Huawei nova 16 vs Huawei nova 16s
Huawei nova 16 and Huawei nova 16s are evenly matched - it comes down to what you need
Best for
- GamingEither - too close to call
- Keeping it for yearsEither - too close to call
Head to head
- Performance
- Gaming
- Durability
- Longevity
Huawei nova 16s should get software updates for about 2.9 more years, against about 2.7 for Huawei nova 16.
- Connectivity
- Extras
All specifications
Huawei nova 16
Huawei nova 16s
General
Condition
Available. Released 2026, June 06
Available. Released 2026, September
Model
EMA-AL00U
EMA-LX9
Performance
CPU
Kirin 9010S
Kirin 8020
Display
Resolution
1280 x 2800 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~461 ppi density)
1280 x 2800 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~461 ppi density)
Screen Protection
Aluminosilicate glass
Aluminosilicate glass
Camera
Video Resolution
4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS, HDR Vivid
4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS, HDR Vivid
Battery and power
Charging Port
100W wired, SCP, UFCS, PD, PPS, QC 5W reverse wired
100W wired, SCP, UFCS, PD, PPS, QC 5W reverse wired
Connectivity
2G
900 / 1800 / 1900
900 / 1800 / 1900
2G Bands
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G
850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
3G Bands
HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G Bands
LTE
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G Bands
SA/NSA
1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84 SA/NSA
Bluetooth
6.0, A2DP, LE, L2HC (320-960 kbps HD audio)
6.0, A2DP, LE, L2HC (320-960 kbps HD audio)
Infrared Port
Yes
Yes
NFC
Yes
Yes
Network Technology
HSPA, LTE, 5G
HSPA, LTE, 5G
Ports
Headphone Jack
No
No
USB Type
USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
Build and size
Build
Glass front, plastic frame, aluminum back
Glass front, plastic frame, aluminum back
Dimensions
6.68 inches, 108.9 cm 2 (~90.3% screen-to-body ratio)
6.68 inches, 108.9 cm 2 (~90.3% screen-to-body ratio)
Features
FM Radio
No
No
Questions people ask
Which is better, Huawei nova 16 or Huawei nova 16s?
Huawei nova 16 and Huawei nova 16s are evenly matched - it comes down to what you need. Huawei nova 16 wins on connectivity; Huawei nova 16s wins on longevity.
Which will last more years, Huawei nova 16 or Huawei nova 16s?
Huawei nova 16s should get software updates for about 2.9 more years, against about 2.7 for Huawei nova 16.
Which is newer, Huawei nova 16 or Huawei nova 16s?
Huawei nova 16s is the newer of the two, released September 2026.
Scores are out of 10 against products released in the last two years, worked out from published specs. Prices are averages of what three or more sellers quoted.