Huawei Nova 16 SE vs Redmi K90 Max

The Huawei Nova 16 SE (2026) runs on the HiSilicon Kirin 8020, while the Redmi K90 Max (2026) runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 9500; launch prices were $345 and $504. By overall MobileRank rating, the Redmi K90 Max leads — 74/100 vs 60/100 (a 14-point difference). Key differences: the Redmi K90 Max has the bigger battery (8550 mAh vs 8500); the Redmi K90 Max is faster in AnTuTu (3,803,420 vs 1,146,138).

The Redmi K90 Max is noticeably better than the Huawei Nova 16 SE — the overall rating gap is 14 points.
Profile comparison
Category scores
Huawei Nova 16 SE
Performance 65
Display 84
Camera 37
Battery 70
Portability 42
Value for money 60
Redmi K90 Max
Performance 95
Display 94
Camera 37
Battery 78
Portability 41
Value for money 74
What makes Huawei Nova 16 SE better?
  • Cheaper at launch: $345 vs $504

  • Better portability (42/100 vs 41/100)
What makes Redmi K90 Max better?
  • Higher AnTuTu: 3803420 vs 1146138
  • Better Geekbench Single: 3228 vs 1389
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 9553 vs 4125
  • Bigger battery: 8550 vs 8500 mAh
  • Faster charging: 100W vs 66W
  • Higher refresh rate: 165Hz vs 120Hz
  • Lighter: 227g vs 229g

  • Higher performance (95/100 vs 65/100)
  • Longer battery life (78/100 vs 70/100)
  • Better display (94/100 vs 84/100)
Comparison verdict

Comparing the Huawei Nova 16 SE vs the Redmi K90 Max, the Redmi K90 Max scores 14 points higher (74/100 vs 60/100). In the "performance" category, the Redmi K90 Max leads (95/100 vs 65/100). Value score: Huawei Nova 16 SE — 60/100, Redmi K90 Max — 74/100; it is biased by price level, so it should not be compared directly between devices at different prices. In the "performance" category, the Redmi K90 Max significantly outperforms the Huawei Nova 16 SE (95/100 vs 65/100). In the "display" category, the Redmi K90 Max is a bit better (94/100 vs 84/100). In the "camera" category, both devices are on the same level — 37/100. In the "battery" category, the Redmi K90 Max is a bit better (78/100 vs 70/100). In the "portability" category, the Huawei Nova 16 SE and the Redmi K90 Max are nearly equal (42/100 vs 41/100).

Huawei Nova 16 SE: The Huawei Nova 16 SE is a better fit for active users.
Redmi K90 Max: The Redmi K90 Max is a better fit for gamers and power users, those who care about battery life.
Specs comparison
Specification Huawei Nova 16 SE Redmi K90 Max
Processor HiSilicon Kirin 8020 MediaTek Dimensity 9500
AnTuTu 1146138 3803420
Geekbench Single 1389 3228
Geekbench Multi 4125 9553
Display 6.8" OLED 6.8" AMOLED
Resolution 2756x1272 2772x1280
Refresh rate 120 Hz 165 Hz
Battery 8500 mAh 8550 mAh
Charging 66W 100W
Main camera 50 MP 50 MP
Ultrawide 0 MP 8 MP
Front camera 32 MP 20 MP
RAM 8GB 12GB / 16GB
Storage 128GB / 256GB / 512GB 256GB / 512GB / 1TB
OS HarmonyOS 6.1 Android 16
Brightness (peak) 8000 nits 3500 nits
NFC yes yes
Protection IP65 IP66
Dimensions 163.3×78.0×8.0 mm 162.9×77.9×8.1 mm
Weight 229 g 227 g
Launch price $345 $504
Camera comparison
Huawei Nova 16 SE
  • Main: 50MP
  • Front: 32MP
37
camera
Redmi K90 Max
  • Main: 50MP f/f/1.68
  • Ultrawide: 8MP
  • Front: 20MP
37
camera
Display comparison
Huawei Nova 16 SE
  • 6.8" OLED
  • Resolution: 2756x1272
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
84
display
Redmi K90 Max
  • 6.8" AMOLED
  • Resolution: 2772x1280
  • Refresh rate: 165 Hz
94
display
Battery and charging
Huawei Nova 16 SE
  • 8500 mAh
  • Wired: 66W
  • No wireless charging
70
battery
Redmi K90 Max
  • 8550 mAh
  • Wired: 100W
  • No wireless charging
78
battery
Overall performance score

We compared Huawei Nova 16 SE and Redmi K90 Max, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Huawei Nova 16 SE HiSilicon Kirin 8020
60/100
1146138 AnTuTu
Redmi K90 Max MediaTek Dimensity 9500
74/100 +69.9%
3803420 AnTuTu

Redmi K90 Max leads Huawei Nova 16 SE by 69.9% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Huawei Nova 16 SE
$345
Redmi K90 Max
$504

Launch price difference: $159. Huawei Nova 16 SE was $159 cheaper at launch.

Detailed category analysis
performance

In the "performance" category, the Redmi K90 Max significantly outperforms the Huawei Nova 16 SE (95/100 vs 65/100).

display

In the "display" category, the Redmi K90 Max is a bit better (94/100 vs 84/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, both devices are on the same level — 37/100.

battery

In the "battery" category, the Redmi K90 Max is a bit better (78/100 vs 70/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the Huawei Nova 16 SE and the Redmi K90 Max are nearly equal (42/100 vs 41/100).

Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Huawei Nova 16 SE or the Redmi K90 Max?

The Redmi K90 Max is noticeably better than the Huawei Nova 16 SE — the overall rating gap is 14 points.

What is the rating of the Huawei Nova 16 SE and the Redmi K90 Max?

The Huawei Nova 16 SE has a MobileRank rating of 60/100, the Redmi K90 Max — 74/100.

Which is more powerful: the Huawei Nova 16 SE or the Redmi K90 Max?

The Redmi K90 Max leads on performance (95/100 vs 65/100).

Should you choose the Huawei Nova 16 SE over the Redmi K90 Max?

The Huawei Nova 16 SE is a better fit for active users. The Redmi K90 Max is a better fit for gamers and power users, those who care about battery life.