Huawei Pura80 Ultra emerges as a unique device on the market with a periscope dual-camera system that shares a large sensor. The combination of a 1″ main sensor with OIS also contributes to truly impressive image results.
From the title alone, the strength of the Pura80 Ultra clearly lies in its camera system. However, to what extent can this camera's capabilities influence users' purchasing decisions? Here is a full review of the Huawei Pura80 Ultra.
Specifications
Huawei Pura80 Ultra
LTPO OLED screen, 120Hz, 1440Hz PWM, 3000 nits
6.8″ (1276 x 2848 pixels) ~459
Kirin 9020 processor (7 nm)
1 x 2.5 GHz Taishan Big chip
3 x 2.15 GHz Taishan Mid
4 x 1.6GHz Cortex-A510
Maleoon 920 Graphics Chip
RAM 16GB RAM
Internal Load 512GB ROM
Primary Camera 50 MP, f/1.6-4.0, PDAF OIS
50 MP, f/2.4, periscope telephoto, 1/1.28″
12.5 MP, f/3.6, periscope telephoto, OIS
40 MP, f/2.2, ultra-wide
1.5 M Spectral Camera
*Both telephoto cameras use a camera sensor that same
Selfie Camera 13MP
Battery 5170mAh
Wired 100W
Wireless 80W
SIM/Telephony 2 Nano, 1 eSIM
NFC Yes
Audio Jack None
Waterproof IP68/69
Scanning System Side fingerprint scanner
Selling Price RM6599
Usage Experience
Using the Pura80 Ultra as a daily device provides an adequate experience. The 6.8-inch LTPO OLED screen with a resolution of 1276 × 2848 pixels offers bright and clear visuals. Vivid colors and images remain sharp for activities such as reading, watching videos and browsing the web.
In addition, support for a refresh rate of up to 120Hz helps make scrolling and switching between applications feel smooth. However, the actual rate used may change automatically depending on the content displayed as this screen supports dynamic mode.
The screen brightness level is sufficient for normal use, but is less suitable under bright sunlight. Vivid HDR support is available, but streaming like Netflix is limited to SD resolution because it only lacks the highest DRM Widevine L1 support.
The curved screen design on both sides adds a neat effect and provides comfort when held. The thin and balanced bezel highlights the modern front design. However, some users may prefer a flat screen for touch accuracy and control.
Throughout use, the Pura 80 Ultra screen did not show any scratches, including fine scratches. The second-generation Crystal Armor Kunlun Glass protective layer gives confidence in its physical durability.
According to the manufacturer, this glass offers better scratch and impact resistance than the previous generation. However, the actual level of protection still depends on the way it is used and environmental conditions.
A noticeable change in this model is the position of the fingerprint scanner, which is now located on the side of the device. It is different from most other flagship devices that place it under the screen. Throughout use, this fingerprint scanner works responsively without any noticeable issues.
The Pura 80 Ultra supports a face scanning system that works well even in low-light conditions. It uses a front-facing camera instead of a 3D scanning system, but still provides reliable performance for unlocking the device.
The back panel of the Pura 80 Ultra features a triangular camera bump like the Pura 70 Ultra. The layout is neat, but the large size of the bump makes the top of the device feel heavy. The main lens houses a dual-telephoto system and both sensors can be seen moving vertically. XMAGE branding can also be seen on the camera bump.
The back panel is made of smooth glass that easily traps fingerprints, especially when used without an additional protector. Two color options are offered for the Malaysian market, namely Sunburst Gold and Black, each with its own appeal depending on the user's taste.
In terms of audio, the Pura80 Ultra supports a stereo speaker system. The sound quality produced is good for watching videos and listening to music with sufficient clarity and power. However, the sound power is not completely balanced between the top and bottom speakers, where the bottom tends to produce louder sound.
The Pura 80 Ultra does not include an audio jack which is in line with modern design trends. Users will need to use wireless earphones or a USB-C adapter for wired connections.
