The Huawei Ascend P1 was launched back in 2012, and while the ‘Ascend’ branding was eventually discontinued, the P series remained a cornerstone of the company’s high-end Android offerings. Now, it enters a new era with a new name – Pura.
The Huawei Pura 70 series was launched this week, featuring four models. Although the differences between them are minor, the Ultra stands out with its unique design.
Let’s start with the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra. The phone boasts a 1” 50MP sensor, with Huawei innovatively reducing the camera bump with a retractable lens. A motorized mechanism extends the lens for capturing photos and retracts it when not in use. Remarkably, this mechanism does not compromise the phone’s IP68 dust and water resistance, unlike traditional pop-up camera designs. Additionally, the camera features a variable aperture of f/1.6 to f/4.0 and sensor shift OIS.
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra with an impressive 1” camera
The ultra-wide camera boasts a 40MP sensor, and the battery is slightly larger at 5,200mAh. Like the two Pro models, it supports 100W wired and 80W wireless charging. Even the reverse charging feature on these phones is impressive, reaching 18W through the USB-C port and 20W wirelessly.
The Huawei Pura 70 Pro and Pura 70 Pro+ are almost identical. Both support BDS satellite messaging, with the Pro+ adding the ability to make voice calls over satellite. It is uncertain if either model will be available worldwide.
Compared to the Ultra, the Pro models also feature a 50MP main sensor, albeit slightly smaller at 1/1.3”. It also boasts an nf/1.4-4.0 variable aperture. The 50MP 90mm periscope lens in the Ultra is replaced by a 48MP 83mm unit, and the ultrawide camera features a resolution of 12.5MP instead of 40MP. The battery has a capacity of 5,050mAh and supports the same 100W/80W charging and 18W/20W reverse charging.
50MP 1.3” cameras for the other three Pura 70 models
Lastly, the Huawei Pura 70, the smallest member of the family, features a 6.6” screen, down from 6.8” on the other two models. All three phones feature flat, 120Hz LTPO OLED displays. This model includes a 12MP sensor in the telephoto camera and a smaller 4,900 mAh battery with 66W/50W charging and 5W/7.5W reverse charging.
Flat, 120Hz LTPO OLED screens all around
All Pura 70 phones are powered by the Kirin 9010 chip, a 7nm processor with custom CPU cores, and run HarmonyOS 4.2 out of the box. Huawei has transitioned away from Android and aims to discontinue Android app support, at least domestically (international models may still support it).
Regarding pricing, the Huawei Pura 70 series is currently only available in China, with prices ranging from CNY 5,500 (approximately €710) for the base model to CNY 10,000 (€1,285) for the Ultra (or CNY 11,000 for the 16GB/1TB model).
| Model | Base memory | Base price | Base price (converted) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | 16/521 GB | CNY 10,000 | EUR 1,285 |
| Huawei Pura 70 Pro+ | 16/512 GB | CNY 9,000 | EUR 1,165 |
| Huawei Pura 70 Pro | 12/256 GB | CNY 6,500 | EUR 840 |
| Huawei Pura 70 | 12/256 GB | CNY 5,500 | EUR 710 |
There is no confirmation of a global rollout plan from Huawei, but they have expressed intentions to expand HarmonyOS internationally. While the full line may not be available globally, we hope to see the Ultra model receive a wide release.
If and when the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra goes global, would you consider purchasing one? Although Huawei may not regain access to the Google Play Store, the company is collaborating with developers to port the essential apps that users rely on. Claiming to have the best camera phone in 2024, only time and reviews will tell.
Next up, the Huawei Pura 70 Pro and Pro+. While these models may not match the Ultra’s capabilities, they still promise to be among the best in their class.
Lastly, the Huawei Pura 70. Despite being priced significantly lower than the Ultra, this model offers impressive features. Even without a 125mm lens or fast charging, it introduces users to Huawei’s new ecosystem.