Huawei has officially unveiled the new Nova 16 family, a range that aims to redefine the mid-range and high-end standards through a skillful balance between design and hardware. The series consists of four distinct models – Nova 16, Nova 16 Pro, Nova 16 Ultra and the most affordable Nova 16z – all united by the proprietary HarmonyOS 6.1 system.
The new generation continues to offer the elegant aesthetics we are used to, but introduces a range of options for cameras, Kirin chipsets and high-density batteries, all wrapped in ultra-thin bodies that do not exceed 7.3 mm in thickness.
Huawei Nova 16, 16z, 16 Pro and 16 Ultra Official: Everything You Need to Know About Technical Specs, Price and Release
The aesthetics of the Nova 16 series continue to focus on elegant colors, but with the addition of a captivating iridescent finish, called Iridescent Shell (which nods to the Pure 90 range). Despite the slim profile, Huawei hasn’t neglected durability, equipping the Pro and Ultra models with Kunlun Glass protection and certifications that go up to IP68/IP69 for the Ultra variant, ensuring superior water and dust protection.
On the visual front, the Flat OLED displays offer 1.5K resolution and refresh rates up to 120 Hz, with the Pro and Ultra models benefiting from LTPO technology for an adaptive refresh rate from 1 to 120 Hz, optimizing energy consumption without sacrificing smoothness.
The beating heart of the series is represented by the HiSilicon Kirin SoCs, with the 9010S at 7 nm powering most of the lineup, while the Nova 16z relies on the Kirin 8020.
One of the strengths is the autonomy: Huawei has included 6,000 mAh batteries in the base models and 16z, reaching 7,000 mAh in the Pro and Ultra variants. The charging is equally impressive, with 100W wired charging across the entire range, and the Ultra model adds the convenience of 50W wireless charging (also inverse wireless charging at 7.5W).
The camera setup represents a welcome upgrade over the previous generation Nova 15. We find the multispectral sensor Red Maple, present on all models to drastically improve color fidelity in shots. While the standard models and 16z offer 50 MP main sensors and telephoto lenses with 3X optical zoom, the Pro and Ultra variants raise the bar with a main sensor of a full 200 MP equipped with RYYB technology and laser autofocus.
This setup, paired with 50 MP telephoto periscopes with optical image stabilization (OIS), allows for detailed images in every lighting condition. Selfies are also impressive, with front cameras of 50 MP that in the higher-end models work in synergy with the dedicated Red Maple sensor.
Ultimately, the Huawei Nova 16 family presents itself as a solid solution for those seeking an elegant smartphone, with a unique style and a photography section that stands out (despite the mid-range price).
Huawei Nova 16 – Technical Specifications
- Dimensions and weight: 159.6 x 75.5 x 7.3 mm, about 199 grams
- Colors: Sky White, Sky Blue, Starry Black, Iridescent Shell
- Certification: IP65
- Display: Flat OLED 6.68″ 1.5K (2800 x 1280) with 120 Hz refresh rate, 10-bit color, PWM Dimming at 2160 Hz, touch sampling at 300 Hz and aluminosilicate glass protection
- Security: Face unlock + side-mounted fingerprint
- Cooling: /
- SoC: HiSilicon Kirin 9010S, 7 nm SMIC
- CPU: Octa-core (1 x 2.30 GHz + 3 x 2.18 GHz + 4 x 1.55 GHz)
- GPU: Maleoon 910
- RAM: 12 GB LPDDR5
- Storage: 256/512 GB, 1 TB non expandable
- Battery: 7,000 mAh
- Charging: 100W wired
- Camera: Triple 200 + 50 + 50 MP:
- Main 200 MP RYYB (f/1.8) with OIS and laser autofocus
- Telephoto periscopic 50 MP RYYB (f/2.6) with OIS
- Multispectral sensor “Red Maple”
- Selfie camera: 50 MP (f/2.4)
- Connectivity and more: 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, NFC, Dual GPS, stereo speaker, USB-C 2.0, IR sensor, satellite connectivity
- Operating system: HarmonyOS 6.1
Huawei Nova 16 Pro – Technical Specifications
