{
    "url": "https://whatmobilepk.com/compare/huawei-nova-16-se-vs-samsung-galaxy-s26-plus/",
    "generated": "2026-08-12T20:23:11+00:00",
    "source": "WhatMobilePK.com",
    "currency": "PKR",
    "headline": "Huawei nova 16 SE vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus",
    "answer": "The Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus is the stronger phone of the two, scoring 85 against 81 on our combined specification score. It leads on performance, camera and memory & storage. The Huawei nova 16 SE still wins on battery & charging and value for money, so it remains the better choice if that is your priority. The Huawei nova 16 SE is the cheaper of the two at PKR 127,999 against PKR 314,999.",
    "phones": [
        {
            "name": "Huawei nova 16 SE",
            "slug": "huawei-nova-16-se",
            "brand": "Huawei",
            "url": "https://whatmobilepk.com/mobile/huawei/huawei-nova-16-se/",
            "image": "https://whatmobilepk.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/ChatGPT-Image-Aug-12-2026-11_13_20-AM-1024x683.png",
            "price": {
                "amount": 127999,
                "currency": "PKR"
            },
            "updated": "2026-08-12T06:19:18+00:00",
            "scores": {
                "performance": 55,
                "camera": 87,
                "battery": 86.5,
                "display": 100,
                "memory": 75,
                "value": 100,
                "overall": 80.7
            },
            "specs": {
                "Design & build": {
                    "Release date": "August 5, 2026 — China",
                    "Dimensions": "Not officially confirmed",
                    "Weight": "229 g",
                    "Water resistance": "IP65 (reported)"
                },
                "Display": {
                    "Screen size": "6.84 inches",
                    "Resolution": "1276 × 2776 pixels",
                    "Panel type": "LTPS OLED 120Hz Up to 8,000 nits (reported)",
                    "Protection": "Kunlun Glass"
                },
                "Performance": {
                    "Chipset": "Huawei Kirin 8020 (7nm)",
                    "CPU": "Octa-core 1 × high-performance core + 3 × performance cores + 4 × efficiency cores",
                    "GPU": "Huawei Maleoon",
                    "Operating system": "HarmonyOS 6.1"
                },
                "Memory & storage": {
                    "RAM": "8GB",
                    "Internal storage": "128GB / 256GB / 512GB",
                    "Card slot": "No"
                },
                "Camera": {
                    "Main camera": "50 MP f/1.9 RYYB, reported Huawei Red Maple multispectral sensor LED flash, HDR, panorama, AI photography",
                    "Selfie camera": "32 MP f/2.2 HDR, AI photography",
                    "Video recording": "Up to 4K@30fps, reported"
                },
                "Battery & charging": {
                    "Battery capacity": "Li-Ion (non-removable) 8,500 mAh",
                    "Wired charging": "66W fast charging, reported"
                },
                "Connectivity & extras": {
                    "SIM": "Dual Nano-SIM",
                    "Wi-Fi": "Wi-Fi 7",
                    "Bluetooth": "Bluetooth 6.0",
                    "NFC": "Yes",
                    "Sensors": "Fingerprint Side-mounted Accelerometer Gyroscope Proximity Ambient Light Compass Color Spectrum / Multispectral Sensor",
                    "USB": "USB Type-C OTG"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus",
            "slug": "samsung-galaxy-s26-plus",
            "brand": "Samsung",
            "url": "https://whatmobilepk.com/mobile/samsung/samsung-galaxy-s26-plus/",
            "image": "https://whatmobilepk.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/ChatGPT-Image-Feb-4-2026-10_42_36-AM-1024x683.png",
            "price": {
                "amount": 314999,
                "currency": "PKR"
            },
            "updated": "2026-02-04T05:46:13+00:00",
            "scores": {
                "performance": 95.4,
                "camera": 92,
                "battery": 68.4,
                "display": 100,
                "memory": 87.5,
                "value": 46,
                "overall": 84.7
            },
            "specs": {
                "Design & build": {
                    "Release date": "28 Feb 2026",
                    "Dimensions": "158.4 × 75.8 × 7.3 mm",
                    "Weight": "190 g",
                    "Water resistance": "IP68 (dust/water resistant)"
                },
                "Display": {
                    "Screen size": "6.7 inches",
                    "Resolution": "1440 × 3120 pixels (~510 ppi)",
                    "Panel type": "Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X 120 Hz, HDR10+",
                    "Protection": "Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2"
                },
                "Performance": {
                    "Chipset": "Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)",
                    "CPU": "Octa-core (2×4.6 GHz + 6×3.62 GHz)",
                    "GPU": "Adreno 840",
                    "Operating system": "Android 16, OneUI 8.5"
                },
                "Memory & storage": {
                    "RAM": "12 GB",
                    "Internal storage": "256/512 GB, UFS 4.x",
                    "Card slot": "No"
                },
                "Camera": {
                    "Main camera": "50 MP (wide) + 10 MP (telephoto with 3× optical) + 12 MP (ultrawide)",
                    "Selfie camera": "12 MP",
                    "Video recording": "8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p"
                },
                "Battery & charging": {
                    "Battery capacity": "Non-removable Li-Ion 4900 mAh",
                    "Wired charging": "45 W wired, PD3.0; 25 W wireless; 4.5 W reverse wireless"
                },
