4:00 a.m.

4:00 AM. The mountaintop was shrouded in thick fog, and the headlights only illuminated a few meters ahead in the darkness. While driving up the mountainside to a nearby parking lot, the city lights still twinkled around the large lake below. Now, however, it was within the fog, where the sub-zero temperature allowed no light to penetrate.

As time passed, even though it was a weekday night, several photographers with tripods and telephoto lenses gathered. All of them turned off their headlights and silently prepared their cameras in the dark. Mr. Fukuoka also gazed at the mist-covered expanse before him, patiently waiting for the sunlight.

He mentioned that his coldest experience to date was shooting in -30 degrees Celsius during a two-week trip to Finland.

He also mentioned hearing that smartphones can shut down in extremely cold weather. Smartphones, designed for portability and shaved to the extreme in thickness, are not compatible with extreme cold. Therefore, I prepared thoroughly by placing a hand warmer in my pocket along with the HUAWEI Mate 20 Pro. To conclude, the device's power did not shut down (※). However, we were not on a mountaintop in the middle of the night for an experimental demonstration in an extreme location. What we aimed to capture was magnificent nature. We challenged this with just the HUAWEI Mate 20 Pro, a task that would traditionally require high-end lenses like super-telephoto or ultra-wide, and a rugged DSLR camera.

※This was not an experiment in harsh conditions, but a shoot with thorough preparation to capture grand nature. When testing the device in the great outdoors, please proceed with caution and at your own discretion.

Why did we attempt to capture authentic natural landscapes with a smartphone? Because the HUAWEI Mate 20 Pro is a smartphone equipped with a high-spec camera that excels in telephoto, wide-angle, and close-up shots. I intuitively felt during the test shoot that the device's potential could be experienced best amidst the vastness of nature. The Leica Triple Camera, located in the center of the back, enables these versatile camera specifications.

The main camera is a wide-angle lens with approximately 40 megapixels. The approximately 8-megapixel 3x optical telephoto lens allows for photos to be taken with no loss in image quality even when zoomed up to 3x. Furthermore, the newly added approximately 20-megapixel camera is equipped with an ultra-wide-angle lens with a focal length equivalent to 16mm. It captures an astonishingly wide range. These three lenses work in conjunction, adapting to the scene to produce images that surpass those of a DSLR camera.

The camera performance of the HUAWEI Mate 20 Pro builds anticipation. The mist ahead hints at the approaching dawn. Let's proceed further and look at the photos taken with this device (※).

※The sample photos taken this time are published as-is, without any editing.

Page 2. The Boundary Between DSLR and Smartphone Cameras

The Boundary Between DSLR and Smartphone Cameras

6:00 a.m.

6:00 AM. The wind picked up, and the fog cleared. At that moment, a view unfolded that made us forget the cold. A sea of clouds spread above the city lights and the lake, which shimmered with light. Beyond that, Mount Fuji stood in the distance.

Mr. Fukuoka had already taken his smartphone out of his down jacket pocket and was composing the shot. The setting was night mode. Even in the pre-dawn darkness, he took the photo freehand without a tripod. The device features image stabilization and AI assistance, so no camera shake is visible (as seen in Sample 1).

Let's compare the photo taken at maximum zoom (Sample 2) with the one taken without zoom (Sample 3). While there is a slight loss in detail at 10x zoom, the details of Mount Fuji are clear, and the color rendition of the sunrise is excellent. I was impressed by how close the lens could get, which is hard to believe for a smartphone camera. The prowess of the HUAWEI Mate 20 Pro's camera isn't limited to its telephoto lens. With the addition of an ultra-wide-angle lens, which goes beyond wide-angle, it transcends the capabilities of smartphone cameras.

"This shot (Sample 4) was taken when the light filled the scene. The ultra-wide-angle lens allowed me to capture the magnificent panorama, including the white mountain landscape. With this much wide-angle coverage and detail achievable on a smartphone, I might not need anything else for non-work purposes."

By then, the number of photographers around us had increased further. Not a single one of them was taking pictures of the scene before them with a smartphone. I wonder if this scene will change as smartphone cameras continue to evolve in the future.

Page 3. Focus Solely on Taking Photos

Focus Solely on Taking Photos

Mr. Fukuoka says that capturing the perfect shot during the fleeting moments of changing natural scenery, when the light shifts by the minute, is highly challenging.

"The 'magic hour' of sunrise and sunset is dramatic, but the light changes rapidly. Therefore, you need to constantly adjust the exposure while shooting. I remember trying to capture sunrise landscapes countless times with my mentor during my assistant days, desperately adjusting the exposure to match the changing light each time."

However, with this device, you can take beautiful photos with a single button. This is made possible by advancements in AI assistance.

