HUAWEI Pura 90 Smartphones Officially Launched: Specs, Pros and Cons, Comparison

We just finished reviewing what makes the HUAWEI Pura 80 series great, and the manufacturer has already announced the next generation. The HUAWEI Pura 90 smartphone and two Pro versions were officially launched on April 20, and it immediately became clear: this is not just an update. The series has changed conceptually, and not entirely for the better. What happened with the Pura 90 specs, and whether the new smartphones are even worth considering — we break it all down in this article.

This is what the HUAWEI Pura 90 Pro Max looks like

What Makes the HUAWEI Pura 90 Series Interesting

The first thing that catches your eye is the HUAWEI Pura 90 design of the base model. The camera module is triangular, and that’s no accident: this solution allowed the manufacturer to arrange three lenses differently, without the usual column or square layout. It looks unconventional, and that’s more of a plus.

The Pro and Pro Max have a different story. The HUAWEI Pura 90 Pro Max appearance is built around two-tone gradients on the metal frame: HUAWEI claims this is the world’s first smartphone with such a solution. The color options are indeed vibrant: lavender with gold, green with white, blue with silver. Some will call it flashy, others — bold. Neutral opinions are few.

HUAWEI Pura 90 Pro in an interesting color. Image: HUAWEI

An important point about positioning: the Pura series no longer claims the title of HUAWEI’s main camera flagship. We covered separately why HUAWEI downgraded Pura in class, and the gist is this: the flagship spot is now occupied by the Mate series, while Pura 90 has become a slightly more affordable lineup with a focus on design and mid-flagship-level camera. The Ultra model, which was in the Pura 80 lineup, has been dropped. Now the maximum is Pro Max.

HUAWEI Pura 90, 90 Pro, and 90 Pro Max Specifications

All three models run HarmonyOS 6.1 and are protected to the IP68/69 standard. That’s where the similarities end.

A few nuances worth highlighting separately. The base model unexpectedly received a 6500 mAh battery — larger than the Pro and Pro Max with their 6000 mAh. Plus, the Pro only has 66W charging, which looks modest for a flagship price tag. The Pro Max makes more sense in this regard: 100W wired and 80W wireless. The HUAWEI Pura 90 Pro specs in the charging department are arguably the weakest point of the entire series.

HUAWEI Pura 90 Series Camera

The camera is the main reason to buy any smartphone from the Pura series. The base model has a triple system: a 50 MP RYYB main sensor with OIS, a 50 MP periscope telephoto with 3.7x optical zoom, and a 12.5 MP ultrawide. Plus the signature Red Maple spectral sensor for accurate color reproduction — it analyzes light across 1.5 million spectral channels.

The base model is simpler than the rest. Image: HUAWEI

The HUAWEI Pura 90 Pro specs in the camera department are noticeably more interesting. The main 50 MP sensor is 1/1.28″ with a variable aperture of f/1.4-4.0 — a serious tool for shooting in various lighting conditions. A 50 MP periscope with 4x zoom, a 12.5 MP ultrawide, and the updated Red Maple 2.

The HUAWEI Pura 90 Pro Max smartphone received the most interesting camera system in the series. The main sensor is the same as the Pro — 50 MP 1/1.28″ with variable aperture. But the periscope telephoto here is 200 MP with 4x optical zoom and CIPA 7.0 stabilization — that’s flagship-level. The ultrawide grew to 40 MP. Add eSIM and anti-glare glass, and you get the most fully equipped device in the lineup. However, even it doesn’t quite match something like the Xiaomi 17 Ultra with its 1-inch sensor.

What none of the models have is a 1-inch sensor. The Pura 80 Ultra had a 1-inch sensor; here the maximum is 1/1.28″. For those who were specifically looking at the 1-inch sensor as a marker of a camera flagship, this is a fundamental step backward.

HUAWEI Pura 90 Release Date and Price

The HUAWEI Pura 90 Pro release date and Pro Max is April 29, 2026 in China. The new HUAWEI Pura 90 base version will go on sale a bit later — May 9. Prices for all configurations:

• Pura 90 (12/256 GB) — 4,699 yuan (≈ 54,900 ₽);
• Pura 90 (12/512 GB) — 5,199 yuan (≈ 60,800 ₽);
• Pura 90 (16/512 GB) — 5,699 yuan (≈ 66,700 ₽);
• Pura 90 Pro (12/256 GB) — 5,499 yuan (≈ 69,700 ₽);
• Pura 90 Pro (12/512 GB) — 5,999 yuan (≈ 76,100 ₽);
• Pura 90 Pro (16/512 GB) — 6,499 yuan (≈ 82,400 ₽);
• Pura 90 Pro (16/1024 GB) — 7,499 yuan (≈ 95,100 ₽);
• Pura 90 Pro Max (12/256 GB) — 6,499 yuan (≈ 82,400 ₽);
• Pura 90 Pro Max (12/512 GB) — 6,999 yuan (≈ 88,800 ₽);
• Pura 90 Pro Max (16/512 GB) — 7,499 yuan (≈ 95,100 ₽);
• Pura 90 Pro Max (16/1024 GB) — 8,499 yuan (≈ 107,800 ₽).

Compared to the Pura 80, the series has become noticeably cheaper. This is a direct consequence of dropping the 1-inch sensor and Ultra status. For buyers, this is good news.

HUAWEI Pura 90 Smartphones in Russia

There is no official HUAWEI Pura 90 release date in Russia yet. But judging by how HUAWEI launched previous series on the Russian market, expect it closer to summer. The Pura 80 appeared in Russia approximately two to three months after the Chinese launch. Most likely, the Pura 90 will follow the same path.

You’ll be able to buy the HUAWEI Pura 90 before the official launch through AliExpress or private sellers from Chinese warehouses. Prices will traditionally be higher than in official retail. We’re following the news: as soon as official information about the Russian release appears, we’ll update this article.

Is the HUAWEI Pura 90 Worth Buying?

It depends on what you expect from a smartphone. If you need a camera with good zoom, nice design, and HUAWEI as an ecosystem — the series is interesting. Especially the HUAWEI Pura 90 Pro Max phone with its 200-megapixel periscope: this telephoto resolution is practically unmatched on the market.