Huawei Pura 70 Pro & Pro+ hands-on review

The Huawei Pura 70 series has now been released globally, two weeks after its debut in China. We were invited to Huawei's headquarters in Shenzhen, where we had the opportunity to get hands-on experience with these exciting new devices.

While the Huawei P series has traditionally focused on photography, the new Pura series, derived from "Purity," promises to deliver "unseen wonders with bold imaginations" and to "lead the fashion sense" with its unique style. The cameras are arranged in a triangle formation, called "Forward Symbol Design". Here are our initial impressions, focusing specifically on the Pro model and its China-exclusive sibling, the Pro+.

Huawei has positioned the Pura 70 Pro as a middle ground between the reasonably priced Pura 70 and the camera powerhouse, the Pura 70 Ultra. It combines features from both models, offering a compelling option for those seeking an exceptional camera experience without breaking the bank.

Both the Pro and Pro+ models share the same sleek design as the Pura 70 Ultra, down to the smallest detail. With its 6.8” LTPO OLED display boasting 2,500 nits peak brightness and 2nd Gen Kunlun Glass, you can expect a top-tier viewing experience.

The Pura 70 Pro+ model, however, stands out with its exclusive features, including satellite communication with two different satellites – Beidou and Tiantong. This model will be limited to the domestic market, as these features are incompatible overseas.

Additionally, the Pro+ offers designer back panels and extra RAM, although these features were not deemed essential for the international audience.

The Huawei Pura 70 Pro is simply stunning, especially in its striking Purple color, which, sadly, is not coming to Europe. Thanks to its curved sides, handling the phone is comfortable and secure. Despite the sizable camera island, the phone feels well-balanced and becomes even easier to hold when paired with a stylish case.

Running on the latest EMUI 14.2 software, which is essentially HarmonyOS 4.2 without the domestic bloatware, the Pura 70 series promises a streamlined user experience. While Huawei has not confirmed whether it will standardize its user interface branding across markets, our brief interaction with the software suggests a seamless and intuitive experience. Since it is exactly the same as the other Pura 70 devices, you'll be able to read more details once we are ready with the review of the Pura 70 Ultra.

Unfortunately, due to extreme weather conditions during our visit - Southeast China was experiencing its worst monsoon season in a century - we were unable to test the camera extensively outdoors. Therefore, we cannot provide an objective opinion on its performance. However, we do have a short hands-on review with Pura 70 Ultra camera samples, some of which are from the company's latest R&D Center in Dongguan, built in the style of small European towns.

Huawei is offering the Pura 70 Pro in White and Black. Price is set at €1,199, and some countries in Europe can already pre-order the phone, with regular sales scheduled to begin on May 22.