Huawei has been on a bit of a roll lately, pushing forward in camera innovation, design experimentation, and software independence. With the launch of the Pura 80 Ultra, they’re not just showing off—they’re making a statement. And that statement is: “We’re back, and we’re not playing safe.”
I’ve spent a few days with the Pura 80 Ultra, and here’s the honest truth: it’s a wild mix of elegance, power, and bold choices. Whether it’s the camera setup or the design language, this phone isn’t afraid to stand out.
Let’s talk about what makes it tick.
A Design That Turns Heads
First impressions? This phone is a looker.
Huawei ditched the conventional rectangular camera module and went with a large triangular “Vortex” camera island that almost floats on the back glass. It’s dramatic, sure, but surprisingly balanced. The matte finish on the rear resists fingerprints, and the curved edges melt perfectly into your hand.
It’s premium, but not flashy in a tacky way. The moment you pull it out in public, someone’s going to ask, “Wait, what phone is that?”
Also, it’s IP68 rated—so yes, it’s got water and dust protection to go along with the luxury.
Display: Fluid, Sharp, and Beautifully Bright
The 6.8-inch OLED panel on the Pura 80 Ultra is one of the best I’ve seen from Huawei so far. It runs at 2844 × 1260 resolution and supports a 120Hz refresh rate. What that means in real-world use: everything looks crisp, smooth, and vibrant.
Whether you’re watching high-res content, scrolling through social feeds, or editing photos, the display feels like a window into another dimension. It also gets plenty bright outdoors, which is always a win.
Cameras: Huawei’s Weapon of Choice
This is where Huawei always flexes—and the Pura 80 Ultra doesn’t disappoint.
It features a 50MP main camera with a retractable lens system, offering variable aperture and 2.5x optical zoom. Alongside that is a 40MP ultrawide, and a 48MP periscope telephoto. The front camera is a sharp 13MP unit tucked neatly into a center punch-hole.
The camera system here is nuts. Portraits look DSLR-like with real depth and natural bokeh. Night shots retain clarity without over-processing. Zoom quality is impressive even up to 10x, and stabilization helps with handheld video like a pro rig.
Huawei’s XMAGE imaging engine also deserves credit—it handles tone, contrast, and color with remarkable balance. No weird AI oversharpening or fake-looking HDR. Just clean, professional-grade photos.
Performance: Flagship, with a Twist
Under the hood, you’ve got Huawei’s own Kirin 9010 chipset, built on a 7nm process. While it doesn’t match the raw power of Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, it holds its own in day-to-day use.
Apps open fast, multitasking is fluid, and games like Genshin Impact run smoothly on high settings. The phone stays cool under pressure too, thanks to a solid vapor chamber cooling setup.
It runs HarmonyOS 4.2, which is snappy, intuitive, and fully adapted to life without Google. If you’re used to Android, there’s a small learning curve, but the app ecosystem has improved dramatically thanks to Petal Search, AppGallery, and third-party APK options.
Battery Life & Charging: Stamina Meets Speed
The Pura 80 Ultra houses a 5,200mAh battery, which easily lasts a full day even with heavy usage.
Charging is another area where Huawei flexes: you get 100W wired and 80W wireless charging. That means you can juice up from 0 to 50% in just 15 minutes. Even better? There’s 20W reverse wireless charging too, so you can top up your earbuds or a friend’s phone on the go.
The Extras That Count
- Dual stereo speakers: Loud and crisp, great for gaming and movies
- Excellent haptics: Subtle and satisfying feedback across the UI
- Satellite messaging (China only for now): A safety-first feature for adventurers
- In-screen fingerprint sensor: Fast and reliable
- eSIM support: Useful for travelers and dual-line users