HUAWEI just wrapped up its “Fashion Next” Asia-Pacific launch event here in Bangkok, pulling back the curtain on its latest flagship smartphones, the HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra, HUAWEI Pura 80 Pro, and HUAWEI Pura 80. And if our initial tests with the Ultra unit are anything to go by, mobile photography is about to get seriously interesting.
The big story? It’s all about the cameras. Specifically, the HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra, which comes loaded with an industry-first switchable dual telephoto system. Forget multiple discrete lenses taking up precious internal space, because the company engineered an incredibly intricate moving prism mechanism that lets two different telephoto lenses — offering 3.7x and 9.4x optical zoom — share a single, rather large 1/1.28-inch sensor. It’s a bold move, and in our time with the Ultra model so far, the results are looking incredibly promising. You can see a few sample shots below.
Shot on the HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra
The transition between focal lengths is seamless, and the clarity, especially in challenging low-light conditions thanks to features like Ultra Lighting HDR and Night Zoom, is genuinely impressive. We’ll be sharing more about our experience soon, but consider our expectations officially shattered.
Beyond the groundbreaking telephoto setup, the HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra also boasts a 1-inch main sensor with a variable aperture (f/1.6 to f/4.0), aiming for unprecedented dynamic range. The brand claims a whopping 16 stops, which, if true, would be a new high for smartphone cameras. The HUAWEI Pura 80 Pro isn’t slouching either, inheriting that impressive 1-inch sensor and adding an Ultra Lighting Macro Telephoto Camera for those ridiculously closeup, detailed shots.
For those seeking a more compact yet still powerful option, the standard HUAWEI Pura 80 seems to offer a fantastic package. It features a flat 6.6-inch LTPO OLED display with a 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate and a 5,170mAh battery that supports 66-watt wired and 50-watt wireless charging. It also boasts a 50-megapixel main camera with a variable f/1.4-4.0 aperture, a 13-megapixel ultrawide, and a 12-megapixel periscope telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom.
As for how much these devices will set you back, HUAWEI confirmed the pricing for Thailand. The Pura 80 Pro starts at ฿38,990, while the top-tier Pura 80 Ultra is priced at ฿49,990. While official Philippine pricing will be announced later, these Thai figures should give you a solid estimate, roughly translating to P68,800 for the Pro and P88,200 for the Ultra, before any local taxes and duties.
Beyond the camera system, HUAWEI has packed the Pura 80 Ultra with some serious durability, featuring 2nd-Gen Crystal Armour Kunlun Glass that promises significantly improved drop and scratch resistance. There are likewise new AI-powered features like AI Messaging, AI Gesture Control, and AI Best Expression, all designed to make interacting with your phone feel more natural and secure. And for those photobombers, an AI Remove feature is coming soon, leveraging generative fill technology to seamlessly erase unwanted objects from your shots.
Press release
Alongside the Pura 80 lineup, the technology giant also showcased the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5-inch PaperMatte Edition (2025), a tablet designed to blur the lines between mobile and PC productivity with its low-reflection display and magnetic keyboard. And, as always, AppGallery remains HUAWEI’s one-stop hub for apps, continuing to grow its ecosystem of high-quality applications.
For consumers based in the Philippines, there’s even more good news, as we reported a few days ago: The HUAWEI Pura 80 series is officially heading your way. While the global debut was in Dubai earlier this month, the local launch is set to follow quickly, with the standard HUAWEI Pura 80, HUAWEI Pura 80 Pro, and the star of the show, the HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra, expected to hit Philippine shores as early as August 7. Keep an eye out for pricing and official release details, and prepare for what’s typically a generous haul of freebies with your purchase.
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