Huawei’s Pura 80 Series Unveiled: Cutting-Edge Camera Tech and Sleek Design

Huawei has launched its Pura 80 series in China, with the Pura 80 Ultra standing out for its groundbreaking camera technology. The flagship device introduces a unique “switchable” dual-lens telephoto system, where two distinct lenses share a single image sensor. Positioned side by side in the rear camera module, these lenses use a movable prism to redirect light onto one shared periscopic assembly and sensor. This innovative approach differs from Sony Xperia’s variable telephoto systems, which shift elements within a single lens to change zoom levels.

The optical zoom on the Pura 80 Ultra is 3.7x and 9.4x, which correspond to focal lengths of 83mm and 212mm. The shorter lens features an f/2.4 aperture and is listed as 50 megapixels, while the longer one is rated at 12.5 megapixels with an f/3.6 aperture, likely due to pixel-binning or cropping techniques. By utilizing one sensor for both lenses, Huawei reduces manufacturing costs and saves internal space. This design not only eliminates the need for two separate periscope systems but also allows for a larger 1/1.28-inch-type sensor, rare for telephoto cameras.

Beyond the dual-lens setup, the Pura 80 Ultra includes a 50MP main camera with adaptive aperture, a 40MP ultrawide sensor, and a 6.8-inch LTPO OLED display. The device is powered by a 5,700mAh battery and supports IP68 and IP69 water and dust resistance. It’s available with up to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage. Huawei, however, hasn’t disclosed the chipset details, maintaining secrecy due to its ongoing development of in-house processors after U.S. trade restrictions.

In addition to the Ultra, there are three other models with a similar design: the Pura 80, 80 Pro, and 80 Pro Plus. In addition to having the same size and primary cameras as the Ultra, the Pro and Pro Plus also have a single 48MP telephoto lens.  All variants link to the Beidou satellite system, however the Plus has more RAM and can communicate with two satellites.

Running on HarmonyOS 5.1 — Huawei’s Android-independent operating system — the Ultra is priced at CNY9,999 (around \$1,390), with Pro models starting at CNY6,500 (about \$900). The standard Pura 80 hasn’t been priced yet, and global release details remain uncertain, though last year’s Pura 70 series saw an international debut shortly after its Chinese launch.