Key Takeaways
1. The Huawei Pura 80 Ultra features a top-tier camera system, including a 50 MP primary camera and two telephoto lenses, positioning it as a strong competitor to the iPhone 17 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.
2. The smartphone is heavy and bulky, measuring 15.7 mm thick and weighing 234 grams, which may deter some users.
3. The performance of the HiSilicon Kirin 9020 SoC is not as strong as other flagship devices, although it is sufficient for everyday tasks.
4. The device lacks a 5G module and operates on Open Android 12 with EMUI 15, which does not support Google services, requiring an alternative app store for users.
5. The Pura 80 Ultra has a retail price of €1,399, which may be considered high given its mixed performance in areas outside the camera.
To cut to the chase, the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra boasts one of the top cameras found in smartphones today. This feature makes it a strong competitor to models like the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, but this comparison holds true only if the camera is the primary focus.
Camera Features
Similar to its smaller counterpart, the Pura 80 Pro, the Pura 80 Ultra includes a 50 MP primary camera equipped with a sizeable 1-inch sensor along with a 40 MP ultra-wide camera. In contrast to the Pura 80 Pro’s 48 MP telephoto camera, the Ultra variant is fitted with two OIS-stabilized telephoto lenses. These come with resolutions of 50 MP and 12.5 MP and utilize a shared sliding 1/1.28-inch sensor. This combination allows for an impressive optical zoom of up to 9.4x, resulting in a broad focal length range from 22.5 to 212 millimeters.
Design and Build
Despite its outstanding camera capabilities, the high-end smartphone, which has a retail price of €1,399, is only somewhat impressive in other areas. One notable drawback is its size and weight; the well-constructed Pura 80 Ultra feels heavy and bulky, measuring 15.7 millimeters at its thickest point and weighing in at 234 grams, making it rather cumbersome.
Performance Concerns
Another issue is the performance of the Pura 80 Ultra’s SoC, which doesn’t match other flagship devices. The HiSilicon Kirin 9020 can sometimes fall behind compared to other high-end smartphones. Nevertheless, its performance is adequate for daily activities, and with 16 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 512 GB of UFS 4.0 storage, the memory and storage setup is commendable.
On the downside, potential buyers might be put off by the absence of a 5G module and the fact that it runs on Open Android 12 with EMUI 15, for which Huawei promises five years of updates. The operating system does not support Google services, requiring users to rely on the manufacturer’s Aurora Store to access the complete Play Store library.