Alright, let's dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of the Honor 70 and the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra. This is where we move beyond marketing jargon and examine what these phones actually offer in the real world.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Honor 70 | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-06-02 | 2024-04-29 | Pura 70 Ultra is significantly newer, likely with updated components. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are traditional smartphones, not foldable. |
| Dimensions | 161.4 × 73.3 × 7.9 mm | 162.6 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | Pura 70 Ultra is slightly larger and thicker, may feel less comfortable for smaller hands. |
| Weight | 178g | 226g | Honor 70 is noticeably lighter, better for extended use. Pura 70 Ultra is heavier, may feel more premium. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.8" | Pura 70 Ultra offers slightly more screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1260x2844 | Pura 70 Ultra has a significantly sharper, crisper display with more detail. |
| Pixel Density | 395 PPI | 460 PPI | Pura 70 Ultra has a noticeably sharper display with finer details. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks typical of OLED technology. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | Pura 70 Ultra is dramatically brighter, easily readable in direct sunlight. Honor 70 not specified (likely lower). |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 778G+ 5G | Kirin 9010 | Pura 70 Ultra has a newer, more powerful chipset, generally better for intensive tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 600,525 | 869,707 | Pura 70 Ultra is significantly faster, offering smoother app loading and multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Maleoon 910 | Pura 70 Ultra likely delivers superior graphics performance for gaming. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4800 mAh | 5200 mAh | Pura 70 Ultra has a slightly larger battery, potentially longer run time. |
| Charging | 66W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | Pura 70 Ultra charges much faster, getting you back up and running in less time. |
| Wireless Charging | No | 80W | Pura 70 Ultra has fast wireless charging for more convenient power-ups. |
| Reverse Wireless Charging | Yes | 20W | Pura 70 Ultra can charge other devices wirelessly on-the-go. |
| Camera | |||
| Primary Camera Resolution | 54MP | 50MP | Honor 70 has marginally higher resolution; this difference isn't that significant in real-world scenarios |
| Primary Camera Aperture | f/1.9 | f/1.6 | Pura 70 Ultra has a wider aperture, allowing more light, generally better low light capabilities. |
| Primary Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.49" | 1" | Pura 70 Ultra has a larger sensor, capturing more light and detail. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 32MP | 13MP | Honor 70 has a significantly higher resolution selfie camera; however, resolution alone doesn't guarantee picture quality |
| Telephoto Lens | No | 50MP | Pura 70 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoomed photos. |
| Wide Angle Lens Resolution | 50MP | 40MP | Honor 70 has a slightly higher resolution, this isn't always the most important feature for wide-angle lens |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | No | Honor 70 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 4K | Both phones record 4k, Pura 70 Ultra video features are not specified (likely better) |
| Stabilization | EIS | Yes | Pura 70 Ultra likely provides more stable video recording. |
| DXOMark Score | Mobile:115, Photo:115, Video: 129 | Mobile:163, Photo:0, Video:0 | Pura 70 Ultra scores higher overall but Honor 70 is better in photo and video performance. |
| Camera Features | Various | OIS, LAF, PDAF, CDAF | Pura 70 Ultra has advanced autofocus and stabilization features. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 12 | Not specified | Honor 70 runs on Android 12 while Pura 70 Ultra is unknown. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 | Both support modern WiFi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.2 | Both have modern Bluetooth standards but Honor 70 also has LE(Low Energy) and APT-X capabilities. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5), Galileo (E1+E5a+E5b) | Pura 70 Ultra is more accurate with more satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support dual SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512 GB | 512/1024 GB | Pura 70 Ultra offers more storage space, catering to users with extensive media. |
| RAM | 6/8/12 GB | 16 GB | Pura 70 Ultra has more RAM for better multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Both have stereo speakers, but Honor 70 has Hi-Res audio while Huawei Pura 70 Ultra has Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Basic | Both use a basic fingerprint scanner. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both use a standard screen protector, not specifically stated. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity, Hall, RGB | Pura 70 Ultra has a more comprehensive sensor suite. |
2. Key Insights
Honor 70:
- Strengths: Lighter and more comfortable for extended use. Competitive camera setup with a higher resolution selfie camera. More options for RAM and storage. Slightly better video and photo performance according to DXOmark.
- Competitive Advantage: Offers a good balance of performance and features at a more accessible price point. Has a dedicated macro lens.
- Trade-offs: Significantly dimmer display, older chipset, less powerful GPU, and slower charging. Lacks optical zoom, optical stabilization and advanced camera features.
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra:
- Strengths: Significantly brighter display, faster performance with a more powerful chipset and GPU, and better low light capabilities due to the large sensor. Has a telephoto lens, fast wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. Has significantly more RAM.
- Competitive Advantage: Top-tier camera performance with advanced features like OIS and PDAF. More future-proof with advanced components.
- Trade-offs: Heavier and bulkier design and no macro lens. Overall, its image processing is better than Honor 70 despite the lower scores in DXOMark. Its software is unknown.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Honor 70:
- Ideal User: Users who value portability, comfort, and good camera performance and don't push their phones to extremes. Budget-conscious users who want a well-rounded phone.
- Use Cases: Everyday use, social media, light gaming, and photography, where the macro lens might be useful.
- Huawei Pura 70 Ultra:
- Ideal User: Demanding users who want top-tier performance and camera capabilities, especially in low-light conditions. Users who frequently shoot photos and videos. Users who need great outdoor visibility.
- Use Cases: Professional photography, video recording, gaming, extensive multitasking, and outdoor use in bright conditions.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Consider these questions to help you decide:
- How important is screen visibility in bright sunlight? If you're often outdoors, the Pura 70 Ultra's much brighter display will be a game changer.
- What do I value more: portability or cutting-edge performance? The Honor 70 is lighter and more comfortable to hold, while the Pura 70 Ultra is the performance and camera champion.
- Do I prioritize charging speeds and wireless convenience? If you need fast charging and wireless charging, the Pura 70 Ultra is clearly superior.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- For the everyday user: If you want a reliable, lightweight phone with a good camera, the Honor 70 is a solid choice. It is more pocketable and easier to use for longer periods due to its lighter weight.
- For the photography enthusiast: If you want the best camera performance, including amazing low light and telephoto capabilities, the Pura 70 Ultra is the clear winner.
- For the heavy user: If you need the fastest performance, maximum RAM and storage, and are going to push your device to the limits, the Pura 70 Ultra is a must.
Personal Choice
If I had to choose, I would opt for the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra. While I appreciate the lightweight design of the Honor 70, the sheer leap in display technology with the Pura 70 Ultra's 2500 nit screen is a compelling advantage for my daily use. Additionally, as a tech journalist who often needs to capture high-quality photos and videos, the Pura 70 Ultra's camera with its advanced features would be a better fit for my needs. I also value the extra performance and multitasking capabilities of the Pura 70 Ultra for editing content on the go. While the weight is a trade-off, I'm willing to accept that for the superior screen and camera experience, not to mention the faster charging speeds and advanced battery features.
