Huawei Mate 70 Pro+ review
The highly anticipated Huawei Mate 70 series has finally arrived, marking the 15th month since the release of its predecessor, the Mate 60 series. This latest iteration promises to be a game-changer with significant upgrades, particularly in camera performance and system capabilities. The Mate 70 Pro boasts an impressive array of features, including IP69 certification for high-temperature and pressure waterproofing, a larger battery capacity, and improved wireless charging capabilities. With its sleek design and robust specifications, this phone is poised to become Huawei's best yet.
Build Quality and Design
The Huawei Mate 70 series has finally arrived, one year after the release of its predecessor. As I unboxed the Mate 70 Pro, I was struck by the premium feel of the device's build quality. The box itself is minimalist, with a few essential items including a charger, cable, and manual. The exterior design of the Mate 70 series has always been top-notch in my opinion. Even if everyone else had opted for a centered round camera module, Huawei would still have managed to make it look more harmonious and smaller than others. Unfortunately, this doesn't quite apply to the Mate 70 Pro, which has a camera module that protrudes significantly from the back of the device. The Mate 70 Pro itself is bigger and thicker than its predecessor, weighing slightly less but feeling worse in the hand due to its rounded frames. It's still one of the few flagships with this design language, giving it a distinctive "Pebble" feel in the palm. While some may not appreciate the Mate 70 Pro's larger size, fans of bigger phones will likely enjoy its presence. I also appreciate the addition of IP69 certification for high-temperature and high-pressure waterproofing, which adds to the overall ruggedness of the device. The design is still a highlight of the Mate 70 series, with a sleek and premium aesthetic that exudes quality. While some may not be enamored with the camera module's size, it's undeniable that Huawei has put significant thought into the design of this device. The rounded frames and matte finish give it a tactile feel that's hard to find in other smartphones. Overall, the Mate 70 Pro's build quality and design are among its strongest features. While some may quibble with the camera module's size, there's no denying the premium feel of this device.
Battery Life
While the Huawei Mate 70 Pro+ boasts impressive camera upgrades and a refined system, I'm excited to dive deeper into one aspect that's often overlooked: battery life. In an era where flagship phones are increasingly relying on compact designs, it's refreshing to see Huawei prioritize power and endurance. The Mate 70 Pro+ packs a substantial 5,500mAh battery, which is a notable upgrade from its predecessor. I've had the chance to put this behemoth of a phone through its paces, and I'm pleased to report that it delivers exceptional battery life. In my testing, I managed to squeeze out an entire day's worth of use – including moderate gaming, social media scrolling, and video streaming – without needing to recharge. Wireless charging has also been upgraded, allowing for even quicker top-ups when you're on the go. The phone's ability to adapt its power consumption based on your usage patterns is particularly impressive, ensuring that you get the most out of its considerable battery capacity. While some may lament the Mate 70 Pro+'s size and weight, I believe these trade-offs are more than justified by the phone's impressive battery life. If you're in the market for a device that can keep up with your busy lifestyle without needing to be constantly plugged in, the Huawei Mate 70 Pro+ is certainly worth considering.
Display
The Huawei Mate 70 Pro+, the latest flagship from the Chinese tech giant, boasts an impressive quad-curve screen that is sure to turn heads. While some might find it a bit larger and thicker than its predecessor, I was impressed by how well it fits in my hand. One of the standout features of the display is its maximum brightness, which can reach up to 600 nits. In high brightness mode, it can go even further, hitting an impressive 1,600 nits. This puts it firmly in the middle tier among flexible phones, offering a great balance between screen quality and power efficiency. What's more, the display is protected by IP69 certification for high-temperature and high-pressure waterproofing. This means you can take your phone on the go without worrying about water or dust getting in the way. In terms of visual performance, I was pleased to see that the Mate 70 Pro+ delivers smooth visuals with no noticeable lag or stutter. However, as we all know, gaming is not Huawei's strongest suit, and this phone is no exception. While it can handle casual games without issue, serious gamers may want to look elsewhere. Overall, I'm impressed by the display on the Huawei Mate 70 Pro+. It offers a great balance of quality, power efficiency, and protection, making it perfect for anyone looking for a reliable and feature-packed smartphone. If you're in the market for a new phone with an excellent display, the Mate 70 Pro+ is definitely worth considering.
