Huawei Pura 70 Ultra vs Samsung S24 Ultra REVIEW — The Real Flagship Battle of 2025
Have you ever held two ultra-premium phones side by side and thought, “Which one really justifies its price?”
That was me last month, standing in a tech store in Casablanca with the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra in one hand and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra in the other.
Both looked like spaceships disguised as smartphones — sleek, shiny, and loaded with features that could easily make a DSLR camera feel insecure. But as always, when two giants clash, one comes out on top… or does it?
Let’s break down what really happens when you pit Huawei Pura 70 Ultra vs Samsung S24 Ultra — in design, camera, performance, software, and real-life use.
First Impressions: Two Titans, Two Philosophies
There’s something almost poetic about comparing Huawei and Samsung.Huawei, the rebellious innovator forced to reinvent itself without Google, and Samsung, the Android monarch that sets the bar year after year.
Design & Build Quality
Let’s start with what you first notice: the feel in your hand.The Huawei Pura 70 Ultra immediately stands out with its unique camera bump — that circular “Star Orbit Ring” design is bold and almost luxurious. It’s got that “I’m different” energy.
The back has a soft, matte texture that feels like holding a premium leather wallet. Subtle, elegant, and less slippery than glass.
The Samsung S24 Ultra, on the other hand, keeps that industrial charm. Flat titanium sides, sharp corners, and that solid rectangular stance that screams business. It’s slightly heavier, but also gives you that “built-to-last” confidence.
💬 Real-life note: I dropped both (by accident, of course). The Huawei survived a small fall on ceramic tiles with no scratches thanks to its Kunlun Glass 2. The Samsung got a tiny nick near the corner — titanium helps, but physics still wins.
Verdict:
- Huawei wins on style and comfort.
- Samsung wins on durability and structure.
Cameras: The True Showdown
If you’re reading this, chances are you care about photography. And honestly, this is where the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra vs Samsung S24 Ultra battle gets really heated.Huawei’s Pop-Up Camera Magic
Huawei’s 1-inch sensor is no joke. It’s massive for a phone, and what’s crazier is that the main lens actually retracts like a professional camera lens.Yes — it physically moves out when you open the camera app. The first time I saw it, I literally said, “Whoa, that’s wild.”
In daylight, the photos are stunning — crisp details, natural colors, and incredible background blur that feels DSLR-level. But what blew me away most was low-light photography. Huawei’s AI image processing brings out details from the darkest corners without making the shot look fake or overexposed.
Samsung’s Quad Camera Powerhouse
Samsung didn’t come to play either. The 200MP main sensor on the S24 Ultra delivers incredible sharpness and clarity. The zoom performance — especially the 10x optical and 100x digital — remains unmatched.If you love shooting landscapes, concerts, or even the moon (yes, people still do that), the S24 Ultra is your best bet.
However, Samsung’s images sometimes lean toward vibrant and processed — skies are bluer, greens are greener. Some people love that punchy look; others prefer Huawei’s softer, more natural tones.
💬 Story time: I shot the same sunset with both phones. The S24 Ultra made it look like a tropical paradise — golden and saturated. The Pura 70 Ultra, though, looked exactly as my eyes saw it. Guess which one my Instagram followers liked more? Samsung’s version — people love drama!
Verdict:
- Huawei: for photography purists and low-light fans.
- Samsung: for vibrant social media-ready shots and insane zoom.
Performance: Speed Meets Efficiency
Now let’s talk about raw power — because what’s a flagship without muscle?Chipsets & Speed
- Samsung S24 Ultra: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (custom-tuned).
- Huawei Pura 70 Ultra: Kirin 9010 (Huawei’s own chip).
Apps open instantly, animations are fluid, and the system feels… calm. That’s HarmonyOS magic right there.
Gaming & Heat Management
I played Genshin Impact on both for 30 minutes straight.The S24 Ultra stayed cool longer but started to warm near the camera area after 25 minutes. The Pura 70 Ultra got warmer quicker but never overheated.
Both handled gameplay flawlessly — but the S24 Ultra had a slight edge in frame consistency.
Verdict:
- Samsung wins on raw power and gaming performance.
- Huawei wins on efficiency and everyday smoothness.
Software Experience: Google vs Harmony
Here’s the big elephant in the room — Google services.The Samsung S24 Ultra runs Android 14 with One UI 6.1, and it’s packed with AI features like instant translation, note summarization, and “Circle to Search” (a lifesaver when you spot something cool online).
The Huawei Pura 70 Ultra, running HarmonyOS 4.2, feels like Android but cleaner. You don’t get the Play Store natively, but Huawei’s AppGallery and third-party stores fill most gaps now.
In 2025, it’s no longer that scary to live without Google — I could still install WhatsApp, Instagram, and YouTube with ease.
💬 Personal experience: It took me about 30 minutes to set everything up on Huawei, including Google Maps (via GBox). After that, I barely missed anything.
Still, for someone who relies heavily on Gmail, Drive, or Google Docs, Samsung remains the safer pick.
Verdict:
- Huawei: fresh and fluid, ideal if you’re open-minded.
- Samsung: complete and familiar, perfect if you need seamless Google integration.
Battery Life & Charging: The Speed Race
Battery anxiety is real, especially when you’re out all day.Both phones pack massive 5000mAh batteries, but the charging experience is totally different.
- Huawei Pura 70 Ultra: 100W wired + 80W wireless charging.
- Samsung S24 Ultra: 45W wired + 15W wireless charging.
I plugged the Huawei in at 20%, went to grab a snack, and came back — it was already 75%. Total full charge in under 30 minutes. The Samsung took nearly an hour.
However, Samsung’s battery optimization is better. Even with the always-on display and 120Hz screen, it easily lasted a full day and a half. Huawei was similar, but heavy camera use drained it faster.
Verdict:
- Huawei wins on charging speed.
- Samsung wins on battery endurance.
Display & Audio: Eyes and Ears Matter
Both phones feature stunning LTPO OLED panels — bright, colorful, and buttery smooth at 120Hz refresh rates.The S24 Ultra’s QHD+ display is slightly sharper and brighter outdoors. The Pura 70 Ultra holds its own with excellent color accuracy and less aggressive saturation.
Watching Netflix or YouTube?
Samsung has louder, more balanced stereo speakers. Huawei’s sound is rich but slightly softer.
💬 Quick note: If you watch movies in bed or edit photos on your phone, you’ll notice Samsung’s extra brightness in HDR videos. It’s a small but noticeable edge.
Price & Availability
Here’s where things get tricky.- Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: starts around $1,299.
- Huawei Pura 70 Ultra: often lands around $1,200 (depending on region).
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
So, after weeks of using both daily — from early-morning photography walks to late-night YouTube binges — here’s my honest take:- Go for the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra if you want camera innovation, lightning-fast charging, and a fresh, elegant experience that feels different from the crowd.
- Choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra if you crave power, reliability, and a feature-packed software ecosystem that just works seamlessly with Google and AI tools.