The Huawei Mate 70 Air is an engineering marvel that defies physics. It pairs a razor-thin 6.6mm chassis with a massive 6,500 mAh battery.
Running on the new HarmonyOS NEXT, it completely breaks away from Android, offering a pure, efficient, but isolated software experience.
While the Kirin 9020 chip isn’t the fastest on the market, the “Red Maple” camera system and premium design make it a unique alternative to the iPhone Air.
Huawei Mate 70 Air
Design & Build Quality: The Slimmest Giant
At just 6.6mm thick, the Mate 70 Air feels impossibly slender. Yet, it feels dense and substantial, weighing 208g due to its premium materials.
The back features a unique “Brocade Fiber” texture that feels like silk but is five times stronger than steel. It is grippy, fingerprint-resistant, and unmistakably high-end.
A circular “Star Ring” camera module dominates the rear. Unlike its predecessors, the bezel is perfectly symmetrical, offering a balanced industrial look.
Durability is class-leading with IP69 certification. It can withstand high-pressure water jets, making it arguably the toughest “thin” phone ever made.
Display: Immersion Without Curves
Huawei equips the Air with a flat 7-inch OLED panel. The lack of aggressive curves prevents accidental touches, a common complaint in previous Mate series.
The resolution is a crisp 1.5K (2760 x 1320 pixels) with a dynamic 1-120Hz refresh rate. It supports high-frequency PWM dimming to reduce eye strain at night.
Brightness peaks at 4,000 nits, ensuring readability under direct desert sunlight. The “Kunlun Glass 3” protection layer is purportedly drop-proof from 2 meters.
Colors are vibrant but natural, thanks to the new “TrueColor” management engine. HDR content looks spectacular, though Dolby Vision support is notably absent.
Performance: Kirin 9020 Meets Harmony
The device is powered by the Kirin 9020A (16GB RAM) or 9020B (12GB RAM). Built on a refined 5nm process, it prioritizes efficiency over raw power.
Benchmark scores sit below the Snapdragon 8 Elite, roughly matching the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Daily tasks are fluid, but extreme gaming may see frame drops.
Thermal management is surprisingly good. A specialized ultra-thin vapor chamber keeps the phone cool, even when recording 4K video for extended periods.
With 16GB of unified memory, app retention is excellent. The system feels snappier than Android rivals simply because it is not carrying legacy code bloat.
Camera System: XMAGE “Red Maple”
The “Red Maple” imaging system focuses on color science and texture.
- Main: 50MP variable aperture (f/1.4–f/4.0). It captures incredible detail with natural bokeh, excelling in low-light portraits.
- Telephoto: 12MP periscope with 3x optical zoom. It is decent for portraits but falls short of the 100x zoom found on the Pro+ model.
- Ultrawide: 40MP sensor that doubles as a macro lens.
Video quality has improved significantly, offering 4K at 60fps with effective stabilization. The “Movie Mode” adds a cinematic depth-of-field effect in real-time.
A unique 1.5MP multispectral sensor helps the camera understand light sources, ensuring that skin tones look accurate regardless of the lighting condition.
Battery & Charging: Two-Day Endurance
The 6,500 mAh Silicon-Carbon battery is the phone’s crowning achievement. It easily lasts two full days of moderate use, outlasting the iPhone Air by a wide margin.
Screen-on time consistently hits 11–12 hours. The lack of background Android processes contributes heavily to this standby efficiency.
Charging is capped at 66W wired, which feels slow compared to Chinese rivals. A full charge takes about 45 minutes.
Wireless charging is the biggest omission. To achieve the 6.6mm thickness, Huawei removed the wireless coil entirely, which may be a dealbreaker for some.
Software & Extra Features
HarmonyOS NEXT is the biggest change. It does not run Android APKs. It relies entirely on native formats, meaning the app library is growing but currently limited globally.
The UI is polished, with “air gestures” that let you scroll without touching the screen. The “Atomic Island” notification pill is interactive and intuitive.
Satellite connectivity is built-in (Beidou), allowing two-way messaging and calls even without cellular coverage (currently limited to China/Asia regions).
Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 7 and NearLink, which offers faster, lower-latency connections than standard Bluetooth.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Insane 6,500 mAh battery in a 6.6mm body.
- IP69 rating (water jet resistant).
- Distinctive and durable “Brocade Fiber” design.
- XMAGE main camera takes stunning portraits.
- Satellite calling capability.
Cons
- No Android App Support (Global users beware).
- No wireless charging.
- 66W charging is slower than competitors.
- Heavier than it looks (208g).
Comparison: Competitors in the Price Segment
vs. iPhone Air The Huawei has double the battery life and a more versatile camera system. The iPhone Air wins on global app support, video quality, and ecosystem integration.
vs. Samsung Galaxy S25+ Samsung offers a “safer” choice with 7 years of Android updates and Google services. The Mate 70 Air feels more futuristic but requires a lifestyle adjustment.
vs. Xiaomi 15 Pro Xiaomi offers faster charging (120W) and a better telephoto lens. However, the Huawei Mate 70 Air is significantly thinner and feels more premium in hand.
Conclusion: Is the Huawei Mate 70 Air Worth Buying?
The Huawei Mate 70 Air is a masterpiece of hardware constrained by software geography. For users in regions where Huawei services are dominant, it is a clear winner.
For global users, it is a hard sell due to the lack of Android apps. However, if you are a tech enthusiast who values battery life and design above all else, it is a fascinating device.
It is ideal for business travelers who need satellite connectivity and multi-day battery life, but casual users should stick to Android or iOS alternatives.
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