Huawei pura 80 ultra smartphone review

If you’re wondering if the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra is the phone for you, especially with its impressive camera features, let’s break it down. Yes, this phone packs a genuinely outstanding camera system that’s pushing boundaries, especially with its innovative telephoto lenses. But, and this is a big “but” for many, it comes with the familiar challenges of Huawei’s software limitations outside of China. It’s a device that truly shines for photography enthusiasts who are willing to navigate the quirks of not having full Google Mobile Services GMS and a chipset that, while capable for daily use, isn’t quite at the forefront of flagship performance. You’re looking at a phone that tries to innovate where it counts, offering a premium build and blazing-fast charging, but it’s important to go in with your eyes open. If you’re searching for a new smartphone and considering the Pura 80 Ultra, make sure you also look into essential phone accessories like a good case and a screen protector to keep this beauty safe.

Design and Display: A Real Head-Turner

Right off the bat, the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra makes a statement. You know how some phones just blend in? This one doesn’t. Huawei has really leaned into a unique aesthetic, the “forward symbol” triangular camera housing from its predecessor, making it even more pronounced here. It’s huge, yes, and it makes the phone a bit top-heavy, but honestly, it’s a conversation starter.

When you hold it, you immediately feel that premium vibe. It uses gently curved glass panels on both the front and back, melting into an aluminum frame that feels super fluid. This isn’t one of those flat, boxy phones. it’s a glossy, curved beauty, especially if you snag the Prestige Gold color, which has this subtle, almost beige-gold shimmer depending on the light. It’s also built tough. We’re talking IP68/IP69 certified for dust and water resistance, which is as good as it gets, meaning it can handle dust, submersion, and even high-temperature water jets. Plus, the screen is protected by Huawei’s second-generation Crystal Armor Kunlun Glass, which they say offers significantly better scratch and drop resistance than the previous version. That’s reassuring, especially for a device that looks this good.

Now, let’s talk about that screen. The Pura 80 Ultra sports a stunning 6.8-inch LTPO OLED display with a crisp 1276p resolution and a buttery smooth 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. This means your scrolling and animations look incredibly fluid, and the phone can intelligently adjust the refresh rate to save battery. It supports 10-bit color and HDR Vivid, which is Huawei’s own HDR standard. Viewing content on this screen is generally a treat, with vibrant colors and deep blacks, thanks to the OLED tech.

However, there’s a small catch: while Huawei advertises a whopping 3000 nits peak brightness, in real-world use, it often falls a bit short compared to some rivals, measuring around 600 nits manually and just over 1,000 nits in auto mode. It’s still bright enough for outdoor visibility on sunny days, but it might dim quicker in blazing sun than some competitors. One design choice that some might find a bit old-school is the side-mounted fingerprint sensor, integrated into the power button, rather than an in-display one. It works perfectly fine, but it’s a detail that stands out in a world where most flagships have moved on.

Camera System: The Ultra Lighting Powerhouse

Alright, let’s get to the main event: the cameras. If you’re even considering the Pura 80 Ultra, chances are the camera is a huge draw, and for good reason. Huawei has truly packed some incredible tech here, making it one of the best camera phones you can get. Sony RX1R III Premium Compact Camera Review: Is It Worth the Investment?

First up, the Main Camera. It boasts a 50MP 1-inch Ultra Lighting HDR sensor with a versatile variable aperture, ranging from f/1.6 to f/4.0. What does this mean for you? It means exceptional light gathering, leading to bright and accurate exposures even in challenging low-light conditions. The dynamic range is absolutely phenomenal, with Huawei claiming up to 16 stops, which translates to incredible detail in both bright highlights and deep shadows. Colors are generally lifelike and pleasing, though sometimes the white balance can be a tiny bit off. For those who love capturing crisp photos, the main sensor does a fantastic job with detail, and its low-light performance truly rivals dedicated compact cameras.

