HUAWEI nova 16z, nova 16, nova 16 Pro and nova 16 Ultra launched with up to 6.84-inch 120Hz OLED display, Kirin 8020/9010S SoC
HUAWEI has officially launched its latest smartphones in the Nova 16 series at its all-scenario product launch event held in Chengdu, Sichuan, following earlier teasers from the company. The new lineup includes four models: the online-exclusive Nova 16z, the standard Nova 16, the Nova 16 Pro, and the flagship Nova 16 Ultra.
Promoted with the endorsement of the popular boy band Teens in Times, the higher-end variants focus on a “summer-inspired” design language while bringing enhancements in photography, battery capacity, and software through HarmonyOS 6.1.
HUAWEI nova 16z
Serving as the most affordable option in the nova 16 family, the nova 16z is available exclusively through HUAWEI Mall and authorized online retailers. Unlike the standard and Pro models, it features a distinct design with a glossy frame and gradient-finish color options. The rear camera island adopts an oval-shaped layout complemented by rounded rectangular camera elements.
| Display | 6.7-inch ultra-clear OLED display |
| Processor | Kirin 8020 chipset |
| OS/UI | HarmonyOS 6.1 |
| Battery | 6000mAh silicon-anode battery |
| Charging | 100W wired fast charging |
| Front Camera | 50MP ultra-clear portrait camera |
| Rear Camera | 50MP Red Maple imaging system |
| Camera Features | Themed time-lapse photography and AI-powered photo editing |
| Connectivity | 5A network acceleration support |
| Satellite Communication | BeiDou satellite messaging |
HUAWEI nova 16
Described by HUAWEI as the most capable standard nova smartphone to date, the nova 16 shares several key internal upgrades with the Pro version while maintaining a more traditional design.
| Display | 6.68-inch display, 120Hz refresh rate, 2160Hz high-frequency PWM dimming, up to 5500 nits peak brightness (1% APL), AI-based eye protection |
| Processor | Kirin 9010S chipset |
| Cooling System | HUAWEI Ice Bridge cooling architecture |
| Battery | 7000mAh battery |
| Charging | 100W HUAWEI SuperCharge |
| Main Camera | 50MP ultra-HD camera |
| Telephoto Camera | 50MP RYYB periscope telephoto camera |
| Color Sensor | Red Maple primary color sensor |
| Portrait Camera | 50MP ultra-HD portrait camera |
| Satellite Communication | BeiDou satellite messaging support |
HUAWEI nova 16 Pro and nova 16 Ultra
The nova 16 Pro and nova 16 Ultra represent the premium offerings in the nova 16 lineup, emphasizing improved durability, flagship-grade displays, and advanced imaging capabilities.
The nova 16 Pro features a slim 7.1mm aerospace-grade aluminum alloy frame paired with a velvet AG glass rear panel. HUAWEI has equipped the device with Kunlun Glass protection, which the company claims delivers up to 10 times better drop resistance. The nova 16 Ultra further enhances durability with a unibody vegan leather and glass back design, along with IP68 and IP69 certifications for dust and water resistance.
| Display | 6.84-inch display, 2856 × 1320 resolution, 1Hz–120Hz LTPO adaptive refresh rate, up to 6000 nits peak brightness (1% APL) |
| Processor | Kirin 9010S processor |
| Cooling System | Upgraded Ice Bridge cooling system with 25% improved heat dissipation efficiency |
| Performance Enhancements | Up to 10% overall performance improvement, 12% smoother UI experience, optimized frame rates for MOBA and FPS games, and up to 5x faster game launch speeds |
| Battery & Charging | 7000mAh battery, 100W HUAWEI SuperCharge (5A), and 50W wireless charging support (nova 16 Ultra only) |
| Audio Features | HiCar and HiPlay spatial audio support |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7, StarFlash technology, and BeiDou satellite messaging |
Advanced Camera System
The nova 16 Pro and nova 16 Ultra feature HUAWEI's exclusive 200MP Red Maple imaging architecture designed to deliver enhanced detail and color accuracy.
- Main Camera: 1/1.28-inch RYYB ultra-large sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and OIS + AIS stabilization.
- Telephoto Camera: 50MP RYYB periscope lens (1/2.5-inch sensor) with 3.7x optical zoom capability.
- Ultra-Wide & Macro Camera: 50MP sensor offering a 118-degree field of view.
- Front Camera System: 50MP front-facing Red Maple imaging camera based on a 1/2.5-inch sensor, supporting zoom levels from 0.8x to 5x. An additional Red Maple color lens integrates 1.5 million multispectral channels to improve color reproduction accuracy.
AI-powered photography tools are available across the entire nova 16 series, including portrait enhancement, 3D dynamic photos, Magic Image Shift, AI color adjustment, and Xiaoyi-assisted photo editing.
HarmonyOS 6.1 Features
All smartphones in the nova 16 family run HarmonyOS 6.1 out of the box. The latest software version introduces several new personalization, productivity, and AI-powered features.
- Personalization: System-wide 3D image wallpapers and the ability to generate unique perlite-style patterns from photos.
- Multimedia: Introduction of Remy 3D Audio Photos and panoramic intelligent note-taking functionality.
- Productivity: Automatic schedule recognition and calendar import tools.
- AI Features: Xiaoyi Circle enables users to select on-screen content for AI-assisted problem solving, while voice-controlled 3D model generation supports collaborative creation among multiple users.
Pricing and Availability
HUAWEI has introduced the nova 16 series in multiple storage variants and color options, catering to different user preferences and budgets.
| Model | Colors | Storage Variant | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| nova 16z | Sky White, Mother-of-Pearl, Starry Black | 256GB | 2,699 Yuan (USD 398 / Rs. 37,900 approx.) |
| 512GB | 3,199 Yuan (USD 472 / Rs. 44,920 approx.) | ||
| nova 16 | Sky White, Sky Blue, Mother-of-Pearl, Starry Black | 256GB | 2,999 Yuan (USD 443 / Rs. 42,110 approx.) |
| 512GB | 3,499 Yuan (USD 517 / Rs. 49,130 approx.) | ||
| Nova 16 Pro | Sky White, Mystic White, Sky Blue, Starry Black | 256GB | 3,899 Yuan (USD 576 / Rs. 54,750 approx.) |
| 512GB | 4,399 Yuan (USD 650 / Rs. 61,770 approx.) | ||
| 1TB | 4,999 Yuan (USD 738 / Rs. 70,200 approx.) | ||
| Nova 16 Ultra | Sky White, Sky Blue, Starry Black | 256GB | 4,699 Yuan (USD 694 / Rs. 65,985 approx.) |
| 512GB | 5,199 Yuan (USD 768 / Rs. 73,005 approx.) | ||
| 1TB | 5,799 Yuan (USD 857 / Rs. 81,430 approx.) |
Availability
All models in the HUAWEI nova 16 series are currently open for pre-orders. Official sales will begin on June 5 at 10:08 AM, with the devices becoming available through HUAWEI's retail and online sales channels.