Huawei Mate 70 RS Ultimate vs Google Pixel 8 Pro: A Deep Dive into Flagship Supremacy

The Huawei Mate 70 RS Ultimate marks a significant return for the Chinese giant, boasting cutting-edge hardware and a focus on luxury. This puts it directly in competition with Google’s Pixel 8 Pro, a device renowned for its AI-powered features and exceptional camera. We’re dissecting these two titans to determine which one reigns supreme in the Android landscape.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a consistently smooth experience and industry-leading computational photography, the Google Pixel 8 Pro emerges as the winner. However, the Huawei Mate 70 RS Ultimate’s blistering 100W charging and potentially superior raw processing power appeal to power users and those seeking a unique, premium experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 70 RS Ultimate 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, December 19Available. Released 2023, October 12
Body
BuildGlass front, titanium alloy frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame
Dimensions164.6 x 79.5 x 8.3 mm (6.48 x 3.13 x 0.33 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
Weight251 g or 256 g (8.85 oz)213 g (7.51 oz)
Display
ProtectionHuawei Kunlun Glass (basalt tempered)Corning 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)
TypeDual-layer LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 3500 nits (peak)LTPO OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1600 nits (HBM), 2400 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.5 GHz & 3x2.15 GHz & 4x1.6 GHz)Nona-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
Internal512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB 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, 1080p4K@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
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 5700 mAhLi-Ion 5050 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, RedObsidian, Porcelain, Bay, Mint
ModelsPLU-AL10GC3VE, G1MNW
PriceAbout 1580 EUR€ 362.00 / $ 289.97 / £ 329.95 / ₹ 54,999

Huawei Mate 70 RS Ultimate

  • Blazing-fast 100W wired charging
  • Luxurious design and build quality
  • Potentially superior raw processing power with Kirin 9020

  • Software ecosystem and update support are uncertain
  • Potential thermal throttling under sustained load

Google Pixel 8 Pro

  • Exceptional camera with AI-powered image processing
  • Seamless and intuitive software experience
  • Guaranteed software updates for years

  • Slower charging speeds compared to Mate 70 RS Ultimate
  • Less impressive wireless charging capabilities

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 RS Ultimate’s display specs are currently unavailable, 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 LTPO details for the Mate 70 RS Ultimate suggests a potentially less efficient display, though color accuracy and resolution are likely comparable given the flagship positioning of both devices.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are expected to deliver exceptional camera performance, but their approaches differ. The Pixel 8 Pro excels in computational photography, leveraging Google’s AI algorithms for stunning image processing. While specific sensor details for the Mate 70 RS Ultimate are unavailable, Huawei has a history of utilizing large sensors and advanced optics. The Pixel 8 Pro’s strength lies in its consistent image quality across all lighting conditions and its impressive video stabilization. The Mate 70 RS Ultimate may offer more flexibility for manual controls and potentially better low-light performance due to its larger sensor (speculation based on Huawei’s past designs).

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 a significant advantage in thermal efficiency, potentially leading to less throttling during sustained workloads. The Tensor G3’s nona-core architecture, featuring a Cortex-X3 prime core, is designed for AI tasks, while the Kirin 9020’s octa-core setup prioritizes raw processing power. The Pixel 8 Pro benefits from optimized software integration with its Tensor chip, while the Mate 70 RS Ultimate’s performance will heavily rely on software optimization to fully utilize the Kirin 9020’s capabilities. RAM speeds are currently unknown for the Mate 70 RS Ultimate, but the Pixel 8 Pro likely utilizes LPDDR5X for faster data transfer.

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 RS Ultimate compensates for a potentially smaller battery with its groundbreaking 100W wired charging, capable of fully charging the device in a fraction of the time compared to the Pixel 8 Pro’s 30W charging (50% in 30 minutes). The Mate 70 RS Ultimate also offers 80W wireless charging and 20W reverse wireless charging, significantly outpacing the Pixel 8 Pro’s 23W wireless and reverse wireless capabilities. The Pixel 8 Pro’s ‘Bypass charging’ feature, which limits charging to 80% to extend battery lifespan, is a thoughtful addition.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate 70 RS Ultimate if you need the absolute fastest charging speeds available on a smartphone, value a luxurious design, and are comfortable with a potentially less refined software experience. Buy the Google Pixel 8 Pro if you prefer a seamless, AI-enhanced user experience, a consistently excellent camera, and guaranteed software updates for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 9020 chipset in the Mate 70 RS Ultimate suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
Given the 7nm process node and the Kirin 9020’s octa-core configuration, thermal throttling is a potential concern, especially under sustained load. While Huawei has implemented cooling solutions, the Tensor G3’s 4nm process offers a clear advantage in thermal efficiency. Real-world testing will be crucial to determine the extent of throttling.
❓ How does the Pixel 8 Pro’s ‘Bypass Charging’ feature impact long-term battery health?
The Pixel 8 Pro’s ‘Bypass Charging’ feature intelligently limits charging to 80%, reducing the time the battery spends at 100% charge. This significantly minimizes battery degradation over time, extending the overall lifespan of the battery. It's a proactive approach to battery health management.
❓ Is the 20W reverse wired charging on the Mate 70 RS Ultimate useful for charging other devices?
While 20W reverse wired charging is available, it's primarily a convenience feature. It's sufficient for topping up smaller devices like earbuds or smartwatches, but it won't rapidly charge larger devices like laptops or tablets. The Pixel 8 Pro also offers reverse wireless charging, but at a lower wattage.
❓ What are the implications of the Mate 70 RS Ultimate lacking Google Mobile Services (GMS)?
The absence of GMS means the Mate 70 RS Ultimate doesn't natively support Google apps like Gmail, YouTube, and Google Maps. Users will need to rely on Huawei’s AppGallery and potentially sideload apps, which can be a less seamless experience for those heavily invested in the Google ecosystem.