Huawei debuts flagship smartphones — P50 Pro and P50 Pocket — in the region 

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Pablo Ning, president of Huawei Consumer Business Group — Middle East and Africa. (Supplied)
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Updated 07 February 2022
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Huawei debuts flagship smartphones — P50 Pro and P50 Pocket — in the region 

  • The Huawei P50 Pro is now available for pre-order at a price of SR4,299 ($1,145) in two beautiful, premium finishes

RIYADH: Huawei Consumer Business Group launched the new P50 Pro, the ultimate camera phone with aesthetic design, and P50 Pocket, its latest foldable phone that takes fashion, beauty and technological innovations to the next level, during a recent event that took place in Riyadh. 

Pablo Ning, president of Huawei Consumer Business Group — Middle East and Africa, said: “We are glad to bring the new Huawei P50 Pro and Huawei P50 Pocket to our users in the region as we remain committed to the pursuit of the best quality, aesthetics and photography experiences. The new Huawei P50 Pro returns to the philosophies that sit at the heart of flagship phones with a True-Form Dual-Matrix Camera and exquisite design while the Huawei P50 Pocket brings fashion, beauty and tech innovations into the fold with Huawei Image, whilst its all-new hinge design enables the smartphone to fold seamlessly into a slim and pocketable form.”

The Huawei P50 Pro is now available for pre-order at a price of SR4,299 ($1,145) in two beautiful, premium finishes — Cocoa Gold and Golden Black — while the Huawei P50 Pocket is available for pre-order at a price of SR5,299 in White and Premium Gold, from Huawei’s online platforms as well as certified retailers in the Kingdom.

During the event, an MoU had been announced on stage between Huawei and Saudi Arabian Airlines by Capt. Ibrahim Koshy, CEO of Saudia, who said that the MOU — between the two parties — would strengthen their partnership. He said: “Saudia always prioritizes innovation in all of our products and services and our new partnership with Huawei will help us to deliver exciting experiences to our guests. Huawei is a giant tech company and has built a trusted reputation among consumers and enterprises for creating unique experiences that deliver on business outcomes. The partnership with AppGallery will allow more guests in the international markets, such as China and APAC to experience the benefits of our industry-leading digital application. This is a step in our efforts to keep pace with the expansion of our flights and operations in China and APAC, which remain vitally important markets both for Saudia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

Huawei P50 Pro: The ultimate camera phone with aesthetic design

The Huawei P50 Pro’s Dual-Matrix Camera system delivers true to life imagery with extreme clarity. The Huawei XD Optics allow consumers to capture amazing images and reproduce fine details. Huawei P50 Pro also launches with XD Fusion Pro, an improved solution that incorporates a new Super Color Filter System, True-Chroma Image Engine and Super HDR technology to significantly improve detail, color and dynamic range. It also supports an unprecedented 200 times zoom range, helping users capture any object regardless of distance. 

The True-Chroma Image Engine delivers the highest possible color accuracy, creating images that reflect what is seen by the human eye. The ambient light sensing system uses a 10-channel multi-spectrum sensor, which is coupled with color calibration of more than 2,000 colors across the P3 wide color gamut, to improve its ability to detect ambient light and average color hue accuracy by 50 percent and 20 percent respectively. In low-light scenarios, pictures come out brighter and more detailed. The Super HDR technology captures 28 percent more of the dynamic range for better backlit performance; while light and shadows are optimized. The Huawei P50 Pro supports 4K video recording across the full focal range. The all-new AIS Pro image stabilization solution helps users easily capture stable handheld videos, while AI cinemagraph is great for creative shots that showcase minor movements.

Pure and elegant design philosophy with the Dual-Matrix Camera design

Huawei P50 Pro introduces a new Dual-Matrix Camera design. Its double ring structure is an instant classic, symbolizing the infinite possibilities of the smartphone’s camera. It also comes with a bigger screen and battery, while remaining lighter and slimmer. The Huawei P50 Pro has a 3D True-Chroma 6.6-inch curved glass display with a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz and a single, unobtrusive punch hole camera in the middle of the display ensuring an immersive experience. The Huawei P50 Pro is IP68 certified for dust and water resistance, and both phones have dual stereo speakers. 

