Huawei Pura 90 Plus brings a one-inch-type camera sensor and variable aperture

Huawei launched the Pura 90 Plus in China with a 50MP main camera built around a one-inch-type sensor and a lens that physically adjusts its aperture from f/1.6 to f/4.0. Alongside it are a 48MP macro telephoto camera and a 40MP ultrawide.

The starting price is about USD 825, or about KES 107,000, for 12GB RAM and 256GB storage.

The camera gives you control over light and focus through the adjustable opening in its lens. Behind that is the sensor, the light-sensitive part that records the picture. One-inch-type is a sensor format name inherited from older camera technology; its diagonal does not literally measure one inch. Huawei promotes the large sensor’s ability to capture light, although the specifications alone cannot tell us how good the finished photographs will be.

Aperture is the opening in the lens through which that light passes. A wider opening admits more light and produces a shallower zone of sharp focus. On the Pura 90 Plus, f/1.6 is the wide end. It is useful in dim light and can help separate a subject from the background.

Closing the opening towards f/4.0 lets in less light and increases depth of field, the range of distances that appears sharp. That can help when photographing people standing at different distances, where focusing on the nearest face can leave someone behind them soft. The camera can use its physical aperture to balance focus against exposure: with less light coming through at f/4.0, it needs to compensate through shutter speed or sensitivity.

The zoom camera also handles close-ups

The 48MP telephoto camera has an f/2.1 lens. Both it and the main camera have optical image stabilisation. A telephoto gives a tighter view of distant subjects; Huawei lists approximately 4x optical zoom. Its separate 100x digital zoom figure should not be read as equivalent optical reach.

Huawei also advertises close focusing down to 5cm for the macro telephoto. You can also use it for close-ups of flowers or the texture of an object. The 40MP ultrawide takes in a wider scene, while a separate Red Maple colour camera gathers colour information for the imaging system.

The Pura 80 Pro’s specifications already list the same main-camera resolution and aperture range, alongside a 48MP telephoto and 40MP ultrawide. Huawei has used this camera combination before, although matching specifications do not establish that the sensor or lens assemblies are identical.

The new phone runs Huawei’s Kirin 9025 processor and HarmonyOS 7 operating system. Its screen adjusts how often it refreshes, up to 120 times a second. Huawei’s maximum charging speeds require compatible Huawei equipment, with the wireless charger sold separately.

Huawei’s XMAGE Smart Shooting photography tools include help with posing and composition, although Huawei says Smart Shooting requires a software update. Check which tools are available on the software installed on the phone you buy.

China prices and the questions for Kenyan buyers

Huawei’s official store lists three storage versions, all with 12GB of physical RAM.

In July, we covered the international Pura 90s launch. Those phones used EMUI software overseas. The Pura 90 Plus listed in China uses HarmonyOS 7, so buyers should verify their essential apps on this specific model before importing it.

We would want to see photographs from the Pura 90 Plus before calling it an improvement over the Pura 80 Pro. For a Kenyan buyer considering an import, working everyday apps and clear warranty terms matter alongside that camera. We will update you when Huawei confirms international availability.