Software and Hardware
The Pura80 Ultra is powered by a Kirin 9020 chip paired with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage. For the Malaysian market, only one variant is offered and there is no virtual RAM support provided. During daily use, the device's performance is satisfactory. The system operates smoothly without any lag or application interruptions. Scrolling feels responsive, and the 120Hz refresh rate provides a stable transition experience between applications.
AnTuTu 3D
Score Device
Huawei Pura80 Ultra 1049519
Honor 400 Pro 1861573
Xiaomi 15 2,341,598
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 1,946,864
Oppo Find X8 Pro 2,629,017
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max 1,720,751
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL 1,016,712
Geekbench 6
Single Core Multi Core Device
Huawei Pura80 Ultra Not possible Not possible
Honor 400 Pro 2024 6083
Xiaomi 15 2918 8917
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 2957 9435
Oppo Find X8 Pro 2663 8959
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max 3359 8129
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL 1916 4644
3DMark Wildlife Extreme
Chip Score
Huawei Pura80 Ultra Not possible
Honor 400 Pro 4467
Xiaomi 15 Not possible
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 6135
Oppo Find X8 Pro 6251
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max 4560
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL 2567
In gaming tests, the Pura80 Ultra performed well. Games like Honor of Kings were playable at maximum graphics settings and the frame rate reached up to 119FPS consistently throughout the game session. Although the main interface showed a rate of around 60–70FPS, the performance increased as soon as the game started. Other games like Temple Run 2 also ran smoothly with controls such as jumping, sliding and dodging working quite responsively.
It is impossible to review Huawei devices without touching on the GMS issue. The Pura80 Ultra brings a more user-friendly approach in addressing the issue of the lack of official GMS support. In Malaysia, the need for Google apps such as YouTube, Gmail, and Play Store is high unlike the Chinese market. Although GMS is not officially supported, users can install GBox as an alternative to access various Google applications.
The experience of using Google applications on the Pura80 Ultra is one of the easiest to date. Applications such as YouTube, YouTube Music, Google Photos and Gmail can be used smoothly and updates can be made regularly. This gives users some freedom although not completely comparable to Android devices that officially support GMS.
However, there are still some limitations. For example, the Chrome application cannot be updated via the PlayStore, and requires reinstallation via the AppGallery. This situation shows that GBox is still not perfect and there are limitations in system integration.
Huawei has provided an increasingly good alternative for users who need Google applications but the experience is still not completely free. It is suitable for users who are willing to accept some limitations in order to enjoy the other advantages offered by this device.
The Pura 80 Ultra runs EMUI 15 with an interface that retains the design style of the previous version. It supports large folders, widgets, and animated themes that respond to the device's movements. The overall experience is smooth and assisted by several AI features for daily use.
AI Messaging – The ability to hide message notifications when the system detects that another person is looking at the screen. Useful in certain situations, but app support is still limited and its capabilities are inconsistent.
AI Calls – Improves call clarity with two-way noise reduction technology. Performance is good in noisy environments, although not completely perfect.
AI Best Expression – Selects the best facial expression from several photos. The result depends on the quality of the original photo and sometimes looks less natural.
AI Translation – Supports real-time voice and text translation. It is useful in cross-language communication situations.
Emoji Crush – An interesting theme that allows emoji expressions to change when the device is shaken. It works well and adds a cheerful element to the interface.
AI Removal – An image editing feature that allows unwanted objects to be removed manually or automatically. The results are useful but not always consistent.
EMUI 15 also offers air gestures such as touchless scrolling and grabshot, as well as fingerprint shortcuts that can be set to open specific apps.
Camera and Image Quality
The Pura 80 Ultra is equipped with a multi-function camera system for mobile photography. The 50MP main camera uses a 1” sensor with RYYB filter, Ultra Lighting HDR, variable aperture f/1.6–f/4.0 and OIS with a dynamic range of up to 16EV.
The rear camera also features a 40MP ultra-wide lens with autofocus, as well as two periscope telephoto lenses that share a large 1/1.28-inch sensor. The first lens supports 3.7x optical zoom, while the second lens offers up to 9.4x zoom.
