Perhaps the most significant difference between the Mate 9 and its predecessor, the aptly named Mate 8, is its availability. Network stores like Three never carried the Mate 8 , but it's fully expected to take the Mate 9 after the success the P9 has found in the UK.

Battery life; stereo speakers; fantastic front-facing camera

Too big for some; exclusion of AMOLED display; primary camera still isn't there

The Huawei Mate series did big-screen before big-screen was even fashionable. Now that it's an increasing norm, the Mate 9 finds itself the focus of greater attention than its predecessors - and for good reason.

A well-built big-screen device; huge battery for longevity (around 16-hours of proper use); decent dual camera arrangement (with optical stabilisation); dual SIM and twin-app support

Pricier than previous Mate models; only has Full HD screen; Pro version (China only) is so much nicer; EMUI 5.0 is ultra-strict with app permissions and persistent in notifications

Can Huawei's phablet take on the Pixel XL and iPhone 7 Plus?

Extra-long battery life Fast; stable performance Flagship phone at a reasonable price

Not waterproof Only Full HD display User interface still suffers from idiosyncrasies

A geek-pleaser Android phone with serious power and huge screen, in a surprisingly manageable body

Great screen-to-size ratio; Gadget-packed camera; Seriously powerful CPU and GPU

Not as striking as some rivals; Battery spec is better than real battery stamina; AAA price

At the beginning of November, Huawei released something a little bit exciting – the Huawei Mate 9. I was lucky enough to be given one of these devices for review and as such have been using it for the past few weeks.

Huawei's Mate 9 is, in our opinion, the best in the Huawei line-up, boasting an impressively large battery alongside powerful internals, an improved dual-camera setup and a sleek, gorgeous design. The benchmark results were some of the best we've seen, bringing excellent value for money.

In bringing machine learning, dual-camera tech and revamped software to the table, the Huawei Mate 9 presents an interesting proposition that goes some way to satiate the appetite of Samsung Galaxy Note fans.

Adding to its range of smartphone handsets, Huawei has released the Mate 9.

The Chinese company was the number three brand in the world in 2016 with 9.3 per cent market share behind Samsung (20.8 per cent) and Apple (14.5 per cent). Its impressive growth last year came after the release of products like the P9 and the Mate 8.

Large screen; sleek design; customisable user interface; excellent dual lens camera; long life battery; fast charging

Not water resistant; only FHD resolution screen; could be cheaper

For the last three weeks I have been using the Huawei Mate 9 full time. The verdict is easy: a great smartphone.