Huawei has opened pre-orders for its new Pura 80 Series in South Africa. The range includes three models: the Pura 80, Pura 80 Pro, and the top-tier Pura 80 Ultra. This is Huawei’s first major flagship launch for South Africa since the shift to the Pura branding, which officially replaced the long-running P Series in 2024.
The Pura 80 Series puts imaging front and centre, particularly with the Ultra model’s retractable main camera and Huawei’s latest Ultra Lighting imaging system. Design remains a key part of the series’ identity too, with the Ultra and Pro models sporting Huawei’s “Fashion Forward” design aesthetic and the unique triangular “The Starry Pattern” camera island layout.
Pre-order pricing and availability
The phones are available to pre-order now from Huawei’s online store and selected retail partners, with general availability scheduled for early August. Local pricing is as follows:
- Huawei Pura 80: R19,999
- Huawei Pura 80 Pro: R24,999
- Huawei Pura 80 Ultra: R39,999
Each pre-order (for the Pura 80 Pro and Pura 80 Ultra) includes a free Huawei nova Y72s and Huawei Care +.
All about imaging
The Pura 80 Ultra leads the line with a switchable dual telephoto camera, featuring a 50MP telephoto lens designed to deliver improved light intake and dynamic range. It also features an F1.6 aperture and the Ultra Lighting XMAGE imaging system, promising better results across night, portrait, and motion photography. Both the Pro and Ultra models also support 100x digital zoom and 100W wired Huawei SuperCharge, as well as 80W wireless SuperCharge.
The base model Pura 80 skips the Switchable Dual Telephoto Camera lens but still includes Huawei’s Ultra Lighting camera system, a 50MP main sensor, and 66W wired SuperCharge.
No Google, no HarmonyOS
Globally, Huawei continues to ship its phones without Google Mobile Services. The Pura 80 Series runs EMUI 15.0, not HarmonyOS, and uses Huawei’s AppGallery for apps and services. EMUI brings over Huawei’s in-house AI features, such as the new AI Gesture Control, AI Privacy View, and AI Blur for enhanced screen privacy.
The phones are all powered by unspecified octa-core 4G processors and offer dual-SIM support, side-mounted fingerprint sensors, and Huawei’s usual suite of connectivity and smart ecosystem features.
Huawei Pura 80 Series: Specs at a glance
| Feature | Pura 80 | Pura 80 Pro | Pura 80 Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.7″ OLED, 2760×1256, 120Hz | 6.8″ OLED, 2848×1276, 120Hz | 6.8″ OLED, 2848×1276, 120Hz |
| Processor | Octa-core (unspecified, 4G) | Octa-core (unspecified, 4G) | Octa-core (unspecified, 4G) |
| RAM / Storage | 12GB / 256GB | 12GB / 512GB | 16GB / 512GB |
| Rear Cameras | 50 MP Ultra Lighting Camera (F1.4~F4.0 aperture, OIS) + 13 MP Ultra-Wide Angle Camera (F2.2 aperture) + 12 MP Periscope Telephoto Camera (F3.4 aperture, OIS) 1.5 M Spectral Channels Ultra Chroma Camera | 50 MP 1-inch Ultra Lighting Camera (F1.6~F4.0 aperture, OIS) + 40 MP Ultra-Wide Angle Camera (F2.2 aperture) + 48 MP Ultra Lighting Macro Telephoto Camera (F2.1 aperture, OIS) 1.5 M Spectral Channels Ultra Chroma Camera | 50 MP 1-inch Ultra Lighting HDR Camera (F1.6~F4.0 aperture, OIS) + 40 MP Ultra-Wide Angle Camera (F2.2 aperture) + 50 MP Telephoto Camera (3.7x Optical Zoom, F2.4, Sensor Shift OIS) + 12.5 MP Telephoto Camera (9.4x Optical Zoom, F3.6, Sensor Shift OIS) 1.5 M Spectral Channels Ultra Chroma Camera |
| Front Camera | 13 MP Selfie Camera (Wide Angle, F2.0, autofocus) | 13 MP Selfie Camera (Wide Angle, F2.0, autofocus) | 13 MP Selfie Camera (Wide Angle, F2.0, autofocus) |
| Battery | 5170Ah, 66W wired SuperCharge, 50W wireless | 5170mAh, 100W wired, 80W wireless | 5170mAh, 100W wired, 80W wireless |
| OS | EMUI 15.0 | EMUI 15.0 | EMUI 15.0 |
| Other | IP68/IP69, side-mounted fingerprint | IP68/IP69, side-mounted fingerprint | IP68/IP69, side-mounted fingerprint |
The Pura 80 Series marks Huawei’s most premium smartphone push in South Africa since the Pura 70 series. While the lack of 5G and Google apps still looms large, the phones’ imaging and design strengths are clearly aimed at users who want something different from the dominant Android offerings.
You can find more info and pre-order directly at consumer.huawei.com/za.