Huawei Pura 70 vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra

Huawei Pura 70 Ultra Review

Verdict:
Beautiful design, top-notch cameras, but underpowered processor, no Google apps, and very expensive.

Pros:

• Incredible camera system
• Gorgeous design
• Excellent display

Cons:

• No Google services
• Weaker processor
• Very expensive

Key Features:

• Telescoping camera lens: Slim design, large sensor, variable aperture
• High-speed action photography: Clear action shots
• Ultra-fast charging: 100W wired, 80W wireless

Design:

• Dimensions: 162.6 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm, 226g
• Materials: Crystal Armor Kunlun glass, faux leather back
• Colors: Black, White, Brown, Green
• IP68 rated

Screen:

• 6.8-inch 120Hz LTPO OLED
• 1260 x 2844 pixels, 2500 nits peak brightness

Cameras:

• 50MP main (1-inch sensor, f/1.6-f/4.0)
• 40MP ultrawide
• 50MP 3.5x telephoto
• 13MP ultrawide selfie

Performance:

• Kirin 9010, 16GB RAM, 512GB storage
• Dual stereo speakers

Software:

• EMUI 14.2 (Android 14-based)
• Lacks Google services (workarounds available)

Battery:

• 5200mAh, 100W wired, 80W wireless

Price:

• €1499

The Huawei Pura 70 Ultra represents the rebranded flagship of Huawei’s former P series, now known as the Pura series. The phone stands out for its exceptional camera system, high-end design, and impressive performance.

Design and Build

• Materials: The phone is constructed from aluminum and eco-leather, which enhances grip and usability without a case.
• Ergonomics: Despite being top-heavy due to the camera setup, it feels balanced and comfortable in hand. All physical buttons are on the right side, with a red line on the power button for differentiation, though it's not very distinct by touch.
• Port Layout: The phone features a Type-C port at the bottom and an IR blaster at the top but lacks a headphone jack.

Display

• Specifications: The device boasts a 6.8-inch 2844 x 1260 LTPO OLED panel with adaptive refresh rates (1-120Hz) and a 300Hz touch sampling rate.
• Performance: The display supports HDR, achieves up to 2500 nits peak brightness, and is protected by durable Kunlun Glass. It offers vivid colors, excellent viewing angles, and high responsiveness, aided by 1440Hz PWM dimming to reduce eye strain.

Performance

• Processor: Powered by Huawei's Kirin 9010 7nm chip, the phone offers 5G connectivity in China but only 4G globally due to restrictions.
• Usability: Despite being a mid-range chip, the phone handles day-to-day tasks smoothly without noticeable lag, though it's not designed for intense gaming.

Battery and Charging

• Battery Life: Equipped with a 5200mAh battery, it provides excellent endurance, comfortably offering over 6-7 hours of screen-on time.
• Charging: The phone supports 100W wired and 80W wireless charging, achieving a full charge in under 50 minutes. It also supports reverse charging (20W wireless, 18W wired).

Camera

• Setup: It features a triple-camera setup with a 50MP main sensor, 40MP ultrawide, and 50MP periscope telephoto lens.
• Main Camera: Utilizes the Sony IMX989 1-inch sensor with a variable aperture (f/1.4-f/4.0), delivering excellent day and night shots with a natural dynamic range and minimal noise.
• Ultrawide and Telephoto: The ultrawide camera offers great detail and low noise, while the periscope telephoto lens excels at macro shots and provides impressive zoom capabilities up to 10x with lossless quality.
• Video: Capable of 4K at 60FPS, the video quality is good, particularly in low light, though not industry-leading.

Software

• OS: Runs on HarmonyOS 14 atop Android 12, offering a unique UI experience distinct from stock Android.
• App Availability: Due to the lack of Google Play Services, users must rely on Huawei's AppGallery and third-party stores, with workarounds like GBox enabling Google apps.

Audio

• Speakers: The device includes a stereo speaker system with sound output from both the bottom speaker and the earpiece.

In summary, the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra excels in camera performance, design, and display quality, with some limitations due to software constraints and mid-range processing power. It's an excellent choice for users prioritizing photography and premium build quality.

Huawei Pura 70 Ultra Hands-on Review

Design & Display

• Unique triangular camera design
• 6.8" LTPO OLED, 1260p, 1B colors, 120Hz

Chipset & Performance

• Kirin 9010, 5G connectivity
• Memory: Up to 1TB storage, 16GB RAM
• HarmonyOS 4.2

Cameras

• Main: 50MP, 1" sensor, retractable, variable aperture, sensor-shift stabilization
• Telephoto: 50MP, 3.5x optical zoom, macro (5cm)
• Ultrawide: 40MP, 13mm, AF
• Front: 13MP, ultrawide, AF
• Video: 4K@60fps, gyro-EIS

Battery & Charging

• 5200mAh, 100W wired, 80W wireless, 20W reverse wireless

Additional Features

• IP68, Crystal Armor Kunlun Glass
• Fingerprint reader, stereo speakers, BDS Satellite Calling
• Unboxing: Phone, premium case, 100W adapter, USB cable