The Huawei Mate 70 Air arrives as a clear statement: thin doesn’t have to mean fragile, and compact design can still carry flagship power. It’s an ultra-slim contender built for users who value a large, bright display and exceptional battery life — even if that combo forces some hard choices.
This is not a shy product. At 6.6mm it chooses practical thinness over headline-grabbing numbers, and it pairs that with battery and camera hardware most rivals don’t attempt in this class. That mix will excite many — and frustrate a few.
Design that favors real-world use over record-breaking thinness
At 6.6mm the Mate 70 Air is one of the slimmest phones you can buy without sacrificing toughness. The aluminum-alloy frame and tempered glass back deliver a premium feel that slips easily into a pocket. It’s not Apple’s flattest iPhone Air — that model’s 5.6mm still beats it on paper — but the Mate 70 Air makes smarter trade-offs for durability and grip.
IP68/IP69 water and dust resistance is a notable win here; slim phones often skip that. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is fast and ergonomic. A centered pill-shaped punch-hole houses the selfie camera and 3D facial-recognition sensor, preserving an uninterrupted viewing experience. Color choices — Obsidian Black, Feather White, Brocade Silver — keep the look neutral and versatile.
A large, bright screen built for multimedia
Huawei packs a 7-inch OLED into this slim chassis, with a 1.5K+ resolution (2760 x 1320) and 120Hz refresh rate. The 18.8:9 aspect ratio and thin bezels make video and web browsing feel immersive rather than cramped.
Peak brightness up to 1500 nits is serious: outdoor visibility won’t be a recurring complaint. Compared with the iPhone Air the Mate 70 Air wins on sheer screen real estate — a clear advantage for heavy media users — though those who prize pocketability above all will notice the size.
Performance: two Kirin chips, clear-cut choices
Huawei offers two configurations: 12GB RAM with the Kirin 9020B, and 16GB RAM with the Kirin 9020A. Both run HarmonyOS 5.1 and focus on responsive multitasking and efficiency rather than raw benchmark bragging. For most users the 12GB variant will be plenty; power users who demand extra headroom will prefer the 16GB/Kirin 9020A pairing.
Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 7+ and two-way Beidou satellite messaging — a practical feature for travel and remote work. If you need constant, reliable links off-grid, this is where the Mate 70 Air pulls ahead.
Quad cameras that aim to impress in low light
The symmetrical quad-camera cluster is as much a design statement as a functional one. The 1/1.3-inch 50MP main sensor is built to capture more light and detail, and Huawei pairs it with an 8MP ultra-wide, a 12MP RYYB 3x telephoto with optical zoom, and a 1.5MP multi-spectrum sensor for color fidelity.
The result: solid everyday shots, better low-light performance, and useful framing for wide scenes. This system won’t replace a dedicated mirrorless setup, but for a phone this thin it delivers real photographic value. This is where opinions will split — some buyers will prize the camera tech, others may still prefer heftier hardware for long-range zoom.
Battery life that rewrites the thin-phone rulebook
The Mate 70 Air defies expectations with a 6,500mAh battery inside a 6.6mm body. That’s unusual and significant: you’re unlikely to need a midday top-up under normal use. Huawei adds 66W fast charging over USB 2.0, which tops the pragmatic battery with quick replenishment.
The trade-off is obvious — the phone sacrifices extreme thinness for usable battery life, and most buyers will see that as a fair exchange. If battery longevity matters to you more than shaving millimeters off the profile, this model is targeted at you.
What’s in the box
Packaging sticks to a minimal, premium script: the phone, a clear protective case, a 66W SuperCharge adapter, a USB-C to USB-C cable, a quick start guide, and a SIM ejector. No headphones are included, matching the current industry norm. Out of the box the phone is ready to use — no optional extras required.
Price and availability — competitive but region-limited
Huawei lists four configurations with competitive pricing:
12GB + 256GB: 4,199 CNY (≈ 55,000 INR)
12GB + 512GB: 4,699 CNY (≈ 61,000 INR)
16GB + 256GB: 4,699 CNY (≈ 61,000 INR)
16GB + 512GB: 5,199 CNY (≈ 68,000 INR)
The article also notes a starting figure of 15.5 million VND. Worth flagging: the Mate 70 Air is not officially distributed in India, which is the single biggest availability caveat for readers considering it locally.
Final verdict: who should buy it — and who shouldn’t
The Huawei Mate 70 Air is a confident, pragmatic phone. It rejects the “thinnest at any cost” approach and instead gives you a large, bright display, a surprisingly big battery, and a competent camera package in an elegant package. That combination makes it a strong pick for media lovers, travelers, and those who prioritize battery life without bulk.
This choice won’t please everyone. If you prize the absolute slimmest profile above all, or you need guaranteed local availability in India, the Mate 70 Air may frustrate you. But for anyone ready to accept the trade-offs — slightly thicker than the paper-thin record holders, yet far more usable — this Huawei is an easy phone to recommend.
Ramesh is a technology writer at gemch.in, covering smartphone launches, leaks, and comparisons. His articles focus on real-world features, performance, and value-for-money insights to help readers make informed buying decisions.