Huawei Nova 16z vs Samsung Galaxy S26+

The Huawei Nova 16z (2026) runs on the HiSilicon Kirin 8020, while the Samsung Galaxy S26+ (2026) runs on the Samsung Exynos 2600; launch prices were $370 and $999. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ leads — 70/100 vs 64/100 (a 6-point difference). Key differences: the Huawei Nova 16z has the bigger battery (6000 mAh vs 4900); the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is faster in AnTuTu (3,161,126 vs 1,146,138).

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ edges out the Huawei Nova 16z by just 6 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.

Profile comparison

Category scores

Huawei Nova 16z

Performance 65
Display 80
Camera 45
Battery 80
Portability —
Value for money 60

Samsung Galaxy S26+

Performance 91
Display 89
Camera 40
Battery 54
Portability 72
Value for money 50

What makes Huawei Nova 16z better?

  • Bigger battery: 6000 vs 4900 mAh
  • Faster charging: 100W vs 45W
  • Cheaper at launch: $370 vs $999

  • Better camera (45/100 vs 40/100)
  • Longer battery life (80/100 vs 54/100)

What makes Samsung Galaxy S26+ better?

  • Higher AnTuTu: 3161126 vs 1146138
  • Better Geekbench Single: 2900 vs 1389
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 9200 vs 4125

  • Higher performance (91/100 vs 65/100)
  • Better display (89/100 vs 80/100)

Comparison verdict

Comparing the Huawei Nova 16z vs the Samsung Galaxy S26+, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ scores 6 points higher (70/100 vs 64/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ leads (91/100 vs 65/100). In the "battery" category, the Huawei Nova 16z leads (80/100 vs 54/100). Value score: Huawei Nova 16z — 60/100, Samsung Galaxy S26+ — 50/100; 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 Samsung Galaxy S26+ notably outperforms the Huawei Nova 16z (91/100 vs 65/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is a bit better (89/100 vs 80/100). In the "camera" category, the Huawei Nova 16z is a bit better (45/100 vs 40/100). In the "battery" category, the Huawei Nova 16z notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26+ (80/100 vs 54/100).

Huawei Nova 16z: The Huawei Nova 16z is a better fit for active users, those who care about battery life.
Samsung Galaxy S26+: The Samsung Galaxy S26+ is a better fit for gamers and power users.

Specs comparison

Specification Huawei Nova 16z Samsung Galaxy S26+
Processor HiSilicon Kirin 8020 Samsung Exynos 2600
AnTuTu 1146138 3161126
Geekbench Single 1389 2900
Geekbench Multi 4125 9200
Display 6.7" OLED 6.7" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Resolution 2412x1084 3120x1440
Refresh rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Battery 6000 mAh 4900 mAh
Charging 100W 45W
Wireless charging — 15W
Main camera 50 MP 50 MP
Ultrawide 12 MP 12 MP
Telephoto 0 MP 10 MP
Front camera 50 MP 12 MP
RAM 12GB 12GB
Storage 256GB / 512GB 256GB / 512GB
OS HarmonyOS 6.1 Android 16 / One UI 8.5
Brightness (peak) — 2600 nits
NFC — yes
Protection — IP68
Dimensions — 158.4×75.8×7.3 mm
Weight — 190 g
Launch price $370 $999

Camera comparison

Huawei Nova 16z

  • Main: 50MP f/1.8
  • Ultrawide: 12MP
  • Front: 50MP
45
camera

Samsung Galaxy S26+

  • Main: 50MP f/1.8
  • Ultrawide: 12MP
  • Telephoto: 10MP
  • Front: 12MP
40
camera

Display comparison

Huawei Nova 16z

  • 6.7" OLED
  • Resolution: 2412x1084
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
80
display

Samsung Galaxy S26+

  • 6.7" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
  • Resolution: 3120x1440
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
89
display

Battery and charging

Huawei Nova 16z

  • 6000 mAh
  • Wired: 100W
  • Wireless charging: no data
80
battery

Samsung Galaxy S26+

  • 4900 mAh
  • Wired: 45W
  • Wireless: 15W
54
battery

Overall performance score

We compared Huawei Nova 16z and Samsung Galaxy S26+, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Huawei Nova 16z HiSilicon Kirin 8020
64/100
1146138 AnTuTu
Samsung Galaxy S26+ Samsung Exynos 2600
70/100 +63.7%
3161126 AnTuTu

Samsung Galaxy S26+ leads Huawei Nova 16z by 63.7% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks

Launch prices and where to check today's

Huawei Nova 16z

$370

Samsung Galaxy S26+

$999

Launch price difference: $629. Huawei Nova 16z was $629 cheaper at launch.

Detailed category analysis

performance

In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ notably outperforms the Huawei Nova 16z (91/100 vs 65/100).

display

In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is a bit better (89/100 vs 80/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the Huawei Nova 16z is a bit better (45/100 vs 40/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Huawei Nova 16z notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26+ (80/100 vs 54/100).

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: the Huawei Nova 16z or the Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ edges out the Huawei Nova 16z by just 6 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.

What is the rating of the Huawei Nova 16z and the Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Huawei Nova 16z has a MobileRank rating of 64/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ — 70/100.

Which has the better camera: the Huawei Nova 16z or the Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Huawei Nova 16z leads on camera score (45/100 vs 40/100).

Which is more powerful: the Huawei Nova 16z or the Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ leads on performance (91/100 vs 65/100).

Should you choose the Huawei Nova 16z over the Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Huawei Nova 16z is a better fit for active users, those who care about battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S26+ is a better fit for gamers and power users.