HUAWEI Pura 70 Pro
A couple of weeks ago, HUAWEI sent a HUAWEI Pura 70 Pro review unit. The phone pacls top-of-the-line specifications and features, which brought them some notable accolades and praises. This review will dive deep into every aspect of the device, from its stunning design to its performance and camera capabilities.
Design
The Pura 70 Pro sports a sleek and modern design that exhibits premium quality. The device features a curved 6.8-inch OLED display with minimal bezels, creating an immersive viewing experience. The back panel is crafted from high-quality glass, with a matte finish that provides a comfortable grip and resists fingerprints.
One of the standout design elements is the unique camera module, which Huawei calls the “Forward Symbol Design.” This triangular arrangement of the camera lenses,inspired by the Penrose Triangle, not only looks visually striking but also serves a functional purpose, allowing for better image stabilization and improved low-light performance. It also resembles a Mickey Mouse symbol if you fancy Disney. The design is surely a head turner, but definitely not for everyone.
Hardware
Under the hood, the HUAWEI Pura 70 Pro packs a punch with Huawei’s latest Kirin 9010 chipset. This octa-core processor, built on a 7nm process, delivers exceptional performance for even the most demanding tasks, such as gaming, video editing, and multitasking.
The device is equipped with 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of internal storage, ensuring smooth multitasking and ample space for apps, games, and media files. The phone does not support 5G connectivity outside China, which is disappointing.
Display
The 6.8-inch OLED display on the Pura 70 Pro is good. With a resolution of 2844 x 1260 pixels and a pixel density of 460 ppi, the screen delivers stunning visuals with vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast ratios.
Huawei has also implemented advanced display technologies, such as a 120Hz refresh rate and 1440Hz high-frequency PWM dimming, which contribute to a smooth and flicker-free viewing experience. The display is also HDR10+ certified, ensuring that compatible content looks its absolute best.
The display, however, lacks the necessary brightness when looking at it on direct sunlight especially when compared to the HONOR Magic6 Pro.
Another notable feature of the display of the HUAWEI Pura 70 Pro is the new generation of Kunlun Glass. I am, however, operating on the trust here as I never got to actually try putting it to the test. However, our news editor, Ram Ronquillo, was able to see the assembly line and R&D of HUAWEI to validate the rigorous test that HUAWEI has been doing to back up their claims.
Performance
Powered by the Kirin 9010 chipset and 12GB of RAM, the Pura 70 Pro delivers exceptional performance across the board despite being built from the foundation of its predecessors.
In benchmark tests, the Pura 70 Pro consistently outperforms many of its competitors, but not the new ones using 5nm and 4nm processor classes. It may be a necessary step for Huawei to use a less competitive flagship chipset on the Pura 70 Pro to further control the price, but it would have been better had they put a better one. Regardless, the overall performance of the phone is acceptable and barely a concern especially if you are not into playing mobile games like Arena Breakout or Call of Duty Warzone Mobile.
The device also features advanced cooling solutions, such as a vapor chamber, ensuring that it can maintain peak performance even during extended periods of use.
Software
The Pura 70 Pro runs on Huawei’s proprietary HarmonyOS 14.2, which is based on Android 14. While the lack of Google Mobile Services may be a concern for some users, Huawei has developed its own ecosystem of apps and services, including the AppGallery, which continues to grow and improve.
HarmonyOS 14.2 offers a clean and intuitive user interface, with a range of customization options and features designed to enhance productivity and user experience. Huawei has also implemented advanced AI capabilities, such as intelligent voice control and contextual awareness, further enhancing the overall software experience.
The new software also gives the option to install MicroG that would allow users to install Google Applications. While there is AppGallery as frontend app store, I was able to install GBox. This app gave me access to PlayStore and other applications that are not natively available on AppGallery.
Camera
One of the standout features of the Pura 70 Pro is its impressive camera system. The device features a triple camera setup on the rear, consisting of a 50MP ultra-lighting main camera with a variable aperture (f/1.4-f/4.0) and optical image stabilization (OIS), a 48MP ultra-lighting macro telephoto camera with 3.5x optical zoom and OIS, and a 12.5MP ultra-wide-angle camera.
This versatile camera system allows users to capture stunning photos and videos in a wide range of scenarios, from sweeping landscapes to intricate macro shots and everything in between. Huawei’s advanced computational photography algorithms, combined with the powerful hardware, ensure that every shot is sharp, detailed, and accurately exposed.
The Pura 70 Pro also excels in low-light photography, thanks to its large image sensor and advanced noise reduction techniques. The device’s ultra-speed snapshot mode is particularly impressive, allowing users to capture crisp, blur-free shots of fast-moving subjects with ease.
The cameras of the phone excels in Portrait, Macro and telephoto shots as you can see in the photos below.
However, the real star of the show – in my opinion – is Snapshot mode. This allows users to just be trigger-happy with the shutter button on fast moving subjects to instantly “freeze” time. It is an impressive feature that none of my current flagship phones actually achieve – and yes, even the HONOR Magic6 Pro.
Sound
While not necessarily a standout feature, the Pura 70 Pro delivers a solid audio experience. The device features dual stereo speakers that provide clear and immersive sound, whether you’re watching movies, listening to music, or playing games.
Huawei has also implemented advanced audio technologies, such as Dolby Atmos support and AI-powered noise cancellation, further enhancing the overall audio quality and ensuring that you can enjoy your media without distractions.
Battery
The Pura 70 Pro is equipped with a massive 5,050mAh battery, which should provide ample power for even the most demanding users. Huawei has also included support for 100W wired charging and 80W wireless charging, ensuring that you can quickly top up the device’s battery when needed.
In real-world usage, the Pura 70 Pro delivers excellent battery life, easily lasting a full day or more on a single charge, even with heavy usage. Additionally, the device supports reverse wireless charging, allowing you to charge other devices or accessories using the Pura 70 Pro’s battery.
Verdict
The HUAWEI Pura 70 Pro is a true flagship smartphone that delivers on all fronts. Its stunning design, powerful hardware, and impressive camera capabilities make it a compelling choice for anyone in the market for a high-end device.
While the lack of Google Mobile Services may be a concern for some users, Huawei’s efforts to build its own ecosystem of apps and services continue to improve, making the Pura 70 Pro a viable option for those willing to embrace the change. The somewhat underpowered processor can make some gamers step back, but it shouldn’t be a major concern to those who are looking for flagship camera smartphone.
Overall, the Pura 70 Pro is a testament to Huawei’s commitment to innovation and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the world of camera smartphone technology. If you’re in the market for a top-tier smartphone that excels in photography, performance, and overall user experience, the Huawei Pura 70 Pro is definitely worth considering.
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
