Huawei Pura 80 Ultra Aims to Revolutionize Phone Photography

The Huawei Pura 80 Ultra, revealed June 11, is poised to potentially eclipse competitors like Xiaomi and Vivo, known for their advanced camera phones. Boasting innovative features, Huawei’s new flagship sets a high bar in mobile photography.

Innovative Dual Telephoto Lens

At first glance, the Pura 80 Ultra appears to have a standard triangular triple camera setup. However, one of the lenses actually houses twin telephoto optics that share a 1/1.28-inch sensor. This design incorporates a moving prism to switch focal lengths.

One of the periscope lenses delivers a 3.7x zoom, while the other offers a substantial 9.4x zoom. A similar concept was seen in the 2021 Sony Xperia 1 III.

Versatile Zoom Capabilities

The switchable telephoto lenses provide exceptional versatility. The 3.7x zoom (83mm f/2.4) suits portraiture, while the 9.4x zoom (212mm f/3.6 equivalent) enables long-range shots without sacrificing quality. Both share that 1/1.28-inch sensor, larger than those typically found in telephoto lenses.

Although the 9.4x zoom captures 12.5MP stills, versus the 50MP of the 3.7x zoom, photo quality remains impressive. Pixel binning or sensor-cropping may be in play.

Main Camera Specs

Beyond the telephoto innovation, the main camera impresses. Featuring a 23mm lens with variable f/1.6-4 aperture and a 1-inch sensor, it captures 50MP stills. Furthermore, Huawei claims the main camera achieves 16 stops of dynamic range, an unprecedented feat for a smartphone.

The dynamic range captures more detail across highlights and shadows, resulting in more natural-looking images. According to a 2023 study by **Statista**, camera phone photography is increasingly favored, accounting for 48% of all photos taken globally (Statista 2023).

Additional Features

Completing the array is a 13mm ultra-wide lens that captures 40MP stills. While Huawei hasn’t specified its sensor size, it is unlikely to match the main camera’s performance.

Tilta Photography Kit

An optional photography edition kit by Tilta enhances the camera experience. It includes a grip, case, extra power, continuous light, and a wooden handle. The case provides extra power, cooling, and follow focus, which is ideal for filmmakers. It also supports lens filters and includes a portable carbon fiber tripod.

Availability and Pricing

Currently, the Pura 80 Ultra is exclusive to China, priced at CNY 9,999 (approximately $1,400 / £1,050 / AU$2,150). A broader release is expected, though not in the U.S.