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

Automotive

Mercedes-Benz holds a Welcome Home campaign to celebrate 140 years

Get freebies and discounts from now until the end of July.

Published

June 22, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Mercedes-Benz has been an important part of Filipino car culture. Stylized as the “Chedeng,” the brand’s cars are still worthy choices today. Now, to celebrate their 140^th anniversary, Mercedes-Benz is launching the Welcome Home Campaign, offering treats and discounts for Filipino drivers.

From now until the end of June, new Mercedes-Benz owners can get an exclusive 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagen Replica. The limited-edition replica represents the history of brand’s innovations in the motoring space.

Similarly, until the end of the month, interested customers can start their Benz journey for downpayments as low as PhP 140,000. Discounted prices, however, will go on until the end of July:

MODEL	*Original Price*	*Discounted Price*
CLA 200 Progressive	PhP 3,990,000	PhP 3,490,000
C 180 Avantgarde	PhP 3,990,000	PhP 2,990,000
GLB 200 AMG Line	PhP 4,590,000	PhP 4,090,000
GLC 200 4MATIC	PhP 5,190,000	PhP 4,690,000
EQB 250+ Electric Art	PhP 4,290,000	PhP 4,090,000
EQE 300 Electric Art Sedan	PhP 5,590,000	PhP 3,990,000
EQE 350+ AMG Line Sedan	PhP 6,290,000	PhP 4,690,000
EQS 450 4MATIC AMG Line Sedan	PhP 9,990,000	PhP 7,490,000
Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 4MATIC	PhP 5,719,000	PhP 5,519,000
Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4MATIC	PhP 5,719,000	PhP 5,219,000

If you already own a Chedeng, Mercedes-Benz will show some love by offering special aftersales initiatives throughout the campaign period. Additionally, there will be more roadshow activations happening the entire year to showcase the latest in the Benz lineup.

Finally, if you have a Chedeng story of your own, Mercedes-Benz is inviting long-time fans to share their stories on social media by tagging the official Mercedes-Benz Philippines account and using the hashtags #Chedeng and #140YearsofInnovation. Featured users can win exclusive Benz merchandise.

Gaming

Ubisoft co-founder dies in plane crash

Claude Guillemot was one of five brothers that founded Ubisoft.

Published

June 22, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Claude Guillemot, one of the four co-founders of Ubisoft, has died last week in a plane crash. He was 69 years old.

As reported via Bloomberg, Guillemot died alongside the plane’s other passenger. They both died in La Baule in France.

Regardless of how you feel about the company today, Ubisoft is still an undeniable reason why RPGs are so popular. In 1984, Guillemot started the company with his four brothers. Since then, it’s become a household name for gaming. Its portfolio includes Assassin’s Creed, Prince of Persia, Splinter Cell, Anno, and Far Cry. Despite the prolific resume, the company is currently struggling to recreate the magic that made it so popular over a decade ago. Its current efforts include remaking Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag, which launches next month.

Though Claude might not be your first thought when thinking of Ubisoft, the company is still owned by the family, headed by his brother Yves. Claude, however, was the chairman of Guillemot Corp.

“Ubisoft was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Claude Guillemot, co-founder of the group and chairman of Guillemot Corp., in an accident. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time. No further statements will be made at this time,” Ubisoft said about his passing.

News

No new CMF phones this year, Nothing confirms

But Nothing still has a phone scheduled later this year.

Published

June 22, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

For the past few years, Nothing kept launching smartphone after smartphone. Further, every new iteration felt like a reinvention, rather than just a modest upgrade. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, including Nothing’s streak. This year, after announcing that we won’t get a Phone (4), Nothing has announced that CMF is also skipping 2026 for a hopefully better 2027.

Now, whenever there’s bad news about delayed phone launches, there’s only one culprit. The ongoing RAM crisis is wreaking havoc across the entire industry. Because of the AI industry’s desperate need to stockpile chips, consumer-friendly devices find themselves with a scarcity of components, leading to delays or price increases.

Recently, in a moment of transparency, Nothing’s Akis Evangelidis confirms that CMF will not launch a new phone this year. Citing more of the same, he says that “with memory prices where they are right now, we can’t build a phone that feels like a genuine step forward at a price that makes sense for CMF.”

As a tease, Evangelidis did say that the brand is currently working on a sequel to the CMF Phone 2 Pro. Unfortunately, it’s going to take longer for the phone to come out.

All that said, there is a silver lining. Evangelidis concludes the announcement by also confirming that Nothing still has something up its sleeve. “The smartphone launch season at Nothing isn’t over yet,” he said.

This is a huge deal. Previously, Nothing’s Carl Pei said that the Phone (4) isn’t coming out this year. Even with the Phone (4a)’s launch already done and dusted, the brand still has something left in the tank.