Huawei Mate 9. Full test, price and opinions

The void left by the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is difficult to fill, but every time we have more alternatives on the market that want to pick up the baton. And at this point, the Huawei Mate 9  has many ballots of becoming the phablet par excellence of the coming months . We are talking about a mobile with a 5.9-inch screen that minimizes the edges on the sides and incorporates a set of first-rate features. Its own high-power processor, a battery that lasts for almost two days or its advanced functions are some of its arguments. And all this crowned by its photographic set. Huawei repeats collaboration with Leicaand brings a dual rear camera with a monochrome sensor of 20 megapixels and a 12 - megapixel color . A combination that in the field allows us to achieve remarkable photos in low light conditions, fantastic results in black and white and many options when it comes to playing with the focus and blur of our snapshots.

The Huawei Mate 9 will hit the market at the end of November, with an official starting price of 700 euros . For now, we leave you with our complete test of the terminal so that you can take the pulse of the team and form an opinion on whether it is worth getting it this Christmas.

Sober and elegant design

Careful metal design, up to five different colors, high quality stereo speakers, 360 fingerprint reader

One of the hallmarks of Huawei Mate 9 is its design. Far from the fanfare of the Huawei Mate 9 Porsche Edition , this model seeks a construction that is the most comfortable to use for the user. But this does not mean abandoning elegance. The Asian company has minimized the side edges of the screen (to make one-handed operations less complex) and has left two thin stripes on both the bottom and the top.

The Huawei Mate 9 is available in five colors: space gray, midnight silver (the hue we are testing), champagne gold, mocha brown and ceramic white.

The model is constructed of metal, which appears in up to five different colors: space gray, midnight silver (the hue we're testing), champagne gold, mocha brown, and ceramic white. Depending on the color we choose, we will also find a different tonality for the front area. One of the details that gives a lot of style to the team is a very thin brighter strip that surrounds the edges of the case and the front area giving it a personal touch.

One of the advantages of using a larger screen is that this extra space can be used to improve sound quality . The Huawei Mate 9 incorporates two speakers at the bottom with a good quality stereo sound and a lot of power for a smartphone. Of course, we must admit that the sound distortion is quite noticeable when we bring the volume to the maximum, something that clouds the final result. This did not happen, for example, in the Sony Xperia XZ .

The general feeling of the design of the Huawei Mate 9 is very good, since it transmits robustness but at the same time it moves in very competitive figures. Specifically, its dimensions are placed at 141.2 x 69.1 x 7.1 millimeters. That is, we are facing one of the finest large mobile phones on the market, ahead of heavyweights such as the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 (7.9 millimeters) and the iPhone 7 Plus (7.3 millimeters) . As for the weight, it reaches 190 grams .

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Comparative table of weights and thicknesses

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When it comes to holding it, it feels well balanced and is not heavy. Despite this, we must not forget that we are facing a 5.9-inch mobile , which can be uncomfortable for users with smaller hands. Although it has options to facilitate one-hand use, the truth is that it is not a mobile for all audiences.

As expected, the fingerprint reader could not be missing , which is located just below the double camera. Its performance has improved a lot compared to last year and it even has several advanced functions that we will discuss in another section.

Large Full HD display

5.9 inch Full HD panel, great color saturation and contrast, good brightness

The Huawei Mate 9 makes a risky bet that can confuse more than one. In a market where most high - end equipment and include screen 2K (2,560 x 1,440 pixels), the Mate 9 maintains the full HD resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels . Does that mean it's a bad panel? On the contrary, but the truth is that if you don't dig deeper, many users will have the impression that it is a second-rate screen. First, at certain levels the changes in resolution are imperceptible or almost imperceptible, even if we are talking about a larger 5.9-inch panel.

The keys to this screen are two. On the one hand, a color saturation of up to 96% of the NTSC space is achieved . In other words, the Mate 9 is capable of displaying more defined colors, which are closer to reality. But, in addition, we have a contrast of 1,500: 1 , a very high value that ensures deep blacks and that we will notice a lot when watching horror movies or videos where dark scenes dominate. These advances are corroborated from the first glance at the screen, with very vivid colors and excellent definition. Personally, I have never missed a higher resolution.

