Whenever HUAWEI introduces a new flagship device, it is like going out in the street to watch a parade and fireworks. It’s a spectacle with a lot to see and admire. And there is plenty to admire with the HUAWEI Pura 90s Pro Max.

It is powered by a Kirin 9030S, HUAWEI’s own in-house chip. It gives the Pura 90s Pro Max that extra “oomph” in speed and power, but more importantly for this device, it is also the heart of its highly impressive imaging processing capabilities.

The HUAWEI Pura 90s Pro Max’s camera is very good, like really good. It captures colors that are very natural, with some touch ups that don't make the image feel too much. The shadows and blacks are very well textured, giving every image depth and a level of crispness that puts the max in making you feel like a pro in photography. Though sometimes, the device removes too much of the shadows, brightening the image a bit. Sometimes shadows are needed to compose images. So, if you’re after that, you may need to apply some tweaking before snapping.

The telephoto lens is so good that it’s ridiculous. Though, by gut feeling alone, I feel the HUAWEI Mate 80 Pro I’ve reviewed a couple of months ago to have a slightly better camera option for its flexibility to shoot long distances and up close. The colors felt much more balanced as well. But this isn’t throwing shade at the Pura 90s Pro Max, the 200MP telephoto lens gives it a significant edge in capturing distant images. The size of its sensors itself is a flex of its own photography prowess. So, in short, the Pura 90s Pro Max is a solid choice if you will be taking photography as a serious hobby.

Also, it should add to your confidence to take the Pura 90s Pro Max out in the open to capture that perfect photo, it is IP68 and IP69, making it resistant to water.

The build quality is excellent. While it is lightweight, there is a noticeable heft in the upper portion of the device, which is understandable given the massive camera setup. HUAWEI is also cooking with the color options. The Orange Ocean is beautiful to look at, almost like a tropical sunset. The unit we received for review was the Purple Blaze, which gave me the impression of a sunrise. Or a sunset. Depends on your mood.

What I especially like about the colors and the build, is that you don’t have to cover it all up and worry how sturdy it is. We’ve been testing HUAWEI phones for over a decade now, and the technology they’ve developed in between those years have been pure stone cold stunners. Of course, we’re talking about the Kunlun Glass. When this was introduced to us a couple of years back, HUAWEI executives confidently demoed the units themselves, dropping it multiple times without a case and in nearly every angle. This still rings true for the HUAWEI Pura 90s Pro Max. The improved Kunlun Glass feels stronger than ever. And it is this toughness that gives me the confidence to carry this phone without a case, allowing me to boast those beautiful covers.

Perhaps, the criticism for HUAWEI devices isn’t even their fault. It is the lack of Google apps and Play Store, which makes downloading additional features that you need a bit tricker, especially if you’re new to the HUAWEI ecosystem. Thankfully, HUAWEI’s own AppGallery is continuously evolving and improving. You can download the Google apps you need but it goes through a middleman and if you’re chill about that, then you’ve got nothing to worry about. AppGallery is expanding big enough to cover necessary apps in the country, such as Grab, GCash, Maya, and Angkas, among many other apps.

However, the AppGallery has a lot of ads and a pop-up that recommends you to download a list of apps. I can almost ignore the former, since there are many apps out there that do exactly this, and yes, it is a bit annoying. But the pop-up that points you to check out certain apps is a bit too much in my book. I would have preferred something less intrusive that allowed me to freely explore the kinds of apps I would want on my own.

The HUAWEI Pura 90s Pro Max gets our own certification of approval. It is a phone you’d want if you’re eager to set out in the world and explore with photography. The only real caveat is if Google apps are that important to you, then there are only a few compromises in that regard. Otherwise, the HUAWEI Pura 90s Pro Max is an easy thing to recommend to tech enthusiasts, phone lovers, and those seeking to upgrade and hoping to find something new and interesting.