This week, the Huawei Mate 20 series was introduced to the world during a press conference in London, England. While the Mate 20 Pro was undoubtedly the star of the show, the Porsche Design Huawei Mate 20 RS got a very warm reception, too, exciting all who appreciate a more refined, limited edition, and yet still technologically advanced device.
Vertu used to be the name most people associated with high-end smartphones that were made of the most luxurious materials, but one area they always fell flat was in the actual tech contained in the device. Spending $5K and up on a luxury phone that would never update to the latest Android version (assuming it wasn’t one of the Vertus still running Symbian) or getting a device with a less than adequate camera was the downside of owning a phone that was otherwise uncommon and incredibly well made. With the Mate 20 RS, the fourth collaboration between Huawei and Porsche, there are no compromises. The Mate 20 RS is all that Vertu could never be because it includes all of the latest technology wrapped inside a beautifully refined, luxurious exterior.
Using inspiration found in design elements from Porsche’s racing car image like fine leather and a bold racing stripe, the Mate 20 RS is made exclusively for the premium user who likes luxury items that have been made in limited numbers. These users want the finest tech that’s been made with the highest quality materials.
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- Included in the box are headphones, a UK charger, an EU charger, two Type-A USB to Type-C USB cables, and a premium leather case,
The Porsche Design Mate 20 RS sports the same advanced specs as the flagship Huawei Mate 20 Pro, but it goes a couple of steps further to deliver a premium experience for the user. The Mate 20 RS comes with either 256GB ROM and 8GB RAM for €1695 or 512GB ROM and 8GB RAM for €2095.
The Porsche Design Mate 20 RS has smooth, curved glass front, but the back has black, sustainable-sourced US cowhide on the sides with a black glass stripe running evenly down the center with the leather. At the top, the three Leica camera lenses and the LED flash sit flush, unlike on the Mate 20 Pro where there is a slight ridge around the lens box.
In hand, the Mate 20 RS feels solid, sleek, and totally caressable. China will get a special edition with red leather; I can’t help but be jealous.
The Porsche Design Mate 20 RS includes an asymmetric premium leather case that shows pertinent info through the case when the power button is pressed.
Roland Heiler, the Chief Design Officer of Porsche Design, said that Porsche Design likes working with Huawei because they make phones that push the envelope and have the best technology available of any phones in the world. If you want a status symbol phone that is powerful, updatable, and loaded with all of the latest tech — this is the one for you.
Considering that the Porsche Design and Huawei phones are made in limited quantities and every previous edition has sold out, if this is a phone that you’d love to pocket, you’d better act fast if you find one.
Disclosure: Huawei paid for my travel, room, and most meals; there were no conditions or expectations made regarding what I chose to write about regarding my experience.
