Huawei Pura 70 Review: A Game Changer for Photography Enthusiasts

Huawei Pura 70 (2024)

Definition: The Huawei Pura 70 is a flagship smartphone officially launched by Huawei on April 18, 2024, and released on May 6, 2024, marking the rebranding of Huawei’s iconic P-series to Pura-series. Positioned as a photography-focused flagship targeting tech enthusiasts and Huawei ecosystem users, it is powered by the self-developed Kirin 9010 chipset with full 5G connectivity, features a 6.67-inch OLED display, the advanced X-MAGE 3.0 imaging system, and supports 88W wired fast charging华为. It runs HarmonyOS 4.2 (China) or EMUI 14.2 (international) with Huawei Mobile Services (HMS), and lacks Google Mobile Services (GMS). It competes with flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S24 and Apple iPhone 15 series, emphasizing indigenous chip technology, imaging innovation, and ecosystem integration.

Core Technical Specifications

Component	Details
Display	6.67-inch LTPO OLED, 2760×1256 pixels (~460 PPI), 19.5:9 aspect ratio, 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate, 1440 Hz PWM dimming, 300 Hz touch sampling rate, 2500 nits peak brightness, HDR Vivid, Kunlun Glass 2 (100% improved drop resistance), 90.1% screen-to-body ratio华为
Processor & Chipset	HiSilicon Kirin 9010 (7 nm), octa-core (1×2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 + 3×2.3 GHz Cortex-A720 + 4×1.5 GHz Cortex-A520), Mali-G710 GPU; 5G NR SA/NSA (sub-6 GHz & mmWave), 4G LTE, 3G, 2G
Memory & Storage	12 GB LPDDR5 RAM; 256 GB/512 GB/1 TB UFS 4.0 internal storage; no microSD expansion; dual Nano-SIM (5G+5G dual standby)
Camera System (X-MAGE 3.0)	Rear Triple Cameras: 50 MP Ultra-Lighting Main Camera (f/1.4–f/4.0 variable aperture, 1/1.3” sensor, OIS, PDAF, RYYB filter) + 13 MP Ultra-Wide Camera (f/2.2, 120° FOV, macro, OIS) + 12 MP Periscope Telephoto (f/3.0, 5× optical zoom, 100× digital zoom, OIS); LED flash, HDR, panorama; 4K@60 fps videoFront Camera: 13 MP, f/2.4, autofocus, HDR; 1080p@30 fps video华为
Battery & Charging	4900 mAh non-removable Li-Po battery; 88W wired SuperCharge (0–50% in 10 mins, full charge ~35 mins); 50W wireless SuperCharge; 7.5W reverse wireless charging华为
Connectivity	5G NR, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 (aptX HD/LDAC), NFC, GPS/GLONASS/Beidou/Galileo, USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, no 3.5 mm headphone jack; IP68 dust/water resistance (2m for 30 mins)
OS & Software	HarmonyOS 4.2 (China); EMUI 14.2 (international); HMS Core, AppGallery, Huawei Share, Multi-Device Collaboration; upgradable to HarmonyOS 5.0 (China)
Design & Durability	Aluminum frame, flat glass back (Kunlun Glass 2); dimensions: 157.6×74.3×7.95 mm; weight: 207 g; colors: Feather Sand Black, Snow White, Sakura Rose Red, Ice Crystal Blue; in-display fingerprint sensor; sensors: accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, temperature
Unique Features	X-MAGE 3.0 color tuning, variable aperture for depth/light control, Kirin 9010 5G chip, Kunlun Glass 2 durability, HarmonyOS multi-device sync, satellite messaging (Beidou)华为

Key Selling Points & Innovations

Kirin 9010 5G Chipset: Huawei’s first 5G flagship chip since the Kirin 9000 series, enabling 5G dual-standby and competitive performance, addressing the long-standing 5G limitation of previous Huawei flagships.
X-MAGE 3.0 with Variable Aperture: The main camera’s adjustable f/1.4–f/4.0 aperture allows manual control over depth of field (portrait bokeh) and light intake (low-light photography), while the RYYB sensor captures 40% more light than RGGB sensors, delivering vibrant, sharp images in all lighting conditions华为.
Kunlun Glass 2 & IP68 Durability: Second-gen Kunlun Glass offers 100% improved drop resistance vs. conventional glass, and IP68 water/dust resistance ensures protection against accidental spills and submersion, enhancing daily reliability华为.
88W Wired + 50W Wireless Fast Charging: The 4900 mAh battery charges to 50% in 10 minutes via 88W wired charging, while 50W wireless charging and 7.5W reverse charging provide flexible power solutions for busy users华为.
HarmonyOS 4.2 Ecosystem Integration: Seamless sync with Huawei tablets, laptops, and wearables via Multi-Device Collaboration, plus AI features like AI photo editing and Pangu model integration, boosting productivity and creativity.

Limitations & Criticisms

No GMS Support: Relies on HMS and AppGallery, which have a smaller app library than Google Play, limiting access to popular apps like YouTube, Gmail, and WhatsApp in regions dependent on GMS.
No Expandable Storage: Lacks a microSD slot, forcing users to pay more for higher storage variants upfront.
Premium Pricing: Starts at ~¥4,999 (~$700) in China, positioning it against 5G flagships from Samsung and Apple, which may deter cost-sensitive users.
Mixed Global Availability: Strong in China and HMS-mature markets (Middle East, Southeast Asia) but limited in regions where GMS is dominant, affecting global sales potential.

Release & Market Performance

Launch Date: Announced April 18, 2024; released May 6, 2024 (China); international rollout June–August 2024.
Pricing: 12+256 GB ~¥4,999 (~$700); 12+512 GB ~¥5,699 (~$800); 12+1 TB ~¥6,499 (~$910).
Sales Highlights: Sold over 3 million units in China within the first month, driven by 5G capability and Kirin 9010’s domestic appeal. International sales were strong in the Middle East and Southeast Asia but slower in Europe and North America due to GMS absence.
Market Position: Reinforced Huawei’s return to the global flagship market, competing with the Galaxy S24 and iPhone 15, and solidified the Pura series as a photography-focused alternative.

Legacy

The Huawei Pura 70 is a landmark device, marking Huawei’s return to 5G flagship chipsets with the Kirin 9010 and the rebranding of the P-series to Pura, emphasizing indigenous innovation. It showcased Huawei’s resilience in overcoming external constraints, with X-MAGE 3.0 imaging and HarmonyOS 4.2 ecosystem integration setting new standards for domestic flagships. For users in HMS-mature regions, it remains a top choice for photography and 5G connectivity, while its success signals Huawei’s potential to reclaim global market share in the premium smartphone segment.