8 Lite incorporates a 12-megapixel primary camera and 8-megapixel secondary camera, while a Kirin 655 chipset powers the show.
3GB of RAM and 16GB of expandable internal memory complete the setup, in addition to a 3,000mAh battery, fingerprint scanner, and MicroUSB support. If you’re looking for an HD screen, you’ll be in luck – the device will accommodate 5.2 IPS display with a 1080p resolution.
The device is expected to release in Europe for €239, and no news has yet been offered on a local rollout. Given Huawei’s interest and growth in South Africa, we can likely expect to see the handset on our shores eventually.
Read: Huawei shirks Google Assistant in favor of Amazon‘s Alexa
What are your thoughts? Is Huawei wise to turn back the clock and name its newest budget phone after a device launched in 2015? Be sure to let us know your opinion in the comments below!
Follow Bryan Smith on Twitter: @bryansmithSA
