The Huawei Pura 80 Ultra stands as one of the most exciting flagship releases of 2025, showcasing a bold leap in smartphone innovation. This extensive review delves into every aspect of Huawei’s new crown jewel, providing insight into its design, features, camera prowess, performance, software, battery, price, and how it fares against top competition.
Introduction: Innovation Meets Opportunity
Huawei has a reputation for pushing the envelope in mobile technology, and the Pura 80 Ultra is a prime example of this drive for excellence. In an era where smartphone differentiation is increasingly driven by camera performance and AI integration, Huawei’s latest offering is designed to appeal to demanding users who crave premium features and unrivaled imaging capabilities. The Pura 80 Ultra not only refines what a flagship should be, but it also positions Huawei as a formidable competitor to established giants such as Samsung and Apple, despite ongoing international challenges. This model could redefine what users expect from a high-end phone in 2025.
Design and Build Quality
Materials and Craftsmanship
- Premium Materials: Crafted from dazzling, reinforced Kunlun Glass 2 and a shiny glass back, the Pura 80 Ultra exudes class and durability.
- Colors: Available in Prestige Gold and Golden Black, each model features a unique pattern that shifts with ambient light, adding a sense of luxury missed by rivals.
- Dimensions and Weight: With dimensions of 76.1 x 163 x 8.3mm and a weight of 233.5g, the device balances size and heft, feeling substantial yet comfortable in hand.
- IP Rating and Durability: The phone is IP68-rated, ensuring water and dust resistance up to 2 meters for 30 minutes, great for daily use and travel.
- Ergonomics: Side fingerprint sensor and AI Smart Controls button enhance accessibility and ease of use.
Notable Design Highlights
- Grille-texture camera module embraces glamor and functionality.
- Ultra-thin bezels and a punch-hole display provide a modern, immersive look.
Display: A Visual Marvel
Specifications
- Type: 6.8-inch OLED LTPO panel; LTPO enables ultra-efficient adaptive refresh.
- Resolution: 1276 x 2848 pixels at ~459 ppi for pin-sharp detail.
- Refresh Rate: Adaptive 1-120Hz, automatically adjusting for smoothness and battery conservation.
- Brightness: Peak brightness of 3000 nits means the screen remains clear even in direct sunlight.
- Glass Protection: Kunlun Glass 2 offers robust protection from scratches and drops.
- PWM Dimming: 1440Hz high-frequency PWM ensures minimal flicker and eye comfort.
User Experience
- Immersive Viewing: High screen-to-body ratio (~89.7%) provides nearly edge-to-edge visuals.
- Color and HDR: Wide color gamut and ultra-HDR support deliver vivid media and accurate reproduction.
- Usability: Responsive touch and easy outdoor use, even in harsh conditions, make it ideal for creators and casual users.
Camera System: Ultimate Imaging Experience
Main and Auxiliary Lenses
- Primary: 50MP 1-inch LOFIC sensor (for high dynamic range and low noise) with variable f/1.6-4.0 aperture and OIS—leads the pack in detail, exposure, and skin tones.
- Ultra-Wide: 40MP sensor, 13mm focal length, f/2.2, capable of rich landscapes and group shots.
- Dual Telephoto: A unique combination: one 50MP 83mm lens (3.7x optical zoom) and a 12.5MP 212mm lens (9.4x optical zoom)—unparalleled versatility for portraits and long-range photography.
- Front Camera: 13MP ultra-wide punch-hole selfie camera (f/2.0), including 4K and 1080p@240fps video recording.
AI Features and Performance
- Harmony AI: Scene recognition, auto composition, anti-peep protection.
- Portrait Mode: Excellent detail and subject isolation—even in challenging light.
- Low-Light Capabilities: Industry-leading performance thanks to advanced sensor tech and AI noise reduction.
- Video Recording: Ultra HDR, 4K video, gyro-EIS/OIS, up to 960fps slow motion.
