HUAWEI pulled out the big guns on June 11, 2025, when it announced the HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra as the premium highlight of its Pura 80 series lineup. With a stunning design, a groundbreaking camera system, and a premium price tag, it’s a device that demands attention. But with some of the same old challenges, is this phone a photography powerhouse or just an overpriced piece of tech? Let’s break it down.
Camera: The Absolute King
The camera is the undeniable star of the show. The HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra features a revolutionary Quad Camera system with XMAGE technology.
- 50MP 1-inch Ultra Lighting HDR Camera: This is the heart of the system. The variable aperture (f/1.6−f/4.0) on a massive 1-inch sensor allows for unprecedented control over depth of field and light intake, especially in challenging low-light conditions. It also has an insane 15x higher dynamic range.
- Switchable Dual Telephoto Camera: This is a world-first innovation. Instead of two separate periscope lenses, HUAWEI has engineered a single system that can optically switch between a 50MP 3.7x telephoto lens and a 12.5MP 9.4x telephoto lens, sharing a large 1/1.28-inch sensor. This allows for incredible long-distance clarity and a cleaner phone design.
- 40MP Ultra-Wide Angle Camera: A high-resolution ultrawide lens with autofocus ensures your scenic shots are just as sharp as your close-ups.
This setup is not just a gimmick; it’s a genuine leap forward in smartphone photography, offering versatility and quality that few, if any, phones can match.
Performance and Display: Flagship-Level Experience
The HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra is powered by the new Kirin 9020 chipset. While it’s a 7nm chip and doesn’t quite match the raw synthetic benchmark scores of top-tier Snapdragon chips, it’s been optimized for HUAWEI’s EMUI 15 and delivers a smooth, fast, and responsive user experience. Paired with a massive 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage, multitasking and app performance are exceptional.
The display is also top-notch. You get a beautiful 6.8-inch LTPO OLED screen with a sharp 2848 x 1276 resolution and a silky-smooth adaptive 120Hz refresh rate. With a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, it’s one of the brightest screens on the market, perfect for outdoor use. The inclusion of the ultra-durable 2nd-Gen Crystal Armor Kunlun Glass provides peace of mind against drops and scratches.
Battery and Charging: Speed and Endurance
Battery life on the HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra is strong, thanks to its large 5,170mAh battery. The charging speeds are also incredibly fast.
- 100W wired HUAWEI SuperCharge: Gets you to full battery in minutes.
- 80W wireless HUAWEI SuperCharge: One of the fastest wireless charging speeds available, and a welcome premium feature.
- 20W reverse wireless charging: Lets you share power with other devices, like your HUAWEI FreeBuds.
The Big Challenge: The Price and the GMS
Here’s the rub. The HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra’s official Philippine price is a hefty ₱89,999. This places it firmly in the ultra-premium category, competing directly with devices like the latest Samsung Galaxy Ultra and iPhone Pro Max.
Additionally, the ongoing lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS) means users will have to rely on HUAWEI’s AppGallery and other workarounds to access their favorite Google apps. While the software has come a long way, this is still a significant hurdle for many users, especially in a price bracket where seamless access to all apps is expected.
Final Verdict: Maganda na (with a few caveats)
The HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra is a technological marvel, with a camera system that is a genuine innovation and a premium design that few can match. However, when we evaluate it for the UD Ranked system, we have to consider the whole package—and that includes its price and software limitations.
At its ₱89,999 price point, it’s an incredibly expensive device. While the technology it offers is groundbreaking, the lack of Google Mobile Services remains a major inconvenience for the majority of the market. The phone is amazing, but only for a very specific type of user: the photography pro who is already deep into the HUAWEI ecosystem and has the budget to spare.
For everyone else, the impressive features are counteracted by the steep price and the GMS hurdle. It’s a phone that’s good for what it is, it’s Maganda na — just right for its niche, but for the average Filipino smartphone buyer, it’s a balanced choice with a few important trade-offs.
If you want to see a more in-depth review of the HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra, check out Sir Vince’s YouTube video where he takes it for a spin.
How would you rank the HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra?
We’ve crowned it Sakto Lang, but what do you think? Cast your vote below!
