Huawei's Pura 70 series, released in the first half of last year as the company's flagship camera-centric model, garnered significant attention due to its exceptional performance. With rumors swirling that its successor, the Pura 80 series, could be unveiled as early as May this year, recent leaks have shed light on the imaging configuration of the anticipated Pura 80 Ultra.

Historically, mobile phone photography was often dismissed as inferior to that of professional cameras. However, this perception may soon change.

Why do I say this?

Industry insiders have recently revealed that Huawei's upcoming Pura 80 Ultra will feature not only a 50MP one-inch main camera and a 50MP ultra-wide-angle lens but also a groundbreaking telephoto lens.

What is this revolutionary telephoto lens?

A 1/1.3-inch super-large-base multi-focal-length periscope.

The OV50K, OmniVision's latest flagship sensor, measures 1/1.3 inches with a pixel size of 1.2μm. It employs TheiaCel technology, utilizing the LOFIC function to achieve a dynamic range akin to that of the human eye in a single exposure, enabling exceptional HDR capabilities and producing bright, color-accurate photos, regardless of lighting conditions.

Moreover, the OV50K40 supports pixel binning, offering a single output pixel of 12.5 million and supporting video recording up to 120fps or HDR video recording at 60fps.

Huawei's Pura 80 series is currently testing multi-focal-length periscopes, but it remains unclear whether continuous optical zoom will be supported.

Telephoto lenses can be broadly classified into two types: traditional upright telephoto lenses and periscope telephoto lenses. Traditional lenses increase focal length by enlarging the lens group, limited to 2-3x optical zoom due to smartphone thickness constraints. In contrast, periscope lenses adopt a horizontally placed lens group, maximizing internal space for higher optical zoom and larger sensors, striking a balance between zoom capability and image quality. They allow smartphones to transcend physical limitations, representing the optimal solution for telephoto imaging.

The number of models equipped with periscope telephoto lenses has steadily increased since their inception, with all industry flagships now featuring this technology. Even Apple has incorporated a periscope telephoto lens in the iPhone 15 Pro Max, underscoring its importance in defining the imaging experience.

With advancements in periscope technology, sensors have also evolved. Currently, the best commercially available periscope telephoto sensor is Samsung's ISOCELL HP9, featuring a 1/1.4-inch large sensor base. However, the 1/1.3-inch super-large-base periscope in the upcoming Pura 80 Ultra boasts an even larger light-sensing area, directly correlating to superior image quality.

Combining the industry's largest periscope telephoto lens with Huawei's proprietary XMAGE imaging technology, the Pura 80 Ultra is poised to top the DXO rankings. Notably, the Pura 70 Ultra currently holds the top spot for imaging on the DXO list.

Top comments reflect this excitement: "Is the 1/1.3-inch telephoto lens the largest base available now? Huawei's previous imaging issues, particularly with telephoto resolution, seem addressed with 'multi-focal lengths' and Red Maple, alongside a one-inch sensor, variable aperture, and RYYB technology. This could rival Xiaomi, OPPO, and vivo."

A netizen replied, "It's not just competition; with 1/1.3+ true optical zoom, RYYB, and Red Maple, if implemented, there will be no competition. If true, it will be unbeatable. I hope the technology pans out."

For reference, the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra boasts a triple rear camera setup, including a 50MP one-inch large-base super-converging zoom camera, a 40MP ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 50MP super-converging macro telephoto camera with autofocus.

Additionally, a blogger revealed that the Huawei Pura 80 series will support side fingerprint recognition, aligning with the Mate 70 series. The series adopts a centered punch-hole screen design, similar to the Pura 70 series, without integrating 3D facial recognition.

Side fingerprint recognition, used by manufacturers like Sony, Meizu, and REDMI, offers high integration. It can function as an AI button, power button, or fingerprint recognition button, providing multiple functionalities in one.

However, another claim suggests that the Huawei Pura 80's standout feature is its self-developed ultrasonic fingerprint recognition technology. This technology uses ultrasonic pulses to penetrate screens for scanning, capturing fingerprints beyond surface-level details.

Previous leaks indicated that the Huawei Mate 70 series adopted side fingerprint recognition due to delays in obtaining ultrasonic fingerprint recognition patents. However, the Pura 80 series is expected to utilize this technology, potentially without 3D TOF facial recognition, differentiating it from the Mate 70.

While many flagship competitors already use imported ultrasonic fingerprint recognition, which is costly and may not guarantee 100% security, Huawei's self-developed technology significantly enhances security.

Regarding the screen, the Pura 80 Ultra may feature a super retina OLED display of approximately 6.42 inches, with a resolution exceeding 2k, a peak brightness of up to 3500 nits, and support for stepless 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and 3840Hz high-frequency PWM dimming, potentially offering an even better viewing experience.

For the processor, rumors suggest that the Pura 80 Ultra may be equipped with the same Kirin 9020 processor as the Mate 70 Pro series, offering performance comparable to the Snapdragon 8Gen2, ensuring a smooth user experience, even with demanding tasks like gaming.

RAM: The Ultra version is expected to start with 16GB of RAM, surpassing the standard 12GB, better accommodating multitasking and large file processing, enhancing overall operating efficiency.

Operating System: The phone is anticipated to come with HarmonyOS 5.0, deeply integrated with hardware for smarter, more efficient interactions, providing a smoother, more convenient user experience while enhancing device interconnectivity.

Additionally, the Pura 80 Ultra is expected to feature a 6000mAh battery and support 100W wired fast charging, offering extended battery life and reducing the need for frequent charging, even under heavy use.

Other notable features include:

Satellite Communication: Allows connectivity without a network signal, providing a safeguard for travel and emergency communication.

Full-featured NFC: Facilitates mobile payments, public transportation, and access card simulation, enhancing convenience and practicality.

Offline Communication: Expands communication capabilities, providing additional options in special scenarios.

Kunlun Glass, Xuanwu Architecture: Enhances screen durability and drop resistance, while the Xuanwu Architecture supports overall performance and stability.

Current information is based on engineering prototypes in the technical testing phase. The final mass-production version remains to be seen.

One thing is certain: mobile phone imaging technology will continue to evolve.

Who would have imagined a decade ago that mobile phones could rival DSLRs in photography? Or five years ago, that they could offer such smooth zoom experiences?

With manufacturers like Huawei pushing technological boundaries,

the era where "mobile phones can never compare to cameras" may soon be a relic of the past.

The surprises the Pura 80 Ultra will bring are yet to be seen.

The Huawei Pura 80 series is expected to comprise four models: Huawei Pura 80, Huawei Pura 80 Pro, Huawei Pura 80 Pro+, and Huawei Pura 80 Ultra, priced from RMB 5,000 upwards, with the top-tier model potentially exceeding RMB 10,000.

The series is anticipated to launch in the second quarter of 2025, likely in April, aligning with the Pura 70 series's April 18, 2024, release. Some predict an official May release, equipped with the native HarmonyOS system. With product finalization post-Spring Festival and large-scale component procurement underway, anticipation is high.

In conclusion, continuous R&D and innovation are crucial for mobile phone manufacturers to thrive. Huawei's journey exemplifies this. For those with high imaging demands, the Pura 80 Ultra presents a compelling opportunity.

Share your thoughts on the latest Pura 80 Ultra revelations in the comments below and join the discussion with Mingmei Wuxian!