Huawei Mate 70 Air: Slim, Powerful, and Ready to Challenge iPhone Air
Huawei has thrown down the gauntlet to Apple’s iPhone Air, unveiling the Mate 70 Air in China—a device that proves slim smartphones can deliver powerhouse specs and luxury design. Let’s dive deep into what sets the Mate 70 Air apart, from its featherweight construction to its innovative hardware.

Eye-Catching Design and Stunning Display
Celestial-Inspired Style and Build
The Mate 70 Air is a visual stunner. Huawei’s celestial design features a unique camera ring, gold thread, brocade silk accents, and a radiant “star-ring” effect on the back panel. At just 6.6mm thick and weighing 206g, it’s slightly heftier than the 5.6mm iPhone Air, but delivers a comfortable and sturdy feel.
7-Inch OLED Brilliance
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7-inch FHD+ LTPO OLED display with 1.07 billion colors
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Peak brightness up to 4000 nits with P3 wide color gamut
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120Hz refresh rate and HDR Vivid certification for immersive viewing
Durable Kunlun Glass and ultra-durable brocade fiber keep the device safe from daily mishaps. IP68 and IP69 ratings protect against dust and water—especially useful for busy lifestyles or creative professionals.
Powerful Performance & All-Day Battery
Kirin 9020 Series Processors
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12GB model: Kirin 9020B chipset
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16GB model: Kirin 9020A chipset
Both options offer seamless performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding tasks, backed by 12GB or 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB storage—though there’s no microSD slot.
Massive 6500mAh Battery
Despite its slender build, Mate 70 Air boasts a 6500mAh silicon-carbon battery that easily outpaces the iPhone Air, promising up to 50 hours of use (around double Apple’s alternative). Topping up is a breeze with 66W SuperCharge, but note the absence of wireless charging.
Quad Camera Array: For Creators and Social Shutterbugs
Huawei packs in an advanced quad camera system:
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50MP main camera with OIS
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12MP telephoto lens with OIS and 3x optical zoom
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8MP ultra-wide macro camera
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1.5MP multispectral Red Maple TrueColor sensor
The 10.7MP front camera with an ultra-wide field is perfect for group selfies and sharp video calls. AI features like Ultra HD Panorama, Portrait Retouching, and Glare Removal take photo quality a notch higher.
HarmonyOS 5.1: AI Perks and Unique Features
Mate 70 Air ships with HarmonyOS 5.1, bringing a host of productivity and utility perks:
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AI Air Transfer and Tap-to-Share for seamless file sharing
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AI noise cancellation for clearer calls
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Face-swap detection, stylus annotation, and extraction for power users
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Satellite messaging support for emergency communication
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Stereo speakers with Huawei Histen sound for rich audio
Durable Build and Usability
The Mate 70 Air achieves both beauty and brawn:
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Drop-resistant Kunlun Glass
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Ultra-durable brocade fiber back
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Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
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IP68 and IP69 ratings for dust and water resistance
Models, Colors, and Pricing
Available in Gold Thread & Silver Brocade, Feather Robe White, and Radiant Gold Black, the Mate 70 Air offers the following models and Chinese prices:
| Model | Configuration | Price (yuan) | INR (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base | 12GB/256GB | 4,199 | ₹52,000 |
| Mid-tier | 12GB/512GB | 4,699 | ₹58,400 |
| Performance | 16GB/256GB | 4,699 | ₹58,400 |
| Flagship | 16GB/512GB | 5,199 | ₹64,600 |
How Huawei Mate 70 Air Compares to iPhone Air
| Feature | Huawei Mate 70 Air | Apple iPhone Air |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 6.6mm | 5.6mm |
| Display | 7.0″ OLED, 4000 nits, 120Hz | Smaller, lower peak nits |
| Battery | 6500mAh, 50 hrs est. | Under 3200mAh, ~25-30 hrs |
| Cameras | Quad rear, AI-powered | Single or dual (varies) |
| Processor | Kirin 9020 series | Apple Silicon (A-series/M) |
| OS | HarmonyOS 5.1, AI features | iOS |
| Charging | 66W SuperCharge, no wireless | MagSafe wireless, slower |
| Unique | Satellite messaging, stylus, brocade | Apple ecosystem integration |


