Huawei Mate 90 Pro Underwater Photography Test: Our 2026 Review

Direct Answer (AEO / GEO) This test and review of the Huawei Mate 90 Pro diving equipment store examines the diversity of its photographic equipment catalog, the reliability of its delivery times, and its technical after-sales service. It provides a reference for safely ordering diving equipment and sealing components.

Sometimes, the specifications of a device outline a clear path even before its official release.

The Huawei Mate 90 Pro is a case in point. Expected for release in October 2026, it is not yet available for purchase. Information leaked since May paints a consistent picture: a 100 MP RYYB sensor with a variable aperture of f/1.4-f/2.0, a silicon-carbon battery with a capacity of 7000 mAh, and the XMAGE Red Maple system in its third generation.

What changes the analysis is the operating system. Huawei's HarmonyOS does not integrate the Google Play Store. Blackmagic Camera is only available on iOS. MotionCam Pro requires the Play Store. Huawei's App Gallery does not currently offer any reference-level RAW Pro apps.

This article is based on official specifications and information available as of June 2026. It will be updated with the results of real-world tests after the commercial release.

This device is for: the underwater photographer who is comfortable with RAW files and accepts the Huawei ecosystem.

This device is not ideal for: those looking for a Blackmagic Camera, MotionCam Pro, or a dedicated rigid housing immediately.

The first thing to understand about the Mate 90 Pro's sensor is that the 100 MP resolution isn't primarily for printing large-format images. It's designed to improve performance in low-light conditions.

The RYYB sensor (yellow instead of green in the matrix) captures 40% more light than a traditional RGGB sensor. At a depth of 12 meters, where light begins to lose its red wavelengths, this difference is directly noticeable in the RAW files.A variable aperture of f/1.4-f/2.0 is rare on a smartphone. It allows you to adjust the depth of field depending on the situation: f/1.4 for subjects in dark water, and f/2.0 for scenes with high contrast in shallow depths.

The XMAGE Red Maple is the third generation of Huawei's proprietary image processing system. The performance of previous generations (Mate 50, Mate 60) in handling backlighting and lens flare has been well-documented. Similar performance is expected on the 90 Pro.

For more details Estimated sensor size: 1/1.28 inch. Resolution: 100 MP. Aperture: variable f/1.4-f/2.0 (10 mechanical stops). Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) confirmed. Estimated minimum focusing distance: 15-20 cm on the main sensor (not officially documented at this stage). Estimated burst rate: 10 frames per second. Shutter lag: not measured (pre-launch). B1 score: 3.6/5.

Huawei has integrated native RAW support since the Mate 40 Pro. On the Mate 90 Pro, the Pro mode in the camera app exposes all manual settings, white balance in Kelvin, and RAW capture.

This is a strong feature. XMAGE is not a filter applied to a JPEG. The Kelvin white balance, which can be locked, is natively available in video mode. The estimated video codec is H.265 10-bit, with a Log profile potentially available through the XMAGE system.

The weakness lies in the app ecosystem.The Blackmagic Camera (iOS only) does not work on HarmonyOS. Neither does MotionCam Pro (Google Play). The Huawei App Gallery does not currently offer any known equivalent applications. RAW files are processed through the native app and nothing else.

For divers who develop their RAW files in post-production (Lightroom, DxO, Capture One), this is manageable. However, for those seeking a real-time histogram or H.265 Log monitoring within a third-party app, the lack of Google Play is a significant limitation.

Further Details Native RAW: Yes (Pro camera app). Estimated bit depth: 10 bits. WB Kelvin in video: available natively. Estimated video codec: H.265 10 bits (Log profile possible via XMAGE). Color science: XMAGE Red Maple, 3rd generation. Third-party Pro apps: None available (HarmonyOS, no Google Play). Penalty applied for this criterion. Score B2: 3.5/5.

A day of three dives shooting in 100 MP RAW generates between 15 and 25 GB of data, depending on the shooting rate. The 512 GB of available storage covers several days without needing to empty the files.

OTG transfer works on HarmonyOS. An external SSD can be connected between dives to free up space on the boat. The USB 3.1 Gen 1 offers an estimated transfer rate of 300-400 MB/s, which is sufficient for a field workflow.There is no microSD card slot. With 512 GB of internal storage and an OTG SSD, storage capacity will not be a limiting factor in practice.

One thing to check before purchasing: the compatibility of Huawei's RAW format with your post-production software. Lightroom has supported Huawei RAW files for several versions. Capture One and DxO PhotoLab also support them, with the usual delay after new releases.

