ERROR: Smartphone giant Huawei has apologised after posting this image on social media

One of the world's biggest smartphone makers has been forced to apologise after posting a picture of woman on social media.

The spectacular snap was uploaded earlier this week proclaiming the photographic prowess of its flagship P9 smartphone.

This new phone features a Leica branded camera with Huawei boasting it's their best snapper to date.

The picture, taken during a sunrise, is clearly impressive and would have many iPhone owners weeping into their handset.

Attached to the picture is the caption: "We managed to catch a beautiful sunrise with Deliciously Ella.

"The #HuaweiP9's dual Leica cameras makes taking photos in low light conditions like this a pleasure.

"Reinvent smartphone photography and share your sunrise pictures with us."

However all is not as it seems.

CLOSER LOOK: Eagle-eyed web users have discovered something fishy about the image
SNAPPED: The picture was taken using a pro Canon camera

Eagle-eyed web users have discovered the image was actually taken on a professional camera.

By downloading the image and checking out its data it seems the photo was snapped on a Canon EOS 5D Mark III.

This pro camera and posh lens will set you back over £4,000 which is considerably more than the P9's £449 price tag.

SNAPS: The P9 features an Leica-branded camera
REAL DEAL: A camera similar to the one that took the image

Huawei has now removed the image and has apologised for any confusion caused.

In a statement the Chinese smartphone maker said: "It has recently been highlighted that an image posted to our social channels was not shot on the Huawei P9.

"The photo, which was professionally taken while filming a Huawei P9 advert, was shared to inspire our community.

"We recognise though that we should have been clearer with the captions for this image.

"It was never our intention to mislead. We apologise for this and we have removed the image."