A first-hand look at the HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra and Pro launch event in the Philippines, featuring my experience at the XMAGE photography exhibition and insights into HUAWEI’s latest innovations in mobile imaging, design, and AI features.
I recently attended the local launch of the HUAWEI Pura 80 Series at the BGC Arts Center in Taguig, and while the event had a polished atmosphere, what really stood out for me was the technology behind the new devices, especially the cameras. As someone who relies heavily on mobile photography for blog and lifestyle content, I was genuinely curious about what HUAWEI had to offer with their new lineup.
The event, hosted in partnership with Vogue Philippines, brought together photographers, celebrities, and creatives, and also featured the HUAWEI XMAGE Photography Exhibition. The gallery showcased stunning photos captured entirely on HUAWEI smartphones, and I was genuinely impressed by the quality, sharp detail, rich tones, and vibrant colors. Seeing real-world examples of what the new devices can do made the experience feel more grounded and relatable.
Now let’s talk about the stars of the night, the HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra and the Pura 80 Pro, both available now for pre-order. The Pura 80 Ultra is clearly positioned as the flagship, boasting some serious imaging features. One standout is its Switchable Dual Telephoto Camera, which combines 3.7x and 9.4x optical zoom lenses into one module. Thanks to a large 1/1.28-inch sensor and AI support, it can handle everything from tightly cropped portraits to zoomed-in cityscapes without losing clarity. I briefly tried the camera during the exhibition, and it handled lighting transitions quite well, even indoors.
What also caught my attention was the 1-inch Ultra Lighting HDR Camera on the Ultra model. With real-time HDR and 16EV dynamic range, the camera captured both bright and dark areas naturally, something I often struggle with using other phones. For content creators like me, this level of exposure balance can be a real game-changer when shooting in mixed light conditions.
The HUAWEI Pura 80 Pro comes close in performance, especially for macro and night photography. Its Ultra Lighting Macro Telephoto Camera can focus as close as 5cm, capturing fine details like fabric textures or food plating. I saw some sample shots of city lights and macro flowers, and the color reproduction was strikingly accurate. It also features the same 1-inch main camera sensor, so the Pro model isn’t lacking in low-light performance either.
Beyond the cameras, the design of the Pura 80 Series deserves a quick mention. The Forward Symbol design on the Ultra model gives it a sleek, fashion-friendly look without being too flashy. I personally liked the Golden Black version, it’s subtle but polished. The Pro variant offers more color options, and the Glazed Red finish is especially eye-catching in person. While phones these days tend to blur together design-wise, these stood out in a refined way.
Durability also plays a role. The Pura 80 Ultra is built with second-gen Crystal Armor Kunlun Glass, giving it more drop and scratch resistance. This is important to me as someone always on the move, often pulling out my phone in not-so-ideal conditions. Both devices also come with IP68 or higher water and dust resistance, which is great peace of mind.
On the software side, EMUI 15 introduces some cool AI-driven features like AI Remove (for easily removing unwanted objects in photos), Air Gesture, and Real-Time Translation, which could be useful when traveling. The AI Smart Control Button was surprisingly responsive and adds a nice touch of customization. Battery-wise, a 5170mAh battery with 100W SuperCharge (and 80W wireless) means these phones are ready for long days without slowing down.
Also featured at the event was the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 (2025). Although it didn’t steal the spotlight from the new phones, it’s worth mentioning for students and digital creatives. The PaperMatte Display was easy on the eyes, and I liked the feel of the GoPaint app with the stylus. The tablet seemed like a solid productivity companion, especially with the full WPS Office integration and Smart Keyboard.
One of the more creative elements of the launch was the XMAGE Awards 2025 announcement. This global photography competition celebrates everyday creativity with categories like "Faces," "Good Night," and "So Far So Close." The Philippine launch included a showcase of over 100 powerful entries already submitted using HUAWEI devices. For someone like me who appreciates storytelling through visuals, this initiative added depth to what might have otherwise been just another product launch.
If you're considering upgrading your phone and mobile photography matters to you, both the HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra and Pro are worth a look. The Ultra is priced at PHP 89,999 and available in Prestige Gold and Golden Black, while the Pro comes in Glazed Red, Glazed White, and Glazed Black for PHP 59,999. Both come with HUAWEI Care+ services, which include accidental damage protection and battery renewal, a nice touch, especially for premium devices.
For now, the standard HUAWEI Pura 80 hasn’t launched yet, but it’s expected soon. I’m curious to see where it will fall in the lineup, especially in terms of price-to-performance.
Overall, the event was a mix of creativity and tech, and what left a lasting impression wasn’t just the stylish atmosphere, but the real capabilities packed into these devices. Whether you’re a photographer, a content creator, or someone who just wants a reliable and stylish phone, HUAWEI seems to be aiming for all of the above with the Pura 80 Series.
Interested in seeing what the Pura 80 Series can do?
You can now pre-order the HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra and Pro through Shopee, Lazada, TikTok Shop, the HUAWEI Online Store, or any official HUAWEI Experience Store nationwide. Pre-orders also come with a special bundle that includes a HUAWEI Watch GT 5, FreeBuds 5, and Care+ protection plans.
For more updates and product information, visit HUAWEI’s official website or check them out on Facebook and Instagram.
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