Last month, Huawei launched its latest smartphones, the Pura 70 series. But they were only available in China, which was a shame because they included amazing new features that deserved to be more widely accessible. Now, they are—though one of the range is missing. Here are full details of the global debut.
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra in four colors.
There are four models in the series, Pura 70, Pura 70 Pro, Pura 70 Pro+ and Pura 70 Ultra. Of the four, the Pro+ is not available internationally, at least not yet.
May 7 update below. This post was first published on May 4, 2024.
As reported by Huawei Central, the remaining three models are now available for pre-order in some countries, with the pre-order period running until May 24. The report points to Malaysia as an example of where you can order the global edition.
The global edition pre-orders include gifts such as earbuds or services, the report says. Additionally, instead of using Huawei’s bespoke Harmony OS software, it favors standard Android, but with Huawei specialties such as Petal Maps and other apps. Like the Chinese version, the global version uses Huawei’s EMUI overlay, so the software looks similar on both phones.
Of the three models, the Ultra is the standout. It has plenty of innovations, most notable of which is the 50-megapixel camera measuring a full one-inch in size, something almost unheard of in cameraphones and is something that beats the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. To make this work, there is a unique motorized mechanism which extends and retracts as needed. There are two other cameras, a 40-megapixel ultra-wide and a 50-megapixel telephoto.
It's also designed to shoot fast, to capture the subject even if it’s moving as fast as 186 miles per hour (300kph). There’s provision for great close-up shots, with a shooting range as close as 2 inches (5cm).
Beyond the camera, other great features include charging: the phone charges fast, thanks to 100W wired charging or 80W wireless. The company also includes satellite connectivity which allows images to be sent as well as text—something the iPhone can’t match.
The Huawei Pura 70 Ultra has a 6.8-inch display with 2,844 x 1,260 pixels, meaning there’s a decent 460 pixels-per-inch resolution.
This is a powerfully impressive handset, so its availability beyond China is hugely to be welcomed.
May 7 update. The global range of Pura 70 is on its way, but it looks like it’s not going to be cheap. According to Android Authority, the phones are available to pre-order in countries like the EU and will go on general sale on Wednesday, May 22.
It also touches on the pricing, saying that the top-of-the-range Pura 70 Ultra will cost 1,499€, which is $1,615. That’s for the configuration with 16GB of RAM and 512GB storage. The report also points out that the U.K. is not included in the first wave of markets, which is disappointing. I’d say that there’s a good chance it will come. Huawei told Android Authority, “Huawei continually evaluates the regional availability of its flagship products and we will share more information about Pura 70 Ultra availability in the UK in the coming months.”
And it’s worth mentioning that the last flagship, the P60 Pro sold out in the U.K., which further suggests a U.K. launch is likely. The company’s comment may hint, however, that the Pura 70 and Pura 70 Pro may not be heading for Britain.
As always, it’s worth remembering that the global edition will come with Android but not Google Mobile Services such as Gmail, the Play Store or Google Maps. The EMUI interface includes some intriguing extras, it seems.
Android Authority reports on some, including, “Interactive themes on the lock screen, allowing you to apparently control the theme with your eyes. We’ve also got gesture controls (e.g. swipe to control volume, grab to take a screenshot) and a Privacy View feature to hide notifications when other people look at your device.”
