Huawei's Bold Gamble: The Pura 70 Ultra
Huawei recently unveiled its latest lineup, the Pura 70 series. While there are four models in total, we're focusing on the top-tier Pura 70 Ultra.
This phone is aiming high, with a standout feature: a massive one-inch camera sensor. That’s something even Samsung's top-tier phone can’t match. To make this work, Huawei engineered a special moving part for the camera.
But there’s more to the Ultra than just its camera. It’s part of Huawei’s plan to reinvent its phone lineup, kind of like starting fresh. They're calling it a new era for the P-series.
However, the Pura 70 Ultra is a mix of new and old. Other parts of the phone are affected by the ongoing tech rivalry between the US and China. This means some limitations and a unique user experience.
In this review, we’ll be looking into what we love about the phone, as well as its shortcomings, to give you a clear picture of what to expect.
Key Specs: Huawei Pura 70 Ultra
- Size and Weight: 162.6 * 75.1 * 8.4 mm, 226 grams
- Display: 6.8 Inch, 2844 * 1260, 1-120Hz Refresh Rate, 1440Hz PWM Dimming, HDR Vivid Crystal, Armor Kunlun Glass
- Processor: Kirin 9010 (7 nm)
- Software: EMUI 14.2
- Cameras: 50MP Main, 1-inch Sensor, F1.6-F4.0 variable aperture, Sensor Shift Ols, 40MP Ultra Wide-Angle Camera, F2.2 Aperture, 50MP Macro Telephoto Camera, F2.1 Aperture, OlS, 3.5x optical zoom
- Battery Size: 3,200 mAh, 100W wired, 80w/ wireless
- Prices: 16/512GB for ₦1,650,000 / $1,027 / €953
What’s in the box?
You'll find a few things when you unbox the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra. A sim ejector, 100W charger that works with both Type-A and Type-C cables. Nice touch!
It’s pretty cool that Huawei includes both a charger and a case. A lot of other high-end phone companies don't do that. The case matches the phone's look and feels pretty slim. It protects the screen but doesn’t cover the camera bumps, so keep that in mind. The sides of the phone are still exposed, too.
What we like about Pura 70 Ultra
Here are a few things we like about the phone:
The Pura 70 Ultra feels as luxurious as it looks.
All four colour options come dressed in smooth, vegan leather with a unique diamond-pattern embossing. This eco-friendly material not only looks sharp, but offers a significant advantage over glass backs: grip. The Pura 70 Ultra won’t slip out of your hand and is super comfortable to hold. It's crafted from a sturdy aluminium frame, further adding to its premium feel.
The phone's size might seem intimidating at first, but the curved design on both the front and back glass makes it surprisingly easy to use. It's worth noting that the weight is slightly top-heavy due to the impressive camera system, but the overall balance feels good.
The phone's curves are subtle, with just the glass itself appearing to bend seamlessly at the edges. Huawei included a case in the box, but with the exceptional grip offered by the vegan leather back, you might find yourself going case-free for a truly luxurious feel.
The Pura 70 Ultra is a charging champion in the high-end phone market.
It comes with a super-fast 100W charger in the box, so you won't be stuck with a dead phone for long. We're talking less than an hour to fully charge! And that goes for both wired and wireless. You get a quick boost to 30% in just five minutes, and it hits 60% in about fifteen. It's crazy fast. After 80%, it slows down a bit, but that's normal. Plus, the reverse wired and wireless charging to share power with other devices.
The Pura 70 Ultra's display is a real treat.
It's got that sleek, flat look with curved edges that just feels right in your hand. And don't worry about durability—it's covered in Huawei's new, super-tough Kunlun Glass. You'll love how smoothly everything moves on screen. The display can go from a super-slow 1Hz to a 120Hz, saving battery when you don't need all that power.
And when you do need speed, the 300Hz touch sampling rate is super responsive. Colours pop on this screen. It's bright, clear, and perfect for watching movies or playing games. Plus, Huawei's added a feature called 1,440Hz PWM dimming to help your eyes, especially if you're sensitive to screen flicker. Overall, the Pura 70 Ultra's display is right up there with the best of them.