Performance Reborn

The Huawei P50 Pro achieves a perfect balance of battery life, fast-charging speed and thickness. It incorporates a 4,360 mAh battery into its slim body that only measures 8.5 mm, while also supporting 66W Huawei SuperCharge and 50W Wireless Huawei SuperCharge. 

Super Device features with new inspirations 

Huawei P50 Pro is powered by EMUI 12 that produces an innovative UI with a clean and elegant look. 

Controlling multiple devices at once is as easy as controlling just one single device, thanks to the Super Device features. The Device+ tab in Control Panel enables users to easily control or set up multi-device collaboration with other devices, such as the Huawei Vision, FreeBuds, MatePad and MateBook. 

With the Distributed File System, Huawei P50 Pro can also function as a wirelessly connected external storage unit for the PC, meaning you can access the files you want more easily than ever before. 

Using the Huawei P50 Pro, users can also transfer MeeTime calls onto Huawei Vision smart TV and conduct the call by taking advantage of the larger display, camera and speakers. 

Huawei P50 Pocket: Bringing fashion, beauty and tech innovations into the fold

The Huawei P50 Pocket folds seamlessly into an ultra-slim, lightweight body that is a joy to hold. The new-generation Multi-Dimensional Hinge is a total upgrade from its predecessor, featuring an even shorter radius. Combined with the exclusive Multi-Dimensional Lifting design, it allows the device to be even slimmer and produce a smoother screen when unfolded. 

The back of the device captures the shadows and texture of the earth, which are brought to life through the advanced 3D micro-sculpture design on the white version of the device. Huawei joined forces with prominent haute couture designer, Iris Van Herpen, in a cross-industry collaboration to create the Huawei P50 Pocket Premium Edition. 

A new breakthrough for Huawei Image

The Huawei P50 Pocket fully supports the cutting-edge technology that debuted with Huawei P50 Pro, including the True-Chroma Image Engine and Huawei XD Optics. One of the main features is the selfie with rear camera: It uses selfie algorithms and the big camera sensor to boost low light performance, allowing users to take superior, more atmospheric selfies. The Huawei P50 Pocket’s Ultra Spectrum Camera combines powerful hardware and software, as well as the tweaking of over 2,000 colors across the full P3 color gamut, to let users accurately capture what they see. Using the Ultra Spectrum Fluorescence Photography feature, the phone can also capture content and details that are unseen by the human eye. It also introduces sunscreen detection for the first time. Accessible via the Mirror app, this handy feature visualizes the spread of sunscreen on skin to help users check for uncovered spots and avoid getting sunburnt. 

Innovative interactions with smart cover screen

The Huawei P50 Pocket’s cover screen supports the display of notifications, schedule, calendar, music, weather, and control of other features. A range of vibrant themes are available, so users can customize their cover screen interaction experience. Content and services seamlessly flow between both screens and users can even access the camera from the cover screen.

The trusted, innovative and secure AppGallery is available on the Huawei P50 Pro and Huawei P50 Pocket where users can download a wide range of high-quality apps. 

Petal One with Huawei P50 Pro and Huawei P50 Pocket

Petal One is an all-in-one subscription package to make your life better, including mobile cloud, video, music and more services to come. Petal One provides a multi-scenario membership service and can be supported on multiple devices including Huawei mobile phones, tablets smart wearables. 

With the purchase of Huawei P50 Pro or the Huawei P50 Pocket, consumers can now benefit from a Petal One free subscription and a VIP service. The free subscription includes the Huawei mobile cloud up to 200 GB on a 1-month trial, six months of free Huawei Music VIP subscription and six months of free Huawei Video VIP subscription. 

The VIP service also included with the purchases of the devices, includes a 12-month warranty on the device, door-to-door service, two times free film service and a one-time laser engraving service.

