Huawei nova 15 Series Debuts: Satellite Connectivity and 100W Charging Headline Mid-Range Push

Huawei unveils the nova 15 series: Mid-range marvels with premium features

Huawei has just dropped its latest smartphone lineup, the nova 15 series, featuring the base nova 15, the enhanced nova 15 Pro, and the top-tier nova 15 Ultra. While positioned as mid-range devices, these smartphones blur the lines with flagship-level innovations, including satellite connectivity and blazing-fast charging. This launch follows Huawei's recent introductions of the Mate X7 foldable, the unique Mate 70 Air, and the Mate 80 series, showcasing a dynamic product strategy.

Redesigned aesthetics and familiar power for the nova 15

The entry-level Huawei nova 15 sports a vibrant 6.7-inch OLED display, delivering crisp visuals with an FHD+ resolution (2412×1084 pixels) and a silky-smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, it's powered by the Kirin 8020 chipset, a tried-and-tested processor also found in its predecessors, the nova 14 Pro and Ultra. Huawei claims this chip offers a significant 42% performance boost over the Kirin 8000 found in the standard nova 14. Storage options include 256GB and 512GB, with RAM details yet to be fully disclosed. The camera system is headlined by a 50MP RYYB main sensor, accompanied by a 12MP telephoto lens and a multispectral sensor. For selfies, a 50MP sensor is housed in a punch-hole cutout. The device is juiced by a substantial 6000 mAh battery, supporting an impressive 100W wired charging. Durability is addressed with an IP65 dust and water resistance rating.

Nova 15 Pro and Ultra: A leap in display and imaging prowess

Stepping up, the nova 15 Pro and nova 15 Ultra share a nearly identical foundational hardware. Both boast expansive 6.84-inch LTPO OLED displays, offering a sharper 2856×1320 resolution and an adaptive 1-120Hz refresh rate for optimized power consumption and fluid visuals. These screens are exceptionally bright, reaching a peak local brightness of 4000 nits, and are protected by Huawei's robust Kunlun Glass. Powering these advanced models is the new Kirin 9010S chipset, which Huawei states provides an 18% performance uplift compared to the Kirin 8020. Storage configurations are generous, starting at 256GB and 512GB, with the Ultra model even offering a massive 1TB option. The key differentiators lie in their sophisticated camera arrays, both adopting Huawei's signature dual-ring design.

Camera capabilities that impress

The nova 15 Pro features a versatile triple-camera setup: a 50MP RYYB main camera with OIS, a 12MP RYYB telephoto module, and a 13MP RYYB ultrawide lens. The nova 15 Ultra elevates the imaging experience further with three 50MP RYYB sensors. Its main camera boasts a variable aperture (f/1.4-f/4.0) and OIS, ensuring stunning shots in any lighting. A periscope telephoto lens provides 3.7x optical zoom, and an ultrawide camera captures expansive 118° views. The front camera on both Pro and Ultra models is a 50MP unit, supplemented by a 1.5MP multispectral sensor.

Advanced battery tech and satellite communication

Both the Pro and Ultra variants are equipped with a robust 6500 mAh battery, utilizing advanced silicon-carbon technology for enhanced efficiency and longevity. They support 100W wired charging, ensuring minimal downtime. The Ultra model further enhances convenience with 50W wireless charging support. A significant highlight for both models is the inclusion of satellite communication capabilities, a feature usually reserved for premium flagships, alongside the latest HarmonyOS 6.0. These devices also offer superior durability with IP68 and IP69 ratings for dust and water resistance, making them ready for adventurous use.

Pricing and availability

The Huawei nova 15 series is now open for pre-orders in China, with shipments commencing on December 27th. The pricing is as follows:

Source: gsmarena