Huawei Nova 16 Ultra vs Xiaomi 17
The Huawei Nova 16 Ultra (2026) runs on the HiSilicon Kirin 9010s, while the Xiaomi 17 (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $695 and $709. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 17 leads — 87/100 vs 78/100 (a 9-point difference). Key differences: the main camera is 200 MP vs 50 MP; the Xiaomi 17 is faster in AnTuTu (3,404,616 vs 1,229,229); the Xiaomi 17 is noticeably lighter (191g vs 220g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Huawei Nova 16 Ultra
Xiaomi 17
What makes Huawei Nova 16 Ultra better?
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 50MP
- Cheaper at launch: $695 vs $709
- Better camera (94/100 vs 81/100)
What makes Xiaomi 17 better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3404616 vs 1229229
- Better Geekbench Single: 3566 vs 1421
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10162 vs 4323
- Lighter: 191g vs 220g
- Higher performance (95/100 vs 66/100)
- Better portability (63/100 vs 57/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Huawei Nova 16 Ultra vs the Xiaomi 17, the Xiaomi 17 scores 9 points higher (87/100 vs 78/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 leads (95/100 vs 66/100). In the "camera" category, the Huawei Nova 16 Ultra leads (94/100 vs 81/100). Value score: Huawei Nova 16 Ultra — 70/100, Xiaomi 17 — 88/100; it shows how far a model sits above or below the usual level for its price, and is not part of the overall rating. In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 notably outperforms the Huawei Nova 16 Ultra (95/100 vs 66/100). In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 85/100. In the "camera" category, the Huawei Nova 16 Ultra is a bit better (94/100 vs 81/100). In the "battery" category, both devices are on the same level — 87/100. In the "portability" category, the Xiaomi 17 is a bit better (63/100 vs 57/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Huawei Nova 16 Ultra | Xiaomi 17 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | HiSilicon Kirin 9010s | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 1229229 | 3404616 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1421 | 3566 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 4323 | 10162 | |
| Display | 6.8" LTPO OLED | 6.3" LTPO AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 2856x1320 | 2656x1200 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 7000 mAh | 7000 mAh | |
| Charging | 100W | 100W | |
| Wireless charging | 50W | 50W | |
| Main camera | 200 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 50 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 50 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 50 MP | 50 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 256GB / 512GB | |
| OS | HarmonyOS 6.1 | Android 16 / HyperOS 3 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 6000 nits | 3500 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 163.0×78.0×7.1 mm | 151.1×71.8×8.1 mm | |
| Weight | 220 g | 191 g | |
| Launch price | $695 | $709 |
Camera comparison
Huawei Nova 16 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 50MP
Xiaomi 17
- Main: 50MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 50MP
Display comparison
Huawei Nova 16 Ultra
- 6.8" LTPO OLED
- Resolution: 2856x1320
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Xiaomi 17
- 6.3" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 2656x1200
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Huawei Nova 16 Ultra
- 7000 mAh
- Wired: 100W
- Wireless: 50W
Xiaomi 17
- 7000 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 15:00 hrs, total 33:58 hrs
- Wired: 100W
- Wireless: 50W
Overall performance score
We compared Huawei Nova 16 Ultra and Xiaomi 17, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Xiaomi 17 leads Huawei Nova 16 Ultra by 63.9% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $14. Huawei Nova 16 Ultra was $14 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 notably outperforms the Huawei Nova 16 Ultra (95/100 vs 66/100).
display
In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 85/100.
camera
In the "camera" category, the Huawei Nova 16 Ultra is a bit better (94/100 vs 81/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, both devices are on the same level — 87/100.
portability
In the "portability" category, the Xiaomi 17 is a bit better (63/100 vs 57/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Huawei Nova 16 Ultra or the Xiaomi 17?
The Xiaomi 17 edges out the Huawei Nova 16 Ultra by just 9 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
What is the rating of the Huawei Nova 16 Ultra and the Xiaomi 17?
The Huawei Nova 16 Ultra has a MobileRank rating of 78/100, the Xiaomi 17 — 87/100.
Which has the better camera: the Huawei Nova 16 Ultra or the Xiaomi 17?
The Huawei Nova 16 Ultra leads on camera score (94/100 vs 81/100).
Which is more powerful: the Huawei Nova 16 Ultra or the Xiaomi 17?
The Xiaomi 17 leads on performance (95/100 vs 66/100).
Should you choose the Huawei Nova 16 Ultra over the Xiaomi 17?
The Huawei Nova 16 Ultra is a better fit for active users, mobile photography enthusiasts, those who care about battery life. The Xiaomi 17 is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.