Huawei has expanded its Nova 16 lineup with a new model called the Nova 16z. The phone arrives alongside the Nova 16, Nova 16 Pro, and Nova 16 Ultra. However, the Nova 16z feels more like a refined refresh than a fully new device.
In many ways, it closely resembles last year’s Nova 15. The key difference is the added BeiDou satellite connectivity. Still, Huawei has made a few small adjustments across the device.
The phone features a 6.7-inch OLED display. It comes with a 1,084 x 2,412 pixel resolution. The screen supports 10-bit colors for richer visuals. It also uses aluminosilicate glass for protection. However, unlike previous versions, this panel is not LTPO.
Camera hardware remains mostly familiar. The front includes a 50MP selfie camera with an f/2.4 aperture. On the back, a 50MP main camera is used with an f/1.9 aperture. There is also a 12MP telephoto lens with 3x zoom and 69mm focal length. This telephoto unit uses an RYYB sensor and an f/2.4 lens. Optical image stabilization is included for steadier shots.
Performance hardware is also largely unchanged. The device runs on the Kirin 8020 chipset. In comparison, the standard Nova 16 now uses the newer Kirin 9010S chip. That chip is also shared with the Pro model. This creates a small gap between the Nova 16z and the rest of the lineup.
Power comes from a 6,000mAh battery. It supports 100W wired charging only. Wireless charging is not included. The phone is offered in two storage variants. Users can choose between 12GB RAM with 256GB storage or 12GB RAM with 512GB storage.
The biggest upgrade is satellite communication support. The Nova 16z can send and receive messages through BeiDou satellites. This also includes photo messages, which is a notable addition. In emergencies, users can access help through the satellite system. It can also provide weather updates in remote areas without mobile coverage.
Connectivity features are quite modern. The phone supports dual-band Wi-Fi 7 (be). It also includes Bluetooth 6.0 and NFC. Huawei’s StarFlash technology is also part of the package as an alternative to Bluetooth. However, the USB-C port is limited to USB 2.0 data speeds.
For navigation, the phone uses tri-band BeiDou positioning. It also supports dual-band GPS and Galileo. A side-mounted fingerprint sensor handles security, just like earlier models. Design-wise, the Nova 16z comes in three color options. These include Iridescent Mother of Pearl, White Sky, and Starry Night Black. The phone is currently available in China through Vmall.
Pricing starts at CNY 2,700 for the 12GB/256GB model. The higher 12GB/512GB version costs CNY 3,200. This roughly converts to about $400 or €345 for the base variant. The top model costs around $475 or €405.
Overall, the Nova 16z focuses on targeted upgrades. Satellite messaging stands out as its main highlight. Meanwhile, most hardware stays close to its predecessor.