- Dimensions and weight: 163 x 78 x 7.1 mm, about 218 grams
- Colors: Sky White, Sky Blue, Starry Black, Iridescent Shell
- Certification: IP65
- Display: Flat OLED LTPO 6.84″ 1.5K (2,856 x 1,320 pixels) with adaptive refresh rate 1-120 Hz, 10-bit color, PWM Dimming at 2,160 Hz, touch sampling at 300 Hz and Kunlun Glass protection
- Security: Face unlock + side-mounted fingerprint
- Cooling: /
- SoC: HiSilicon Kirin 9010S, 7 nm SMIC
- CPU: Octa-core (1 x 2.30 GHz + 3 x 2.18 GHz + 4 x 1.55 GHz)
- GPU: Maleoon 910
- RAM: 12 GB LPDDR5
- Storage: 256/512 GB, 1 TB non expandable
- Battery: 7,000 mAh
- Charging: 100W wired
- Camera: Triple 200 + 50 + 50 MP:
- Main 200 MP RYYB (f/1.8) with OIS and laser autofocus
- Telephoto periscopic 50 MP (f/2.6) with OIS
- Multispectral sensor “Red Maple”
- Selfie camera: 50 MP (f/2.0) + multispectral sensor “Red Maple”
- Connectivity and more: 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, NFC, Dual GPS, stereo speaker, USB-C 2.0, IR sensor, satellite connectivity
- Operating system: HarmonyOS 6.1
Huawei Nova 16 Ultra – Technical Specifications
- Dimensions and weight: 163 x 78 x 7.1 mm, about 220 grams
- Colors: Sky White, Sky Blue, Starry Black
- Certification: IP68/IP69
- Display: Flat OLED LTPO 6.84″ 1.5K (2,856 x 1,320 pixels) with adaptive refresh rate 1-120 Hz, 10-bit color, PWM Dimming at 2,160 Hz, touch sampling at 300 Hz and Kunlun Glass protection
- Security: Face unlock + side-mounted fingerprint
- Cooling: /
- SoC: HiSilicon Kirin 9010S, 7 nm SMIC
- CPU: Octa-core (1 x 2.30 GHz + 3 x 2.18 GHz + 4 x 1.55 GHz)
- GPU: Maleoon 910
- RAM: 12 GB LPDDR5
- Storage: 256/512 GB, 1 TB non expandable
- Battery: 7,000 mAh
- Charging: 100W wired, 50W wireless, reverse wireless charging 7.5W
- Camera: Triple 200 + 50 + 50 MP:
- Main 200 MP RYYB (f/1.8) with OIS and laser autofocus
- Ultra-wide 50 MP RYYB (f/2.2) with macro function
- Telephoto periscopic 50 MP (f/2.2) with OIS
- Multispectral sensor “Red Maple”
- Selfie camera: 50 MP (f/2.0) + multispectral sensor “Red Maple”
- Connectivity and more: 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, NFC, Dual GPS, stereo speaker, USB-C 2.0, IR sensor, satellite connectivity
- Operating system: HarmonyOS 6.1
Huawei Nova 16z – Technical Specifications
- Dimensions and weight: 161.79 x 75.47 x 7.19 mm, about 196.5 grams
- Colors: Sky White, Starry Black, Iridescent Shell
- Certification: IP65
- Display: Flat OLED 6.7″ FHD+ (2412 x 1084) with 120 Hz refresh rate, 10-bit color, PWM Dimming at 2,160 Hz, touch sampling at 300 Hz and aluminosilicate glass protection
- Security: Face unlock + side-mounted fingerprint
- Cooling: /
- SoC: HiSilicon Kirin 8020, 7 nm SMIC
- CPU: Octa-core (1 x 2.285 GHz + 3 x 2.05 GHz + 4 x 1.3 GHz)
- GPU: Maleoon 920
- RAM: 12 GB LPDDR5
- Storage: 256/512 GB non-expandable
- Battery: 6,000 mAh
- Charging: 100W wired
- Camera: Dual 50 + 12 MP:
- Main 50 MP high definition (f/1.9)
- Telephoto 12 MP RYYB (f/2.4) with OIS and 3X zoom
- Multispectral sensor “Red Maple”
- Selfie camera: 50 MP (f/2.4)
- Connectivity and more: 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, NFC, Dual GPS, stereo speaker, USB-C 2.0, IR sensor
- Operating system: HarmonyOS 6.1
All the Prices for the Nova 16 Series
At the moment the Huawei Nova 16 series has been launched exclusively in China, with prices starting from around €340 at the current exchange rate. There are rumors of a possible Global debut: as soon as we know more, we will update this article with all the details.
- Nova 16
- 12/256 GB – 2,999 yuan – around €380
- 12/512 GB – 3,499 yuan – around €443
- Nova 16 Pro
- 12/256 GB – 3,899 yuan – around €494
- 12/512 GB – 4,399 yuan – around €557
- 12 GB/1 TB – 4,999 yuan – around €633
- Nova 16 Ultra
- 12/256 GB – 4,699 yuan – around €595
- 12/512 GB – 5,199 yuan – around €659
- 12 GB/1 TB – 5,799 yuan – around €735
- Nova 16z
- 12/256 GB – 2,699 yuan – around €342
- 12/512 GB – 3,199 yuan – around €405
