News
HUAWEI debuts the Pura 80 Ultra with “switchable” telephoto lenses
Announced alongside three other Pura 80 models
Just two days after the software-studded WWDC 25 event by Apple, HUAWEI tries to steal the spotlight and reveals the Pura 80 Ultra — at least in China.
They clearly won’t miss this chance of joining the “Ultra” gang as all major key players are already out: the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, Xiaomi 15 Ultra, OPPO Find X8 Ultra, and vivo X200 Ultra.
Ultra in sight, and in mind
It seems like HUAWEI is sticking with its “Forward Symbol” camera design this year. However, it’s even bigger than ever — and it’s not purely for aesthetics.
Last year’s “Ultra” highlight was the retractable 1-inch main camera with a variable aperture.
That’s not to say that it’s absent this year. It still has one, just without that pop-up mechanism.
But, the highlight this time, is all about that “switchable” telephoto lens system with just a single image sensor beneath. Proving a further breakthrough in engineering.
The HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra is capable of giving the best of both worlds: 3.7x and 9.4x optically-zoomed shots. It’s definitely an upgrade from the loner 3.5x telephoto lens of previous iterations.
Additionally, shots beyond 30x will still be achievable in utmost clarity with HUAWEI’s camer-AI magic.
Although the brand has departed from their long-time Leica partnership since the P50 series, HUAWEI’s excellent imaging capabilities still remain.
All thanks to HUAWEI’s XMAGE imaging tech alongside the Red Maple spectral camera first introduced on the Mate 70 series, it can keep up with brands and their camera collabs.
Plentiful Pura 80
If the Pura 80 Ultra isn’t your cup of tea, there are still the other three flavors on the table: the Pura 80, Pura 80 Pro, and Pura 80 Pro+.
Despite their superlatives, this year’s Pura 80 series isn’t as confusing as it seems.
But, for clarifications, here’s a rundown of their camera nuances:
| Pura 80 Ultra | Pura 80 Pro+ | Pura 80 Pro | Pura 80 | |
| Wide | 50MP f/1.6~f/4.0 1-inch sensor |
50MP f/1.6~f/4.0 1-inch sensor |
50MP f/1.6~f/4.0
|
50MP f/1.6~f/4.0
|
| Ultra-Wide | 40MP f/2.2 | 40MP f/2.2 | 40MP f/2.2 | 13MP f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | 50MP f/2.4 + 12.5MP f/3.6 Ultra-large Bottom Telephoto 3.7x optical zoom + 9.4x optical zoom |
48MP f/2.1 Macro Telephoto 4x optical zoom |
48MP f/2.1 Macro Telephoto 4x optical zoom |
12MP f/3.4 Periscope Telephoto 5.5x optical zoom |
| Spectral | 1.5MP Red Maple |
1.5MP Red Maple |
1.5MP Red Maple |
1.5MP Red Maple |
| Selfie | 13MP f/2.0 | 13MP f/2.0 | 13MP f/2.0 | 13MP f/2.0 |
Chipset still remains a mystery but, these Pura 80 phones pack the great goodies: 16GB memory for the Ultra and Pro+ variants while 12GB for the Pro and base models.
Higher 512GB/1TB storage options are exclusive (again) to the higher-end line, while a 256GB option is available for both the vanilla and Pro variants.
5700mAh battery is equipped in all three phones with support for 100W SuperCharge / 80W Wireless SuperCharge speeds.
Aside from that, watered-down specs are found on the vanilla Pura 80: 5600mAh battery, slower 66W wired + 50W wireless charging, and a smaller 6.6-inch flat OLED display.
Speaking of, the three higher-ups all feature a slightly larger 6.8-inch quad-curved OLED display. However, all displays have adaptive 1~120Hz refresh rate, 2160Hz PWM Dimming, and support for DCI-P3 Wide Color Gamut, plus 1.07 Billion Colors.
Also, all models feature HUAWEI’s second-gen Kunlun glass. Albeit, the top-tier Ultra and Pro+ models are Xuanwu or basalt-tempered for an even better scratch-resistance.
The only great denominator among all models is the dual IP68+IP69 rating.
As expected, all phones run the latest HarmonyOS NEXT 5.1 with all the magical, modern-day AI features in mind.
Pricing and Availability
The HUAWEI Pura 80 series is currently open for pre-orders in China. In-store launch and availability to follow on June 26, 2025 (Thursday).
Pura 80 (Velvet Gold, Velvet Green, Velvet White, Velvet Black)
- 12+256GB = TBA
- 12+512GB = TBA
- 12+1TB = TBA
Pura 80 Pro (Glazed Gold, Glazed White, Glazed Black)
- 12+256GB = CNY 6499 (US$ 905 / EUR 795 / GBP 670 / SG$ 1165 / PhP 50,510 / INR 77,410)
- 12+512GB = CNY 6999 (US$ 975 / EUR 855 / GBP 725 / SG$ 1255 / PhP 54,395 / INR 83,365)
- 12+1TB = CNY 7999 (US$ 1115 / EUR 975 / GBP 825 / SG$ 1435 / PhP 62,170 / INR 95,275)
Pura80 Pro+ (Glazed Red, Glazed Green, Glazed White, Glazed Black)
- 16+512GB = CNY 7999 (US$ 1115 / EUR 975 / GBP 825 / SG$ 1435 / PhP 62,170 / INR 95,275)
- 16+1TB = CNY 8999 (US$ 1255 / EUR 1095 / GBP 930 / SG$ 1610 / PhP 69,940 / INR 107,190)
Pura 80 Ultra (Black, Gold)
- 16+512GB = CNY 9999 (US$ 1395 / EUR 1220 / GBP 1030 / SG$ 1790 / PhP 77,770 / INR 119,100)
- 16+CNY 10,999 (US$ 1530 / EUR 1340 / GBP 1140 / SG$ 1970 / PhP 85,490 / INR 131,010)
As of this writing, there’s no word on global availability. We have to wait for HUAWEI if they will still bring their latest Pura line outside the homeland.
