Huawei has officially stepped into the ultra slim smartphone race with the release of the Mate 70 Air in China. The phone launched on November 6, 2025, and it clearly aims at the same audience Apple is courting with its rumored iPhone 17 Air, sometimes referred to as the iPhone Slim. While Apple appears to be chasing the absolute thinnest possible frame, Huawei seems to be taking a slightly more practical route. The Mate 70 Air measures just 6.6mm in thickness, which already places it among the thinnest 5G phones available, and yet it tries not to sacrifice everyday usability, especially in terms of battery life.
Key Takeaways
- Ultra Slim Design: The Huawei Mate 70 Air features a 6.6mm profile, positioning it as a direct competitor to Apple’s rumored iPhone 17 Air.
- Battery Advantage: Despite its thin frame, the device packs a 6,500mAh battery, significantly larger than typical slim smartphones.
- Price Disparity: Starting at roughly 590 dollars, the Mate 70 Air undercuts Apple’s expected 999 dollar price point for its slim model.
- There is something interesting about the approach here, perhaps because it feels like Huawei is gently pushing back against the idea that thin phones must always compromise on power. I think many users have felt that frustration at some point.
Design and Display
The Mate 70 Air includes a 7-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2760 x 1320 pixels. It supports a 144Hz refresh rate that should make scrolling feel exceptionally smooth. The device weighs around 208 grams. That might sound a bit heavier than some ultra slim competitors, although still lighter than many larger flagships that carry similar battery sizes. The design follows what Huawei describes as a celestial inspired aesthetic, with color options such as Obsidian Black, Feathered White, and Gold and Silver Brocade. It is built with Kunlun Glass for added durability and holds both IP68 and IP69 ratings for water and dust resistance.
The overall design theme feels carefully considered, though there is always a personal element in how people respond to color and texture. Some might appreciate the artistic touches more than others.
The “Air” Strategy Battery Over Thinness
Reports suggest Apple’s upcoming slim iPhone could reach an incredibly thin 5.6mm profile, but it may also face the usual battery trade offs. Huawei appears to have accepted a slightly thicker 6.6mm frame so it could fit a 6,500mAh silicon carbon battery. This decision is very much in line with a long standing criticism of slim devices, which often struggle to last through a full day. The Mate 70 Air supports 66W wired fast charging, which should help users top up the battery fairly quickly.
It is a practical move, and perhaps one that reflects what many users quietly wish manufacturers would prioritize more often.
Performance and Software
Inside the device, Huawei uses its proprietary Kirin 9020 chipset. The 9020A variant pairs with the 16GB RAM configuration, while the 9020B variant is included in the 12GB RAM model. Storage options range from 256GB to 512GB. The phone operates on HarmonyOS 5.1 or HarmonyOS NEXT. This marks a full departure from the Android ecosystem, meaning it does not support Android APKs or Google Mobile Services. For users outside China, this might limit its appeal, but within Huawei’s home market the move reinforces the company’s broader strategy of strengthening its own software ecosystem.
There is a slight sense of trade off here, depending on what someone values more, but it does feel consistent with Huawei’s long term direction.
Camera Capabilities
The camera setup tries to remain competitive, even with the constraints of such a slim frame. On the back, the Mate 70 Air carries a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization, a 12MP telephoto lens, an 8MP ultra wide lens, and a multispectral color sensor. The front camera is a 10.7MP ultra wide unit capable of recording 4K video. These specifications suggest users are not expected to accept noticeably weaker photography performance just to have a thinner device.
Some might find the multispectral sensor particularly interesting, although it will depend on how often people actually use that extra layer of color accuracy.
Market Position and Pricing
Huawei priced the Mate 70 Air quite aggressively. The base model with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage starts at 4,199 yuan, which is roughly 590 dollars. By comparison, analysts expect Apple’s slim iPhone to arrive near the 999-dollar mark. With a similar slim aesthetic at nearly half the price, Huawei seems intent on attracting style conscious buyers in China well before Apple introduces its own model in late 2025. While sales figures for the Mate 70 Air are still coming in, the timing does give Huawei an early advantage in shaping the narrative around slim smartphones in the world’s largest phone market.
It will be interesting to see how this segment evolves, especially as both brands push their own distinct interpretations of what a slim phone should be.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Is the Huawei Mate 70 Air available in the US?
A. No, the Mate 70 Air is currently exclusive to the Chinese market. Due to ongoing trade restrictions, it is unlikely to officially launch in the US.
Q. Does the Mate 70 Air support Google apps?
A. No. The device runs on HarmonyOS and does not support Google Mobile Services (GMS) or the Google Play Store. Users must rely on Huawei’s AppGallery.
Q. How does the Mate 70 Air battery compare to the iPhone 16?
A. The Mate 70 Air features a 6,500mAh battery, which is significantly larger than the battery found in the iPhone 16 line (typically under 4,000mAh), offering potentially longer usage times.
Q. What is the thickness of the Huawei Mate 70 Air?
A. The device is 6.6mm thick. For comparison, standard flagships are often over 8mm thick.
Q. Does the Mate 70 Air have 5G?
A. Yes, the device supports 5G connectivity through Huawei’s Kirin 9020 processor.