Next, the Ultrawide Camera. This is a 40MP sensor with an f/2.2 aperture and a 13mm focal length, and it even has autofocus. During the day, it captures decent photos, preserving color tonality and details, making it great for wider shots or even vlogging. However, in low-light scenarios, it tends to produce noisier results and doesn’t capture as much detail as the main camera. Still, for those expansive outdoor shots, it’s a solid performer.

But the real showstopper is the Telephoto System. Huawei has done something genuinely innovative here: a Switchable Dual Telephoto Camera. Instead of separate sensors, they’ve managed to cram two periscope zoom lenses over one large 1/1.28-inch sensor—the largest in a smartphone telephoto camera to date. This system uses a motorized prism to physically switch between two optical zoom levels:

• A 3.7x optical zoom 83mm focal length, 50MP.
• A 9.4x optical zoom 212mm focal length, 12.5MP binned.

This design offers incredible flexibility and range, allowing you to get super close to distant subjects with stunning detail and clarity. Photos at 3.7x are incredibly detailed and sharp, and even at 9.4x, it’s one of the best far-zoom lenses you can get on a smartphone. Zoom transitions are smooth in photo mode, and the overall image processing maintains consistent exposure and color. This makes the Pura 80 Ultra truly excel in areas like wildlife, travel, and even street photography where you need that extra reach.

For Video Quality, the Pura 80 Ultra can record up to 4K at 60 frames per second. While there’s no 8K mode likely a chipset limitation, the 4K videos are quite good, with decent image stabilization. You can even switch between all the cameras while recording. However, some users have noted that front camera videos can sometimes exhibit color issues, turning a bit gray depending on the light. The Selfie Camera itself is a 13MP wide-angle shooter with autofocus, offering good dynamic range and lifelike skin tones, making it suitable for group selfies. Back bay tempo 30 wireless earbuds review

Overall, if photography is your top priority, the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra delivers a truly exceptional experience, especially with its groundbreaking telephoto capabilities. It goes toe-to-toe with, and often surpasses, other top camera phones in several aspects. You can enhance your phone’s camera capabilities with smartphone camera lenses or a gimbal stabilizer if you’re serious about mobile videography.

Performance: Daily Driver, Not a Gaming Beast

When it comes to raw processing power, the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra is a bit of a mixed bag. It’s powered by Huawei’s in-house Kirin 9020 chipset, which is built on a 7nm node. Now, for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, messaging, and even light photo editing, the phone feels responsive and smooth. It’s got 16GB of RAM, so multitasking is generally a breeze.

However, when you put it up against other 2025 flagships running more advanced chipsets like the Snapdragon 8 Elite, the Kirin 9020 lags behind. Synthetic benchmark scores indicate it can be around 50% slower than some competitors. This means if you’re a heavy gamer or someone who pushes their phone with demanding applications, you might notice the difference. Some games might not run as smoothly at the highest settings, and the phone can get rather toasty when pushed for even a short amount of time, which can further limit its performance. There’s also a lack of support for modern graphics standards, which could impact future gaming experiences.

So, while the Pura 80 Ultra isn’t going to win any speed races against the absolute top-tier Android phones, it’s a perfectly capable device for most daily users. If you’re not planning on running graphics-intensive games all day or doing heavy video rendering on your phone, you likely won’t feel held back by its performance. If mobile gaming is a big deal for you, you might want to look at gaming phones or consider a phone cooler attachment if you opt for the Pura 80 Ultra.

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Software Experience: The Google Conundrum

Here’s where things get a bit tricky for many potential buyers outside of China. The global version of the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra runs on EMUI 15, which is based on Android 12. For those in China, the phone runs pure HarmonyOS 5.1, which is generally considered more capable. The big elephant in the room, of course, is the ongoing absence of Google Mobile Services GMS. This means no Google Play Store, Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube, Google Wallet, or Quickshare out of the box.