Camera Benchmarks
- DxoMark global score leader; sets a new standard for mobile imaging.
- Ultra-high dynamic range: 15x higher than previous-gen, superb for dramatic shots.
- Extremely effective video stabilization and autofocus.
- Rich, pleasing color—skin tones, vibrant landscapes, accurate exposure.
Performance: Kirin 9020 Powerhouse
Chipset and RAM
- Processor: HiSilicon Kirin 9020 (SMIC 7nm, N+2), 8-core CPU (1x 2.5GHz Taishan Big + 3x 2.15GHz Taishan Mid + 4x 1.53GHz Cortex-A510).
- GPU: Maleoon 920, supports high-fidelity gaming and graphics tasks.
- RAM & Storage: 16GB LPDDR5X RAM, with 512GB / 1TB UFS storage options; memory card slot not supported.
Benchmarks and Experience
- GeekBench 6/AnTuTu 10/3DMark: Scores competitive multi-core performance, though single-core trails behind Snapdragon and Apple chips.
- Day-to-Day Performance: Responsive UI, smooth multitasking, quick app/camera launches.
- Gaming: Capable for most games, though not the very fastest; handles sustained gaming with some throttling.
- Thermal Management: Slightly behind some ultra-flagship bodies in sustained tests.
- Multitasking: Excellent for productivity, media creation, and heavy workloads.
Software Experience: HarmonyOS/EMUI
- Operating System: HarmonyOS 5.1 for China; global units run EMUI 15 (Android 12 base) with HarmonyOS-style overlay.
- AI Features: Anti-peep alerts, AI quiet calls, scene-optimized camera, continuous multilingual translation, smart shortcuts.
- UI: Customizable, intuitive, and fluid with new themes and widgets; cross-device sharing and Air Gesture control.
- App Ecosystem: EMUI global devices support Android apps via AppGallery; HarmonyOS versions offer an increasingly robust native app ecosystem in China.
- Updates: Regular security patches and feature additions, especially in China.
Battery Life and Charging
- Capacity: 5700mAh (China), 5170mAh (Global).
- Charging: 100W wired charging—full charge in 39-42 minutes. 80W wireless charging (with proprietary charger), and reverse wireless (20W) and wired (18W) options.
- Smart Charge Features: AI learns your charging habits, adapting speeds for battery longevity.
- Endurance: Real-world tests deliver a full day for power users; composite battery scores roughly match Galaxy S24 Ultra, trailing by 10 minutes in some benchmarks.
Connectivity
- Mobile: 4G LTE (Global), 5G and satellite connectivity (China).
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7 (fastest available).
- Bluetooth: v5.2, A2DP, LE.
- NFC: Yes, for payments and sharing.
- Infrared Blaster: Controls various electronics remotely.
- Other: GPS (full suite, incl. GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC).
- Audio: Hybrid stereo speakers, high loudness and clarity.
- USB-C 3.1: Fast data and charging.
Price and Availability
| Region | Price | Storage/RAM | Launch Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | ¥9,999 (~₹1,19,500) | 16GB + 1TB/512GB | July 2025 |
| Europe | €1,499 (USD 1,751) | 16GB + 512GB | July 2025 |
| India | ₹1,18,990 – ₹1,50,220 | 16GB + 512GB | July/Aug 2025 |
| Global | $1,750+ | 16GB + 512GB | July/Aug 2025 |
- Availability: Rolling out in China, Europe, South Africa, Middle East, and select Asian markets. Indian launch confirmed, with expected online and retail store presence.
