The Huawei-made Nexus 6P is definitely one of the most unique looking Nexus smartphones to date, butย not so unique that Huawei isn’t being accused of copying someone else’s design. The accuser in question is ZTE, which is one of Huawei’s fellow Chinese smartphone makers, and while ZTE marketing directorย Lu Qian Ha didn’t go so far as to directlyย accuse Huawei ofย copying one of ZTE’s smartphones,ย saying that itย “pays heavy tribute” to the ZTEย Grand S leaves little doubt as to what he really means.ย
The Nexus 6P is a gorgeous device, and we were initially taken aback by the revelation that Huawei knows how to build a pretty good kit. But one company suggests theyโve had some key influence in its design.ย ZTE has come out to claim that Huawei lifted the design for the Nexus 6P from their Athena smartphone (which launched in most markets as the ZTE Grand S). They werenโt too harsh about it, it seems. In fact, if this translation is the least bit accurate it even sounds like they were flattered at the thought.ย Taking a look for ourselves, the back panel does look quite similar. Itโs placed at the top and itโs black, after all. And thatโs where the similarities end.ย Look โ itโs not a common design, this we know, but itโs a bit silly to claim Huawei lifted all of the Nexus 6Pโs looks from the Athena when itโs just this one particular element that happens to be similar. Since when did we start caring much about shared elements of design between smartphones, anyway?