Huawei has unveiled its latest flagship smartphone range, the Pura 80 series, featuring upgraded cameras and familiar limitations. The lineup includes the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra and the Huawei Pura 80 Pro, both building upon the design of last year’s Huawei Pura 70 series with a sleeker take on the distinctive triangular camera module at the back.
Described by Huawei as having a “dazzling Forward Symbol design,” the Ultra model adds a touch of luxury with a gold ring surrounding the camera lenses. The use of second-generation ‘Crystal Armor Kunlun Glass’ promises improved scratch resistance and drop protection.
The highlight of the Pura 80 series is the camera upgrades. The Pro model boasts a large 1-inch ‘Ultra Lighting Camera’ for exceptional low-light performance, while the Pura 80 Ultra features an ‘Ultra Chroma Camera’ for precise color reproduction and accurate night shots. The most innovative addition is the ‘Switchable Dual Telephoto Camera’ on the Pura 80 Ultra, offering industry-leading optical zoom capabilities with 3.7x and 10x focal lengths.
In terms of other features, both Pura 80 phones introduce the ‘AI Smart Controls Button’ for quick access to the camera, flashlight, or AI lens, incorporating a fingerprint sensor for enhanced security. The devices are equipped with a 5170mAh battery, supporting 100W SuperCharge wired charging and 80W wireless charging.
However, Huawei has been selective in sharing details about the Pura 80 series, omitting information on the processor and software. It is expected to run on Huawei’s HarmonyOS, offering access to some popular apps but facing challenges with software localization.
Despite the impressive hardware, Huawei’s phones continue to face limitations due to Western sanctions, including restrictions on accessing ARM-based processors and the Google Play Store. This hampers the overall user experience and app compatibility, making it difficult for consumers in the West to fully embrace Huawei devices.
While the Pura 80 series may offer top-tier hardware, the software limitations are likely to hinder its overall performance and user satisfaction. Until these issues are addressed, it is advisable to approach Huawei phones with caution and consider alternative options with better software support.
