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Strong and clear: Huawei Ascend P7 Sapphire Edition (pictures)

Why make a phone with a sapphire display? Why not? The strong, responsive material adorns this sexy-looking P7.

Jessica Dolcourt
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
Jessica Dolcourt
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1 of 8 Sarah Tew / CNET

Huawei Ascend P7 with sapphire screen

LAS VEGAS -- The phone before you is no ordinary Huawei Ascend P7. It's a special edition that's topped with a sapphire display.

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2 of 8 Sarah Tew / CNET

Hands-on

While we knew that this version was in the works, we didn't get a chance to see it until CES 2015.

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3 of 8 Sarah Tew / CNET

Why sapphire?

Sapphire crystal, which is grown in labs for use in photography and aerospace, among other things, is praised for its strength, especially against scratches.

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4 of 8 Sarah Tew / CNET

No visible difference

I can't tell the difference just by looking at the phone, but the expensive material spikes the overall cost.

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5 of 8 Sarah Tew / CNET

Another color

Huawei keeps them separate by giving this special edition model a hematite-colored back and rose gold trim.

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6 of 8 Sarah Tew / CNET

Same specs

The rest of the respectable specs remain the same, from the 13-megapixel camera on the back to the 1.8GHz octa-core processor inside.

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7 of 8 Sarah Tew / CNET

Android inside

Both models of the P7 run on Android 4.4 KitKat.

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8 of 8 Sarah Tew / CNET

See for yourself

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