The advanced technology 'Kirin 980' enables a wide range of AI functions. It enhances the performance of the entire HUAWEI Mate 20 Pro, not just the camera, providing powerful support to the user. Furthermore, its performance efficiency improves with use through machine learning. For the camera, fine adjustments like horizontal and exposure correction can be left to the AI assistance function, allowing users to shoot more intuitively.

6:30 a.m.

30 minutes after sunrise. The sun had fully risen, and a sea of clouds enveloped the mountains. Frost had settled on the plants growing on the mountains, giving them a white coating. Looking in another direction, a mystical sky layered with colors stretched beyond the overlapping mountain peaks (Sample 5).

"Photographers also need patience. You must not give up until the very last moment, no matter the situation. If you persevere, you will surely encounter beautiful moments. Only those who believe this can sometimes receive a reward."

Mr. Fukuoka, happily pressing the shutter, shifted his gaze from the majestic nature to focus on closer subjects.

"The appeal of photography lies in finding aesthetic value from a flexible perspective. Whether capturing a fleeting moment or focusing on a single point. I believe smartphones offer the most opportunities to do both. With the HUAWEI Mate 20 Pro, when you get close to a subject, it automatically switches to macro mode. Upon reviewing the photos, I noticed that the texture of each dense branch and leaf, and even individual snowflakes, is captured with exquisite detail (Samples 6 & 7)."

Within the smallest details lie the grandest landscapes. This device also excels in macro photography. By switching to macro mode, it's possible to shoot subjects as close as 25mm.

"It felt difficult to operate at first until I got used to the AI optimization, but once I understood it, I realized how convenient it was."

The AI assistance function optimizes settings based on the subject the camera is pointed at. This feature significantly reduces the steps from deciding to shoot to actually taking the photo, which is another characteristic of the HUAWEI Mate 20 Pro. This is made possible by 3D facial recognition, which unlocks the smartphone screen in under 0.6 seconds. It also features an in-display fingerprint sensor, allowing for unlocking anywhere on the screen. There is no wasted motion after taking the device out, enabling the camera to be pointed at the subject with astonishing speed.


"A lone tree standing in the fog (Sample 8). It reminds me of Michael Kenna's photographs. By capturing the tree's outline in high definition and bringing out the delicate branches, it conveys the inherent strength of nature. The light changed immediately after this, and I couldn't take the same photo again. I never expected to be able to take a picture with a smartphone that I'd want to frame (laughs)."

It was a moment that made me realize the importance of luck for professional photographers.

Page 4. A Testament to Dedication

A Testament to Dedication

7:00 a.m.

Past 7 AM, it was enveloped in fog again. The sun continued to rise. Faint red particles spread across the gray world.

"The strong backlight gives the photo a cinematic feel (Sample 9). It's like a safari sunrise. The surrounding white trees and plants are captured clearly even against the backlight, creating a fantastical image."

Amidst the rapidly changing light, the three lenses worked in tandem to produce numerous high-quality photographs. As the sun fully rose, we descended the mountain. Although it was mid-November, the remnants of autumn lingered at the foot of the mountain.

"I was able to capture the last autumn scenery of the year. The autumn leaves and persimmons were shot with zoom from a distance, but I'm impressed by the color reproduction. The bokeh effect also adds a nice touch (Samples 10 & 11)."

We waited until sunset, seeking the next breathtaking view, and the shoot concluded (※).

※Photos that could not be featured in this article are published on the gallery page (Horizontal Photos / Vertical Photos), so please take a look.

5:00 p.m.

On the train ride home, I was once again surprised by the remaining battery level. Even after a full day of shooting, the device never shut down. The approximately 4200mAh large-capacity battery is not just for show. Even if it does run out, using the genuine charger allows for rapid charging to about 70% in just 30 minutes, making it possible to use the device for a whole day with virtually no stress. It also supports high-efficiency wireless charging and can even charge other wireless charging-compatible devices in reverse, demonstrating its thorough design.

While it's perfect for everyday use, this device is also incredibly useful for trips like this one. It can serve as a camera and music player, and even as an emergency battery source, although usable devices are limited. The less luggage you carry, the easier the journey becomes, leading to a better travel experience. Considering this, it's a device that business travelers who fly to various locations for work would particularly benefit from.

A New Experience Backed by Cutting-Edge Technology

As more technology is integrated into smartphones, our lives become smarter. After finishing the shoot, I realized that my initial impression of the smartphone as having already reached the future was correct. The HUAWEI Mate 20 Pro is highly recommended not only as a smartphone but also as a camera. Why not experience unknown wonders with this high-performance smartphone that leaves others behind?

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