Huawei Mate 70 RS Ultimate Review: Features, Price, and Performance
Network Technology:
- GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
Launch:
- Announced: November 26, 2024
- Released: December 19, 2024
- Status: Available
Body:
- Dimensions: 164.6 x 79.5 x 8.3 mm (6.48 x 3.13 x 0.33 in)
- Weight: 251 g or 256 g (8.85 oz)
- Build: Glass front, titanium alloy frame
- SIM: Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
- IP68/IP69 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min)
Display:
- Type: Dual-layer LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 3500 nits (peak)
- Size: 6.9 inches, 117.4 cm² (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio)
- Resolution: 1316 x 2832 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~453 ppi density)
- Protection: Huawei Kunlun Glass (basalt tempered)
Platform:
- OS: HarmonyOS 4.3
- Chipset: Kirin 9020
- CPU: Octa-core (1x2.5 GHz & 3x2.15 GHz & 4x1.6 GHz)
- GPU: Maleoon 920
- Memory:
- No card slot
- Internal: 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
Main Camera:
- Triple:
- 50 MP, f/1.4-f/4.0, 24mm (wide), PDAF, OIS
- 48 MP, f/2.1, 93mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom
- 40 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), PDAF
- Features: Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR
- Video: 4K, 1080p, HDR, gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie Camera:
- Single: 13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide)
- TOF 3D (depth/biometrics sensor)
- Features: HDR, panorama
- Video: 4K, 1080p
Sound:
- Loudspeaker: Yes, with stereo speakers
- 3.5mm jack: No
- High-definition audio
- High & low-frequency separate speakers
Comms:
- WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
- Bluetooth: 5.2, A2DP, LE, L2HC
- Positioning: GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC
- NFC: Yes
- Infrared port: Yes
- Radio: No
- USB: USB Type-C 3.1, OTG, DisplayPort 1.2
Features:
- Sensors: Face ID, fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
- BDS Satellite Calling and Messaging - China only
- Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery:
- Type: Si/C Li-Ion 5700 mAh
- Charging:
- 100W wired
- 80W wireless
- 20W reverse wireless
- 18W reverse wired
Miscellaneous:
- Colors: Black, White, Red
- Models: PLU-AL10
- Price: About 1580 EUR
Design and Display :
One of the key ways the Huawei Mate 70 RS Ultimate stands out is its design. Huawei has a long history of developing luxurious and visually appealing devices, and the Mate 70 RS Ultimate is no exception. The phone is expected to feature a premium ceramic back with a glossy finish and will likely be available in two different colors: black and red. The ceramic design not only ensures a premium look but also makes it durable and scratch-resistant. It gives off an elegant and sophisticated vibe.
The frame is likely to be made of metal, ensuring a sturdy yet lightweight construction. The rounded edges provide a seamless grip, making the phone comfortable to hold despite its size. On the front, the Mate 70 RS Ultimate will feature a 6.8-inch AMOLED display with QHD+ resolution (approximately 3200 x 1440 pixels). Thanks to AMOLED technology, this screen delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and high contrast. A 120Hz refresh rate gives the device ultra-smooth animations and scrolling, making it ideal for gaming, watching multimedia, and general use. Additionally, the phone is likely to come with HDR10+ support, which will improve color accuracy and contrast for supported content.
The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, which makes it scratch-resistant and can withstand accidental drops. The punch-hole camera cutout for the front camera is placed in the center or left side of the screen to avoid obstructing the view.
Performance and Software :
Under the hood, the Huawei Mate 70 RS Ultimate is expected to feature Huawei's in-house Kirin 9000 2 chipset or its successor. This next-generation processor will perform better in terms of speed and energy efficiency while excelling in AI-driven tasks. The Kirin 9000 2 will likely be manufactured on a 5nm process to improve power efficiency and overall processing performance compared to its predecessor.
The phone will come with 12GB or 16GB of RAM for seamless multitasking, quick app launches, and smooth app switching even under heavy load. In terms of internal storage, the Mate 70 RS Ultimate offers options ranging from 256 GB to 1 TB, which is likely to provide plenty of space for apps, media, and files. Huawei may not include a microSD card slot for expandable storage, so users will have to choose the storage variant that best suits their needs.
