The Huawei Mate 70 Air and OnePlus 12R represent compelling options in a crowded mid-to-high-end smartphone market. The Mate 70 Air, powered by Huawei’s Kirin 9020A/B, aims to deliver a premium experience despite ongoing geopolitical constraints. The OnePlus 12R, leveraging the proven Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, focuses on raw performance and fast charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and rapid charging, the OnePlus 12R emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, built on a 4nm process, offers superior thermal efficiency and gaming capabilities compared to the 7nm Kirin 9020A/B. However, the Mate 70 Air may appeal to users deeply embedded in the Huawei ecosystem.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, November 06 | 2024, January 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, November 06 | Available. Released 2024, February 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame, glass back |
| Dimensions | 165 x 81.5 x 6.6 mm (6.50 x 3.21 x 0.26 in) | 163.3 x 75.3 x 8.8 mm (6.43 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 208 g (7.34 oz) | 207 g (7.30 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Kunlun Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| Resolution | 1320 x 2760 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~437 ppi density) | 1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.0 inches, 123.0 cm2 (~91.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR Vivid, 4000 nits (peak) | LTPO4 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1600 nits (HBM), 4500 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Kirin 9020A (7 nm) - 12GB RAMKirin 9020B (7 nm) - 16GB RAM | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 740 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 5.1 | Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.3", PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.4, 69mm (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide) | 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K, 1080p, HDR, gyro-EIS, OIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 10.7 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm |
| Video | 4K, 1080p | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, L2HC | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired
5W reverse wired | 100W wired, 100% in 26 min |
| Type | Si/C Li-Ion 6500 mAh | Li-Ion 5500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Silver | Iron Gray, Cool Blue, Electric Violet, Sunset Dune |
| Models | SUP-AL90 | CPH2609, CPH2585, CPH2611 |
| Price | About 510 EUR | € 410.84 / $ 399.95 / £ 649.00 |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 0.82 W/kg (body) |
Huawei Mate 70 Air
- Potential for unique Huawei software features.
- May offer a more compact design (speculation).
- 5W reverse wired charging for accessory top-ups.
- Kirin 9020A/B chipset likely less powerful than Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
- Slower 66W charging compared to OnePlus 12R.
- Limited information available on display and camera specs.
OnePlus 12R
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 delivers superior performance and efficiency.
- 100W charging provides incredibly fast top-ups.
- Bright and likely LTPO display for excellent viewing experience.
- May lack the unique software features of Huawei’s ecosystem.
- Larger form factor potentially less comfortable for some users.
- OxygenOS, while generally good, may not appeal to all.
Display Comparison
The OnePlus 12R boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1181 nits, which translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. While the Mate 70 Air’s display specifications are currently unknown, the higher brightness of the OnePlus 12R provides a tangible advantage for outdoor use. The OnePlus 12R’s panel likely utilizes LTPO technology, enabling variable refresh rates for improved power efficiency, a feature not confirmed for the Mate 70 Air. Bezels and color accuracy are unknown for the Mate 70 Air, but the OnePlus 12R is expected to deliver a modern, immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the Mate 70 Air, a direct comparison is limited. However, the OnePlus 12R is expected to feature a capable camera system, focusing on a primary sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS). The absence of information regarding sensor sizes and lens apertures on the Mate 70 Air makes it difficult to assess its photographic capabilities. It’s reasonable to assume Huawei will emphasize image processing algorithms, but the underlying hardware is crucial. We can expect the OnePlus 12R to deliver consistent and reliable image quality across various lighting conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus 12R’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) is a powerhouse, featuring a Cortex-X3 prime core clocked at 3.2 GHz. This contrasts with the Huawei Mate 70 Air’s Kirin 9020A/B (7nm). The 4nm fabrication process of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 inherently offers better power efficiency and thermal management, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Kirin 9020A/B, while an octa-core processor, will likely struggle to match the sustained performance of the Snapdragon, especially in graphically intensive tasks. The OnePlus 12R’s LPDDR5x RAM further enhances memory bandwidth, contributing to smoother multitasking and faster application loading times.
Battery Life
The OnePlus 12R excels in charging speed, achieving a full charge in just 26 minutes with its 100W wired charging. The Huawei Mate 70 Air’s 66W charging is considerably slower. While the Mate 70 Air’s battery capacity is unknown, the OnePlus 12R’s active use score of 14:32h demonstrates excellent battery life. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s efficiency contributes significantly to this longevity. The Mate 70 Air also offers 5W reverse wired charging, a convenient feature for topping up accessories, but the OnePlus 12R’s faster charging and potentially larger battery capacity give it a clear advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei Mate 70 Air if you prioritize a potentially unique software experience within the Huawei ecosystem and value a more compact form factor (assuming it exists, data not provided). Buy the OnePlus 12R if you demand consistently high performance for gaming and demanding applications, coupled with incredibly fast 100W charging and a proven track record of software updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin 9020A/B chipset in the Mate 70 Air overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
Given the 7nm fabrication process and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2's superior thermal efficiency, the Kirin 9020A/B is more likely to experience thermal throttling during extended gaming. While Huawei employs cooling solutions, the underlying architecture suggests the OnePlus 12R will maintain higher sustained performance.
❓ How does the 100W charging on the OnePlus 12R compare to typical fast charging solutions?
100W charging is exceptionally fast, fully charging the OnePlus 12R in approximately 26 minutes. This is significantly quicker than most 65W or 67W charging solutions, minimizing downtime and maximizing usability. The Huawei Mate 70 Air’s 66W charging, while still fast, is considerably slower.
❓ Is the lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS) on the Huawei Mate 70 Air a significant drawback?
For users heavily reliant on Google apps like Gmail, YouTube, and Google Maps, the absence of GMS is a major consideration. Huawei’s AppGallery and alternative solutions exist, but compatibility and user experience may not be identical. This is a key factor for those deeply integrated into the Google ecosystem.
❓ What type of RAM does the OnePlus 12R use, and how does it impact performance?
The OnePlus 12R utilizes LPDDR5x RAM, which offers significantly faster data transfer rates compared to older RAM standards. This translates to quicker application loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved overall system responsiveness, particularly beneficial for demanding games and applications.