                "Connectivity & extras": {
                    "SIM": "Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (up to 2 at once)",
                    "Wi-Fi": "802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct",
                    "Bluetooth": "v5.4",
                    "NFC": "Yes",
                    "Sensors": "Fingerprint (under-display, ultrasonic) Accelerometer, gyro, compass, proximity Barometer",
                    "USB": "USB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort 1.2, OTG"
                }
            }
        }
    ],
    "verdict": {
        "winner": "samsung-galaxy-s26-plus",
        "margin": 4,
        "decisive": true,
        "categories": [
            {
                "category": "performance",
                "label": "Performance",
                "weight": 25,
                "basis": "Gaming score where available, otherwise chipset tier plus usable RAM.",
                "scores": {
                    "huawei-nova-16-se": 55,
                    "samsung-galaxy-s26-plus": 95.4
                },
                "leader": "samsung-galaxy-s26-plus"
            },
            {
                "category": "camera",
                "label": "Camera",
                "weight": 20,
                "basis": "Camera Score where available, otherwise sensor resolution and lens count. Megapixels alone do not measure image quality.",
                "scores": {
                    "huawei-nova-16-se": 87,
                    "samsung-galaxy-s26-plus": 92
                },
                "leader": "samsung-galaxy-s26-plus"
            },
            {
                "category": "battery",
                "label": "Battery & charging",
                "weight": 18,
                "basis": "Cell capacity in mAh weighted with rated wired charging output.",
                "scores": {
                    "huawei-nova-16-se": 86.5,
                    "samsung-galaxy-s26-plus": 68.4
                },
                "leader": "huawei-nova-16-se"
            },
            {
                "category": "display",
                "label": "Display",
                "weight": 15,
                "basis": "Pixel density, refresh rate and panel technology.",
                "scores": {
                    "huawei-nova-16-se": 100,
                    "samsung-galaxy-s26-plus": 100
                },
                "leader": null
            },
            {
                "category": "memory",
                "label": "Memory & storage",
                "weight": 12,
                "basis": "Highest advertised RAM and internal storage configuration.",
                "scores": {
                    "huawei-nova-16-se": 75,
                    "samsung-galaxy-s26-plus": 87.5
                },
                "leader": "samsung-galaxy-s26-plus"
            },
            {
                "category": "value",
                "label": "Value for money",
                "weight": 10,
                "basis": "Combined spec score divided by current Pakistani retail price.",
                "scores": {
                    "huawei-nova-16-se": 100,
                    "samsung-galaxy-s26-plus": 46
                },
                "leader": "huawei-nova-16-se"
            }
        ],
        "unscored": []
    },
    "differences": [
        "Huawei nova 16 SE costs PKR 187,000 less.",
        "Huawei nova 16 SE packs a 3,600 mAh larger battery.",
        "Huawei nova 16 SE charges 21W faster.",
        "Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus offers 4 GB more RAM."
    ],
    "faq": [
        {
            "question": "Which is better, Huawei nova 16 SE or Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus?",
            "answer": "Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus comes out ahead on our combined spec score, leading by 4 points. It wins on performance, camera and memory & storage. Huawei nova 16 SE can still be the better buy if your priorities sit elsewhere or if you find it at a lower street price."
        },
        {
            "question": "What is the price of Huawei nova 16 SE and Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus in Pakistan?",
            "answer": "Huawei nova 16 SE is listed at PKR 127,999 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus at PKR 314,999. That makes Huawei nova 16 SE cheaper by PKR 187,000. Retail prices move often, so treat these as indicative."
        },
        {
            "question": "Which has the better camera, Huawei nova 16 SE or Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus?",
            "answer": "Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus scores higher in our camera assessment. Both use comparable main sensors, so day to day results come down to processing."
        },
        {
            "question": "Which phone has the better battery, Huawei nova 16 SE or Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus?",
            "answer": "Huawei nova 16 SE leads on battery. Huawei nova 16 SE carries a 8500 mAh cell and Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus a 4900 mAh cell, with 66W and 45W wired charging respectively."
        },
        {
            "question": "Which is better for gaming, Huawei nova 16 SE or Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus?",
            "answer": "Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus is the stronger gaming phone here. Huawei nova 16 SE runs the Huawei Kirin 8020 (7nm) while Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus runs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)."
        }
    ],
    "methodology": "Category scores are derived from published hardware specifications using one formula applied to every device. Categories without sufficient published data are excluded from the total rather than estimated. No paid placement, no editorial weighting.",
    "license": "Facts may be quoted with attribution to WhatMobilePK.com (https://whatmobilepk.com/)."
}