Huawei Pura 80 Ultra Review
Executive Summary
The Huawei Pura 80 Ultra arrives in the 2025 flagship smartphone landscape as a highly specialized device, deliberately crafted for the mobile photography enthusiast. The phone’s primary focus is its revolutionary camera system, which integrates a novel dual-telephoto lens mechanism and a large 1-inch main sensor with a variable aperture. This combination establishes a new technical benchmark for smartphone zoom capabilities and low-light image quality.
Key Takeaways
- Camera: The Pura 80 Ultra’s standout feature is its Switchable Dual Telephoto Camera and a 1-inch Ultra Lighting HDR Camera, which collectively provide what many experts consider the best mobile photography experience of 2025.
- Performance: The Kirin 9020 chipset offers adequate performance for daily tasks but lags significantly behind its primary competitors in benchmark tests.
- Software: The global version runs on EMUI 15 based on Android 12 core. The absence of native Google Mobile Services requires workarounds through container apps.
- Pricing: The device commands a premium price, with an official launch price in the UAE of approximately AED 5,100 (~$1,400).
Complete Specifications
| Huawei Pura 80 Ultra Full Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 163 x 76.1 x 8.3 mm |
| Weight | 233.5 g |
| Build | Glass front (Crystal Armor Kunlun Glass 2), glass back, aluminum frame |
| Durability | IP68/IP69 dust/water resistant |
| Display Type | LTPO OLED, 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate |
| Display Size | 6.8 inches (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution | 2848 x 1276 pixels (~459 ppi density) |
| Peak Brightness | 3000 nits |
| Protection | 2nd-Gen Crystal Armor Kunlun Glass |
| OS | EMUI 15 (International), HarmonyOS 5.1 (China) |
| Chipset | Kirin 9020 (7nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core (1×2.5 GHz + 3×2.2 GHz + 4×1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Maleoon 920 |
| Memory | 12GB/16GB RAM |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB/1TB (no card slot) |
| Main Camera | 50 MP, f/1.6-4.0 (variable aperture), 1-inch sensor, OIS |
| Telephoto 1 | 50 MP, f/2.4, 3.7x optical zoom, 1/1.28″ sensor, OIS |
| Telephoto 2 | 12.5 MP, f/3.6, 9.4x optical zoom, 1/1.28″ sensor, OIS |
| Ultrawide | 40 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, AF, 2cm macro |
| Front Camera | 13 MP, f/2.0, 21mm, AF |
| Video | 4K@60fps, 1080p@60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS |
| Battery | 5170 mAh (Global), 5700 mAh (China) |
| Charging | 100W wired, 80W wireless, 20W reverse wireless |
| Network | 4G LTE (International), 5G (China only) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, IR blaster |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, color spectrum |
| Colors | Prestige Gold, Golden Black |
| Price | ~$1,400 / €1,500 / AED 5,100 |
Design and Display: Fashion Meets Function
The design of the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra is an intentional departure from the conventional, embodying a “Fashion Next” philosophy that marries function with high-end aesthetic elements. The most prominent feature is the unique “Forward Symbol” camera module, which is accentuated by a “dazzling sunburst pattern” and a golden ring.
Display Excellence
The visual experience on the Pura 80 Ultra is powered by a 6.8-inch LTPO OLED panel that meets and, in some areas, exceeds the standards of a 2025 flagship. The display features a resolution of 2848x1276px, resulting in a pixel density of 459 PPI, and supports an adaptive refresh rate that can scale dynamically from 1-120Hz.
| Design & Display Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 163 x 76.1 x 8.3 mm |
| Weight | 233.5 g |
| Materials | Glass front, aluminum frame, glass back |
| Durability Rating | IP68/IP69 water and dust resistance |
| Screen Size | 6.8 inches (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display Technology | LTPO OLED, 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate |
| Resolution | 2848x1276px (459 PPI) |
| Peak Brightness | 3000 nits |
| Screen Protection | 2nd-Gen Crystal Armor Kunlun Glass |
The Camera System: Redefining Mobile Photography
The camera system on the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra is the device’s central narrative, representing a significant push in mobile imaging technology. The phone’s photographic prowess is rooted in a highly innovative hardware-first engineering approach.
