In today’s crowded smartphone market, standing out is no easy task. Every year, companies fight for attention with new designs, better processors, and bigger cameras. Huawei, despite facing challenges on the global stage, has managed to surprise again with its Pura 80 Ultra. This device isn’t just another flagshipit’s a statement about where smartphone design and photography could be heading.
Rather than relying only on raw power or flashy specs, Huawei has focused on combining artistry, durability, and innovation in ways that make the Pura 80 Ultra feel unique. Let’s take a closer look at what this phone offers, how it performs, and whether it lives up to its promise.
Design and Build
One glance at the Pura 80 Ultra and you know it’s different. The rear panel is striking, with its mirror-like finish and a bold triangular camera module, something Huawei calls the “forward symbol.” It’s not subtle, but it’s certainly eye-catching.
The device is built with curved glass and a sturdy aluminum frame, giving it a premium hand feel. At over 230 grams, it is on the heavier side, which some users may find tiring, but the trade-off is durability. Huawei has included IP68 and IP69 ratings, meaning the phone can handle dust, water, and even high-pressure sprays better than most competitors. That makes it one of the toughest mainstream flagships when it comes to environmental resistance.
Display
Front and center is a 6.8-inch LTPO OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. Colors are vibrant, viewing angles are excellent, and HDR Vivid support enhances videos with greater depth. Brightness peaks at around 1,000 nits in auto mode, which is solid but not class-leading compared to Samsung or Apple.
The display is protected by Kunlun Glass, Huawei’s in-house solution, designed to withstand scratches and drops. Audio is delivered through stereo speakers, which are loud and rich, scoring highly in independent tests. For everyday usewatching movies, playing games, or streaming musicthe multimedia experience is immersive.
Software and Performance
Under the hood, the Pura 80 Ultra runs on Huawei’s Kirin 9020 chipset with EMUI 15, built on Android 12. In daily use, the interface feels polished, animations are smooth, and multitasking is responsive. However, when compared to the raw performance of Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or Apple’s A17 Pro, the Kirin chip falls behind in benchmarks and gaming performance.
Thermal control is another issue. Under heavy loads, such as extended gaming sessions, the phone shows noticeable throttling. For most everyday users, this won’t be a deal-breaker, but power users may feel the difference.
Another limitation is connectivity. The phone does not support 5G outside of Huawei’s own ecosystem, which makes it less future-proof in markets where 5G adoption is widespread. And while Huawei has done a decent job building up its AppGallery and tools like GBox to provide access to apps, the absence of native Google services is still a hurdle for many international users.
Battery and Charging
Inside the global variant is a 5,170mAh battery. On paper, that sounds generous, but in practice, battery life is average. Independent endurance testing shows just under 12 hours of active screen-on time, which is fine for most people but not extraordinary.
The real strength lies in charging speed. With 100W wired charging, the phone goes from empty to full in around 42 minutes. Wireless charging is equally impressive and supports reverse wireless charging for accessories like earbuds. For anyone who values fast top-ups, this is a major selling point.
Cameras
Where the Pura 80 Ultra truly shines is in its cameras. Huawei has long been a pioneer in smartphone photography, and this model continues that legacy with bold innovations.
- Main Camera: Built around a large 1-inch sensor with a variable aperture (f/1.6–f/4.0), the main shooter captures bright, detailed images in daylight and maintains clarity in low light. The adjustable aperture helps balance light and depth of field, making it versatile for both portraits and landscapes.
- Telephoto Camera: This is where Huawei introduces something groundbreaking. The Pura 80 Ultra features the world’s first switchable telephoto zoom lens, offering both 3.7x and 9.4x optical zoom. It allows you to capture distant subjects with clarity, while also enabling close-up macro shots. In night photography, the telephoto lens remains strong, though the AI processing at longer zoom levels (10x and beyond) sometimes feels too aggressive.
- Ultrawide Camera: Equipped with autofocus, it provides sharp and balanced photos, even in tricky lighting. For group shots or expansive cityscapes, it performs reliably well.
- Selfie Camera: A 13MP sensor with autofocus ensures excellent detail, accurate skin tones, and wide field of view. It’s one of the stronger selfie cameras in the flagship space.
- Video Recording: All cameras support up to 4K at 60fps, and stabilization is solid. Low-light video from the main and telephoto lenses is particularly impressive, showing Huawei’s expertise in computational photography.
In short, if you care about mobile photography, this device is one of the most exciting options on the market right now.
Strengths
- Striking design with durable build
- IP68/IP69 protection for added resilience
- High-quality OLED display with smooth refresh rate
- Loud and detailed stereo speakers
- Fast wired and wireless charging
- Innovative camera system, especially the switchable zoom
Weaknesses
- Heavy and bulky in hand
- Battery life is average despite large capacity
- Kirin chipset lags behind leading processors
- Noticeable thermal throttling in demanding use
- No native Google apps or 5G connectivity
Final Thoughts
The Huawei Pura 80 Ultra is a device built for those who want something different. It’s not the fastest phone on the market, nor does it have the longest battery life, but it does offer a mix of artistry, durability, and camera technology that few rivals can match.
If photography is your top priority, this phone is one of the most innovative options available today. The variable aperture main camera, switchable telephoto zoom, and strong low-light capabilities make it stand out in a sea of similar devices.
However, if your focus is on Google ecosystem integration, 5G performance, or extended endurance, alternatives like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra or Xiaomi 15 Ultra may suit you better.
In the end, Huawei has proven once again that even with limitations, it can push smartphone technology forward. The Pura 80 Ultra is not perfect, but it is bold and for many users, that’s exactly what makes it appealing.
Interested in Huawei Pura 80: A Balanced Mix of Style, Cameras, and AI.
FAQs
What makes the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra different from other smartphones?
The Pura 80 Ultra stands out with its switchable telephoto zoom lens, IP69 durability, and bold triangular camera design.
Does the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra support 5G?
No, it does not support 5G outside Huawei’s ecosystem, which may limit connectivity in regions where 5G is widespread.
How durable is the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra?
The phone has IP68 and IP69 ratings, meaning it’s resistant to dust, water, and even high-pressure sprays, making it one of the toughest flagships.
What are the key camera features of the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra?
It features a 1-inch variable aperture main camera, a unique switchable telephoto lens (3.7x & 9.4x), ultrawide with autofocus, and a 13MP selfie camera.
How is the battery performance on the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra?
It has a 5,170mAh battery with average endurance but supports ultra-fast 100W wired charging and wireless charging.
Which chipset powers the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra?
It runs on Huawei’s Kirin 9020 chip with EMUI 15, offering smooth daily performance but weaker gaming and benchmark results compared to Snapdragon rivals.
Does the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra support Google apps?
No, it lacks native Google services, but users can access apps through Huawei AppGallery and third-party solutions like GBox.
Who should buy the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra?
This phone is ideal for photography enthusiasts who want cutting-edge camera innovation, premium build quality, and super-fast charging.
