Huawei Mate70 Series In-Depth Review: Is It Worth the Upgrade?

Huawei Mate70 Series In-Depth Review: Is It Worth the Upgrade?Only a Mate can surpass a Mate! This resounding statement by Richard Yu at the Huawei Mate series launch set the stage. The Huawei Mate70 series has officially launched, leaving many consumers wondering: how much of an improvement is it over the Mate60 series? What are the differences between the Pro and Pro+ versions? And is it worth the upgrade for existing users? This article delves into the Huawei Mate70 series to help you make an informed decision

Huawei Mate70 Series In-Depth Review: Is It Worth the Upgrade?

Only a Mate can surpass a Mate! This resounding statement by Richard Yu at the Huawei Mate series launch set the stage. The Huawei Mate70 series has officially launched, leaving many consumers wondering: how much of an improvement is it over the Mate60 series? What are the differences between the Pro and Pro+ versions? And is it worth the upgrade for existing users? This article delves into the Huawei Mate70 series to help you make an informed decision.

TL;DR: The Huawei Mate70 series boasts HarmonyOS NEXT, delivering a 36% fluency improvement and over 40% overall performance enhancement. It also features a more scratch and drop-resistant design, along with significant upgrades to network and imaging capabilities. However, the necessity of an upgrade depends on your individual needs and current phone model.

Design: A Balancing Act Between Ruggedness and Aesthetic Fatigue

The Mate70 series retains the centered circular camera module design, maintaining a similar overall look to its predecessor. However, the back panel now uses an integrated Kunlun glass material, enhancing drop resistance. The front features second-generation Kunlun glass, boasting double the drop resistance of its predecessor. The Pro+ version takes it further with a titanium alloy high-gloss frame, significantly improving texture, and scratch and drop resistance. The standard and Pro versions stick with an aluminum alloy frame.

Overall, the Mate70 series boasts a rugged design, but some users may experience aesthetic fatigue. Furthermore, the Mate70 series is relatively wide, making one-handed operation slightly inconvenient. The Master Edition's ceramic material adds considerable weight, making it less suitable for users with small hands or women.

Signal and Communication: Enhanced by Lingxi Communication

Huawei consistently maintains a leading position in signal technology, and the Mate70 series is no exception. It features next-generation Lingxi communication technology and premieres a rear intelligent multi-antenna system. Officially, signal strength is claimed to be improved by 3dB compared to the previous generation. Tech bloggers' real-world tests show a doubled network performance improvement in the Mate70 Pro+ compared to the Mate60 Pro, validating Richard Yu's claims.

Imaging System: The Stunning Performance of the Red Maple True-Color Camera

The Mate60 series faced criticism for color inaccuracies. The Mate70 series addresses this with the introduction of the Red Maple True-Color camera, significantly improving color accuracy, particularly crucial for RYYB sensors. The Mate70 series shows a marked improvement in color accuracy compared to the Mate60 series.

The Mate70 Pro features a 50MP main camera + 40MP ultrawide + 48MP periscope telephoto lens combination (standard and Pro versions use RGGB sensor array). The Mate70 Pro+ upgrades to a RYYB sensor array, allowing for greater light intake at night. The new XMAGE imaging style offers three color options: Vibrant, True-Color, and Vivid, further enhancing photo aesthetics.

Display: Minor Upgrades, Maintaining High Standards

The Mate70 series offers two screen sizes: a 6.7-inch flat screen for the standard version and a 6.9-inch curved screen for the Pro and Pro+. The Master Edition utilizes a higher-end dual-layer OLED screen with a peak brightness of 3500 nits. Compared to the Mate60 series, screen specifications remain largely unchanged, with the main difference being screen size. Eye protection features, refresh rate, and touch sampling rate remain consistent.

Unlocking Method: The Controversy and Advantages of Side-Mounted Fingerprint Scanning

The most significant change in the Mate70 series is the shift in unlocking method. The controversial under-screen fingerprint scanner of the Mate60 series has been replaced with a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. This change has drawn criticism from some users who consider it beneath the status of a high-end phone. However, the side-mounted fingerprint scanner offers faster and more reliable unlocking than the under-screen solution, providing a more convenient and natural experience. The Pro, Pro+, and Master Edition also feature 3D facial recognition, allowing users to choose their preferred unlocking method for a complementary experience.

Performance: The Steady Performance of the Kirin Chipset

The Mate70 Pro and Mate70 Pro+ are powered by the Kirin 9020 processor, while the standard version continues to use the Kirin 9010. AnTuTu benchmark scores hover around 1.25 million, slightly outperforming the Snapdragon 8+, but still lagging behind the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and Dimensity 9400. Nevertheless, thanks to Huawei's deep optimization, the Mate70 series provides a smooth and stable daily user experience.

Upgrade Recommendation: Targeted Analysis, Rational Choice

For Mate50 and Mate40 series users, upgrading to the Mate70 series is worth considering, especially given the significant fluency improvements brought by HarmonyOS NEXT. For Mate60 series users, the necessity of an upgrade depends on individual needs. If you demand superior imaging, signal, and performance, the Mate70 series upgrade is worthwhile.

Within the Mate70 series, the Pro version offers the best price-performance ratio, providing a balanced performance across all aspects. The Pro+ version boasts improvements in the RYYB sensor and titanium alloy frame, but at a higher price point. The standard version is less recommended due to its lower price-performance ratio compared to the Mate60 or P60 series. The Master Edition targets the high-end market with a premium price, but remains attractive if acquired at a reasonable price.

Currently, the Mate60 Pro 12+512GB version is available on e-commerce platforms for around 5078 yuan. If you prioritize ultimate cost-effectiveness, the Mate60 series remains a solid option.

Conclusion: Flagship-Level Capabilities, Rational Choice is Key

The Mate70 series presents improvements over the Mate60 series in terms of appearance, performance, battery life, and imaging, while maintaining stable or even reduced pricing (Pro+ version). The Pro+ version's 500 yuan price reduction further enhances its competitiveness. The Mate70 series is expected to remain a star product in Huawei's phone lineup. However, the ultimate decision of whether or not to upgrade should be based on your specific needs and budget. Avoid blind following; choose the phone that best suits your individual requirements.