The Huawei Mate 70 RS Ultimate is a premium flagship smartphone that combines cutting-edge technology, luxurious design, and top-tier performance. As part of Huawei's exclusive RS series, co-engineered with Porsche Design, it aims to provide an unparalleled user experience for those who demand the best in both style and substance. With a powerful Kirin 9000S processor, an exquisite LTPO OLED display, and a robust 5G modem, the Mate 70 RS Ultimate positions itself as a contender for one of the best smartphones on the market.
However, even flagship devices are not immune to problems and bugs, and the Mate 70 RS Ultimate is no exception. Despite its premium price tag and meticulous craftsmanship, users have reported several issues that can hinder its overall performance and user experience.
In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the most common issues faced by Mate 70 RS Ultimate owners, dissecting the potential causes and offering insights on how these affect daily usage. We’ll also assess whether these issues undermine the phone’s value and if alternative flagship devices might be a better investment.
1. Build Quality and Design: Aesthetic Masterpiece or Fragile Luxury?
The Huawei Mate 70 RS Ultimate is a visual marvel, boasting a leather-backed finish, a ceramic frame, and a unique octagonal camera module that screams luxury. It’s designed to cater to users who appreciate both aesthetics and functionality. However, luxury often comes at the cost of practicality, and the Mate 70 RS Ultimate has its own set of durability concerns.
a) Fragile Back Panel and Frame
- Problem: The premium materials, particularly the ceramic frame and leather back, are susceptible to cracks and scuffs from accidental drops.
- Impact: Users who purchase this device for its aesthetic appeal may find themselves frustrated by its vulnerability to cosmetic damage.
- User Experience:
“The phone looks stunning, but it’s also incredibly delicate. I dropped it once, and the ceramic frame chipped immediately. Considering the price, this was really disappointing.” – User review from GSM Arena.
b) Weight and Handling Issues
- Problem: Weighing over 230 grams, the Mate 70 RS Ultimate is one of the heavier smartphones on the market.
- Impact: The phone can feel cumbersome during prolonged use, particularly for users with smaller hands. Additionally, the weight increases the risk of drops.
- User Experience:
“It’s a gorgeous phone, but it’s also quite heavy. After holding it for an hour, my hand starts to feel strained. I’ve dropped it a couple of times just because it’s difficult to handle with one hand.” – Feedback on a tech forum.
2. Display Problems: Stunning Visuals, But At What Cost?
The Mate 70 RS Ultimate features a 6.8-inch LTPO OLED display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and a 3200 x 1440 resolution. The display offers vivid colors, deep blacks, and exceptional brightness levels, making it ideal for multimedia consumption. However, some users have reported issues that diminish the overall display experience.
a) Screen Uniformity and Green Tint
- Problem: Some units suffer from screen uniformity issues, with a noticeable green tint on the edges or across the entire display, especially at low brightness levels.
- Cause: This is likely due to inconsistencies in the OLED panel manufacturing process.
- Impact: The green tint can be particularly distracting when viewing content with white backgrounds or in dark environments.
- User Experience:
“For a phone of this caliber, I didn’t expect screen issues. The green tint is noticeable in low light, and it’s really annoying when browsing websites or reading e-books.” – Reddit user comment.
b) Touchscreen Responsiveness
- Problem: Some users report delays or missed touches on the display, particularly when using gesture navigation or during gaming.
- Cause: This may be due to software optimization issues or faulty touch sensors.
- Impact: The lack of responsiveness can hinder productivity and affect the gaming experience.
- User Experience:
“The screen sometimes doesn’t register my swipes correctly, especially when switching between apps. I expected flawless touch performance from a flagship.” – User review on XDA Developers.
c) Screen Burn-In
- Problem: Prolonged usage of static elements like navigation bars or app icons can lead to burn-in, where these elements become permanently visible on the screen.
- Impact: This reduces the display’s overall quality and can be distracting during video playback or gaming.
- User Experience:
“After six months, I noticed that the navigation bar has burned into the screen. It’s quite disappointing for such an expensive device.” – Feedback from a tech enthusiast forum.
3. Battery Life: High Expectations, Mixed Results
The Huawei Mate 70 RS Ultimate is powered by a 5000mAh battery, paired with 66W wired fast charging and 50W wireless charging. While these specs suggest excellent battery performance, real-world usage tells a different story.
a) Inconsistent Battery Life
- Problem: Many users have reported inconsistent battery performance, with the phone sometimes draining faster than expected, even with moderate use.
- Cause: Poor software optimization or background processes may be to blame.
- Impact: Users often find themselves needing to charge the phone more frequently than anticipated.
- User Experience:
“The battery life is all over the place. Some days it lasts a full day, but other days it barely makes it to the afternoon.” – Customer review on TechRadar.
b) Overheating During Intensive Use
- Problem: The phone tends to overheat during gaming, video recording, or extended use of 5G connectivity.
- Impact: Overheating not only affects user comfort but can also lead to throttled performance and faster battery degradation.
- User Experience:
“I noticed the phone gets really hot when I’m playing games or using 5G for video calls. Sometimes it even shuts down to cool off.” – Feedback from a Huawei community forum.
4. Camera System: Stellar Performance, But Not Without Flaws
The Mate 70 RS Ultimate boasts a quad-camera setup with a 50MP main sensor, a periscope telephoto lens, and an ultra-wide sensor, promising exceptional photography capabilities. While the camera delivers impressive results in most conditions, it’s not without its issues.
a) Camera App Crashes
- Problem: Users frequently report that the camera app crashes or becomes unresponsive during use, particularly in Pro mode or when switching between lenses.
- Impact: This disrupts the photography experience and can result in missed shots.
- User Experience:
“The camera app crashes way too often, especially when I’m using manual settings. It’s frustrating when I’m trying to capture a moment.” – Comment from a photography enthusiast.
b) Low-Light Performance
- Problem: While the main sensor performs well in daylight, low-light photography can suffer from noise and loss of detail, particularly with the ultra-wide lens.
- Impact: This limits the phone’s versatility for night photography.
- User Experience:
“I expected better low-light performance from a flagship. The photos are decent but not on par with other high-end phones.” – Review on a tech blog.
Conclusion: Is the Huawei Mate 70 RS Ultimate Worth It?
The Huawei Mate 70 RS Ultimate is a luxury flagship that excels in design, display quality, and camera performance. However, its durability concerns, inconsistent battery life, and software issues raise questions about its long-term reliability.
Pros:
- Stunning design with premium materials.
- Excellent display quality.
- Powerful camera system with versatile shooting modes.
- Fast charging capabilities.
Cons:
- Fragile build and heavy weight.
- Inconsistent battery life and overheating.
- Screen uniformity issues and potential burn-in.
- Software bugs and app crashes.
Better Alternatives:
- Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Offers better durability, superior software support, and a more versatile camera system.
- Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max: Known for its build quality, consistent performance, and seamless ecosystem.
- Google Pixel 8 Pro: Delivers exceptional camera performance, smooth software experience, and timely updates.
In conclusion, the Huawei Mate 70 RS Ultimate is a luxury device that delivers in style and performance, but it may not be the best choice for users seeking practicality and reliability. For those who prioritize functionality over luxury, there are better flagship options available.