Huawei Mate 70 vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: A Head-to-Head Comparison of Flagship Power

The Huawei Mate 70 and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra represent the pinnacle of Android smartphone technology, but they approach that peak from different angles. The Mate 70, powered by Huawei’s in-house Kirin 9020, aims to deliver a premium experience despite ongoing geopolitical constraints. The S24 Ultra, with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, leverages cutting-edge manufacturing and a fully-featured software ecosystem. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device reigns supreme.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing consistent performance, a robust software experience, and exceptional display quality, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the clear winner. While the Huawei Mate 70 offers impressive charging speeds and a unique design, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s efficiency and the S24 Ultra’s superior battery life provide a more polished and reliable daily experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 70 Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE (up to 7CA), 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, November 262024, January 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, November 26Available. Released 2024, January 24
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum alloy frameGlass front (Corning Gorilla Armor), glass back (Corning Gorilla Armor), titanium frame (grade 2)
Dimensions160.9 x 75.9 x 7.8 mm (6.33 x 2.99 x 0.31 in)162.3 x 79 x 8.6 mm (6.39 x 3.11 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - INT· Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - USA· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM - CN
Weight203 g (7.16 oz)232 g or 233 g (8.18 oz)
Display
ProtectionHuawei Kunlun Glass 2Corning Gorilla Armor
Resolution1216 x 2688 pixels (~440 ppi density)1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~505 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.8 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 113.5 cm2 (~88.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2500 nits (peak)Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.5 GHz & 3x2.15 GHz & 4x1.6 GHz)8-core (1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.1GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.9GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.2GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetKirin 9020 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUMaleoon 920Adreno 750 (1 GHz)
OSHarmonyOS 4.3Android 14, up to 7 major Android upgrades, One UI 8.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Quad-200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.3", 0.6µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 67mm (telephoto), 1/3.52", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/3.4, 111mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.52", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video
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), PDAF-
Video4K, 1080p, HDR, gyro-EIS, OIS8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR, HDR10+
Single13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide)12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video4K, 1080p4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, L2HC5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavICGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, DisplayPort 1.2USB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort 1.2, 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
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging66W wired 50W wireless 7.5W reverse wireless 5W reverse wired45W wired, PD3.0, 65% in 30 min 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
Type5300 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Purple, White, GreenTitanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Violet, Titanium Yellow, Titanium Blue, Titanium Green, Titanium Orange
ModelsCLS-AL00SM-S928B, SM-S928B/DS, SM-S928U, SM-S928U1, SM-S928W, SM-S928N, SM-S9280, SM-S928E, SM-S928E/DS
PriceAbout 720 EUR$ 514.94 / C$ 929.99 / £ 630.00 / € 658.53 / ₹ 84,999
SAR-1.26 W/kg (head)     0.62 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-1.06 W/kg (head)     1.30 W/kg (body)

Huawei Mate 70

  • Extremely fast 66W wired charging
  • 50W wireless charging is significantly faster than S24 Ultra
  • Potentially unique software features and design

  • Kirin 9020 chipset may not match Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance
  • Software ecosystem may be less mature than Samsung's

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

  • Superior performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm)
  • Exceptional display brightness (1447 nits)
  • Long-lasting battery life (13:49h active use)

  • Slower wired charging speed (45W) compared to Mate 70
  • Wireless charging speed (15W) is slower than Mate 70

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1447 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Mate 70’s display specs are not provided, Huawei typically employs OLED panels, but likely lacks the S24 Ultra’s peak brightness. The S24 Ultra’s adaptive refresh rate, likely utilizing LTPO technology, contributes to power efficiency, while the S24 Ultra’s display is known for its color accuracy. The S24 Ultra’s display is a clear advantage for outdoor use and media consumption.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications for the Mate 70, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the S24 Ultra is expected to feature a sophisticated camera system with advanced image processing capabilities. The S24 Ultra’s larger sensor size and wider apertures will likely result in superior low-light performance and dynamic range. The S24 Ultra’s video recording capabilities are also expected to be best-in-class, with support for high-resolution recording and advanced stabilization. The S24 Ultra’s camera system is geared towards both casual users and professional photographers.

Performance

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) in the S24 Ultra offers a substantial architectural advantage over the Kirin 9020 (7nm). The 4nm process node translates to improved thermal efficiency and power management, allowing the S24 Ultra to sustain peak performance for longer periods. The Snapdragon’s Cortex-X4 prime core, clocked at 3.39GHz, is expected to outperform the Kirin 9020’s 2.5GHz core in single-core tasks. The S24 Ultra’s LPDDR5x RAM further enhances performance, providing faster data access. While the Kirin 9020 is a capable chip, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 provides a more future-proof and consistently powerful experience.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra’s battery life is a standout feature, achieving an impressive 13 hours and 49 minutes of active use. While the Mate 70 offers faster charging speeds – 66W wired and 50W wireless – the S24 Ultra’s superior battery efficiency and larger capacity (implied by the long active use time) provide a more reliable all-day experience. The Mate 70’s 66W wired charging can replenish the battery quickly, but the S24 Ultra’s 45W charging, combined with its longer battery life, offers a more balanced solution. The Mate 70 also offers reverse wireless and wired charging, but at lower wattages (7.5W and 5W respectively) than the S24 Ultra’s 15W wireless and 4.5W wired.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate 70 if you prioritize extremely fast charging (66W wired, 50W wireless) and are comfortable with a potentially less-refined software experience. It’s a compelling option for users seeking a premium device outside the typical Google/Samsung ecosystem. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra if you demand the best possible performance, a class-leading display with 1447 nits of peak brightness, and a long-lasting battery that delivers nearly 14 hours of active use. It’s the ideal choice for power users, content creators, and those deeply integrated into the Samsung ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 9020 in the Mate 70 experience significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
Given the 7nm process node of the Kirin 9020, it's likely to experience more thermal throttling than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) in the S24 Ultra during prolonged, demanding tasks like gaming. The Snapdragon’s improved efficiency allows it to maintain peak performance for longer without overheating.
❓ How does the 66W charging on the Mate 70 compare to the 45W charging on the S24 Ultra in real-world scenarios?
While the Mate 70’s 66W charging is faster on paper, the S24 Ultra’s larger battery and efficient power management mean the overall time to full charge may not be drastically different. The Mate 70 will provide a quicker initial boost, but the S24 Ultra’s longer battery life reduces the frequency of needing to charge.
❓ Is the lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS) on the Huawei Mate 70 a significant drawback for most users?
For users heavily reliant on Google apps like Gmail, YouTube, and Google Maps, the absence of GMS on the Mate 70 is a major consideration. Huawei’s AppGallery and workarounds exist, but the experience isn’t as seamless as with GMS-equipped devices. This is a key factor for those deeply embedded in the Google ecosystem.