Huawei MateBook E: The ultra-slim 2-in-1 laptop

As the new Huawei 2-in-1 laptop, it features a new design and the first-ever OLED Real Color Huawei FullView Display. The new Huawei MateBook E is specifically designed for those who wish to stay productive on the go, empowering and allowing users to be more productive anytime anywhere. It boasts a versatile hybrid design, smart interaction features, pro-grade performance and outstanding Super Device features. It is a powerful productivity tool combining the advantages of traditional laptops and tablets to help users get work done faster and more efficiently. It is the perfect 3-screens-in-1 laptop because it depicts the complete experience of PC, tablet and smartphone in one device. Thanks to its innovative architecture design, the weight of Huawei MateBook E is as light as 709 grams and is as thin as 7.99 mm. The Huawei MateBook E is slim and easy to carry with three modes that can be switched accordingly (Laptop mode, Tablet mode, and Smartphone mode) to tackle numerous mobile office scenarios. The 12.6-inch OLED Real Color Huawei FullView Display has a screen-to-body ratio of 90 percent. It supports a peak brightness of 600 nits, P3 wide color gamut and has a pro-grade color accuracy of ∆ E < 1. The new laptop expands on the Huawei Super Device capabilities with innovative multi-device connectivity features and leverages the distributed capabilities of the Super Device to boost productivity and creativity. 

Pricing and availability 

The Huawei P50 Pro is available for purchase on pre-orders in Cocoa Gold and Black Gold at the price of SR4,299 with offers including the Huawei Watch GT 3 Pro, gray (priced at SR899), the Huawei VIP service — six months free screen protection and 24 months warranty with multi-country support and access to Petal One.

The Huawei P50 Pocket is available to purchase on pre-orders in White (priced at SR5,299) and the premium version in gold (priced at SR6,499), with gifts worth SR1,772. When purchased during pre-orders, consumers can look forward to receiving the Huawei Watch GT 3 Gold (SR1,299) and Petal One free subscription and VIP service. 

Available in Nebula Grey, the 3-in-1 12.6-inch Huawei MateBook E is available in the Kingdom with pre-orders at a price of SR4,499, from Huawei’s online platforms as well as certified retailers.


Sony expands LED display family with Crystal LED CAPRI

Updated 18 June 2025
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Sony expands LED display family with Crystal LED CAPRI

Sony is expanding its lineup of LED walls with the debut of Crystal LED CAPRI. The new CAPRI series achieves a maximum brightness of 1,500 cd/m2 with a 2.50 mm LED pitch size. Key features include high refresh rates and brightness, a wide color gamut, and anti-reflection. Additional benefits include installation flexibility, familiar structure, streamlined maintenance, and compatibility with Sony’s ecosystem of virtual production technologies. The new models, ZRD-VS25FB and ZRD-VS25FM, are compatible with the Brompton controller and the Megapixel controller, respectively.

The CAPRI models are targeted to a broad range of customers looking to cost-effectively support virtual production applications, including television, feature films, commercials, and broadcast, as well as for rental and staging purposes. The CAPRI series offers options that ensure the high picture quality synonymous with Sony at a more accessible price. CAPRI also complements Sony’s premium flagship Crystal LED VERONA.

The CAPRI series is expected to be available this winter. A sample of the CAPRI was on display on June 11-13 at InfoComm 2025 in Orlando in Sony’s booth.

“With the announcement of CAPRI, Sony is furthering our commitment to the creation of spatial content, such as virtual production, by giving a wider range of users opportunities for flexibly showcasing images in high fidelity,” said Rich Ventura, vice president, professional display solutions, Sony Electronics Inc. “We’ve broadened our lineup to offer more cost-conscious choices, which expand the market in support of high-quality virtual production at every level and ensure the growth of Sony’s distinctive virtual production ecosystem.”

Impressive picture quality

Virtual productions rely on high quality imagery. The CAPRI series combines high refresh rates of up to 7,680 Hz to reduce scanline artifacts and ensure smooth, fluid motion. With a high brightness of 1,500 cd/m2, complemented by coverage of over 98 percent of the DCI-P3 color gamut, the displays accurately reproduce lifelike images. Additionally, the new models feature anti-reflection capabilities to mitigate the impact of reflection from lighting equipment.