The Main Event: The 1-Inch Variable Aperture Sensor
The primary camera is a 50 MP Ultra Lighting Pop-out Camera with a massive 1-inch CMOS sensor, which is notably larger than the sensors in many competing devices. This large sensor size is the foundation for its exceptional light-gathering capabilities, leading to superior performance in low-light conditions.
The Game-Changer: The Switchable Dual Telephoto Lenses
The Pura 80 Ultra’s most groundbreaking innovation is its Switchable Dual Telephoto Camera. This system utilizes a single, large 1/1.28-inch sensor, noted as the largest telephoto sensor in a smartphone to date, and pairs it with two distinct periscope lens systems.
| Camera Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Main Camera | 50 MP (1-inch sensor), f/1.6-4.0 variable aperture, 22.5mm focal length, OIS |
| Telephoto 1 | 50 MP (1/1.28-inch sensor), 3.7x optical zoom, f/2.4, 83mm focal length |
| Telephoto 2 | 12.5 MP (1/1.28-inch sensor), 9.4x optical zoom, f/3.6, 212mm focal length |
| Ultrawide Camera | 40 MP, f/2.2 aperture, 13mm focal length, Autofocus (2cm macro focus) |
| Front Camera | 13 MP, f/2.0 aperture, 21mm focal length, Autofocus |
| Video Capabilities | 4K UHD, 1080p, 720p at up to 60fps |
| Hybrid Zoom | Up to 120x |
Performance and Battery Life
The Pura 80 Ultra is powered by Huawei’s proprietary Kirin 9020 chipset, which is manufactured on a 7nm process. The CPU is an Octa-core design consisting of HiSilicon’s own cores rather than standard ARM models, with a top clock speed of 2.5 GHz.
Battery and Charging
The Pura 80 Ultra is equipped with a 5170 mAh Li-Ion battery in its global version. Charging is a major highlight of the device, offering 100W wired and 80W wireless speeds. This allows for a full wired charge in a remarkably fast 40 to 42 minutes.
Pros
- Groundbreaking camera system with best-in-class zoom
- Excellent build quality and premium design
- Super-fast 100W wired and 80W wireless charging
- Bright and vibrant 3000-nit display
- Innovative dual-telephoto mechanism
Cons
- No Google Mobile Services support
- Performance lags behind competitors
- No 5G support in international version
- Bulky and heavy design
- Very expensive
Competitive Comparison
The Huawei Pura 80 Ultra competes in a market of specialized flagships, where its strengths and weaknesses are defined by its engineering priorities.
| Specification | Huawei Pura 80 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | Xiaomi 15 Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Kirin 9020 (7nm) | Snapdragon 8 Elite (Gen 4) | Snapdragon 8 Elite (Gen 4) |
| Main Camera Sensor | 1-inch | 200 MP | Leica Optics |
| Telephoto System | Dual-periscope (3.7x, 9.4x optical) | 10x optical, 100x Space Zoom | Up to 120x digital zoom |
| Battery Capacity | 5170 mAh (Global) | 5000 mAh | 5700 mAh (China) |
| Wired Charging | 100W | 45W | 90W |
| Wireless Charging | 80W | Qi2 | TBD |
| Software Platform | EMUI 15 (Android 12 core) | One UI (Android) | HyperOS (Android) |
Final Verdict
The Huawei Pura 80 Ultra is a paradoxical device that simultaneously embodies the best of mobile camera technology and the challenges of its operating environment. Its strengths are undeniable: a groundbreaking, best-in-class camera system with a 1-inch variable aperture main sensor and a truly innovative Switchable Dual Telephoto mechanism, which sets a new standard for zoom and low-light photography.
However, these strengths are balanced by significant weaknesses. The performance of the Kirin 9020 chipset, while sufficient for daily use, is a generation behind its rivals. The lack of global 5G connectivity is a notable omission in a 2025 flagship. Most critically for the global user, the software experience is a compromise.
The Huawei Pura 80 Ultra is not a phone for everyone. It is a highly specialized device designed for the mobile photography aficionado who prioritizes the most innovative camera hardware available and is willing to navigate the performance and software compromises that come with it. For this niche audience, the phone represents a unique and compelling proposition.
