China's biggest phone company has made the best smartphone you've never heard of

If you live in America, you probably don't know about Huawei. If you do, you were either very into the Nexus 6X, or you watched "60 Minutes" around the time US officials expressed concerns over the firm's potential ties to the Chinese government.

Now, though, it's time to start paying attention. Those security fears have largely died down. The company itself is now the third-biggest smartphone maker in the world, behind only Samsung and Apple, and gaining ground at that. It's starting its heaviest push yet to compete here in the West.

Most importantly, it now has a phone that can actually compete with the iPhones, Galaxys, and Pixels of the world. The Mate 9, as it's called, won't be outselling those behemoths, but it is a strong, high-end choice for Android fans, particularly those aching for a big-phone replacement for their Galaxy Note 7. (RIP.) If you need an especially beefy display and battery, it's near the top of its niche. 

At $600, it's anywhere from $50-150 easier on the wallet, too. Let's take a closer look.