In terms of software, the Mate 70 RS Ultimate runs on HarmonyOS 4.0, Huawei's custom operating system. HarmonyOS has been somewhat controversial, but it has become increasingly refined and offers a smooth and intuitive experience. It offers an Android-like user interface, but also comes with additional features such as multi-screen collaboration, gesture control, and seamless app switching between Huawei devices. The operating system also supports tight integration with Huawei’s ecosystem, allowing users to easily connect with Huawei tablets, laptops, wearables, and more.
Battery and Charging :
The battery life of the Mate 70 RS Ultimate is likely to be impressive. The phone will have a 5000mAh battery, which is plenty for a flagship device and will ensure all-day use even with power-hungry apps and features.
Huawei’s SuperCharge technology will be one of the standout features as the Mate 70 RS Ultimate will support 100W super-fast wired charging, allowing you to charge the device from 0% to 100% in less than 30 minutes. Additionally, the phone will likely feature 50W wireless charging, offering fast wireless charging speeds that allow you to charge your device without having to plug it in. Another great feature is wireless charging, which allows users to charge other devices such as wireless earphones or other mobile phones by simply placing them on the back of the Mate 70 RS Ultimate.
Camera System :
Huawei is known for its camera capabilities and the Mate 70 RS Ultimate is expected to take this to the next level. The device is likely to feature a four-camera system co-developed with Huawei's long-time imaging technology partner Leica.
Here are some details about the camera setup:
- Main Sensor: 50MP primary sensor with a large aperture (f/1.8 or f/1.9) for better performance and clarity in low light. The larger sensor captures light better, resulting in sharper details and richer colors in your photos.
- Ultra-wide-angle lens: 48MP ultra-wide-angle camera with a viewing angle of approximately 120 degrees. Capture expansive landscapes and large group shots without losing any details.
- Telephoto Lens: A 12MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom and 50x hybrid zoom lets you zoom in on distant subjects while maintaining sharp details and image clarity.
- Periscope Lens: A 40MP periscope camera for long-range zoom captures crystal clear photos even at very high zoom levels (up to 100x).
The Mate 70 RS Ultimate will also come with advanced camera features such as AI-assisted photo capture, Night mode, Portrait mode, and 4K video recording at up to 60 frames per second. The AI-powered camera system automatically adjusts settings to optimize photos depending on the scene, resulting in great shots in a variety of situations.
On the front, there's a selfie camera with a 16MP sensor that can deliver high-quality selfies with AI-powered beauty mode and portrait effect.
Connectivity and Features :
The Mate 70 RS Ultimate supports 5G connectivity, ensuring lightning-fast download and upload speeds on compatible networks. It also comes with Wi-Fi 6 for faster and more stable wireless internet, and Bluetooth 5.2 for improved wireless audio and device connectivity.
The phone is IP68 water- and dust-resistant, meaning it's protected from dust and can withstand being submerged in water for a period of time. Other connectivity features include NFC for mobile payments, USB Type-C, and an in-display fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking.
Price and Availability :
Like Huawei's previous high-end devices, the Mate 70 RS Ultimate is expected to be priced in the premium range. Pricing is expected to start at around $1,500 and up depending on storage and RAM configuration, making it one of the most expensive smartphones on the market.
Conclusion :
The Huawei Mate 70 RS Ultimate is shaping up to be an excellent flagship device that competes with the best smartphones on the market. With a gorgeous design, cutting-edge performance, a great camera system, and fast charging capabilities, it has all the elements to become a hit among smartphone enthusiasts. For technology enthusiasts, photography enthusiasts, or those who simply enjoy using premium devices, the Mate 70 RS Ultimate is definitely a smartphone worth considering. However, pricing and availability in different regions, especially in markets where Huawei faces restrictions, may affect its acceptance. Still, Huawei's commitment to innovation is clearly on display with the Mate 70 RS Ultimate.
