Huawei Mate 70 Pro vs Google Pixel 8 Pro: A Head-to-Head Flagship Battle

The Huawei Mate 70 Pro and Google Pixel 8 Pro represent distinct philosophies in the Android flagship space. The Mate 70 Pro, despite ongoing geopolitical constraints, pushes hardware boundaries with its Kirin 9020 chipset and blazing-fast charging. The Pixel 8 Pro, meanwhile, doubles down on Google’s AI-first approach, leveraging the Tensor G3 to deliver a uniquely software-driven experience. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which phone reigns supreme.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing raw speed and charging convenience, the Huawei Mate 70 Pro emerges as the winner. Its 100W wired and 80W wireless charging are unmatched, and the Kirin 9020 offers competitive performance. However, the Pixel 8 Pro’s superior software experience and AI capabilities make it the better choice for those deeply integrated into the Google ecosystem.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 70 Pro Google Pixel 8 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - G1MNW
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - G1MNW
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, November 262023, October 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, November 26Available. Released 2023, October 12
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum alloy frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame
Dimensions164.6 x 79.5 x 8.2 mm (6.48 x 3.13 x 0.32 in)162.6 x 76.5 x 8.8 mm (6.40 x 3.01 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight221 g (7.80 oz)213 g (7.51 oz)
Display
ProtectionHuawei Kunlun Glass 2Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1316 x 2832 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~453 ppi density)1344 x 2992 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~489 ppi density)
Size6.9 inches, 117.4 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2500 nits (peak)LTPO OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1600 nits (HBM), 2400 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.5 GHz & 3x2.15 GHz & 4x1.6 GHz) - PLR-AL00Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz & 3x2.0 GHz & 4x1.6 GHz) - PLR-AL50Nona-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetKirin 9020 (7 nm)Google Tensor G3 (4 nm)
GPUMaleoon 920Immortalis-G715s MC10
OSHarmonyOS 4.3Android 14, upgradable to Android 16, up to 7 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDRMulti-zone Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Ultra-HDR, panorama, Best Take, Zoom Enhance
Triple50 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), PDAF50 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/2.8, 113mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.0, 126˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video4K, 1080p, HDR, gyro-EIS, OIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@24/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS, 10-bit HDR
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR, panorama
Single13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide) TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)10.5 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm, PDAF
Video4K, 1080p, HDR, gyro-EIS4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, L2HC5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavICGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, DisplayPort 1.2USB Type-C 3.2
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFace ID, fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, thermometer (skin temperature)
Battery
Charging100W wired 80W wireless 20W reverse wireless 18W reverse wired30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min 23W wireless Reverse wireless Bypass charging
Type5500 mAhLi-Ion 5050 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Purple, White, GreenObsidian, Porcelain, Bay, Mint
ModelsPLR-AL00, PLR-AL50GC3VE, G1MNW
PriceAbout 860 EUR€ 362.00 / $ 289.97 / £ 329.95 / ₹ 54,999

Huawei Mate 70 Pro

  • Unmatched 100W wired and 80W wireless charging
  • Powerful Kirin 9020 processor
  • Potential for innovative camera technology (based on Huawei's history)

  • Lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS) may be a dealbreaker for some
  • Limited information on display specifications

Google Pixel 8 Pro

  • Exceptional AI-powered camera and software features
  • Long-term software support and updates
  • Bright and efficient LTPO display

  • Slower charging speeds compared to the Mate 70 Pro
  • Tensor G3 may not match the raw processing power of some competitors

Display Comparison

The Pixel 8 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 1600 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Mate 70 Pro’s display specs aren’t provided, Huawei typically employs high-quality OLED panels. The Pixel 8 Pro’s LTPO technology allows for a variable refresh rate, optimizing battery life. The absence of detailed display specs for the Mate 70 Pro makes a direct comparison difficult, but the Pixel 8 Pro’s brightness and adaptive refresh rate give it a clear advantage for outdoor use and power efficiency.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are expected to deliver excellent camera performance, but their approaches differ. The Pixel 8 Pro is renowned for its computational photography prowess, leveraging Google’s AI algorithms for stunning image processing. The Mate 70 Pro’s camera specs are not detailed, but Huawei has a history of employing large sensors and advanced optics. Without specific sensor size or aperture information for the Mate 70 Pro, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Pixel 8 Pro’s established track record in image quality and video stabilization, combined with its AI-powered features like Magic Eraser, give it a significant advantage.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: Huawei’s Kirin 9020 (7nm) versus Google’s Tensor G3 (4nm). The Tensor G3’s 4nm process offers inherent thermal efficiency advantages over the Kirin 9020’s 7nm node, potentially leading to less throttling during sustained workloads. The Tensor G3’s nona-core architecture, featuring a Cortex-X3 prime core, is geared towards AI tasks, while the Kirin 9020’s octa-core configuration focuses on a balance of performance and efficiency. The Pixel 8 Pro’s LPDDR5X RAM further enhances memory bandwidth. While the Kirin 9020 is a capable processor, the Tensor G3’s dedicated AI hardware and more efficient process give it an edge in overall responsiveness and future-proofing.

Battery Life

The Pixel 8 Pro achieves an impressive 11:14h of active use and an endurance rating of 90 hours, demonstrating excellent battery life. The Mate 70 Pro compensates for potentially lower battery capacity with its exceptional charging capabilities: 100W wired, 80W wireless, and even 20W reverse wireless. The Pixel 8 Pro offers 30W wired charging with PD3.0/PPS and 23W wireless charging. The Mate 70 Pro’s charging speeds are significantly faster, allowing for a full charge in a fraction of the time. The Pixel 8 Pro’s ‘Bypass Charging’ feature, which minimizes battery degradation during prolonged charging, is a thoughtful addition, but the Mate 70 Pro’s sheer charging speed is a game-changer for users who frequently need to top up their battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate 70 Pro if you need unparalleled charging speeds, a powerful processor for demanding tasks, and aren't heavily reliant on Google Mobile Services. Buy the Google Pixel 8 Pro if you prioritize a seamless software experience, cutting-edge AI features, and a consistently updated Android experience with guaranteed long-term support.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 9020 chipset in the Mate 70 Pro suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
While the Kirin 9020 is a powerful processor, its 7nm process node is less thermally efficient than the 4nm Tensor G3. This means the Mate 70 Pro may experience more noticeable throttling during prolonged, demanding tasks like gaming, potentially leading to reduced performance over time. However, Huawei’s thermal management solutions may mitigate this issue to some extent.
❓ How does the lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS) on the Huawei Mate 70 Pro impact the user experience?
The absence of GMS means the Mate 70 Pro doesn’t natively support Google apps like Gmail, YouTube, and Google Maps. Users must rely on Huawei’s AppGallery and workarounds to access these services, which can be less convenient and may not offer the same level of integration. This is a significant consideration for users heavily invested in the Google ecosystem.
❓ What is 'Bypass Charging' on the Pixel 8 Pro and how does it benefit battery health?
Bypass Charging on the Pixel 8 Pro intelligently manages the charging process to minimize battery degradation. When enabled, the phone learns your charging habits and reduces the time spent at 100% charge, which is known to accelerate battery aging. This feature helps prolong the overall lifespan of the battery.
❓ Can the Huawei Mate 70 Pro wirelessly charge other devices at its full 20W reverse wireless charging speed?
Yes, the Mate 70 Pro supports 20W reverse wired and 20W reverse wireless charging. This allows you to conveniently top up other devices, such as earbuds or smartwatches, using the phone’s battery. However, the actual charging speed may vary depending on the device being charged.