Huawei launches 5G flagships globally for first time since US sanctions

Huawei unveiled the Pura 90s Pro and Pura 90s Pro Max at a global launch event in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, marking the Chinese tech giant's return to the international 5G smartphone arena after years of US sanctions restricted its access to advanced chipmaking technology.

The flagship phones, which debuted in China as the Pura 90 series in April, arrive globally under the slightly altered "Pura 90s" branding and run EMUI 16 based on Android 16 — a departure from the HarmonyOS software used in their domestic counterparts. Both devices are powered by the Kirin 9030S chipset and now support 5G connectivity in global markets, a capability Huawei had been forced to strip from its international handsets since 2020.phonearena+2

The 200MP Telephoto Camera

The Pro Max's headline feature is a 200MP telephoto camera built on a 1/1.28-inch RYYB sensor, supporting 4x optical zoom and up to 100x digital zoom with CIPA 7.0-grade image stabilization. The device also carries a 50MP main camera with a variable f/1.4 to f/4.0 physical aperture and a 40MP ultra-wide lens. The Pro model opts for a more conventional 50MP triple-camera system with 4x optical zoom.huaweicentral+3

Both phones feature flat-edge designs with IP68 and IP69 ratings, 6,000mAh batteries, and LTPO OLED displays — 6.9 inches on the Pro Max and 6.6 inches on the Pro.soyacincau+1

Pricing and Availability

In Malaysia, the Pura 90s Pro is priced at RM 3,999 for the 12GB + 512GB configuration, while the Pro Max costs RM 4,899 for the same storage tier. Huawei confirmed the phones will expand to the Middle East and Europe in the coming weeks. European pricing has not yet been officially confirmed, though the Malaysian Pro Max price converts to roughly €1,050.gadgetsnow.indiatimes+1

The launch event also saw Huawei introduce the MatePad Air 2026 tablet and FreeClip 2 S earbuds. For Huawei, the Pura 90s series represents a statement of intent: that despite ongoing trade restrictions, the company can still compete at the highest tier of the global smartphone market.huaweicentral