Honor dazzles with its View20 global launch in Paris

By Chong Jinn Xiung January 23, 2019

First flagship smartphone to feature display with hole punch camera
Targeted at photography buffs who demand more pixels with 48-Megapixel camera

Honor dazzles with its View20 global launch in Paris

PARIS, the City of Lights, played host to the first major smartphone launch of 2019 as Honor unveiled its View20 at the Salle Pleyel concert hall in the heart of the city.

In case you didn’t know the View20 is the first smartphone to kick off the year with the soon to be in-trend hole punch camera design. As odd as it may sound the hole punch monicker is in reference to the tiny camera hole, that houses its 25-Megapixel selfie camera, on the top left of the screen. This does away with the distracting notch that Apple popularised with its iPhone X.

But unlike most high-end smartphones, Honor is banking on price and attractive features to bring the crowds to its yard. The company claims that the View20 is a flagship device is being offered at a mid-range price point, putting it in firm competition with the likes of the OnePlus 6T.

The new View20 features a massive 6.4-inch LCD display with Full HD+ resolution, that offers a stunning 92% screen-to-body ratio. The result is a near bezel-less phone that is simply stunning. Turn it around and you will spot a laser-etched V pattern pattern that subtly appears when the light hits it at the right angle.

Indeed, the View20 is exactly the bold statement piece that one has come to expect from Honor. The company typically markets itself to a younger demographic and the View20’s design is one that just screams for attention.

But the View20 is also a phone of substance. It draws power from Huawei’s Kirin 980 processor, deemed the company’s fastest mobile processor to date. If that sounds familiar, it is because it is the very same used on Huawei’s current flagship smartphone, the Mate 20 Pro.

The base version features 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage which should be plenty for most users. There is also a higher-end variant with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

The other headline-grabbing feature of the View20 has to be its massive 48-Megapixel camera with its ½-inch Sony IMX586 camera sensor and f/1.8 aperture. Needless to say, photography buffs will come to appreciate the extra pixels that enable it to capture more details.

Apart from that, the View20 packs a massive 4,000mAh battery that should be sufficient to last an entire day. It also supports fast charging too to help you get back up to speed when you are low on battery though take note that there is no wireless charging.

At least fans do not have to wait long as the Honor View20 is expected to debut in Malaysia on Jan 26 at a roadshow in 1 Utama Shopping Centre.

The Honor View20 6GB + 128GB variant, costing US$485 (RM1,999) will come in Midnight Black and Sapphire Blue.

The Phantom Blue Honor View20 8GB + 256GB variant will cost US$607 (RM2,499)

According to Honor the View20 the 6GB + 128GB variant and 8GB + 256GB variant will be sold during the roadshow.