Huawei Mate 70 vs Google Pixel 9 Pro: A Head-to-Head Flagship Showdown

The Huawei Mate 70 and Google Pixel 9 Pro represent distinct philosophies in the Android flagship space. The Mate 70, leveraging Huawei’s in-house Kirin silicon, aims for a balance of power and efficiency, while the Pixel 9 Pro, powered by Google’s Tensor G4, prioritizes AI-driven features and a refined software experience. This comparison dissects their core strengths and weaknesses to determine which device reigns supreme.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing long-term software support and AI-powered features, the Google Pixel 9 Pro is the better choice. Its Tensor G4 chip, coupled with exceptional battery endurance and a brighter display, offers a smoother, more integrated experience. However, the Mate 70’s faster charging and potentially more efficient chipset appeal to power users.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 70 Google Pixel 9 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, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71 - GR83Y
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - GR83Y
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, November 262024, August 13
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, November 26Available. Released 2024, September 09
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum alloy frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame
Dimensions160.9 x 75.9 x 7.8 mm (6.33 x 2.99 x 0.31 in)152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm (6.02 x 2.83 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight203 g (7.16 oz)199 g (7.02 oz)
Display
ProtectionHuawei Kunlun Glass 2Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, Mohs level 4
Resolution1216 x 2688 pixels (~440 ppi density)1280 x 2856 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~495 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.8 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 96.3 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2500 nits (peak)LTPO OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2000 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.5 GHz & 3x2.15 GHz & 4x1.6 GHz)Octa-core (1x3.1 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A720 & 4x1.92 GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetKirin 9020 (7 nm)Google Tensor G4 (4 nm)
GPUMaleoon 920Mali-G715 MC7
OSHarmonyOS 4.3Android 14, upgradable to Android 16, up to 7 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM128GB 16GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDRMulti-zone Laser AF, LED flash, Pixel Shift, Ultra-HDR, panorama, Best Take, Zoom Enhance
Triple50 MP, f/1.4-f/4.0, 24mm (wide), PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 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", dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 48 MP, f/1.7, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", dual pixel PDAF
Video4K, 1080p, HDR, gyro-EIS, OIS8K@30fps (via cloud-based upscaling), 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@24/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS, 10-bit HDR
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR, panorama
Single13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide)42 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), PDAF
Video4K, 1080p4K@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, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
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
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, thermometer (skin temperature)
Battery
Charging66W wired 50W wireless 7.5W reverse wireless 5W reverse wired27W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 55% in 30 min 21W wireless (w/ Pixel Stand) 12W wireless (w/ Qi compatible charger) Reverse wireless Bypass charging
Type5300 mAhLi-Ion 4700 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Purple, White, GreenPorcelain, Rose Quartz, Hazel, Obsidian
ModelsCLS-AL00GR83Y, GEC77, GWVK6
PriceAbout 720 EUR$ 458.13 / C$ 796.95 / £ 593.99 / € 499.99 / ₹ 88,900
SAR EU-0.99 W/kg (head)     1.37 W/kg (body)
EU LABEL
Battery-50:44h endurance, 1000 cycles
Energy-Class A
Free fall-Class A (270 falls)
Repairability-Class C

Huawei Mate 70

  • Significantly faster wired and wireless charging.
  • Potentially more power-efficient chipset (7nm vs 4nm).
  • Huawei’s ecosystem integration (for existing users).

  • Software support and updates are uncertain.
  • Camera performance is unknown without detailed specs.

Google Pixel 9 Pro

  • Exceptional battery life and longevity.
  • AI-powered features and software experience.
  • Brighter display for outdoor visibility.

  • Slower charging speeds compared to the Mate 70.
  • Tensor G4 may throttle under sustained heavy loads.

Display Comparison

The Google Pixel 9 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, peaking at 2331 nits, making it far more usable in direct sunlight compared to the Mate 70 (brightness unspecified). While the Mate 70’s panel technology isn’t detailed, the Pixel 9 Pro likely utilizes LTPO for adaptive refresh rates, conserving battery life. The Pixel 9 Pro’s superior brightness is a clear advantage for outdoor visibility and HDR content consumption.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs for the Mate 70, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Pixel 9 Pro’s image processing, driven by the Tensor G4’s AI capabilities, is a key strength. Google’s computational photography excels in dynamic range and low-light performance. The Pixel 9 Pro’s focus on software optimization likely delivers consistently high-quality images, even without relying on massive sensor sizes. The Mate 70 will need to demonstrate significant hardware advantages to compete.

Performance

The core architectural difference lies in the chipsets: Huawei’s Kirin 9020 (7nm) versus Google’s Tensor G4 (4nm). The Tensor G4’s 4nm process offers inherent thermal efficiency advantages, potentially leading to less throttling under sustained loads. The Tensor G4’s Cortex-X4 prime core, clocked at 3.1 GHz, is a performance powerhouse, exceeding the Kirin 9020’s 2.5 GHz peak. However, the Kirin 9020’s octa-core configuration might offer better multi-core performance in certain tasks. The Pixel 9 Pro’s LPDDR5x RAM further enhances memory bandwidth, contributing to a snappier overall experience.

Battery Life

The Pixel 9 Pro’s battery endurance is a standout feature, achieving a measured 50:44h endurance and 13:11h of active use. While the Mate 70’s battery capacity is unknown, its charging speeds are significantly faster: 66W wired and 50W wireless, compared to the Pixel 9 Pro’s 27W wired and 21W wireless (with Pixel Stand). The Mate 70 can reach 55% charge in 30 minutes, while the Pixel 9 Pro takes longer. The Pixel 9 Pro’s 1000-cycle battery longevity suggests a focus on long-term battery health.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate 70 if you need blazing-fast charging speeds (66W wired, 50W wireless) and value a potentially more power-efficient chipset for extended use. Buy the Google Pixel 9 Pro if you prefer a seamless software experience, cutting-edge AI features, and exceptional battery life backed by Google’s long-term support commitment.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 9020 chipset in the Mate 70 suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
While the Kirin 9020 is a capable chipset, its 7nm process may be more prone to thermal throttling compared to the Pixel 9 Pro’s 4nm Tensor G4, especially during prolonged, graphically intensive gaming. Huawei’s thermal management solutions will play a crucial role in mitigating this, but the Pixel 9 Pro likely maintains more consistent performance over time.
❓ How does the Pixel 9 Pro’s ‘Bypass Charging’ feature benefit users?
The Pixel 9 Pro’s ‘Bypass Charging’ feature allows power to directly flow to the device while charging, minimizing battery heat buildup. This is particularly useful for users who frequently use their phone while charging, as it can help prolong battery lifespan by reducing thermal stress.
❓ What are the implications of Huawei’s software ecosystem for Mate 70 users outside of China?
Huawei’s software ecosystem, while improving, still lacks the full suite of Google Mobile Services (GMS) outside of China. This means no pre-installed Google apps and potential compatibility issues with some Android applications. Users will rely on Huawei’s AppGallery and workarounds for accessing Google services.