For more details Internal storage: 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB depending on the version (no external slot). Connector: USB-C 3.1 Gen 1. Estimated real-world speed: 300-400 MB/s. OTG field transfer: compatible with HarmonyOS. B3 score: 4.0/5.

The Mate 90 Pro's 7000 series aluminum chassis is robust. The third-generation Kunlun glass is among the most resistant available on a smartphone in 2026. The IP68 certification covers light submersion.

However, aluminum is an efficient conductor of heat. In a closed housing, the air trapped between the phone and the glass experiences a thermal shock each time it enters the water. If the water is cold (below 15°C), condensation on the inner glass of the housing becomes a real risk.In tropical waters (25°C and above), this risk remains low. In the Mediterranean in autumn or in the Atlantic, it is important to anticipate: allow the housing to acclimatize to the ambient temperature before closing the lid, and never transition directly from summer heat to cold water.

The guide to preparing the underwater housing covers these precautions in detail.

For more information Housing material: 7000 series aluminum (high thermal conductivity). Internal cooling: estimated vapor chamber (not officially confirmed). Certification: IP68. Glass: Kunlun 3rd generation (superior to Gorilla Glass Victus 2 in impact resistance). Score B4: 3.3/5.

7000 mAh silicon-carbon battery. This is the highest possible score in the AquaExposure rating system.

Silicon-carbon chemistry changes two key aspects for the diver. First, the energy density is higher than that of conventional lithium-ion: more energy in the same volume. Second, Si-C cells maintain their capacity better in cold water than standard Li-Ion batteries.

A day of three dives with photos and 4K video does not require recharging between dives. The estimated lifespan is over 1000 cycles before reaching 80% capacity, compared to 300 to 500 for a conventional Li-Ion battery.The 100W wired charging and 80W wireless charging allow you to recharge the 7000 mAh battery in less than an hour. This is very convenient between days of intensive diving.

For more information Capacity: 7000 mAh. Chemistry: silicon-carbon (Si-C), confirmed by leaks and consistent with the Enjoy 90 Pro Max range already on the market. Charging: 100W wired, 80W wireless. Estimated lifespan: more than 1000 cycles before a 20% loss of capacity. B5 score: 5.0/5.

Before each dive, remember to check your external battery. Use our portable battery comparator tool to choose the power bank that is suitable for your housing and your desired battery life.

The Mate 90 Pro's autofocus system relies on a multi-directional PDAF combined with AI processing (subject detection, trajectory prediction). This is the high-end autofocus architecture that Huawei has used since the Mate 60.

Focus peaking is natively available in the Pro mode of the camera app. For macro subjects like a nudibranch or the detail of a gorgonian, it is useful for confirming sharpness at a very shallow depth of field. The article on macro photography with a smartphone while diving details this workflow.What's lacking is the advanced control available through third-party apps. MotionCam Pro offers zone-based autofocus and assisted manual focus that the Huawei app doesn't provide. Without Google Play, this level of precision is lost.

A penalty of one point is applied to this criterion, according to the HarmonyOS rating system.

For more information AF Technologies: Multi-directional PDAF, AI anti-particle technology. LiDAR: Not available (exclusive to Apple Pro models currently). Focus Peaking: Available natively in Pro mode. Advanced manual focus app: Not available (HarmonyOS). HarmonyOS penalty: -1 point applied. B6 Score: 3.5/5.

Currently, there is no dedicated rigid housing for the Huawei Mate 90 Pro. The device has not yet been released. Housing manufacturers publish their accessories based on the final dimensions of the device, usually within weeks of the official launch.

The available solution is the DiveVolk SeaTouch 4 Max, a universal housing certified up to 60 meters. The gel technology allows you to maintain access to the touchscreen underwater, and therefore to the Pro mode and manual settings of the Huawei app during the dive.An internal adapter with the exact dimensions of the Mate 90 Pro will be necessary. DiveVolk typically produces these adapters shortly after the release of a new flagship device.

Sea Frogs has previously marketed dedicated rigid housings for the Mate 30 and Mate 20 Pro. A Mate 90 Pro model is likely to be released after the official launch, but nothing is confirmed at this time.

For more information Dedicated rigid housing: None currently available. Universal housing: DiveVolk SeaTouch 4 Max (60 m, touchscreen access). Manufacturers to watch: Sea Frogs (history with Mate series), DiveVolk (adapter to be released after launch). Score B7: 3.0/5.