Unpopular opinion but HarmonyOS has made strides.
You probably know the deal with Huawei phones and Google. There’s a bit of a backstory. Because of some tech drama, Huawei couldn’t use Google’s software. So, they made their own system called HarmonyOS, which runs on top of Android. It’s like Android, but different.
The biggest change is with apps. Huawei has its own app store called AppGallery. It’s got a bunch of apps, but you might miss some of your favourites.
For example, TikTok is there, but WhatsApp, Gmail and Youtube aren't. Don’t worry too much, though. You can often find ways to get the apps you want. Huawei suggests some other places to look for apps, and there are even apps that can help you download stuff from the Google Play Store.
Apps you get outside the AppGallery work fine. But there are a few that really need Google’s stuff to run. It’s not a huge deal, but it’s something to know. The phone itself feels pretty familiar. It has that Android vibe but with a Huawei twist. One thing you’ll notice is that the way you see notifications and quick settings is a bit different. You swipe down from one corner for notifications and the other corner for quick settings.
The Pura 70 Ultra’s camera setup is something special aside the fancy design.
The cameras are lined up in a row with that little red accent on the main lens. The main camera is the star of the show, with a huge sensor and a lens that can change how much light it lets in. Plus, it has this cool trick where the whole sensor moves to steady the picture.
The other cameras are great too. The zoom lens gets you closer to the action without losing detail, and the wide-angle lens is good for big group shots or landscapes. Even in low light, the photos come out looking great. There’s one thing about the zoom lens: the pictures can look a bit softer and dreamier than other phones. Some people might like that, but it’s not for everyone.
The selfie camera is a surprise. It’s really wide, so you can fit a whole bunch of people in, but you can also zoom in a bit if you want. And it focuses really well, which is unusual for a selfie camera. There’s a super cool feature for motion shots. The phone takes two pictures at the same time: one that freezes the action and one that’s a bit blurry to show the movement. It’s like having the best of both worlds in one photo. Videos also look smooth and steady, and you can even slow them down a lot to catch every detail.
What to consider when buying the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra phone
- The phone feels a bit heavy on the top. This isn't surprising given its design, but it's something to keep in mind. Moreso, there’s a missed opportunity to differentiate the finish on the power button, which could have enhanced the user experience.
- The Huawei Pura 70 Ultra is quite expensive, especially considering it lacks Google’s services. This means that users will likely need to rely on alternative app repositories and third-party stores to get your apps. This can be a hassle.
- The processor is good, but not top-tier. Huawei's using its own chip, which is a step in the right direction. However, it's not as powerful as the latest chips from Qualcomm and MediaTek. It's fast enough for most things, but don't expect it to match the performance of the absolute top phones. Also, while it's a 5G chip, you can only use 4G on this phone.
Verdict: Should you buy the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra?
Well, there are a lot of factors to consider but no doubt the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra is a great phone. Its comfortable grip and smooth software experience even add to its appeal.
Buy the phone if you prioritise photography, charging speed, and a premium design, and are willing to navigate the app ecosystem without Google. But if you prefer the familiar Google experience, you might want to explore other options in the same price range like the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, OPPO Find X7 Ultra and Samsung S24 Ultra.
Ultimately, the decision hinges on whether the phone's strengths outweigh the limitations imposed by the absence of Google services.
Pricing and Availability in Africa
The Huawei Pura 70 Ultra is priced at ₦1,650,000 / $1,027 in Nigeria and can be purchased at authorised Huawei stores and Jumia e-shop. In Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, and Uganda, Pura 70 Ultra is also available on Jumia at the following prices:
- Egypt: EGP 46,800
- Ghana: GHS 18,720
- Kenya: KSh 195,000
- Senegal: XOF 990,000
- Uganda: UGX 3,500,000
In South Africa, it is priced at around ZAR 34,999 and can be purchased at the Huawei Official Store ZA or MobGadgets. Please note that prices may vary depending on the retailer and any ongoing promotions.