News

HUAWEI debuts the Pura 80 Ultra with “switchable” telephoto lenses

Announced alongside three other Pura 80 models

Published

June 11, 2025

Vincenz

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.

GIF by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

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.

GIF by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

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.

GIF by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

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

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

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.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

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

News

Apple reportedly gives up on the Vision Pro

But Apple will continue to sell the current model.

Published

April 30, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

When they unveiled the Vision Pro in 2023, Apple touted the wearable as the next big thing after the iPhone. Now, almost three years removed from the launch, the Vision Pro hasn’t really taken over the coveted spot occupied by the iPhone. Apple, according to a report, is allegedly canning the short-lived wearable.

According to MacRumors, Apple has reportedly given up on making the Vision Pro a thing. The team handling the wearable has supposedly been subsumed by other teams within Apple.

If true, the wearable’s end is unfortunate but not surprising. Despite being out for years, the Vision Pro has sold only a little more than half a million units with numerous returns from customers. Most recently, Apple updated the wearable with the M5 chip, but the move hasn’t revitalized the device’s status in Apple’s lineup.

Most of the complaints about the device stem from its exorbitant price or its cumbersome battery pack. Besides costing a whopping US$ 3,499, the Vision Pro is also difficult to move around with, especially because of its total weight and a battery pack that can get in the way.

To be clear, Apple has not officially discontinued the Vision Pro yet. The company continues to sell the version with the M5 chip. Apple can also restart development in the future.

However, the meantime retirement on future development does coincide with the recent restructuring inside the company. Tim Cook recently decided to step down as CEO with John Ternus as his replacement. Canning the Vision Pro might be Ternus’ first step in redefining Apple according to his plans.

Apps

YouTube makes picture-in-picture mode free for everyone globally

The update is rolling out globally now.

Published

April 30, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Picture-in-picture (or PiP) mode is a godsend for multitaskers. The feature lets users watch videos in a tiny floating window while doing other tasks. However, the feature isn’t readily available for all users. Or wasn’t, at least. YouTube is now rolling out PiP mode for free globally.

Previously, PiP mode was exclusive to YouTube users who pay for Premium or Premium Lite. It was also exclusive to the United States.

Now, YouTube is making the feature completely free for users all over the globe. It will be available for both iOS and Android versions of the app.

There’s still a catch, though. The free version is available only for “longform, non-music content.” The same goes for Premium Lite subscribers. Music is still an exclusive feature for those who pay for the regular version of Premium. Basically, there is no change for paying users or users in the United States.

Using PiP mode is simple. All you need to do is load up a video you want to watch in the background. Then, just exit the YouTube app and go about your other tasks. The video will be inside a floating, resizable window while you look at other things.

There’s no timeline on when the update will reach your device. However, YouTube has promised that it will roll out globally within the coming months.

Enterprise

OnePlus has reportedly merged with realme

Both brands were previously rumored for restructuring early this year.

Published

April 30, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

OnePlus has a problem. For a while now, rumors have swirled about the company’s dissolution. For their part, the company has continued to deny the reports, citing business as usual. Likely to their dismay, the reports just keep coming. Today, sources have hinted that OnePlus has merged with realme.

Back in January, it was rumored that OnePlus would be closing up shop this year. Since the company very quickly denied the rumors, the report hardly made waves. However, a suspected merger with realme is more difficult to debunk.

For one, realme is itself in a very interesting position. Also back in January, realme was reportedly moving back into being a sub-brand of OPPO. Coupled together with the OnePlus debacle, all this internal restructuring seems par for the course.

According to Digital Chat Station on Weibo, OnePlus and realme have already concluded the merger. The two brands have reportedly united their Chinese and international operations under one roof. Likewise, their marketing will be the same. Pete Lau will still be the main head for this new division.

As with anything of this nature, take this with a grain of salt. OPPO, OnePlus, and realme have not issued any official statements concerning a merger or a shutdown for any brand.