Advanced control functions

Use of the knuckles to take screenshots or open apps, a very versatile fingerprint reader

It is one of the aspects that we liked the most about the Huawei Mate 8 . The Asian company's ability to delve into new ways to control the phone. Something that is repeated in the Huawei Mate 9 , through two ways: with the use of the knuckles and through the fingerprint reader.

Using the knuckles

Undoubtedly, a different approach to get hold of the controls of the Mate 9. The knuckles offer us the option of handling different functions of the device with a couple of strokes. The first function is to take a screenshot. In this case, it is enough to hit the Mate 9 screen firmly twice with one of the knuckles. In case you want to record the screen of the device , you knock with two knuckles twice on the panel. If we have done it correctly, we will see a countdown appear and then a counter with the time recorded in the upper left part of the window. At any time we can press on that corner to stop recording.

With the knuckles it is possible to capture the screen, record what happens and even open different apps 

Another interesting function that knuckles offer us is to open the multi-window. To do this, we have to press on one side of the screen and drag the knuckle in a horizontal line. Eye. This movement is more complex and it is likely that we will have to repeat it several times to achieve it.

Finally, the knuckles can also be used to open applications. To do this, you have to draw a letter on the screen with your knuckle that can be used to open a certain app. From the configuration of the Huawei Mate 9 the different associations of letters with their respective applications are configured.

Fingerprint reader

With the Huawei Mate 9 the idea that the fingerprint reader is, simply and exclusively, a security tool is over. This phone allows us to perform various functions that may be useful. For example, if we drag our finger from top to bottom over the fingerprint reader with the screen on, we will lower the notification panel. And the reverse is done by dragging your finger up and down. You can also activate a function to take photos and selfies by pressing on the reader when we are in the camera app. Finally, when we are inside the gallery we can move between photos and videos by dragging our finger to the left or right on the reader.

Apart from these more or less useful functions (frankly, we love the option to open the notification panel) the fingerprint reader of the Huawei Mate 9 has a very fine operation. Practically every time the fingerprint has been correctly recognized even when it is pressed more laterally. In addition, the fact that it can be configured to work even with the screen off is one more point in favor when it comes to protecting our mobile without having to endure intermediate steps that end up becoming tedious.

Huawei's own apps

Themes, Tools, Health, Notification bar ...

You can like more or you can like less, but at this point the mark that Huawei leaves on its mobiles is unmistakable . The Asian company has a good number of its own apps that are part of the phone ecosystem. Some of them are very useful, others could disappear from the Huawei Mate 9 without us missing them. Although the experience with each layer of software is very subjective, in general we find that the work of the Asian company is quite successful. Of course, we have encountered some problems when receiving notifications from apps such as WhatsApp in the notification bar , a situation that we also experience when analyzing another mobile of the firm such as the Huawei GX8. In any case, one of the points on which the company has wanted to insist more on the presentation of this team is the ability of Mate to learn from the use we make of the mobile to improve our experience. In theory, the Huawei Mate 9 is capable of predicting the movements that we are going to follow and prepares resources so that access to apps is faster. At least in our experience thus far, it is difficult to measure the real impact this smart learning has on performance, as we have not noticed substantial differences from first use to date.

The operating system chosen for this terminal is Android 7.0 Nougat , the latest version of Google's operating system. This is one of the first launches on the market that already has this version, something to keep in mind if you want to enjoy the latest news on the platform. Among the most interesting features that Android launches, we find a new energy management system called Doze , which improves the autonomy of the mobile device when it remains in sleep state. It also highlights the split screen function , to use two applications at the same time on the same panel. In addition, we have a quick way to return to a previous application which consists of pressing the button twice to open the change of apps.

Topics

We start the review with this app that is used to customize the appearance of the Huawei Mate 9 . The company already has a good collection of themes available, each with its own background image and with a differentiated design for the icons. At the moment, all the themes that we have found in the Huawei collection are free, although it is likely that at some point the brand will decide to include some paid customizations (something that, for example, is already happening with the Samsung Galaxy ) . Once we download a theme, just click on the Apply button to start using it.