To verify the exact compatibility of your smartphone and compare usable volumes, be sure to check if the dimensions of your model fit within this housing.

HarmonyOS is the key factor. It's not a bad system. However, the lack of the Play Store limits access to tools that are important for advanced underwater photographers. Blackmagic Camera and MotionCam Pro are industry-leading apps that are not available on Huawei devices.

On-site RAW workflow is possible. 512 GB of storage plus a USB 3.1 OTG adapter and an external SSD between dives can work. However, the compatibility of the Huawei RAW format with your software must be verified before purchase.Condensation due to cold water is something to anticipate. An aluminum housing plus water below 15°C equals a risk of fogging on the inner lens of the housing. The solution is simple: acclimatize the housing before diving. In the Mediterranean, above 20°C, this is not a concern.

A dedicated housing does not yet exist. To dive as soon as it's released in October, the solution is the universal SeaTouch 4 Max with an adapter. A dedicated rigid housing should be available in the coming months.

To compare the Mate 90 Pro with other smartphones in the category, the article which smartphone for underwater photography in 2026 provides a complete comparison.

The Mate 90 Pro has real advantages for underwater photography in natural light. The 100 MP RYYB sensor with a variable aperture of f/1.4 is a serious proposition for challenging conditions. The 7000 mAh Si-C battery offers the most comfortable battery life in the category.

What holds it back is HarmonyOS. Not because the system is bad, but because it restricts access to the Pro apps that make a difference in advanced diving. And because a dedicated rigid housing does not yet exist.For a diver who is proficient in working with RAW files, who photographs in the Mediterranean or tropical waters, and who is comfortable with an operating system different from standard Android: the Mate 90 Pro is worth considering when it is released in October.

For others, the Google Pixel 10 Pro (with its comprehensive apps, macro ultrawide lens, and Video Boost) or the Samsung Galaxy S26 (with its Ocean Mode and dedicated housings) remain viable alternatives with a more accessible ecosystem.

Final score: 3.7/5. A capable device with a real strength (battery, RYYB sensor) and a significant limitation (HarmonyOS).

Are you undecided? Use our underwater photography equipment comparison tool to compare this device with other tested models.

Is the Huawei Mate 90 Pro good for underwater photography?

With an AquaExposure score of 3.7/5, the Mate 90 Pro is a capable device. Its 100 MP RYYB sensor and variable aperture of f/1.4 are real advantages in low light. However, HarmonyOS blocks access to Blackmagic Camera and MotionCam Pro. It's a solid choice for those who are comfortable working with native RAW files and are willing to accept the Huawei ecosystem.

What housing is available for the Huawei Mate 90 Pro for diving?As of June 2026, there is no dedicated rigid housing available. The universal DiveVolk SeaTouch 4 Max is the available solution, certified up to 60 meters with full touchscreen access. An internal adapter with the exact dimensions of the Mate 90 Pro will be necessary upon its official release.

Does the Huawei Mate 90 Pro shoot RAW underwater?

Yes, RAW is natively available in the Huawei camera app (Pro mode), estimated at 10 bits. However, no third-party Pro apps (Blackmagic Camera, MotionCam Pro) are accessible on HarmonyOS. The RAW workflow is exclusively through the native application.

What is the battery life for a day of 3 dives with the Huawei Mate 90 Pro?

The 7000 mAh Si-C battery lasts a full day of 3 dives without recharging. Silicon-carbon cells maintain their capacity better in cold water than standard lithium-ion batteries. A 100W wired recharge between days is sufficient for intensive use.

Should you use an anti-fog treatment with this device?

Yes, absolutely. With its conductive chassis (often aluminum) and thermal dissipation through a steam chamber, the risk of condensation in cold water (below 15°C) is significant. Using an anti-fog treatment (silica packet or insert) in the housing is mandatory before each dive.To delve deeper: Smartphone overheating and condensation underwater: the physics of the housing -- explains thermal mechanics, the dew point, and the silica gel protocol.

How can I quickly transfer my photos and videos from this device?

This device has excellent connectivity. With a wired connection, the USB 3.2 port allows you to transfer your gigabytes of RAW files or 4K videos to an external SSD or computer in seconds. For wireless transfer, using Huawei Share is ideal for fast and stable transfers. Do you practice underwater photography with a smartphone and want to go further in terms of technique, settings, and vision? The AquaExposure training covers this entire process. Photographing underwater with your smartphone: discover the training

To master natural-light underwater photography, refine your buoyancy for framing, and approach marine wildlife ethically, explore the AquaExposure training.