Now, Huawei has its own AppGallery, which has a decent selection of popular apps, and they’ve significantly lowered advertisements and pop-ups. For those determined to get Google apps, there are workarounds like GBox, MicroG, or Aurora Store. GBox, for example, is described as a small virtual machine based on the latest Android version that contains all Google services, allowing you to install many Google-dependent apps. Some users on Reddit reported successfully getting banking and messaging apps through AppGallery, and others via F-Droid and Aurora Stores. I’ve heard from folks who found it surprisingly easy to get most apps working, including YouTube and Gmail.

However, these workarounds aren’t perfect. Not all Google features, like Google Wallet for payments or Android QuickShare, will work. Updating apps can also be a bit of a hassle if they’re not in the AppGallery. There’s also the question of future-proofing: with the global EMUI 15 still based on Android 12, some users are concerned about how long their apps will remain compatible, as Android 12 support will eventually end. This lack of a clear update roadmap for global HarmonyOS is a common complaint.

The interface itself, EMUI 15, is generally intuitive, responsive, and familiar if you’ve used Huawei phones before. It offers neat features like large folders and widgets, and even air gestures. While it lacks the advanced AI features seen on some competitor flagships like Circle to Search or real-time voice translation, some users genuinely don’t mind, finding the existing tools sufficient. Razer BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed Headset Review: Your New Go-To for Gaming?

Ultimately, the software experience comes down to your willingness to live without native GMS and potentially use workarounds. If you’re someone deeply embedded in the Google ecosystem, this might be a deal-breaker. But if you’re open to alternatives and don’t rely heavily on Google-specific functionalities, it’s definitely manageable. For those seeking more open-source options or alternative app stores, exploring Android app stores beyond Google Play might be of interest.

Battery Life and Charging: Powering Up Fast

When you’re out and about, battery life is super important, right? The Huawei Pura 80 Ultra has a solid battery, though there’s a slight difference depending on where you get it. The global version typically comes with a 5,170 mAh lithium-polymer battery, while the Chinese model gets a slightly larger 5,700 mAh cell. This difference is probably due to regional regulations.

In real-world use, the battery life is decent, but maybe not groundbreaking for its capacity. Some tests showed an “underwhelming” active use score of around 11 hours and 51 minutes, falling behind some rivals in web browsing and social media tests. However, it does quite well in video streaming and gaming. One user reported getting 5.5 to 6 hours of screen-on time, which for them translated to about a two-day battery life. Another mentioned being happy with it even when charging only to 80%. So, it’s not going to consistently blow you away, but it should comfortably get most users through a day of moderate use.

Where the Pura 80 Ultra truly shines is in its charging capabilities. This phone boasts incredibly fast charging speeds: Levona scent acasa1000 waterless diffuser review

• 100W wired Huawei SuperCharge: And guess what? The charger actually comes in the box!. This is a big win, as many other flagships skip the charger. You can get from 0 to 80% in about half an hour, with a full charge taking around 42 minutes.
• 80W wireless charging: Yes, you read that right, super-fast wireless charging too.
• 20W reverse wireless charging and 18W reverse wired charging: This means you can use your phone to charge your earbuds, another phone, or even other small gadgets. Talk about being a portable power bank!

So, while the battery life itself is good, the sheer speed at which you can top it up really makes it convenient. If you’re looking for fast chargers or a wireless charging pad for other devices, you’ll appreciate the Pura 80 Ultra’s capabilities.

Audio: An Immersive Listening Experience

When it comes to sound, the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra really delivers. It features a stereo speaker system that’s been described as quite powerful, earning a “very good” score in tests. Users have praised the sound quality as excellent, offering a rich and deep sound that’s a joy to listen to. One Reddit user even claimed it was the best sound quality they’d experienced, surpassing some well-known headphone brands. Huawei even has some marketing about its loudness, showing it can extinguish a candle, but it’s really the fullness of the sound that stands out.

