Display Technology and Design Innovation

• Huawei batch ordering 6.9" displays for upcoming devices
  • Vivo NEX S has 6.6" display for comparison
  • Puts Samsung's plus-sized flagships "to shame"
• Patent reveals innovative design approach
  • No enclosure around display panel on all four sides
  • Screen held in place from top and bottom only
  • Indentation below screen fits exactly with housing indentation
  • Two super thin metal strips on sides for stability
  • Screen extends right to edges on left and right sides
• Leaked image appears to confirm patent design
  • Shows seemingly invisible sides
  • Present top and bottom chin
  • Matches expected 6.9" screen size
  • Possibly standard Mate 20 (not Pro), suggesting Pro has even better screen-to-body ratio

Device Lineup and Models

• Two expected devices: standard Mate 20 and Mate 20 Pro
• Mate 20 Pro positioned as primary flagship contender
• Mate series positioned as Huawei's answer to Samsung's Note series
• Takes innovation from earlier flagship and enhances it

Battery Specifications

• At least 4000mAh battery capacity expected
• Mate 9 and Mate 10 both had this capacity
• 2018 P series improvements as precedent:
  • P20: 3400mAh vs P10: 3200mAh
  • P20 Pro: 4000mAh vs P10 Plus: 3750mAh
• Huawei expected to "push the boat out even further"

Chipset and Performance

• Next-generation Kirin 980 chipset expected
• Huawei releases flagship at year-end for head-to-head competition with Snapdragon 845
• Current P20 Pro limitation: chip only 70% as powerful as other flagships
• Kirin 980 expected to raise bar for both performance and AI integration
• Rumored to be first Android phone chip on 7nm fabrication process
  • Greater performance and efficiency vs current 10nm
• Huawei builds chips exclusively for own devices
  • AI breakthroughs can't be easily imitated
  • Addresses imitation problem in phone market

AI Integration Capabilities

• Kirin 970's AI powers night mode (unmatched by competitors)
• Expected further improvements in AI capabilities
• Exclusive chip design prevents easy imitation of AI features

Camera System

• Mate 20 Pro almost guaranteed to have triple camera setup
• Expected to be enhanced version of "class-leading" system from P20 Pro
• Positioned as improved iteration of earlier flagship camera

Other Features and Limitations

• Probably no headphone jack (like past iterations)
• No wireless charging expected
• EMUI software "won't be for everyone"
• Loads of storage expected
• IP certification expected