UPDATE: Mark your calendars! HUAWEI will reveal the Pura 80 series to the global stage in Dubai, UAE on July 10, 2025.
Further than seen. The #HUAWEIPura80 Series is coming soon. #HuaweiLaunch pic.twitter.com/A3ugWzIbyp
— Huawei Mobile (@HuaweiMobile) June 25, 2025
Gaming
Horizon Steel Frontiers is an MMO set in the Horizon universe
The game is built for mobile but will have cross-play gameplay with PC.
A few months ago, Sony sued Tencent for copying design elements from the Horizon series for the latter’s upcoming game, Light of Motiram. Though the game has been relatively silent since the kerfuffle, was Tencent on to something? Today, Sony and a Korean studio named NCSoft have officially announced Horizon Steel Frontiers, an MMO set in the Horizon universe.
It’s not just a simple announcement either. The title now has an official 10-minute video to preview the upcoming title. Right now, the trailer has nothing but cinematics, pre-alpha footage, and developer interviews. However, it’s a clear commitment to bringing the MMO to life.
Both the cinematics and the pre-alpha footage show off the familiar mechanical beasts of the series. The main goal of the title is to team up with other players and take down colossal beasts.
The game is set in the Deathlands, a new region inspired by Arizona and New Mexico. Players will have the entire state to play with. And, instead of Aloy, they can create their own personalized characters.
Horizon Steel Frontiers is built for smartphones. However, Sony and NCSoft are working towards cross-platform gameplay for the PC.
Right now, especially since the released footage is from pre-alpha development, we don’t know when the MMO will launch. However, it does look extremely exciting for fans of the original duology.
SEE ALSO: Sony announces adaptations of Horizon Zero Dawn, Tsushima
Gaming
Elden Ring Nightreign is getting a DLC update this December
The update introduces two new Nightfarers and bosses.
After Shadow of the Erdtree concluded the Elden Ring saga, FromSoftware kept the fire going with Elden Ring Nightreign, a multiplayer-focused standalone roguelike set in the same universe. It was a unique experience that breathed new life into the studio’s tough-as-nails dynamic. Now, before the year ends, FromSoftware has announced The Forsaken Hollows, a new DLC coming for Nightreign.
Even from launch, it was apparent that FromSoftware had content updates in store for Nightreign. The studio promised new maps and Nightfarers for the multiplayer game.
Yesterday, an earnings report hinted that the DLC was shipping out potentially early next year. Today, the studio dispelled all speculation and said that the DLC is definitely coming before the year ends.
The announcement expands the already-meaty game with two new playable Nightfarers: the arcane-wielding Scholar and the strength-slash-faith-focused Undertaker. Both characters, featured in the trailer, will introduce their special set of skills in the continuous battle against the Nightlord.
Besides the two new characters, two new bosses are coming to Limveld. We don’t know much about the two bosses. However, knowing FromSoftware, the studio is likely keeping them under wraps, so they can stomp on us harder.
Finally, the update introduces a new Shifting Earth area called The Great Hollow. The area is filled with “exotic ruins and temples; sacred towers denoting the remains of an ancient people; and crystals that exude a cursed, life-draining miasma.”
The Forsaken Hollows is a paid DLC coming to Elden Ring Nightreign on December 3. Though the DLC can be purchased separately, it’s already included in the Deluxe Edition and the Collectors Edition. It’s also available for those who purchased the Deluxe Edition Upgrade.
SEE ALSO: New Elden Ring Nightreign patch will make it easier for solo players
On its own, the iPhone 17 Air is a mighty device. However, if you consider that the vastly superior iPhone 17 Pro series is only a hundred bucks away from the Air series, the thinner iPhone model becomes less attractive. Based on actual sales, it looks like Apple users think the same way. In response to low demand, Apple has reportedly shelved the next iPhone Air indefinitely.
Since the series launched a few months ago, numerous reports have speculated that the iPhone 17 Air isn’t performing as Apple expected. Given how Apple held out a lot of hope for the iPhone 17’s new designs, the Air’s failure to meet expectations is a big blow. Soon after the first reports trickled in, Apple reportedly dialed back on production to balance out the lower demand.
Now, as reported by The Information, Apple has reportedly delayed the next iPhone Air model indefinitely. Previously, the company was scheduled to release a new model next year alongside the iPhone 18 series. That’s not happening now.
Right now, there is no timeline for the next Air, if it is coming. That said, it’s still likely that Apple is still working on a new Air. It just might take some time while the company figures out how to make the next model pop.
SEE ALSO: Apple iPhone Air Review
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