I tried Huawei’s Pura 90s Pro Max camera beast – Apple and Samsung should be happy they don’t have to deal with it

I’m in Kuala Lumpur for Huawei’s international launch of their new camera flagship, the Pura 90s Pro Max. For those wondering where that Pura name came from, this is actually the evolution of their P line, which spawned legendary smartphones like the P30 Pro from 2019.

So, what does that Pura 90s Pro Max have to offer?

A breakthrough zoom camera… again

The P series, and then the Pura models, have always been about breakthrough photography, and the Pura 90s Pro Max is a brilliant embodiment of that spirit.

I’ve been using the phone for a couple of days now, snapping pictures and video left and right, and what can I say – Apple and Samsung should be happy they don’t have to deal with this right now. If they had, they would be scrambling to drastically level up their camera game.

The Pura 90s Pro Max is a camera beast – pure and simple. That much is obvious from the design of the huge camera bump on the back, and that impression doesn’t lie one bit.

All of Huawei’s innovations carry on here, like the RYYB sensor for impressive low-light photography, or their True to Life 2.0 color system.

The main and the ultrawide cameras are very strong, as you’ll see in the photo gallery below, but we’ve seen great wide cameras before. Huawei seems more interested in pushing the envelope here by aggressively innovating the in zoom department.

A massive, 200 MP telephoto camera with a large, 1/1.28” sensor is what we have on board here, and boy is it a treat to play with.

With this camera, taking 5x - 10x shots is just effortless and part of the normal, everyday routine. Want to snap a 10x photo or video? No big deal – the Pura 90s Pro Max does that with ease, and the results are often breathtaking.



Sure, that camera bump is truly something, but overall, the Pura 90s Pro Max doesn’t really strike you as a particularly massive phone. And for a device this compact to hold that much camera firepower… this is the kind of innovation we want to see more of, especially from market leaders like Samsung and Apple.

Yes, both the iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Galaxy S26 Ultra are remarkable phones with superb cameras, but there’s something I can’t quite articulate. But it’s as if these guys are going about this a bit more casually, like they aren’t that desperate to out-innovate each other.

Meanwhile, Huawei seems super-willing to wow us with amazing technology, and that willingness is on full display with the Pura 90s Pro Max.

A refreshing design I want to turn into a drink and sip all day!

One more thing before I go. Both the Pura 90s Pro Max and the slightly more laid-back 90s Pro come in a series of super-fresh, likable colors.

The one I’ve been using is this year’s signature Orange Ocean model of the Pro Max, which I find absolutely lickable, for lack of a better term.

Not only is the color gradient beautiful and unmistakable, like a refreshing summer beverage, but the feel of the phone itself is something I really dig, thanks to the smooth, polished surfaces without any sharp edges. You just want to hold this phone and use it all the time.

By the way, check out the side aluminum frame as well. You’ll notice it’s infused with the same color gradient as the backplate. I believe we’re seeing this design solution for the first time ever in a phone, and it’s simply gorgeous.



The Huawei Pura 90s Pro Max will be available in select international markets, but probably won’t see a very widespread release, especially in Western states. The competition should be glad this is the case.

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