Huawei’s Pura 80 Ultra Redefines Smartphone Photography with a Penta-Camera System

Huawei has unleashed its latest flagship, the Pura 80 Ultra, a device that feels like a direct challenge to the smartphone photography throne. “Our Pura 80 Ultra redefines what a smartphone camera can achieve, blending innovation with precision to capture life’s moments like never before,” the company declared in its press release.

A 6.8-inch LTPO OLED display greets users with a quad-curved design, delivering a 1.5K resolution and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate that hits a searing 3000 nits of peak brightness. Huawei’s decision to stick with a textured triangular camera island is a nod to the Pura 70 series. Running on HarmonyOS 5.1 and powered by the Kirin 9020 chipset, the phone handles everything from gaming to multitasking with ease. Configurations of 16GB RAM with 512GB or 1TB storage ensure it suits power as well as casual users alike.

Camera technology steals the spotlight, and Huawei’s engineers have pulled off something remarkable. The Pura 80 Ultra boasts a penta-camera system, headlined by a 50MP 1-inch RYYB main sensor with a variable aperture (f/1.6 to f/4.0). This setup, Huawei says, “delivers 16EV dynamic range, capturing every detail from blazing sunlight to moonlit shadows.” The RYYB filter boosts low-light performance, making night shots crisp and vibrant. A 40MP ultrawide lens joins the fray, perfect for sweeping landscapes or group shots, while a 1.5MP Red Maple multispectral sensor enhances color accuracy.


The real game-changer is the switchable dual-lens periscope telephoto system. Using a single 1/1.28-inch 50MP sensor—the largest telephoto sensor in any smartphone, per Huawei—two lenses offer 3.7x (83mm) and 9.4x (212mm) optical zoom. A motorized prism shifts light between the lenses, a feat Huawei describes as “a breakthrough in optical engineering, maximizing quality while minimizing space.” Unlike Sony’s variable telephoto, which adjusts a single lens, Huawei’s dual-lens approach delivers a wider zoom range without compromising image quality. There’s also a 12.5MP mode at 9.4x zoom, adding flexibility for distant subjects.


Now some might be wondering why it’s called a ‘penta-camera’ system. Well, it’s because the ‘penta’ designation counts the switchable telephoto system as two separate lenses (3.7x and 9.4x) due to its dual focal lengths, despite sharing one sensor, and includes the multispectral sensor as a distinct component. Huawei’s press materials emphasize this as a “Penta Camera System” to highlight the versatility of the telephoto setup and the additional multispectral sensor. This means it consists of the 50 MP main, 40 MP ultrawide, 50 MP 3.7x telephoto, 12.5 MP 9.4x telephoto mode, and the 1.5 MP multispectral sensor.


Beyond photography, the Pura 80 Ultra packs a 5700mAh battery with 100W wired and 80W wireless charging. Dual satellite connectivity keeps you linked in remote areas, should there be an emergency. IP68 and IP69 ratings mean it can handle dust, water, and even high-pressure sprays. “We designed the Pura 80 Ultra to be a companion for every scenario, from urban jungles to the great outdoors,” Huawei noted in its presentation.

Compared to its siblings—the Pura 80, 80 Pro, and 80 Pro+—the Ultra stands alone with its dual telephoto system and larger telephoto sensor. The Pro and Pro+ share the 1-inch 50MP main camera and 40MP ultrawide but opt for a single 48MP periscope lens at 4x zoom. Starting at 9999 yuan ($1391), the Ultra commands a premium, but its specs justify the cost for photography enthusiasts.
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