Fast and easy installation

The latest CAPRI series also takes advantage of recent installation advancements to ensure fast and efficient setup. Offering a 1:1 cabinet optimized for temporary installations, such as virtual production stages, the models can quickly and easily be assembled and dismantled using locating pins for easy alignment and a tool-free lever locking mechanism.

Industry standard control

Through alignment with Brompton’s Tessera SX40 and Megapixel’s HELIOS, the CAPRI models maintain control using the same familiar tools and interfaces already commonly deployed in the industry, alleviating the need for additional training and maximizing uptime.

Streamlined maintenance

To keep virtual productions focused on the creative processes, the CAPRI has thoughtful features that simplify maintenance. LED module blocks can be changed from the rear and feature status indication lights for easily identifying which blocks need service.


Abu Dhabi delegation on US visit seeks healthcare partnerships

Updated 18 June 2025
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Abu Dhabi delegation on US visit seeks healthcare partnerships

A high-level delegation led by the Department of Health — Abu Dhabi, has embarked on a strategic mission to the US from June 14 to 21. The visit reaffirms Abu Dhabi’s global leadership in healthcare innovation and reflects its broader vision for healthcare transformation — driven by innovation, investment, and a deep commitment to global collaboration.

The delegation is visiting key US cities including Boston, Washington, DC, and Philadelphia, in parallel with Abu Dhabi’s participation at BIO International Convention 2025, one of the world’s foremost biotechnology events. The visit spotlights the emirate’s achievements in AI, digital health, genomics, and clinical research and showcases Abu Dhabi’s Health, Endurance, Longevity and Medicine Life Science Cluster, while promoting long-term strategic partnerships with government entities, research institutions, and global innovators.

Dr. Noura Khamis Al-Ghaithi, undersecretary of the Department of Health — Abu Dhabi, said: “This mission reflects our commitment to shaping the future of health through collaboration, innovation, and shared purpose. Our vision is to build a health system that predicts, prevents, acts to restore, and acts to cure, therefore ensuring better outcomes for our communities and beyond. This can only be achieved through meaningful partnerships and a shared ambition to improve lives. We are proud to join our partners in the US to explore new opportunities that advance healthcare, both in the UAE and globally.”

The delegation will conduct over 20 strategic meetings and visits with public and private sector leaders across the US, aimed at knowledge exchange, investment opportunities, and the signing of new agreements that accelerate the adoption of advanced health solutions.

Representing Abu Dhabi’s innovation ecosystem, the delegation includes key stakeholders such as the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, Mubadala BIO, M42, Masdar City, KEZAD, PureHealth, and Etihad Cargo.


Deloitte Middle East advances AI integration with launch of Global Agentic Network

Updated 18 June 2025
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Deloitte Middle East advances AI integration with launch of Global Agentic Network

Deloitte has launched its Global Agentic Network, a strategic initiative designed to scale AI-driven digital workforce solutions for organizations around the world, with significant potential to transform business operations across the Middle East.

As AI adoption accelerates in the region, Deloitte’s agentic AI offering provides a future-forward solution that combines intelligent automation with human expertise. Through its global network spanning EMEA, Asia Pacific, and North America — and with a growing regional focus in the GCC — Deloitte is bringing AI-powered agents to enterprises looking to drive operational efficiency, accelerate growth, and reimagine how work gets done.

Agentic AI refers to software agents capable of autonomously executing tasks, orchestrating workflows, and adapting based on input from users or other systems. These agents, powered by large language models and machine learning, are designed to learn and evolve — making them ideal for complex, dynamic business environments.

In the Middle East, where government and private sector agendas alike are emphasizing digital transformation, the Global Agentic Network supports national strategies for AI innovation and economic diversification. Deloitte is already supporting regional clients in sectors such as energy, government, and financial services to implement agentic solutions that streamline decision-making, improve efficiency, and unlock value at scale.

“The Middle East is on a rapid trajectory toward AI-led transformation, and Agentic AI is a game-changer for how businesses operate,” said Yousef Barkawie, Deloitte Middle East Gen AI leader.