In real-world use, the Pura 80 Ultra's main camera produces images with bright and saturated colors. In good lighting, colors can sometimes be a little overdone but the overall result is still impressive. Image sharpness is consistent with clear details in most situations.
The Pura80 Ultra's ultra-wide lens performs well. It is able to capture wide-angle images without noticeable distortion, especially in adequate lighting. In low light, performance drops with reduced sharpness and color accuracy, but the recording results are still acceptable.
In the zoom test, the Pura 80 Ultra's camera showed stable performance up to 10x with images remaining sharp and well-detailed. At the maximum zoom of 100x, the quality deteriorates with blurry details and faded colors.
The Pura 80 Ultra's portrait mode produces neat bokeh with clear subject separation. Edge detection works well but performance drops when the subject has small elements such as accessories especially in bright backlighting.
Skin tones in portrait mode look natural without excessive enhancement. Nighttime shots also produce attractive bokeh including a light bubble effect when there is moderate lighting in the background.
The Pura 80 Ultra's Aperture mode shows variable performance depending on the shooting conditions. In certain situations, the separation of the edges of the subject is less accurate especially with small elements such as small accessories. However, the main details of the subject remain clear and satisfactory.
The Pura 80 Ultra's macro shots produce sharp images with accurate edge detection. Performance is seen to be consistent at 3.7x to 10x zoom suitable for small subjects. Colors are balanced and bright, making the images look attractive.
The Pura 80 Ultra's night shots show good performance with sharp images, clear details, and controlled noise. Lighting is also well handled without excessive glare. However, when the zoom function is used in dark conditions, performance starts to drop. Small objects such as leaves start to lose detail although noise remains controlled and does not affect image quality too much.
In terms of image processing, the camera takes a while to display the final result. However, the image quality remains satisfactory with balanced colors and sharpness maintained.
The large and heavy design of the Pura 80 Ultra camera bump can cause discomfort when holding the device with one hand. In addition, the size of the protruding bump also increases the risk of fingers accidentally touching the lens, thus causing dirt that can affect the quality of the recording.
The lack of a recording option in the 16:9 ratio makes it difficult for users who like to edit photos for social media display. Although the 4:3 format offers the highest resolution, a wider range of ratio options can improve the comfort of the user experience.
Battery and Charging
The Pura 80 Ultra is equipped with a 5170mAh battery for the global market and 5700mAh for the Chinese version. In daily use, this battery is able to last all day even with the 120Hz screen activated, including for activities such as video streaming, camera use, and social media.
Battery performance is at a satisfactory level for a flagship device that uses a high-resolution LTPO OLED display. In intensive usage scenarios, around six hours of screen time can still be achieved even with the 120Hz refresh rate enabled all the time.
The device supports 100W wired fast charging which can fully charge the battery in around 45 minutes. It also comes with a reverse charging function to charge other accessories, although this function has not been tested directly.
What's in the Box
Here's what's included in the box we received:
1 x HUAWEI Pura80 Ultra.
1 x 100W Charging Head.
1 x USB-C to USB-A Cable.
1 x Silicone Case.
1 x SIM Ejector.
1 x User Manual.
Conclusion
The Pura 80 Ultra features a premium design and a sophisticated camera system, making it an attractive choice for mobile photography enthusiasts. However, the large and heavy camera bump can affect the comfort of one-handed use, especially for users with small hands.
In terms of performance, the Pura 80 Ultra performs well for daily tasks and multimedia. While the lack of GMS support may be a drawback for some users, the overall performance remains satisfactory. The device's battery can last all day even with the 120Hz refresh rate enabled continuously.
Overall, the Pura 80 Ultra is an ideal choice for users who prioritize mobile photography, premium design, and fast charging features. However, it may not be a good fit for those who value one-handed comfort and full access to the Google app ecosystem.
Pros
Premium and durable design.
Good photography capabilities.
Feature-rich and smooth software.
High-quality LTPO OLED display.
Fast wired and wireless charging.
Good battery management.
IP68/69 waterproof.
Cons
No GMS support.
Kirin 9020 chip is less efficient.
Large and heavy camera bump.
No 5G support for global versions.
Uncompetitive price.