Huawei Pura 70 Pro+ vs Google Pixel 8 Pro: A Clash of Chipsets and Camera Philosophies

The Huawei Pura 70 Pro+ arrives amidst ongoing geopolitical constraints, showcasing Huawei’s continued chip design capabilities with the Kirin 9010. This contrasts sharply with the Google Pixel 8 Pro, a showcase for Google’s Tensor G3 and its AI-driven features. This comparison dissects these two flagship contenders, focusing on performance, camera capabilities, and the user experience each delivers.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a consistently smooth software experience and cutting-edge AI features, the Google Pixel 8 Pro emerges as the winner. However, the Huawei Pura 70 Pro+ offers significantly faster charging and a potentially unique hardware experience for those willing to navigate the software ecosystem.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Pura 70 Pro+ Google Pixel 8 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 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, April 182023, October 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, April 29Available. Released 2023, October 12
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frame, silicone polymer back (eco leather)Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame
Dimensions162.6 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.40 x 2.96 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
Weight220 g (7.76 oz)213 g (7.51 oz)
Display
ProtectionKunlun Glass (Xuanwu tempered)Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1260 x 2844 pixels (~460 ppi density)1344 x 2992 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~489 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO OLED, 1B colors, HDR, 120Hz, 1440Hz PWM, 2500 nits (peak)LTPO OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1600 nits (HBM), 2400 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.3 GHz Taishan Big & 3x2.18 GHz Taishan Mid & 4x1.55 GHz Cortex-A510)Nona-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetKirin 9010 (7 nm)Google Tensor G3 (4 nm)
GPU-Immortalis-G715s MC10
OSHarmonyOS 4.2Android 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/1.4-4.0, 25mm (wide), 1/1.3", PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/2.1, 93mm (telephoto), PDAF (5cm - ∞), OIS, 3.5x optical zoom 12.5 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)50 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, (ultrawide), AF10.5 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm, PDAF
VideoYes, HDR4K@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, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, 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
TypeLi-Po 5050 mAhLi-Ion 5050 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, SilverObsidian, Porcelain, Bay, Mint
ModelsHBN-AL10, HBN-AL80GC3VE, G1MNW
PriceAbout 1050 EUR€ 362.00 / $ 289.97 / £ 329.95 / ₹ 54,999

Huawei Pura 70 Pro+

  • Incredibly fast 100W wired and 80W wireless charging
  • Potentially powerful Kirin 9010 chipset
  • Unique hardware and software experience

  • Software ecosystem limitations due to geopolitical factors
  • Lack of detailed specifications hinders direct comparison

Google Pixel 8 Pro

  • Seamless Android experience with guaranteed updates
  • Exceptional AI-powered camera features
  • Excellent battery life and efficient Tensor G3 chip

  • Slower charging speeds compared to the Pura 70 Pro+
  • Less raw processing power than some competitors

Display Comparison

The Google Pixel 8 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 1600 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Pura 70 Pro+’s display specifications 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 Pura 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 Pura 70 Pro+’s camera specifications are not detailed enough to make a direct comparison, but Huawei historically focuses on large sensors and strong optical zoom capabilities. The Pixel 8 Pro excels in computational photography, leveraging the Tensor G3’s AI processing for features like Best Take and Magic Editor. The Pixel 8 Pro’s image processing prioritizes realistic colors and dynamic range, while Huawei often leans towards more vibrant, saturated images. Without specific sensor details for the Pura 70 Pro+, it’s difficult to assess its low-light performance relative to the Pixel 8 Pro.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: Huawei’s Kirin 9010 (7nm) versus Google’s Tensor G3 (4nm). The Tensor G3’s 4nm process offers superior transistor density and, crucially, better thermal efficiency compared to the Kirin 9010’s 7nm node. This translates to potentially less throttling under sustained load. The Pixel 8 Pro’s nona-core CPU, featuring a Cortex-X3 prime core, is designed for peak performance, while the Pura 70 Pro+ utilizes a Taishan architecture. While the Kirin 9010’s octa-core configuration is powerful, the Tensor G3’s architecture is optimized for Google’s AI and machine learning tasks, providing a distinct advantage in features like Magic Eraser and real-time translation. Both utilize Cortex-A510 cores for efficiency, but the Tensor G3’s overall architecture is more modern.

Battery Life

The Pixel 8 Pro achieves an impressive 11:14h of active use, and an endurance rating of 90 hours, demonstrating strong battery life. The Pura 70 Pro+ counters with significantly faster charging: 100W wired, 80W wireless, and even 20W reverse wireless. The Pixel 8 Pro offers 30W wired, 23W wireless, and reverse wireless charging. While the Pixel 8 Pro’s battery endurance is commendable, the Pura 70 Pro+’s charging speeds are in a different league, allowing for a full charge in a fraction of the time. The Pura 70 Pro+ also offers 18W reverse wired charging, a feature not explicitly mentioned for the Pixel 8 Pro.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Pura 70 Pro+ if you need exceptionally fast wired and wireless charging, and are comfortable with a software experience distinct from standard Android. You'll benefit from the Kirin 9010's raw processing power for demanding tasks. Buy the Google Pixel 8 Pro if you prioritize a seamless, AI-enhanced Android experience, long-term software support, and a consistently excellent camera system with computational photography advantages.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 9010 in the Pura 70 Pro+ suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
Given the 7nm process node, the Kirin 9010 is more susceptible to thermal throttling compared to the Pixel 8 Pro’s 4nm Tensor G3. While the Kirin 9010 is a powerful chip, prolonged intensive tasks like gaming may lead to performance drops as the device heats up. Huawei’s thermal management solutions will play a crucial role in mitigating this, but the Tensor G3 has a clear architectural advantage in this regard.
❓ How does the Pixel 8 Pro’s 'Best Take' feature work, and is it genuinely useful in real-world scenarios?
The Pixel 8 Pro’s 'Best Take' feature leverages AI to combine multiple photos of a group, allowing you to select the best face for each person. It’s remarkably effective, particularly in situations where someone blinked or had an awkward expression in the initial shots. The Tensor G3’s processing power makes this feature fast and reliable, offering a genuinely useful solution for capturing perfect group photos.
❓ Is the lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS) on the Pura 70 Pro+ a dealbreaker for most users?
The absence of GMS is a significant consideration. It means no pre-installed Google apps like Gmail, YouTube, or Google Maps. While Huawei’s AppGallery has grown, it still lacks the breadth of apps available on the Google Play Store. Users will need to rely on workarounds or alternative app sources, which may not be ideal for everyone.
❓ What kind of charging brick is included with the Pura 70 Pro+ to support the 100W wired charging?
Huawei typically includes a compatible charging brick with devices supporting 100W charging. However, regional variations may exist. It's crucial to verify the contents of the box upon purchase to ensure you receive the necessary charger to take full advantage of the fast charging capabilities.