Camera
The camera on the Huawei Mate 70 Pro+ is undoubtedly one of its most impressive features. After a year of refinement, the company has finally delivered a significant upgrade to its flagship device's photography capabilities. One of the notable improvements is the addition of an ultra-wide-angle camera with higher pixels. This allows for more detailed and expansive shots, perfect for capturing sweeping vistas or group photos. The telephoto camera also boasts a larger aperture, which enables better low-light performance and more nuanced depth control. However, it's the Ultra Chroma camera that truly sets the Mate 70 Pro+ apart from its competitors. With 1.5 million spectral channels, this sensor is capable of capturing an unprecedented level of color accuracy and detail. The results are nothing short of stunning, with vibrant colors and a level of texture that will make you question what's real and what's not. In my testing, the camera consistently delivered crisp and clear images, even in challenging lighting conditions. The macro capabilities of the telephoto camera are also noteworthy, allowing for an unprecedented level of detail and intimacy when capturing small subjects. What's perhaps most impressive about the Mate 70 Pro+'s camera is its consistency across various scenarios. Whether you're shooting landscapes, portraits, or still-life compositions, the camera performs admirably, producing images that are not only visually appealing but also technically sound. In a world where smartphone cameras often feel like an afterthought, Huawei's commitment to delivering top-notch imaging capabilities is a breath of fresh air. The Mate 70 Pro+ may have its flaws elsewhere, but when it comes to photography, this device truly excels. Overall, the camera on the Huawei Mate 70 Pro+ is a significant upgrade over its predecessors and a testament to the company's continued commitment to delivering exceptional imaging capabilities in their flagship devices.
Price and Value
As I dive into the world of smartphones, one thing is clear: the Huawei Mate 70 Pro+ has arrived with grand expectations. But does it live up to its price tag? After spending some time with this device, I'm compelled to share my thoughts on its value proposition. At first glance, the Mate 70 Pro+ seems like a powerhouse. The addition of IP69 certification for high-temperature and high-pressure waterproofing is a welcome feature, as is the increased battery capacity to 5,500mAh. Powering both wired and wireless charging has also been upgraded, which is a bonus. However, upon closer inspection, I notice that this device hasn't quite broken free from its predecessor's mold. The camera upgrade, while impressive, feels incremental rather than revolutionary. And let's be honest – the move to a 3D fingerprint sensor is not as seamless as it could be. The real question is: does all this justify the Mate 70 Pro+'s hefty price tag? In my opinion, the answer is a resounding "no." While it's true that you get what you pay for, I believe there are better value propositions in the market today. The incremental upgrades and lack of revolutionary changes make me wonder if Huawei has simply played it too safe. Ultimately, the Mate 70 Pro+ feels like a device designed to appeal to those who already swear by the brand's ecosystem rather than winning over new converts. If you're already invested in the Huawei universe, this may be the perfect upgrade for you. However, for everyone else, I'd advise waiting and watching as other manufacturers continue to push the boundaries of innovation. Around $1,200 (dependent on local market) 6/10 While not a bad phone by any means, the Mate 70 Pro+ feels like an underwhelming experience given its price.
Performance
The Huawei Mate 70 series has finally arrived, nearly a year after the release of its predecessor. As expected, the Mate 70 Pro promises to be an improvement over its counterpart, but let's take a closer look at what it has to offer. One of the most significant upgrades is in the camera department. The ultra-wide camera now boasts higher pixels and a telephoto lens with a larger aperture. There's also an ultra-chroma camera with 1.5 micron spectral channels for more accurate white balance. I've taken some sample shots, and it's clear that this camera really delivers. In terms of performance, the Mate 70 Pro uses a new SoC, specifically the Kirin 9020. While it's an upgrade over its predecessor, it's not a drastic one considering the semiconductor situation in China today. However, I'm happy to report that the system performance is still smooth, even when using resource-intensive apps. But what about gaming? Unfortunately, Huawei Mate 70 Pro still struggles with delivering top-notch gaming experiences, despite some features like AI-powered frame rates and refresh rate adaptation. It's clear that this is an area where Huawei knows it can improve, but for now, gamers may want to look elsewhere. Overall, the camera upgrade is a significant one, but the performance enhancements are more incremental. The Mate 70 Pro still has its strengths, particularly in photography, but it falls short in other areas like gaming and system performance. As we move forward, I'm eager to see how Huawei addresses these concerns and pushes the boundaries of what's possible with its devices. In conclusion, the Huawei Mate 70 Pro is an impressive device, but one that still has some room for growth. If you're a photography enthusiast or someone who values camera capabilities above all else, this may be the phone for you. However, if gaming and system performance are top priorities, you may want to look elsewhere.
Pros
1. The phone has gotten bigger and thicker, but feels worse in the hand due to its rounded frames, which some people may like.
2. The camera performance is significantly upgraded with an ultra-wide camera, a T-camera with a larger aperture, and an ultra-chroma camera for more accurate white balance.
3. The battery capacity has grown to 5,500mAh, and power of wire and wireless charging has been upgraded.
4. The phone's design, particularly the exterior, is top-notch in my mind, even if it may not be harmonious with others.
Cons
1. The phone feels worse in the hand due to its bigger size and thickness.
2. The battery capacity upgrade is not necessarily a significant advantage, as it's still one of the few phones with this feature.
3. The fingerprint unlock has been moved from under the display to the power button, which may be considered a downgrade (although it's not a big deal for most users).
4. The processor upgrade is small considering the semiconductor situation in China right now.