Huawei, known for its pioneering spirit, launched its new ultra-premium branding called Ultimate Design. And now, the brand has unveiled the first smartphone in this new lineup called the Huawei Mate 60 RS Ultimate Design. With a price tag that could possibly rival a small second-hand car, this is where luxury meets communication technology. Offering two variants priced at CNY 11,999 ($1,641) and CNY 12,999 ($1,778), this is a device for those with deep pockets and an appetite for the finer pixels in life.

And if the handset price wasn’t enough we can now reveal the repair costs that Huawei has lined up for anyone unfortunate enough to drop this bad boy. Let’s just say it’s a pretty penny. Read on as we give you the lowdown on the highest highs and the credit crunching woes of the Huawei Mate 60 RS.

Design & Build

The Huawei Mate 60 RS Ultimate Design channels a nod to its predecessor, the Mate 50 RS Porsche Design. It presents a bold stance with an octagonal camera module at the back, a quirky yet admirable touch. This design doesn't scream attention but subtly draws your eyes towards it. The body made of ceramic adds a touch of luxury, while the aluminum frame contributes to its sturdy build. Available in both Red and Black, it gives you the choice to flaunt your style.

Display

Flipping to the front, the device presents a grand visual arena with its 6.82-inch LTPO OLED display. The three punch holes at the top center housing the front camera setup add a modern touch to its aesthetics. The screen with a resolution of 1260 x 2720 pixels is a feast for the eyes, showcasing crisp visuals whether you’re gaming or catching up on your favorite shows.

Its adaptive refresh rate, switching seamlessly from 1Hz to 120Hz based on what you’re doing, ensures a smooth experience. The 1440Hz high-frequency PWM dimming and 300Hz touch sampling rate are nerdy specs that translate to comfortable viewing and responsive touch controls. Covering 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, this device promises a vibrant and color-rich display.

Performance

Packing the Kirin 9000S 9nm chipset under its hood, the Mate 60 RS is geared to provide a swift and smooth user experience running on HarmonyOS 4.0. While it may not top the charts in raw performance when stacked against the Snapdragon mammoths, in daily use, this device holds its own. Whether it’s multitasking across apps, plunging into graphic-intense gaming sessions, or binge-watching, the Mate 60 RS navigates through tasks with a grace that defies its benchmark scores.

Battery

Now, shifting focus to the lifeline of the device, the 5000mAh battery housed within is nothing short of a powerhouse. Partnered with up to 88W fast charging, this device is geared to be back in action in a jiffy when it hits the low battery mark. The addition of 50W fast wireless charging and 20W reverse wireless charging adds flexibility to how you juice up this beast. The convenience of giving a quick battery boost to your friend's phone through reverse charging is a nifty feature you didn't know you needed until now.

Camera

Carrying forward a similar camera setup from the Mate 60 Pro+ but with a twist in design from the Mate 50 RS, the Mate 60 RS Ultimate Design appears to have married the best of both worlds. The triple-48MP camera array at the rear is a photographer’s playground.

The primary 48-megapixel camera with an adjustable aperture of F1.4 to F4.0 is your day-to-day snapper capturing detailed and well-lit photos. It’s Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) feature ensures your photos remain blur-free even with shaky hands.

Complementing the primary lens is a 40-megapixel ultra-wide lens with an F2.2 aperture, ready to capture more of the world in one frame. Whether it’s a group photo or a majestic landscape, this lens has got you covered. Now, the 48-megapixel telephoto lens with an F3.0 aperture and OIS is where things get exciting.

With 3.5x optical zoom, this lens brings distant objects closer without losing out on details. The cherry on top is the ability to shoot high-resolution videos at 4K@60fps from both front and back cameras. The versatility of this camera setup encourages you to explore photography beyond just point-and-shoot, unleashing your inner shutterbug.

The Luxe Perks: A Niche Appeal

Huawei attempts to sweeten the deal with a collection of perks exclusive to the Mate 60 RS owners. From VIP lounge services at airports and train stations to equestrian lessons, it’s a peculiar mix of luxuries bundled with a smartphone purchase. Perhaps it's an effort to create a more 'exclusive club' aura around the device, but how many are actually in for such a deal?

Repair Costs: The Other Side of Luxury

Alright, with the luxury tour behind us, it's time to peek at what it takes to keep the Mate 60 RS in tip-top shape should it face a rough day. Brace yourself; The motherboard, the nerve center of this sophisticated gadget, demands a king’s ransom of RMB 6,999 should it need a replacement. But the extravagance doesn’t end here; the vibrant display follows closely behind with a tag of RMB 2,599, albeit a discounted price of RMB 1,799 offers a slender silver lining to the cloud of potential repairs.

The cost extends to the external aesthetics as well. The back shell of ceramic and metal requires a hefty RMB 2,199 to restore the Mate 60 RS to its original grandeur. Other essential components too come with a price. The battery, telephoto lens, main camera, wide-angle lens, among others, all have their price tags, underscoring the premium nature of this device.

Let’s crunch some more numbers:

• Motherboard: RMB 6,999
• Screen: RMB 2,599 (Discounted price: RMB 1,799)
• Back Shell: RMB 2,199
• Battery: RMB 249
• Telephoto Lens: RMB 845
• Main Camera: RMB 719
• Wide-angle Lens: RMB 369
• Front Camera: RMB 270 ... and the components list goes on, with each having its own price tag, a gentle reminder of the premium you pay for luxury.

Conclusion: Over to You

The Huawei Mate 60 RS is a showcase of what smartphones can be when you push the luxury envelope. While its swanky features are a talking point, the repair costs ensure that this tale of tech elegance comes with its share of reality checks.

We’re intrigued to hear your own tales from the smartphone repair trenches. Have you ever had to break the bank to fix a beloved gadget? Hop over to the Heyup Community and share your stories of your priciest phone repair escapades. Amidst the sleek and chic of smartphones, let’s share some real-life tech stories, one repair bill at a time.