Tools

It is the bottom of the wardrobe that every self-respecting mobile must have. A series of basic tools that will help us in specific moments. Starting with the flashlight , a very helpful app that will illuminate us through the flash of the rear camera when we have to walk around the house or anywhere in the dark. We also have the clock app , with the usual stopwatch or countdown. An addition that we really liked and that will be very useful if we travel often is "Universal Clock" . From here we can add the time in real time of cities around the world.

Other typical apps are the calculator or the compass. The Huawei Mate 9 has its own file manager , something that is very welcome since it will avoid having to install an external app to manage our files. This manager is quite intuitive since at a first glance it organizes the different files on the mobile by types (Images, Audio, Videos, Documents, Files…). In case you want to carry out a more classic Windows explorer-type approach, you can choose to dive through folders both in the internal memory of the mobile and on a microSD card (if we have one).

The Huawei Mate 9 has an infrared sensor. This means that we can use it as a remote control to control all kinds of electronic devices that we have at home, both smart TVs and air conditioners, decoders or projectors. All this is done through the Smart Controller app . Finally, an app that can give us a lot of play is Backup. Thanks to it, we have the option to save all the files of the Mate 9 and restore them in case we change mobile or lose it. In this case, it is recommended to copy on a microSD card with sufficient space.

Professional recorder

Despite the fact that the recorder is included in the tools folder, we have decided to take it out of that paragraph due to the excellent use it makes of the Huawei Mate 9 microphones . And we say microphones because the company has introduced four different microphones to the phablet . Thanks to this, we have the option of carrying out three different recording modes. On the one hand, we have the Normal recording , which as its name suggests does not have any special functionality. In the case of opting for Interview mode , the capture quality improves in both directions from which the sound is coming. Finally, the Meeting mode analyzes the direction the voice is coming from and improves its sound quality.

At any time during the recording we can introduce quick labels (even with photos) to be able to better remember what is being talked about.

Lock screen

Huawei has also wanted to bring its own personalization to the lock screen. By default, we will see the image displayed when turning on the screen periodically change. This panel hides a series of tools and options that can be accessed by dragging your finger from bottom to top. These options can be enjoyed without having to unlock the Huawei Mate 9 . Among them we have the sound recorder, the calculator, the flashlight, the clock and a QR code reader.If we drag the background image to one side, we can switch between the different photos that make up the gallery. With the icons that are shown above the apps (you can see it in the image on the left) we can stop the cover, mark those images that we like, delete them or share them through different applications. In addition, if we want to give this screen a personal touch, there is also the option of using photos from our gallery to form part of the carousel.

The Huawei Mate 9 allows access to basic tools such as the flashlight or voice recording without having to unlock the phone

Health

One of the tools that has become a benchmark in the high-end mobiles of the big brands. Although the best known app is Samsung's S Health, there are other competitors such as Huawei itself or Sony that have also deployed their alternatives to take advantage of mobile sensors. In this case, the great protagonist is the pedometer , capable of counting our steps. The first thing to note is that this measurement is quite fine and it is difficult to fool the mobile with the steps we take.

A curious -and fun- touch is the one that compares the exercise we have done throughout the day to the calorie intake that is produced with a certain food . For example, today's step counter shows 1266 steps and the calories that would be consumed by eating 0.4 hamburgers. It is also compared on other occasions with rice bowls, ice cream ... A practical way to know what the calories correspond to. Within the app we can set goals for both daily steps and weight loss -or gain-. Of course, it is necessary to manually insert our weight.

Notification bar

It is a basic function on any Android mobile. A center from which to view the latest notifications from our apps or activate the different mobile connections. However, for some time now, this tool has also usually incorporated access to other advanced functions that can give us a lot of play. In the case of the Huawei Mate 9 we find a good handful of icons that we find very useful.

For example, we have Huawei Share, a way to easily share files with other devices both via Bluetooth connection and via WiFi. The Capture icon allows us to take a screenshot at any time (although, personally, I find the knuckles resource more useful and faster). We also have a button to record everything that happens on the screen.

The Reading Mode is a tool that will sound familiar to many . It consists of introducing a blue light filter so that the eyes do not tire so much when reading long articles (a good idea to read this analysis of the Huawei Mate 9) or when we face books. Much has been debated about the harmful effects of such blue light , but it is not bad to have this option at hand without using an external app.