So, whether you’re watching videos, listening to podcast, or taking calls though some users did mention low call volume in certain situations, the audio experience on the Pura 80 Ultra is generally a strong point. For the ultimate audio experience, consider pairing your phone with quality Bluetooth headphones or portable speakers.

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Price and Availability: A Flagship Investment

The Huawei Pura 80 Ultra is definitely positioned as a premium flagship, and its price tag reflects that. Globally, you’re looking at around 1,200 euros, which translates to roughly $1400 or £1050 in places like the United Arab Emirates, where Huawei still has a significant presence. In China, where it was officially available for sale on June 26th, prices start at 9999 yuan for the 16GB RAM + 512GB storage variant and go up to 10999 yuan for the 16GB RAM + 1TB storage model.

It’s crucial to remember that the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra is not officially available in the United States due to ongoing restrictions. This means if you’re in the US and want one, you’d likely have to import it, which comes with its own set of challenges, including warranty and service issues, and the aforementioned lack of Google Mobile Services. Furthermore, the global version of the phone does not support 5G connectivity outside of China, a direct consequence of the long-standing ban preventing Huawei from developing 5G modems for international use.

Given the price and the performance benchmarks which place its chipset in the mid-range category compared to other flagships, some reviewers have questioned its overall “value for money”. However, for those who prioritize its exceptional camera capabilities and distinctive design, and are comfortable with the software ecosystem, the price might be justified as an investment in cutting-edge mobile photography. If you’re looking for unlocked smartphones from other brands that offer global 5G support, there are many options to explore.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main highlight of the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra?

The absolute standout feature of the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra is its camera system, especially the innovative Switchable Dual Telephoto Camera. It uses a motorized prism to toggle between 3.7x and 9.4x optical zoom lenses over a single large sensor, delivering exceptional detail and flexibility for distant shots. The main 50MP 1-inch sensor with variable aperture also offers incredible low-light performance and dynamic range. Nebula Anker Capsule 3 Laser Portable Projector Review: Your Pocket-Sized Cinema?

Does the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra have Google services?

No, the global version of the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra does not come with Google Mobile Services GMS pre-installed. This means no native Google Play Store, Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube, or Google Wallet. While workarounds like GBox, MicroG, and Aurora Store exist to install many Google apps, not all features work perfectly, and it requires some effort.

How is the battery life and charging on the Pura 80 Ultra?

The global Huawei Pura 80 Ultra has a 5,170 mAh battery, which offers decent but not class-leading battery life, typically getting most users through a full day. However, its charging speeds are exceptional: it supports 100W wired SuperCharge charger included!, 80W wireless charging, and also reverse wired and wireless charging. You can get a significant charge in a very short amount of time.

What kind of display does the Pura 80 Ultra have?

The Pura 80 Ultra features a beautiful 6.8-inch LTPO OLED display with a high 1276p resolution and an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth visuals. It offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and is protected by Huawei’s second-generation Crystal Armor Kunlun Glass for enhanced durability. While it boasts a high peak brightness on paper, real-world brightness is good but might not match the absolute brightest displays from competitors.

Is the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra good for gaming?

For casual gaming and most daily tasks, the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra performs smoothly thanks to its Kirin 9020 chipset and 16GB of RAM. However, for demanding, graphics-intensive games, its 7nm chipset and lack of modern graphics standards mean it lags behind other 2025 flagship phones, which often use more powerful 3nm processors. It can also get warm under heavy gaming loads. So, it’s not a top-tier gaming phone, but it’s perfectly capable for many mobile games.

Where can I buy the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra?

The Huawei Pura 80 Ultra is primarily available in China and select international markets, such as the United Arab Emirates. It is not officially sold in the United States. If you’re outside its official distribution regions, you might need to look into importing the device, which can come with complexities regarding warranty, after-sales support, and software compatibility. Logitech g yeti orb condenser rgb gaming mic review