Huawei Mate 70 Pro+ vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra: A Deep Dive into Flagship Power

The Huawei Mate 70 Pro+ arrives amidst ongoing geopolitical constraints, relying on its in-house Kirin chipset, while the Xiaomi 14 Ultra leverages the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. This comparison isn't just about specs; it's a clash of technological philosophies – self-sufficiency versus industry-leading partnerships – and a battle for the Android flagship crown.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing raw performance and established software ecosystems, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offers a clear advantage in processing power and efficiency, coupled with a brighter display and a proven track record. However, the Mate 70 Pro+'s unique charging capabilities and Kirin's potential for optimized software integration shouldn't be dismissed.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 70 Pro+ Xiaomi 14 Ultra
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, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66 - International
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, November 262024, February 22
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, November 26Available. Released 2024, February 22
Body
BuildGlass front, titanium alloy frameGlass front (Shield Glass), glass back or silicone polymer back (eco leather), titanium frame (grade 5) or aluminum alloy frame
Dimensions164.6 x 79.5 x 8.3 mm (6.48 x 3.13 x 0.33 in)161.4 x 75.3 x 9.2 mm (6.35 x 2.96 x 0.36 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight226 g (7.97 oz)219.8 / 224.4 / 229.5 g (7.76 oz)
Display
ProtectionHuawei Kunlun Glass 2Xiaomi Shield Glass
Resolution1316 x 2832 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~453 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~522 ppi density)
Size6.9 inches, 117.4 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.73 inches, 108.9 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2500 nits (peak)LTPO AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, 1920Hz PWM, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1000 nits (typ), 3000 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.5 GHz Taishan Big & 3x2.15 GHz Taishan Mid & 4x1.53GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetKirin 9020 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUMaleoon 920Adreno 750
OSHarmonyOS 4.3Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, HyperOS
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica lenses, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama, 67mm filter ring holder (optional)
Quad-50 MP, f/1.6-f/4.0, 23mm (wide), 1.0"-type, 1.6µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/1.8, 75mm (telephoto), 1/2.51", 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF (10cm - ∞), OIS, 3.2x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.5, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.51", 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF (30cm - ∞), OIS, 5x optical zoom 50 MP, f/1.8, 12mm, 122˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.51", 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF TOF 3D, (depth)
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), PDAF-
Video4K, 1080p, HDR, gyro-EIS, OIS8K@24/30fps, 4K@24/30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/480/960/1920fps, gyro-EIS, Dolby Vision HDR 10-bit rec. (4K@60fps, 1080p)
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR, panorama
Single13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide) TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)32 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1/3.14", 0.7µm
Video4K, 1080p, HDR, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, L2HC5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, LHDC
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavICGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, DisplayPort 1.2USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort, OTG
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, proximity, gyro, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging100W wired 80W wireless 20W reverse wireless 18W reverse wired90W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 33 min 80W wireless, 100% in 46 min 10W reverse wireless
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 5700 mAhMarket-dependent versions:· 5000 mAh (Global)· 5300 mAh (China only)
Misc
ColorsBlack, Gray, White, GreenBlack, Blue, White, Titanium Gray
ModelsPLA-AL1024031PN0DC, 24030PN60G
PriceAbout 1120 EUR€ 663.14
SAR-0.83 W/kg (head)     0.82 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-1.00 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)

Huawei Mate 70 Pro+

  • Unmatched charging speeds (100W wired, 80W wireless)
  • Best-in-class reverse wireless charging (20W)
  • Potentially optimized software integration with Kirin chipset

  • Less powerful chipset compared to Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
  • Potential software limitations due to geopolitical factors
  • Unknown battery capacity

Xiaomi 14 Ultra

  • Superior performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm)
  • Brighter and more color-accurate display (1281 nits)
  • Established software ecosystem and app compatibility

  • Slower charging speeds compared to Mate 70 Pro+
  • Less powerful reverse wireless charging (10W)
  • Potential for thermal throttling under sustained load

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra boasts a significantly brighter display, peaking at 1281 nits measured, compared to an unstated peak brightness for the Mate 70 Pro+. While Huawei often delivers excellent color accuracy, the higher peak brightness of the Xiaomi is crucial for outdoor visibility. Both are likely to employ LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates, but Xiaomi’s panel’s brightness gives it a clear edge in challenging lighting conditions. Bezels are expected to be minimal on both, but the Xiaomi’s display is a standout feature.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is limited. However, both phones are expected to feature advanced camera systems. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra, given Xiaomi’s recent focus, is likely to prioritize large sensor sizes and computational photography. The Mate 70 Pro+ may lean towards Huawei’s signature color science and image processing algorithms. The absence of a dedicated telephoto lens specification for the Mate 70 Pro+ is a potential drawback, while the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is expected to offer a versatile zoom range. We can assume both will feature robust optical image stabilization (OIS) systems.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) is built on a more advanced process node than the Huawei Mate 70 Pro+'s Kirin 9020 (7nm). This translates to superior thermal efficiency and sustained performance under load. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s CPU configuration – 1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720, 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720, and 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520 – is optimized for both peak performance and power efficiency. The Kirin 9020, with its Taishan architecture, aims to compete, but the 7nm process and potentially less refined architecture will likely result in higher temperatures and more aggressive throttling during extended gaming or video rendering. The Xiaomi also benefits from faster LPDDR5x RAM, further enhancing its performance capabilities.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra demonstrates impressive real-world battery performance, achieving 11:25 hours of active use. While the Mate 70 Pro+'s battery capacity is unknown, its charging capabilities are a major differentiator. 100W wired charging, 80W wireless charging, and even 20W reverse wireless charging are significantly faster than the Xiaomi’s 90W wired (33 min to 100%), 80W wireless (46 min to 100%), and 10W reverse wireless. This means the Mate 70 Pro+ can top up much faster, even if its overall battery life isn’t as long. The Xiaomi’s efficiency, however, partially offsets the charging speed difference.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate 70 Pro+ if you need unparalleled fast charging speeds (100W wired, 80W wireless) and are comfortable navigating a potentially different software experience. Its reverse charging capabilities are also best-in-class. Buy the Xiaomi 14 Ultra if you prioritize peak performance for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, a brighter, more color-accurate display, and a more globally accessible software experience with a robust app ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 9020 chipset in the Mate 70 Pro+ overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
Given the 7nm process node and the complexity of the Taishan architecture, the Kirin 9020 is more susceptible to thermal throttling than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. While Huawei likely employs advanced cooling solutions, expect some performance degradation during extended gaming or demanding tasks. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3's 4nm process offers a clear thermal advantage.
❓ How does the 80W wireless charging on the Xiaomi 14 Ultra compare to the 80W wireless charging on the Mate 70 Pro+ in terms of actual charging time?
While both offer 80W wireless charging, the Mate 70 Pro+’s 100W wired charging provides a significantly faster overall top-up time. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra takes 46 minutes for a full wireless charge, while the Mate 70 Pro+ is expected to be faster, though exact figures are unavailable. The Mate 70 Pro+ also offers 20W reverse wireless charging, a substantial upgrade over the Xiaomi’s 10W.
❓ Is the software experience on the Huawei Mate 70 Pro+ significantly different from Xiaomi's MIUI?
Yes. The Mate 70 Pro+ runs on Huawei’s HarmonyOS, which operates independently of Google Mobile Services (GMS). This means no pre-installed Google apps and reliance on Huawei’s AppGallery. While AppGallery has grown, it still lacks the breadth of apps available on Google Play Store. MIUI, on the other hand, is a mature Android skin with extensive customization options and a vast app ecosystem.