Face Unlock seems to be the “in thing” with phone makers right now. We have seen it being implemented very well by Apple on the iPhone X and the team over at OnePlus have put their own slant on it too.
Both these “Face Unlock” Systems use very different technologies to allow the phones to verify your mug. In the case of the iPhone X, it is using multiple cameras and a laser dot mapping system to scan your face. The Oneplus uses the more traditional face analysis tool that we are familiar with, but it combines it with your fingerprint for enhanced security.
Now, via a press release from Honor, the Honor 7X will be getting this feature applied via a software update very soon. If you’ve not seen the phone, take a look at our hands-on pictures and unboxing video.
Now, given the relatively mid-range specs for the Honor 7X, we doubt that the system used will be giving Apple sleepless nights. Instead, I anticipate that a similar approach to the one implemented by OnePlus will be used. Nevertheless, regardless of what system that is being employed this is a great feature to see trickling down to a phone in the under £300 price segment.
We were aware of Honor’s intention to bring Face Unlock to the Honor View 10 but from what we have seen that will use the same tech at least a fundamentally similar system to what is in use on the iPhone X.
I am extremely happy to see that this tech is starting to be utilised in lower cost devices, but I am not confident that it can be pulled off as well on the mid-range end of the market. What I do know is that the fingerprint reader being used on the Honor 7X is fantastic, and I have had no real concerns with the speed. So, if they can pair this with quick face recognition then they are on to a winner. I look forward to testing this out when it arrives on my phone.
In other news it was also announced by Honor that there will be a Red variant of the phone being launched for the Valentines seasons. Here some pics of it here.
AS VEGAS, Jan. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Honor, a leading online smartphone brand geared toward digital natives, announced the availability of a new color in the line of its flagship 7X devices. Honor also introduced new facial recognition and unlocking functionality to the 7X. Beginning in Q1 of 2018, customers will be able to access facial unlock through an OTA update. This is the first time such functionality will be available globally at the $199 USD pricepoint.
Honor, a young, innovative and trendsetting brand, had a record year in 2017. According to Sino Market Research, Honor lead the online market for smartphones in China in terms of both sales volume and revenue between January and November 2017. Further, the Honor 7X line marked 40M units sold globally in December 2017. The flagship line also saw record sales on Single’s Day in China in November 2017, generating more than $600M USD in sales and driving triple-digit growth on Black Friday in the US and Europe. The new color and facial unlock feature are just the latest ways that Honor continues to optimize the user experience at an unbeatable price.
THE HONOR 7X NOW AVAILABLE IN RED
In addition to black, blue and gold phones, a new Red 7X will be available in limited quantities globally. Red version offers customers a passionate, energetic new color and a terrific out-of-box experience. Honor today also announced a partnership with Monster, based on a previous collaboration with Honor around the Honor 9 smartphone, this latest partnership agreement with Monster and Honor 7X brings the working relationship to the next level. As a way of celebrating the launch of the partnership, Honor will award the first 100 customers in each global market to order the limited red edition a set of AM15 Monster earphones as a special bonus.
“The red edition is always special and exclusive to flagship products,” says George Zhao, President of Honor. “The line already comes in black, blue and gold, but this is the very first time Honor is introducing this new color to global markets as part of our Honor 7X line. It’s limited to just 20,000 in overseas market, so we hope customers around the world will enjoy this exclusive new offering. It won’t be around for long.”
As an update to the highly-rated Honor 6X, the 7X line is unrivaled in delivering the most premium smartphone features and hardware at just USD $199.99.
HALLMARKS OF THE 7X FLAGSHIP LINE
The Facial unlock function will be soon available to all Honor 7X users in 2018 Q1. Facial unlock can be used to unlock your phone instantly by scanning a recognized user’s face.
As the first smartphone to feature the new Honor FullView Display; a 5.93 inch FHD+ display with 2160 X 1080 resolution and 18:9 ratio, Honor 7X provides the broadest viewing range and highest screen-to-body ratio in its price class.
An unequivocal viewing experience becomes a best-in-class entertainment and gaming experience. The FullView Display gives gamers a competitive edge with a broader viewing range than standard displays. An 18:9 screen ratio mimics the 21:9 ratio used in theaters to deliver a more cinema-like experience.
The fun doesn’t stop there thanks to the spec’d out dual-lens 16MP + 2MP rear-camera with DSLR depth of field effects achieved with a larger aperture (F/0.95 – F/16). New Phase Detection Auto Focus (PDAF) technology auto focuses in as little as 0.18 seconds. The 8MP front-camera provides custom features that are a selfie-lovers delight.
From premium hardware to intelligent software, the Honor 7X offers unmatched value. Tech savvy, deal-seeking, or statement making individuals can find their next unlocked phone at highly shoppable prices online on http://www.hihonor.com/us/index.html. The red edition of Honor 7X make it an easy choice for your Valentine, which will be available for Valentine’s Day in selected markets, including US, Western Europe, India and Russia.
About Honor
Honor is a leading smartphone e-brand under the Huawei Group. In line with its slogan, “For the Brave”, the brand was created to meet the needs of digital natives through internet-optimized products that offer superior user experiences, inspire action, foster creativity and empower the young to achieve their dreams. In doing this, Honor has set itself apart by showcasing its own bravery to do things differently and to take the steps needed to usher in the latest technologies and innovations for its customers.
Face Unlock seems to be the “in thing” with phone makers right now. We have seen it being implemented very well by Apple on the iPhone X and the team over at OnePlus have put their own slant on it too.
