Huawei Mate 70 Air surfaces on China Telecom listing ahead of anticipated November launch
Chinese technology giant Huawei is preparing to expand its high-end smartphone portfolio with the Mate 70 Air, marking the company’s first entry into the ultra-thin “Air” category that has gained traction among competitors like Apple and Samsung. The device appeared on China Telecom’s product database on October 21, revealing key specifications before any official announcement from Huawei.
Device specifications revealed
The Mate 70 Air is listed under model number SUP-AL90 and features a 6.9-inch display with a 1920×1200 pixel resolution, making it larger than Apple’s recently launched iPhone Air, which sports a 6.5-inch screen. The device will be available in two memory configurations: 12GB of RAM paired with either 256GB or 512GB of internal storage.
Images from the China Telecom listing show a circular rear camera module containing three sensors, including a periscope telephoto unit, while the front features a pill-shaped cutout that may accommodate a selfie camera and sensors for 3D facial recognition. The phone will launch in three color options: Golden Black, Feather White, and Gold Silver Brocade.
Entering the ultra-thin market
The Mate 70 Air represents Huawei’s response to the growing market for ultra-slim smartphones in China. Samsung launched the Galaxy S25 Edge in May 2025 with a 5.8mm thick profile, while Apple surpassed that benchmark with the 5.6mm iPhone Air. Additional reports suggest the Mate 70 Air will support 66W wired charging despite its anticipated slim profile.
However, the model number SUP-AL90 suggests this variant does not support 5G connectivity, as Huawei typically uses AN00 model numbers for 5G-enabled devices. The company may release a separate 5G variant with a different model designation, though this has not been confirmed.
Software and connectivity features
The China Telecom listing indicates the Mate 70 Air will ship with HarmonyOS 5.0 preinstalled and include NFC functionality. This is noteworthy given that Huawei is scheduled to officially unveil HarmonyOS 6 at a major event on October 22, suggesting the Mate 70 Air may receive the software update shortly after launch.
Expected release timeline
Industry analysts anticipate Huawei will officially announce the Mate 70 Air in November 2025, potentially alongside the Mate 80 series, which is expected to include the base Mate 80, Mate 80 Pro, Pro+ model, and Mate 80 RS. The timing would position the device to compete directly with Apple’s iPhone Air in the Chinese market, where ultra-thin smartphones have received enthusiastic consumer reception.
“The latter half of the year will be crucial for the overall Chinese smartphone market and for Apple, as both the situation with the coronavirus and consumer confidence are expected to improve.”
— Will Wong, IDC analyst
Leaked pricing information suggests the Mate 70 Air could be positioned between 3,000 and 4,000 yuan, though official pricing has not been confirmed. The device extends the Mate 70 lineup, which originally launched in November 2024 with the Mate 70, Mate 70 Pro, Pro+, and RS ULTIMATE DESIGN models.
The Mate 70 Air follows the design language established by the standard Mate 70, but with more rounded side lines and a seamless micro-arc transition between the back-cover glass and middle frame. Huawei has not publicly confirmed the device’s existence, and as of publication, the listing has been removed from China Telecom’s database.