The Huawei Mate 9 incorporates an icon in the notification bar to activate a blue light filter and facilitate reading

Another icon that must be taken into account if we have a next-generation television is MirrorShare . Although the name does not do it much justice and does not seem entirely clear to us, it is a function to show the mobile contents on the TV screen in real time. For it to work, said TV has to have Miracast technology and be connected to the same WiFi network. We finish with the floating button icon, designed to facilitate one-hand operation of the Mate 9 and that shows us an on-screen button with functions such as backspace, return to the home screen or free up RAM memory by closing open apps.

WhatsApp and Facebook in duplicate

We finish the review of our own apps with a function that can be really useful if we use two SIM cards in this device . This is the Twin Application function, which is capable of creating a duplicate of two of the most popular apps in the Android universe. We are talking about the WhatsApp and Facebook messaging app . Once we activate this option from the phone settings, we will see a second app appear on the home screen. At any time we can configure it to use a second account of these apps. Without a doubt, a very useful addition to avoid having to look for external options.

The best in photography

Dual camera with a 20 megapixel monochrome sensor, optical image stabilization, 2x hybrid zoom, 4K video recording, 8 megapixel selfie camera

You have to admit it. The Huawei Mate 9 cameras have little rival in today's mobile market, easily catching up with the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge and iPhone 7 Plus . The Asian company has again worked with Leica on a double rear camera and has refined the lenses to the point of excellence. Remember that one of the lenses is RGB color (12 megapixels) and the other is black and white. The monochrome sensor is used in normal photos to enhance the detail of photos and make them more defined. And this is where we find the first great improvement of the Mate 9, which raises the resolution of its monochrome sensor from 12 megapixelsup to 20 megapixels . The company has also managed to include six-axis OIS optical image stabilization , which makes photos less blurry when our pulse is shaking or we are in motion. Another of the great improvements experienced by the dual rear camera of the Huawei Mate 9 is the inclusion of a 2- fold hybrid zoom. Thanks to this, we can bring the objects we are going to photograph closer to without losing quality of detail.

The quality of photos with the monochrome sensor is excellent 

The aperture of these lenses is f / 2.2 , but as the company explained to us, a much more competitive aperture can be achieved when taking photos with these two lenses together. The truth is that in our personal experience this is the weakest aspect of this set of cameras when compared to other heavyweights like the Samsung Galaxy S7 . Some of this weaker performance is cheered up by the advanced image processing that happens when we use the "Night Capture" mode . This is a mode that we have seen in many cameras, and that uses overlapping of numerous shots to increase the clarity of the scene. What should be noted here is that the result of these photos is very remarkable, ahead of what we have seen so far on other mobiles.

The best, without a doubt, is the black and white camera performance. The results are spectacular, with a definition that will satisfy the most artistic users. The jump in quality with respect to the Huawei P9 camera is remarkable, and it becomes a real delight for photography lovers. Another detail to note here is how fast the 4-in-1 hybrid autofocus with laser autofocus, phase detection, depth detection, and contrast detection works. On a practical level, it makes it easier for us to take photos practically instantaneously and with few blurry or shaky shots.

Of course, the mention could not be absent here in a very curious way and appreciated by users. We talk about the bokeh or blur mode at will. The fact of being able to play with the foreground and the background facilitates the taking of photos with a very interesting artistic component. In addition to taking photos, these rear cameras are capable of recording 4K ultra high definition video at 30 fps. These videos also incorporate optical image stabilization , a great success so that our videos do not come out blurry.

Front camera

Although it is not the protagonist, the front camera also more than fulfills its mission. This is a lens with a resolution of 8 megapixels and an excellent aperture of f / 1.9. That works for taking much more detailed selfies in low light conditions. Not everything is good on this lens, as video recording in this case is limited to the 720p HD format. Also, something that Huawei should work on more is in its beauty mode.This is a way that "enhances" photos and selfies of people by softening their features. Or that's the idea, since the results as soon as we raise the values ​​minimally are quite unrealistic and detract from the final result (at least that has been our experience to date).

