The Huawei Ascend Mate2 4G is a premium phablet built for users who value performance, battery endurance, and multimedia capabilities. Launched in early 2014, it marked a turning point in Huawei’s smartphone lineup, blending productivity, entertainment, and style into one powerful package. With its 6.1-inch display, Snapdragon 400 processor, and massive 4050mAh battery, the device became a fan favorite for those seeking a large-screen smartphone that could last through demanding days.
Running on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, upgradeable to Android 5.1 Lollipop, and layered with Huawei’s EMUI 2 interface, the Mate2 4G offers a smooth and customizable experience. Its sturdy metallic frame, Corning Gorilla Glass protection, and expansive screen-to-body ratio give it a modern and refined appeal.
Design and Display
The Huawei Ascend Mate2 4G features a 6.1-inch IPS+ LCD display with 720×1280 pixels resolution, delivering vibrant visuals and excellent color balance. The large screen is perfect for streaming, web browsing, and productivity tasks, offering an immersive, near-tablet viewing experience.
Encased in a 9.5mm slim aluminum frame and weighing 202 grams, the phone feels both solid and premium in hand. Corning Gorilla Glass shields the display from scratches and drops, ensuring lasting durability. Despite its size, the device’s curved edges make it comfortable to hold, and its minimalist design adds a professional touch.
Performance
Under the hood, the Ascend Mate2 4G runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) chipset paired with a quad-core 1.6GHz Cortex-A7 CPU and Adreno 305 GPU. With 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage (expandable via microSDXC), it handles multitasking and everyday operations smoothly.
Apps launch quickly, web pages load efficiently, and switching between tasks remains fluid. Gaming performance is respectable, with the Adreno 305 ensuring steady frame rates for casual and mid-tier games. The overall performance reflects Huawei’s focus on stability and energy efficiency, making the Mate2 4G a dependable daily driver.
Camera
Equipped with a 13MP rear camera featuring autofocus, LED flash, HDR, and panorama, the Mate2 4G captures crisp, vibrant photos and smooth 1080p video at 30fps. The 5MP front-facing camera delivers bright, detailed selfies—ideal for video calls and social media use.
In good lighting, the camera performs impressively, maintaining clarity and color accuracy. HDR mode enhances dynamic range for outdoor photography, while the panorama function offers wide-angle scenic shots.
Battery and Charging
One of the standout features of the Huawei Ascend Mate2 4G is its massive 4050mAh non-removable Li-Ion battery. It delivers exceptional endurance, supporting up to 25 hours of talk time on 3G and over two days of moderate use.
A unique highlight is its reverse wired charging feature, allowing the phone to function as a power bank for other devices—a rare capability in smartphones of its era. This combination of power efficiency and utility made it one of the most durable smartphones in its class.
Durability and Connectivity
Built with precision aluminum and Gorilla Glass protection, the Mate2 4G withstands daily wear and accidental drops. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, and DLNA, ensuring stable and fast communication. Support for 4G LTE enhances data speeds, providing reliable connectivity for streaming, downloads, and online gaming.
Huawei Ascend Mate2 4G Full Phone Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch | Announced January 2014 |
| Status | Discontinued |
| Body | 161 x 84.7 x 9.5 mm, 202g |
| SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Display | 6.1″ IPS+ LCD, 720×1280 pixels, Corning Gorilla Glass |
| OS | Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 5.1 (Lollipop), EMUI 2 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8928 Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) |
| CPU | Quad-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| GPU | Adreno 305 |
| Memory | 16GB internal, 2GB RAM, microSDXC |
| Main Camera | 13 MP, AF, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie Camera | 5 MP |
| Sound | Loudspeaker, 3.5mm jack |
| Comms | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, DLNA |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | Li-Ion 4050 mAh, non-removable, Reverse wired charging |
| Colors | Crystal Black, Pure White |
| Models | MT2-L00, MT2-L02, MT2-L03, MT2-L01 |
| Price | About 330 EUR |
Verdict
The Huawei Ascend Mate2 4G remains a symbol of Huawei’s early innovation in large-screen smartphones. With its 6.1-inch HD display, strong performance, and exceptional battery life, it delivers a balanced blend of power and practicality.
Its reverse charging capability and premium design gave it a distinctive edge, proving that Huawei could combine engineering durability, performance, and multimedia excellence in one device. Even years later, the Mate2 4G stands as one of Huawei’s most enduring and thoughtfully crafted phablets.