“At Deloitte, we’re helping our clients navigate the world of AI transformation by architecting and building the capabilities and trust needed for them to scale out their AI deployments and transform at the core. Our clients are finding new efficiencies in their ways of working, streamlining their operations, and reimagining their entire value chains. This is an exciting moment to help shape what the future of work looks like in our region, especially as governments and industries double down on innovation and future-readiness.”

The Global Agentic Network includes alliances with leading technology platforms and the launch of solutions like Zora AI, Deloitte’s suite of proprietary AI agents that can autonomously perform complex business functions. These tools are already being deployed within Deloitte’s own operations, as part of the firm’s broader ambition to become an AI-fueled organization by 2030.


NEOM Energy and Water Company wins global recognition

Updated 16 June 2025
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NEOM Energy and Water Company wins global recognition

Saudi Arabia’s NEOM Energy and Water Company has been named first runner-up in the Innovative Research and Development Award (International Institutions category) during the fourth cycle of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Global Water Award. The company was recognized for pioneering membrane-based crystallization technology that enables high-efficiency freshwater recovery and mineral extraction from brine.

Held under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Global Initiatives and supervised by the UAE Water Aid Foundation, the $1-million-award supports research institutions developing scalable, sustainable solutions to address global water scarcity through renewable energy and advanced technologies.

The NEOM-developed system replaces traditional energy-intensive thermal evaporation with a membrane-based approach. Using forward-osmosis principles and specially engineered membranes, the technology enables the extraction of valuable minerals such as salt, lithium and bromine, while simultaneously recovering desalinated water from seawater or brackish brine. The system operates at just 7 kWh per cubic meter, compared to 75-80 kWh/ cubic meters in conventional thermal systems.

The process begins with standard seawater reverse osmosis, where chemically embedded membranes capture more than 99 percent of targeted minerals. The brine then passes through a two-stage brackish water reverse-osmosis system that isolates and concentrates the minerals to a purity of 99.5 percent or more.

The pilot plant, located at the Duba Desalination Plant in Saudi Arabia, operates at a capacity of 1,200 cubic meters per day and has demonstrated strong performance under real-world conditions, with a technology readiness level of six. Beyond reducing environmental impact and operating costs, the innovation has the potential to redefine the economics of desalination by enabling mineral recovery at scale.

“The global water crisis threatens health, food security and economic development. By investing in advanced water technologies and fostering collaboration among governments, the private sector and innovators, we can find effective, sustainable solutions for billions affected,” said Dr. Noura Chehab, head of the research and innovation team at the NEOM Water Innovation Center.

“Receiving this award recognizes our team’s years of work and inspires us to continue advancing technologies that enhance ocean water use and help solve critical water challenges for a more sustainable future,” said Dr. Nikolay Voutchkov, executive director of the NEOM Water Innovation Center.


Major infrastructure and transport upgrades boost Hajj experience

Updated 16 June 2025
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Major infrastructure and transport upgrades boost Hajj experience

The Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites significantly enhanced the pilgrim experience during Hajj by implementing advanced infrastructure projects, particularly in the energy and transportation sectors.

In a substantial investment exceeding SR3 billion ($800 million), the commission boosted electricity capacity in the holy sites by 95 percent and distributed more than 7 million cubic meters of water, ensuring robust essential services for pilgrims.

The commission also managed an integrated transportation system involving over 23,000 buses. It launched the General Center for Transport as a unified hub to streamline movement. This center spearheaded the public transportation plan for all stages of the Hajj, in collaboration with the Public Security. Dedicated frequency lanes for buses drastically reduced travel time to just 20 minutes.

In cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Kidana Development Company, the commission increased bed capacity in the holy sites by more than 60 percent and opened an emergency hospital. It also equipped 71 rapid intervention points for the Saudi Red Crescent Authority, shaded over 170,000 square meters of paths with rubber flooring, and planted 23,000 trees in Mina.

Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites CEO Saleh Al-Rasheed commended the tireless efforts of the wise leadership, which he said were instrumental in the success of this year’s Hajj season. He also lauded the continuous cooperation and diligent work of all participating entities.