Camera modes

• PHOTO . It is the automatic mode for taking color photos using both lenses.
• MONOCHROME TIC . The mode that photo enthusiasts will appreciate the most, as black and white photos are highly detailed and artistic.
• BEAUTY . A tool designed for photos focused on the faces of users, with an improvement in features and a "softness" of them more than debatable.
• I saw DEO . To record shots, with the option of betting on 4K video and with a good image processing that reduces the final file size.
• HDR . A mode that overlays multiple photos to achieve vivid colors. Very interesting for shots of sunsets or landscapes.
• I watched DEO WITH BEAUTY .
• PANORIC MICA . A basic mode that cannot be lacking in a camera of this level.
• NIGHT SHOT . With a concept similar to HDR, in these photos the mobile must be kept fixed for a few seconds so that the camera takes numerous photos and improves the clarity and detail of the final photo.
• PAINTING WITH LIGHT . A mode that consists of leaving the camera still (for example with a tripod) and taking a series of photos every time to create very powerful results.
• Cí MARA Rí ASK . The truth is that we would like more control over the speed of the resulting video.
• Cí MARA SLOW . In this case we can record the result at 120 fps in Full HD resolution or at 240 fps in HD resolution.
• WATER MARK . A personalized mark is left, such as with temperature, date and location.
• AUDIO NOTE . A complement to a regular photo.
• SCANNING OF DOCUMENTS . A very useful function if we want to quickly scan a sheet. The camera is able to analyze the part of the scene where there is text in a couple of seconds and then readjust it so that it appears straight.
• Me S . Other camera options you can download.

Pro mode

We finish the review of the Huawei Mate 9 cameras with the PRO mode , designed for users who want to have more control of the photos and the camera settings. From here we can configure the type of focus that we are going to use, the ISO value (from a minimum of 50 to a maximum of 3,200 ), the image stabilization or the white balance. The menu can go a bit unnoticed at first but once we get used to it it is easy to access. What we do miss here is that the menu rotates towards the bottom of the screen when we take the mobile in landscape mode (as can be seen in the image above). Personally, I think it is one of the modes witha lot of room for improvement for the next Huawei launch for aesthetics and handling.

Image gallery of the Huawei Mate 9 Pro

Power and memory

Kirin own processor, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB for saving files

The Huawei Mate 9 has its own processor from the Asian company, the Kirin 960 . This chip has eight cores , four of which run at a maximum speed of 2.4 GHz and the other four at a speed of 1.8 GHz. The company has taken out its chest for its latest processor, especially at the time to handle graphics. We have verified its operation and, although it is true that it has a performance typical of the high range, it has not seemed to us above other rivals on the market. This feeling is corroborated when we look at the results of the AnTuTu Benchmark power test .

As can be seen in the table, models like the ZTE Axon 7 or the LG G5 are ahead of this team (at least on paper). All in all, the Huawei Mate 9 combines its processor with a 4 GB RAM, a very good value to be able to have a large number of processes open without noticing that the smartphone slows down. It also highlights its 64 GB base internal memory , a capacity that should be enough to store our photos, videos and apps. Once we remove the space dedicated to the operating system itself and the pre-installed apps, we will have a little less than 48 GB for our files. In case it falls short, the Huawei Mate 9 also includes amicroSD card slot .

Connections

WiFi AC, 4G, Bluetooth 4.2, Miracast to transmit the contents to a TV, NFC for payments through touch

Nor could it lack a set of connections at the level of the most cutting-edge equipment on the market. The Huawei Mate 9 wants to squeeze all the juice that an Android mobile can give right now . Starting with its WiFi AC connectivity . This protocol allows simultaneous connection of both the 2.4 GHz bandwidth and the 5 GHz bandwidth. The 2.4 GHz bandwidth is currently used by the vast majority of connected devices. However, our main problems are the fact that it is a very congested width (even microwaves emit signals in this bandwidth) and, therefore, very susceptible to interference. But, in addition, it is designed to work with a maximum of eight devices connected at the same time. In houses where there are already more gadgets, there may be a drop in network performance. In contrast, the 5 GHz bandwidth is less congested and it has been designed so that a large number of gadgets connected at the same time work at the same time. Plus, it reaches higher speeds, so you're better prepared for the future. Yes,It must be taken into account that to take advantage of this width it is necessary to have a router compatible with this technology.