Comparison With Competitors
Huawei Pura 80 Ultra vs Other Flagships
| Feature | Pura 80 Ultra | Samsung S24 Ultra | iPhone 15 Pro Max | Xiaomi 15 Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.8″ OLED LTPO, 120Hz, 3000nit | 6.8″ AMOLED, 120Hz, 2600nit | 6.7″ OLED, 120Hz, 2000nit | 6.73″ AMOLED, 120Hz, 2600nit |
| Main Camera | 50MP 1″ LOFIC | 200MP, 1/1.3″ (Quad) | 48MP, 1/1.28″ (Triple) | 50MP, 1/1.12″ (Quad) |
| Telephoto | Dual; 3.7x/9.4 | 3x & 10x | 5x optical | 3.2x & 5x optical |
| Ultra-wide | 40MP | 12MP | 12MP | 50MP |
| Front Camera | 13MP Ultra-wide | 12MP | 12MP | 32MP |
| Processor | Kirin 9020 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Apple A17 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| RAM / Storage | 16GB / 512GB, 1TB | 12GB / up to 1TB | 8GB / up to 1TB | 16GB / up to 1TB |
| Battery | 5700mAh/5170mAh | 5000mAh | 4441mAh | 5300mAh |
| Charging | 100W/80W/20W | 45W wired, 15W wireless | 27W wired, 15W wireless | 120W wired, 50W wireless |
| OS | HarmonyOS/EMUI | Android 14, One UI 6.1 | iOS 17 | Android 14, MIUI 15 |
| Price (India) | ₹1,19k–₹1,50k | ₹1,35k–₹1,60k | ₹1,55k+ | ₹1,10k–₹1,35k |
- Pura 80 Ultra excels in camera innovation, charging speed, and battery life.
- Samsung and Xiaomi offer stronger global Android ecosystems and 5G support internationally.
- iPhone 15 Pro Max is unmatched in performance and app support, but trails in battery and telephoto reach.
- Xiaomi matches Huawei’s hardware but has slower charging and less camera versatility.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Exceptional camera system; best mobile imaging | No official Google support globally |
| 3.7x & 9.4x dual optical zoom | Global 5G support absent (limited to China) |
| 6.8″ OLED, 3000nit brightness; top-tier display | Pricey compared to rivals |
| 5700mAh battery, 100W/80W/20W charging | Heavy (233g) |
| Sleek gold/black design, sturdy Kunlun Glass | Thermal throttling under continuous load |
| HarmonyOS AI features, cross-device ecosystem | No microSD slot, no headphone jack |
| IP68 dust/water resistance | App ecosystem weaker outside China |
FAQ Section
Q: What is the launch date for Huawei Pura 80 Ultra?
A: June 11, 2025 in China; July/August rollout for Europe, India, and select global markets.
Q: What is the price of Huawei Pura 80 Ultra?
A: Around ¥9,999 CNY (₹1,19,500), €1,499 (~USD 1,750), and ₹1,18,990–₹1,50,220 in India for the 16GB+512GB model.
Q: What are the storage options?
A: 16GB RAM with 512GB or 1TB internal storage; no microSD expansion.
Q: Is Huawei Pura 80 Ultra waterproof?
A: Yes, IP68-certified for protection against 2m submersion up to 30 minutes.
Q: Does it support 5G and satellite communication?
A: 5G and satellite connectivity in China; global models limited to 4G due to sanctions.
Q: Which OS does it run?
A: HarmonyOS 5.1 in China; EMUI 15 (Android 12 base) for global models.
Q: How fast is charging?
A: 100W wired (0–100% in 39–42 min), 80W wireless, 20W reverse wireless, 18W reverse wired charging.
Conclusion: Is It Worth Buying?
The Huawei Pura 80 Ultra stands out as the pinnacle of smartphone engineering—especially for camera enthusiasts and tech-forward users. It’s purpose-built for those who demand unrivaled photography, superfast charging, and elegant design, with a battery that can handle heavy use without breaking a sweat. HarmonyOS brings fresh AI innovations, and the device’s immersive display delivers stunning visuals everywhere.
However, if Google ecosystem support or global 5G access is essential, or top-tier single-core performance is a must, consider the competition. For those less tied to these requirements, the Pura 80 Ultra marks the best Huawei phone of 2025—a statement piece for tech lovers and creators alike, and a worthy flagship for anyone ready to explore beyond Samsung and Apple.