Huawei sees upcoming Mate 10 handset spoiling the launch of Apple’s new iPhone

Huawei Technologies, the world’s largest telecommunications equipment supplier, is looking to spoil the launch of Apple’s much-speculated 10th-anniversary iPhone with the release of its updated flagship smartphone, the Mate 10.

“The Mate 10 series will surpass Apple’s iPhone 8 as our phone will have much longer battery life, much faster charging speed, much better camera and photographic capability, as well as much better overall user experience,” Richard Yu Chengdong, the chief executive of Huawei’s Consumer Business Group, told reporters at a briefing in Shenzhen.

In addition, Yu said more applications and services for Huawei's Android smartphones will be powered by artificial intelligence technology.

However, Yu conceded that his assessment of the next-generation iPhone is based on widespread speculation found on the internet.

He said the special-edition iPhone 8 is expected to be a full-screen handset that eliminates the physical home button on the front, which echoes speculation that Huawei’s new Mate smartphone will have a bezel-free display.

Apple’s iPhone 8 will likely feature a 5.8-inch organic light-emitting diode touch screen, 3D facial recognition, front and back glass casing, a main camera that supports so-called augmented reality applications, wireless charging and a price tag of about US$1,000, according to J P Morgan.