The Huawei Mate 80 Pro Max was announced on November 25, 2025 in 4 colors and 2 configurations, and it was one of those phones I couldn’t simply overlook. Let’s take a closer look together and see how this model can benefit your daily use. Let’s start the review.
Design
Dimensions and Colors
Let’s be upfront: this phone is a serious piece of hardware. I’m talking about a full-metal architecture and design, utilizing an aluminum frame and a metal back cover that makes it feel incredibly solid, not a cheap device at all. The trade-off is the heft: at 239 grams, and measuring 164.4 × 79 × 8.25 mm, it’s substantial in the hand.
I have to admit, the double-ring design, or “Classic Star Ring,” is a signature look, setting it apart from the crowd. You can get the Huawei Mate 80 Pro Max in four colors: Black, Blue, Silver, and Gold.
Durability and Protection Ratings
This is where I get some real peace of mind. Huawei has stuck with their impressive second-generation Kunlun Glass 2 on the display, which should handle those inevitable accidental drops better than most.
More importantly, we get not just the standard IP68 water resistance, but also the overkill IP69 rating, meaning it’s officially ready for high-pressure, high-temperature splashes. Basically, it’s built like a tank.
Display
Screen Specifications
The viewing experience on the Huawei Mate 80 Pro Max is just massive. I’m looking at a huge 6.9-inch Dual-layer OLED panel. It’s sharp, too, with an FHD+ resolution of 2848 × 1320 pixels (that’s a crispy 455 PPI). For fluidity, the 1-120Hz LTPO adaptive refresh rate is key; it keeps everything smooth while saving battery life by throttling down when you’re reading static text. Plus, a 300Hz touch sampling rate means responsiveness is instantaneous.
Visual Enhancements and Audio
If you need brightness, this is it. The maximum peak brightness of 8000 nits is genuinely bonkers; you’ll have zero trouble seeing this display under direct sunlight. Huawei also includes smart features like 1440Hz high-frequency PWM dimming and fatigue monitoring, which is a big win for late-night scrolling. And yes, it comes with stereo speakers that deliver a decent sound.
Camera
Rear Camera Module
Okay, let’s talk about the XMAGE Imaging System on the Huawei Mate 80 Pro Max; this camera setup is a beast. They’ve really gone all out with the Second-generation Hongfeng color gamut sensor and Imaging tech. It’s a quad-RYYB setup, centered around a main 50MP Ultra-HD Zoom Camera (F1.4-F4.0, OIS). The array also includes a 40MP Ultra-Wide-Angle Camera (F2.2, AIS), a specialized 50MP Super-Focus Macro Telephoto (F2.1, OIS), and a 50MP Super Telephoto Camera (F3.2, OIS). The sheer sensor size and tech allow for a max photo resolution of 8192 × 6144 pixels.
Zoom and Video Capabilities
The zoom is where things get wild. We get both 4x and 6.2x optical zoom settings, combining to offer an incredible 12.4x optical quality zoom, pushing all the way to 100x digital zoom. That’s insane reach. Critically, it captures an immense 17.5 EV Ultra-High Dynamic Range, which means you won’t blow out the highlights or lose details in the shadows. Video tops out at 4K (3840 × 2160) with AIS stabilization, and you can have a lot of fun with the 1080P 960 fps super slow-motion shooting that works across all focal lengths.
Front Camera and Stabilization
Up front, there’s a capable 13MP ultra-wide-angle camera (F2.0, autofocus) paired with a 3D depth-sensing camera. You can record 4K video, too, and even get 1080p at 240fps super slow-motion. Throughout the entire system, the combination of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the main and telephoto lenses, plus AIS (AI Stabilization), means your shots and videos should look smooth and steady.
Performance
Processor and Memory
Under the hood, Huawei is using its own unrivaled powerhouse for the Mate 80 Pro Max: the Kirin 9030 Pro chipset. It’s fast and handles anything you throw at it without a hitch, which is exactly what you want from a ‘Pro Max’ device.
Memory configurations are generous, offering either 512GB or 1TB of storage, both backed up by a hefty 16GB RAM. Honestly, you’re not going to run out of memory anytime soon, which is good because there’s no external expansion option.
Power, Charging, and Endurance
Battery and Charging Technology
The Huawei Mate 80 Pro Max has a 6000mAh battery. What’s truly fantastic, however, is the charging speed. 100W wired SuperCharge and 80W wireless SuperCharge are seriously fast; you can top this thing up in no time. Plus, having 20W reverse wireless and 18W reverse wired charging means you can be a portable power bank for your other gadgets.
Extreme Endurance Mode
The highlight for travelers is the 14 days longest extreme endurance in super power-saving mode. That’s a lifesaver. Even locked down in that mode, they promise it handles all the essentials: calls, navigation, music, satellite weather, and outdoor exploration tools. That kind of longevity, even in a pinch, is truly impressive.
Connectivity and Security
Communication and Accessories
Standard connectivity includes dual Nano-SIM support and Bluetooth 6.0. The data port is a modern USB Type-C, USB 3.1 Gen 1 (supporting DP1.2), so data transfers are quick. No surprise, but no 3.5mm jack here.
Security
Security is robust. You get the fast and accurate 3D facial recognition (which is certified for financial payments) alongside a snappy side fingerprint sensor. NFC is, of course, included for payments and pairing.
Emergency Satellite Features
This is the real game-changer. The Mate 80 Pro Max is a pioneer with its Two-way Satellite Communication and Satellite Distress Calling. It uses both the Beidou Satellite System and Tiantong Satellite Communication, so you have coverage even when traditional networks fail. You can edit distress messages and even attach images. The 2.4 GHz antenna coverage is apparently improved by over 7 times for better reliability. The Outdoor Exploration Mode that tracks you for 36 hours while the screen is locked, along with Zero-Degree Emergency Lighting, is incredible for adventurers.
Software and Features
HarmonyOS 6.0 Optimization and AI
The Huawei Mate 80 Pro Max runs on HarmonyOS 6.0. They claim that the OS has significant performance improvements, including a 42% boost in overall performance from hardware-cloud cooperation and a seemingly miraculous 42% storage space savings/optimization from the OS. If those numbers hold up, it’s a huge win for long-term use.
The software is heavily infused with AI. You get a smart AI assistant that learns new skills and works better with you over time.
