The Huawei Mate 70 Pro: A Powerhouse with a Catch
Let’s cut straight to the chase: the Mate 70 Pro is like that friend who shows up to a party with incredible stories, a killer playlist, but forgets to bring the chips. It’s packed with jaw-dropping hardware, but HarmonyOS NEXT’s lack of Google services casts a long shadow. Here’s what you actually feel when using it.
The Screen: Big, Bold, But Maybe Too Big?
That 6.9" OLED display is a stunner. Scrolling through TikTok? Butter-smooth at 120Hz. Reading at night? The 1440Hz PWM dimming is easier on the eyes than most phones. But here’s the rub: this thing is a tank. At 221g and nearly 80mm wide, one-handed texting feels like doing wrist curls. Perfect for binge-watching Netflix, less so for pocket-friendly convenience. Tradeoffs, right?
Performance: Kirin 9020 Flexes Hard (Mostly)
The Kirin 9020 chipset isn’t just specs on paper—it’s the difference between lagging behind your Uber driver and actually beating them to the pickup spot. Apps launch like they’re scared of getting fired. But here’s the catch: no active cooling. After 20 minutes of Genshin Impact, the back gets warm enough to remind you of last summer’s beach vacation. Not a dealbreaker, but you’ll notice.
Cameras: A Swiss Army Knife with a Few Dull Blades
That variable aperture main camera (f/1.4-4.0) is magic in low light. Dinner date under mood lighting? The Mate 70 Pro turns you into Ansel Adams. The 4x optical zoom is crisp, but Huawei’s obsession with 50x digital zoom? Still feels like trying to read street signs from a helicopter. The 13MP selfie cam? Solid, but struggles with harsh backlighting—prepare for some manual tweaking.
Battery Life: The Marathon Runner
5500mAh + 100W charging = anxiety-free days. I drained it with 6 hours of GPS navigation, Spotify blasting, and Instagram breaks. Still hit bedtime with 15% left. The 80W wireless charging? It’s like watching a gas pump for your phone—30 minutes to full. But that thickness? You’re trading sleekness for endurance.
The HarmonyOS Elephant in the Room
Here’s where specs don’t tell the story. HarmonyOS NEXT is smooth as heck—no Android jank here. But no Google apps means sideloading Gmail feels like building IKEA furniture without instructions. If your life runs on Google Workspace, this phone will frustrate you. For China-centric users? It’s a non-issue. For everyone else? Proceed with caution.
Who’s This For?
- Yes, if: You’re all-in on Huawei’s ecosystem, prioritize camera chops over app convenience, or need a battery that laughs at power banks.
- No, if: You’re glued to Google Maps, need lightweight design, or play Fortnite marathons (that warming back gets old).
My Take: Would I Buy It?
As someone who lives in Google Docs? Probably not. But if I were based in China or could live without Google’s tentacles? In a heartbeat. The Mate 70 Pro nails the fundamentals—screen, battery, camera—with the confidence of a company that’s mastered hardware. But software’s still its Achilles’ heel. It’s like driving a Lamborghini… on backroads full of potholes. Thrilling, but you’ll feel every bump.
