Huawei’s latest flagship, the Pura 80 Ultra, has officially arrived in the Philippines with a promise: to redefine smartphone photography in 2025.
With a massive new telephoto system, an upgraded 1-inch main sensor, and a design that makes a statement, this phone is built for people who want their everyday moments to look cinematic.
But beyond the hype, what’s it like to live with? We spent time with the device to find out.
HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra Review: Built Around the Camera
The Pura 80 Ultra makes no attempt to hide its focus, the oversized camera module dominates nearly half of the back. It’s bold, polarizing, and undeniably top-heavy, though in daily use it actually gives your index finger a natural rest when holding the phone one-handed.
The Prestige Gold finish is flashy but also prone to fingerprints; thankfully, the included case feels more premium than most bundled options and helps balance grip. At 6.8 inches, it’s a big device, but Huawei backs it with water resistance, meaning it can handle accidental dunks and even underwater shooting for short periods.
For lifestyle users—whether you’re taking your phone to the beach, documenting food trips, or juggling work and play—the build feels reliable and durable enough.
HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra Review: A Screen for Both Work and Streaming
The 6.8-inch LTPO OLED display is sharp (1276 × 2848 resolution), bright (up to 3000 nits), and protected by second-gen Kunlun glass that Huawei claims is tougher against scratches and drops. Watching Netflix or editing photos under direct sunlight isn’t a problem, and HDR support means streaming looks excellent.
Oddly, Huawei chose a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which feels dated for a premium flagship. It works fast, but for a device this expensive, an under-display solution would have felt more seamless.
HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra Review: A Camera Beast
This is where the Pura 80 Ultra stands out. The 50MP 1-inch main camera with Ultra Lighting HDR delivers incredible dynamic range, rivaling even professional cameras in handling shadows and highlights. Street photography, portraits, and night shots all come out looking natural without heavy edits.
But the real story is the dual-switchable telephoto lens. With 3.7x and 9.4x zoom on a large 1/1.28-inch sensor, it produces crisp shots whether you’re snapping food from across the table or capturing details at a concert. Low-light telephoto shots, usually the weak point of smartphones, are impressively usable here.
For creators, 4K60 video is stable and sharp, even in low light, making this phone ideal for vlogging, travel documentation, or content creation without extra gear.
Sample Photos:
HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra Review: Performance and Software
Under the hood is Huawei’s Kirin 9020 paired with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage. Everyday performance is smooth, apps open quickly, and multitasking feels seamless. Casual gaming is fine, though extended play on demanding titles causes the phone to heat up. It’s manageable though.
The elephant in the room remains the lack of native Google services. Huawei relies on GBox, which gives you access to essentials like Gmail, YouTube, and Maps. It works well enough, but there are quirks, occasional notification delays and no Android Auto support. If your lifestyle depends on Google’s ecosystem, expect compromises.
HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra Review: Battery and Charging
The 5170mAh battery isn’t the biggest among 2025 flagships, but it comfortably lasts a full workday of heavy use—emails, social media, and plenty of photos. For lighter days, it stretches further.
Where Huawei shines is in charging: 100W wired charging gets you back to 100% in under 30 minutes, while 80W wireless charging is faster than many brands’ wired solutions. For people constantly on the move, it minimizes downtime.
Verdict: A Niche Flagship With a Clear Purpose
The Huawei Pura 80 Ultra isn’t for everyone. At Php89,999, it’s a serious investment—and you’ll need to accept software workarounds due to Google’s absence. But if photography is central to your lifestyle—whether that’s capturing family moments, travel, food, or professional-level content creation, this is definitely one of the best camera phones you can buy in 2025 if your budget allows.
For users who want the ultimate point-and-shoot replacement in a smartphone, the Pura 80 Ultra delivers.
The HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra is priced at Php89,999 and comes with exclusive freebies including the HUAWEI FreeClip, HUAWEI WATCH GT 5, Php8,000 trade-in tokens, and HUAWEI Care+ worth Php7,199.
The HUAWEI Pura 80 Pro is available for Php59,999, bundled with the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5, Php 5,000 trade-in tokens, and HUAWEI Care+ worth Php5,999.
Both devices are now available on Shopee, Lazada, TikTok, the HUAWEI Online Store, and HUAWEI Experience Stores nationwide. Don’t miss out, these exclusive freebies are available only until September 30, 2025.
