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

Announced alongside three other Pura 80 models

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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.

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