In an age where smartphones are expected to be seamless extensions of our digital lives, the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra presents a fascinating conundrum. Here is a device that, on paper, ticks nearly every box: a stunning design, a breathtaking camera system, and powerful hardware. Yet, as I navigated the intricate dance of trying to make this phone my daily driver, I was repeatedly reminded of the compromises Huawei users still face. The most glaring? The absence of Google Mobile Services (GMS) and the uneasy feeling of having to rely on third-party solutions to bridge that gap.

Design: Aesthetics Meets Ergonomics

Huawei knows how to craft a beautiful phone, and the Pura 70 Ultra is a testament to that expertise. With gently curved edges and a flat, sleek profile, the device feels luxurious in hand.

However, the phone is undeniably heavy at 226 grams. It’s also thicker than its 8.4mm measurement would suggest, largely due to the massive camera module on the back. But here’s where Huawei’s design magic shines—the camera bump is more than just functional; it’s a design highlight. The XMage branding, styled to resemble a designer tag, and the mix of different shapes and finishes make this one of the most visually striking camera modules I’ve seen. The motorized 1-inch sensor, nestled within, is a feat of engineering that allows Huawei to maintain a relatively sleek profile without sacrificing camera performance.

Display: Bright and Beautiful

The front of the Pura 70 Ultra is dominated by a 6.8-inch LTPO OLED screen that is as bright as it is sharp. Whether under the glaring sun or in a dimly lit room, the display remains vibrant and easily viewable. Huawei’s proprietary Crystal Armour Kunlun Glass covers the screen, promising enhanced resistance to scratches and drops. It’s a reassuring feature, especially for those prone to the occasional slip.

The display’s 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and fluid animations, making everything from gaming to simple browsing a delight.

Performance: Power Under the Hood, But Not Quite There

The Pura 70 Ultra is powered by Huawei’s Kirin 9010 chipset, a processor that, while competent, lags behind the industry leaders like Qualcomm’s Snapdragon and Apple’s A-series chips. The phone handles most tasks with ease, but when compared to its high-end competitors, it doesn’t quite measure up. This is especially noticeable in more demanding applications and games, where the Kirin 9010’s limitations become apparent.

However, the phone’s massive 5,200mAh battery and 100W fast charging do help to offset some of the performance woes. The battery easily lasts a full day of heavy use, and when it does run low, it can be recharged to full in under an hour. The inclusion of 80W wireless charging and reverse charging is a nice touch, adding to the device’s overall appeal.

Camera: A True Contender for the Best

Where the Pura 70 Ultra truly excels is in its camera system. The main 50MP sensor is a marvel, with a 1-inch sensor and a mechanical aperture that shifts between f/1.6 and f/4.0. This motorized lens system allows for incredibly detailed and well-balanced photos, with the ability to create stunning depth of field effects on the fly.

Supporting the main camera is a 50MP telephoto lens with 3.5x optical zoom and a 40MP wide-angle camera. The consistency across these lenses is impressive, and the results are nothing short of spectacular. The level of detail, color accuracy, and contrast is among the best I’ve seen, rivaling even the top-tier camera phones on the market.

Final Verdict: A Masterpiece with Flaws

The Huawei Pura 70 Ultra is a beautifully designed smartphone with a camera system that rivals the best in the business. The hardware is top-notch, from the display to the battery to the build quality. Yet, all of this is undermined by the software experience and the absence of Google Mobile Services. For a device that costs approximately $1,610 or PHP 89,500, these shortcomings are hard to overlook.

If you’re someone who can live without Google services and is willing to navigate the complexities of Huawei’s software ecosystem, the Pura 70 Ultra offers a lot to love—especially if photography is your passion. But for most users, the compromises may simply be too great, making it a tough sell in today’s competitive smartphone market.