The Huawei Pura 70 Ultra (unboxing & hands-on) boasts a revolutionary feature: a retractable main camera. This isn’t the first phone though to feature a retractable lens.

The first commercial phone that came with this feature was the Tecno Phantom X2 Pro. Well, this innovative design offers a unique solution to the age-old challenge of balancing large sensor sizes with a sleek phone profile.

Let’s delve into the fascinating mechanism of this camera and understand how it works.

HUAWEI Pura 70 Ultra Retractable Camera

What is a Retractable Camera?

A retractable camera is a type of camera that hides its lens within the device when not in use. This allows for a sleeker design without the typical camera bump on smartphones or other devices.

These cameras can extend when needed for capturing photos or videos.

Pura 70 Ultra’s Retractable Mechanism

The Pura 70 Ultra’s main camera is housed in a hidden compartment within the phone’s body. When you activate the camera app, a precisely engineered mechanism springs into action.

Stepper Motors: The driving force behind the camera’s movement lies in a pair of stepper motors. These motors use controlled electrical pulses to rotate, smoothly extending or retracting the camera module. The stepper motor is equipped with noise-suppressing foam.

Telescopic Lens Cover: The lens itself is protected by a telescopic cover. This cover extends alongside the camera module, shielding it from dust and scratches when not in use.

Sensor Stabilization: To ensure sharp images even when the camera is moving, the Pura 70 Ultra utilizes sensor-shift stabilization. This technology moves the sensor itself to compensate for hand movements, minimizing blur.

HUAWEI Pura 70 Ultra Retractable Camera

Advantages of a Retractable Camera

The retractable design offers several key benefits:

Larger Sensor: Using this tech Huawei is able to place a large 1-inch sensor in a small space. This allows for greater light capture, resulting in sharper, clearer images, especially in low-light conditions.

Compact Design: Most phones with large sensors are bulky, and the large camera bump can be uncomfortable to hold. Huawei addressed this by placing the retractable module, eliminating the huge camera bump, and improving ergonomics. This makes Pura 70 Ultra more comfortable to hold and pocket-friendly compared to other phones with 1-inch sensors.

HUAWEI Pura 70 Ultra Retractable Camera

Additional Features and Considerations

Speed and Durability: The retraction mechanism operates swiftly, ensuring a seamless transition between camera modes. Huawei claims the system is designed to withstand over 100,000 cycles of extension and retraction.

Water Resistance: Despite the moving parts, the Pura 70 Ultra boasts an IP68 water and dust resistance rating. This is achieved through a sealed telescopic cover and careful internal engineering.

Potential Drawbacks: The moving parts introduce a potential point of failure. How well the mechanism will withstand long-term use and potential drops remains to be seen. Also, the complex engineering behind the retractable camera likely contributes to the phone’s premium price tag.

Conclusion

The Huawei Pura 70 Ultra’s retractable camera represents a significant leap forward in mobile photography. By prioritizing a larger sensor and a compact design, this technology opens doors to improved image quality and a more refined user experience.

While durability and potential points of failure require further observation, the Pura 70 Ultra’s retractable camera marks a bold step towards the future of smartphone photography.

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