Huawei Mate 70: The Contender That Plays By Its Own Rules
Let me start with this: The Mate 70 feels like a high-stakes poker hand from Huawei. It’s got all the flashy specs you’d expect from a flagship, but there’s a catch—several, actually—that make this phone more of a "love letter to the loyalists" than a universal crowd-pleaser. Let’s break it down like we’re dissecting a gadget over a beer.
The Screen: Butter Smooth, But Does It Burn Bright?
That 6.7" OLED panel is gorgeous—no two ways about it. With a 120Hz refresh rate and LTPO tech, scrolling through TikTok or swiping between apps feels like wiping condensation off glass. The 1440Hz PWM dimming is a godsend for late-night doomscrollers (you know who you are), reducing eye strain compared to older Huaweis. But here’s the rub: outdoor visibility. While Huawei doesn’t list peak brightness specs, real-world testing shows it’s decent under sunlight but still squint-worthy next to Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra. The dual-edge design looks slick but occasionally registers accidental touches when gripping tightly.
Performance: Kirin 9020 Flexes, But Can It Go the Distance?
The Kirin 9020 chipset’s 1.24M Antutu score puts it roughly on par with last year’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Translation: It’s fast, but not class-leading. Apps launch instantly, and multitasking with 12GB RAM is seamless—until you push it. Gaming at max settings? Genshin Impact runs smoothly for 20 minutes, but the lack of a cooling system means frame rates dip as the phone warms up. It’s like a sprinter who forgot to stretch: great for short bursts, less so for marathons.
Cameras: A Swiss Army Knife With a Few Dull Blades
The triple-camera setup is where Huawei flexes its engineering muscles. That f/1.4 variable aperture main lens? It’s a low-light beast, capturing shockingly detailed night shots without turning shadows into mush. The 40MP telephoto’s 5.5x optical zoom is legit—perfect for concert close-ups or sneaky pet photos—but the 100x digital zoom is pure marketing confetti. The 13MP selfie cam? Serviceable, but struggles with dynamic range in backlit selfies. Pro tip: Stick to the main camera flipped backward for group shots.
Battery Life: The Marathon Runner
Here’s where the Mate 70 shines. The 5300mAh battery paired with HarmonyOS’s aggressive background app management gets you two days of moderate use. Even as a heavy user (5G on, emails syncing, YouTube binges), I hit bedtime with 30% left. And 66W wired charging? 0-80% in 30 minutes. The 50W wireless charging is a nice touch, though you’ll need Huawei’s proprietary pad to hit those speeds.
The Elephant in the Room: HarmonyOS and the Google Void
HarmonyOS 4.3 is slick—think iOS meets Android with a dash of Huawei’s flair. Animations are buttery, and the control panel is intuitive. But let’s address the AppGallery-shaped hole in the room. Yes, you can sideload apps like Netflix or Instagram via third-party stores (Petal Search works), but it’s a clunky workaround. Banking apps? Hit or miss. Google Maps? Web browser version only. For travelers or Google-dependent users, this is a dealbreaker. But if you live in Huawei’s ecosystem (or China), it’s manageable.
Build Quality: Tank-Like, But Heavy
IP68/IP69K ratings mean this phone laughs at rainstorms and dusty hikes. The aluminum frame and matte glass back scream premium, but at 203g, it’s a wrist workout during long Netflix sessions. The squared-off edges dig into your palm after a while—a rare misstep in ergonomics for Huawei.
Who’s This For?
- Buy it if: You’re in China, don’t need Google services, and want a camera/battery champ.
- Skip it if: You rely on Google apps, play graphics-heavy games daily, or prefer lightweight phones.
Jeffrey’s Take: A Niche Powerhouse
If you’d asked me three years ago, I’d have called the Mate 70 an instant buy. Today? It’s complicated. As a daily driver in Europe, the app gaps are frustrating—no Google Maps means relying on clunky alternatives like Here WeGo. But as a secondary phone for photography and media? Hell yes. That variable aperture lens and battery life are worth the price alone. Huawei’s playing a different game here, and while it’s not for everyone, the Mate 70 proves they’re still swinging hard.
My verdict? If you’re all-in on Huawei’s ecosystem or crave that camera magic, go for it. Otherwise, wait for the Pura 71—or grab a Pixel 9.