In the field of mobile networks, the Huawei Mate 9 supports high-speed 4G networks. It also incorporates low voltage Bluetooth version 4.2 , a technology that had been losing force until the appearance of wearables such as smart watches or smart bracelets. When it comes to navigating, it incorporates a GPS, Glonass or even Galileo connection , although the latter is more typical of regions such as Russia and Galileo still has several years of development ahead of it to be considered a strong alternative. We already mentioned before that this equipment is capable of working with Miracastto stream the contents of the screen live to a compatible TV. It can also be connected to other devices via WiFi Direct .

We close the field of connections with NFC connectivity . This connection is increasingly important thanks to the function of paying directly through the mobile with a compatible app. It can also be used to easily sync other gadgets, such as wireless speakers. Or, to print via touch on a printer.

Good autonomy and fast charging

Remarkable autonomy, use of a day and a half, very powerful very fast charging function

In the field of autonomy, this phablet is once again one of the most interesting options within the high-end phablets on the market. However, it takes a step back from what we already live with the Huawei Mate 8 . That does not mean that we are facing a mobile with low battery. Quite the opposite. But if it is true that the average use that the team will allow us is close to a day and a half , while last year's version reached two days. All in all, it comes out victorious in the comparison with other heavyweights such as the Galaxy Note 7 or the Huawei P9 Plus .

In addition, you have to break a spear for the fast charging system that the Asian company has deployed. The results are spectacular, to the point that with fifteen minutes of charging we can have enough energy to work for half a day (or more). This fast charging system relies on the USB type C connection and the use of a specific charger, which will surprise you with its large size. Precisely, the fact that it is a specific system can give you problems if you try to use this charger with other models (in our case, we could not charge a Sony Xperia XZ ).

Price and reviews

5.9-inch screen, excellent cameras, good but not spectacular autonomy, very interesting advanced functions, 700 euros of price

The Huawei Mate 9 lands from November 21 in Spain . Without the competition from the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 , the Mate 9 has all the numbers to become this year's flagship phablet. Arguments are not lacking. This 5.9-inch model improves on some key features that lagged a bit more on the Huawei Mate 8 . Especially the camera, which was a step below the most powerful smartphones. This year the tables turn with the inclusion of a double camera at the rear. Monochrome sensor of 20 megapixels is a delight for lovers of art photosand the overall results are top notch. Also noteworthy is the quality of its two-magnification hybrid zoom, or optical image stabilization.

It is one of the first smartphones to hit stores directly with Android 7 Nougat, an advance that is combined with Huawei's own software layer . Let's be honest, it is an addition that you will like more or less, but it is difficult to leave you indifferent. Personally, I think that the most interesting thing that Huawei contributes at the level of use are the functions with the knuckles and the quality of its fingerprint reader. In this case, we will notice it not only in the fineness with which our finger is captured the vast majority of times, but also in the ability to perform different actions such as lowering the notification bar or moving between images. On the downside, the software layer canget to be quite intrusive and is likely to fill the phone with many apps that will not always be useful to us.

What is not far behind is the quality of its audio. It shows that we are facing a model with a greater space to transmit sound and that will be an advantage when we want to show a YouTube video to our friends or listen to a WhatsApp audio on the street. In addition, the equipment has a very elegant and sober design that makes the most of the space and that, despite being very large (5.9 inches), it still maintains a fairly manageable format. Of course, probably many people will feel objections when it comes to betting on this device because of that size that makes it more difficult to carry in pockets. All with a 4,000 milliamp batterycapable of giving us a day and a half of use without problems, and even to reach two days on some occasions without having to go through the network. And if, nevertheless, we need to recharge the smartphone ahead of time, its fast charge is really good.

And what about the price? This model comes at a cost of 700 euros with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal memory. A fairly adequate cost for the machine we are in front of, but it shows that the Asian company has already established itself strongly in the European smartphone market. Gone are the days when Huawei's cutting- edge equipment was more affordable than the competition. And to test a button. During the presentation of the Huawei Mate 9 , a special edition with a Porsche design was also shown at the low price of… 1,400 euros . There are not many doubts as to why this model will never reach Spain.

In short, a very mature and complete proposal that meets the needs of the most demanding. If you are looking for a big screen mobile and you have money to invest, this is the perfect model.

HUAWEI MATE 9 DATA SHEET 

screen

Design

Camera

Multimedia

software

Power

Memory

Connections

Autonomy

+ info

Price: 700 euros