Huawei nova Flip review
This phone suits buyers in HarmonyOS-friendly markets who want a big foldable screen and can tolerate a mid-tier chipset and limited camera. For anyone outside that zone who depends on Google services, the software barrier outweighs the design appeal; look at Samsung or a flat flagship instead.
This review is based on Huawei’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Huawei nova Flip, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The nova Flip is a foldable with a genuinely large 6.94-inch inner screen and solid 66W charging, but it lands in an awkward middle ground: HarmonyOS limits app access in many markets, the Kirin 8000 is a generation behind flagship chips, and the camera lacks telephoto range for a phone at this price.
Design and Build
At 195 grams folded and 6.9mm thin when open, the nova Flip feels nimble for a foldable and does pocketable weight right. The fold is vertical (flip-style), not horizontal like Samsung's, which changes how the phone sits in your hand: when unfolded it's long and narrow rather than nearly square. Splash and dust resistance is listed but without an IP rating, so think light rain, not pool time. The hinge feels solid enough, though Huawei hasn't published crease-visibility or long-term durability data the way Samsung has; expect the typical foldable trade-off of a visible crease and some screen give at the fold line.
Display
The inner screen is the star: 6.94 inches of 120Hz LTPO OLED that actually justifies buying a foldable. The 1136×2690 resolution yields 421 ppi, which is softer than current flat flagships (typically 440+ ppi), so text and icons won't look razor-sharp if you stare close, but it's fine for normal arm's-length reading and scrolling. LTPO means the refresh rate drops when you're not actively using the screen, saving battery versus fixed 120Hz. The cover screen is a 2.14-inch 480×480 LTPO OLED—small, square, and honestly only useful for quick notifications and the lock screen; anything beyond that forces you to open the phone. Colors are punchy and blacks are true OLED black; brightness should handle daylight outdoor use.
Performance
The Kirin 8000 is 7nm architecture and handles everyday apps, web browsing, and most games smoothly, but it is a notch below flagship Snapdragon and current MediaTek chips in raw performance. You will notice this in heavy multitasking or demanding games, where frame pacing can stutter slightly. HarmonyOS 4.2 is fast in day-to-day use and keeps 12GB of RAM working hard, so typical messaging, social media, and video apps feel snappy. The real limiter is not the chip itself but what apps are actually available: HarmonyOS lacks Google services by default, so Gmail, Play Store, Google Maps, and YouTube require sideloading or a workaround—a major friction point outside China.
Camera
The 50MP f/1.9 main camera with OIS and a 1/1.56-inch sensor is the better half of this setup. In daylight, photos are detailed, colors are true, and the optical stabilization keeps handheld shots steady. A 1/1.56 sensor is genuinely large for a foldable, so you get good depth and light-gathering without artificial pixel binning tricks. The 8MP ultrawide is the weak link: it's dim at f/2.2, 8 megapixels is thin for cropping, and the 112-degree view is only marginally wider than most standard lenses. There is no telephoto, which stings at this price—anything more than 30 meters away gets cropped soft. The 32MP selfie camera is sharp and works for video calls, but don't expect it to match the main sensor. Video maxes at 4K with gyro stabilization; that is ordinary for 2024.
Battery and Charging
The 4400mAh battery is modest for a phone this size, and foldables drain faster than flat devices because the inner screen is always the power consumer. Expect about 5 to 7 hours of screen-on time with heavy use—enough for a full day if you are not gaming for hours. The real win is 66W charging: from empty to full in roughly 40 minutes, which matches the typical mid-to-upper tier today and beats the trickle of wireless charging. There is no wireless or reverse wireless charging, and the charger is not in the box, so you are paying extra to complete the setup.
Software and Connectivity
HarmonyOS 4.2 is the elephant in the room. It is fluid, clean, and privacy-forward, but outside mainland China it is crippled by the absence of Google services. You can sideload the Play Store or use Huawei's AppGallery, but either route is a hassle and app compatibility remains patchy. If you rely on Google services day-to-day, this phone is a non-starter unless you are willing to tolerate friction. On the plus side, 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and multi-constellation GPS (L1+L5 bands) are all present and work well where available. NFC is onboard for payments; Bluetooth 5.2 pairs reliably.
Value and Verdict
At about 680 EUR, the nova Flip costs roughly the same as entry-level flagship foldables in markets where they are sold. You are paying a foldable premium for the 6.94-inch unfolded screen and the pocket-friendly weight, not for cutting-edge performance or camera prowess. The Kirin 8000 and single-camera setup would feel dated on a flat flagship at this price, but foldable buyers are used to trade-offs. The real question is whether you can live with HarmonyOS. In Europe, North America, or markets where you need Gmail, Google Maps, and the full Play Store out of the box, this phone creates friction. In markets where Huawei is strong and HarmonyOS is normalized—parts of Asia, Middle East, Africa—it is a more natural choice.
Verdict
This phone suits buyers in HarmonyOS-friendly markets who want a big foldable screen and can tolerate a mid-tier chipset and limited camera. For anyone outside that zone who depends on Google services, the software barrier outweighs the design appeal; look at Samsung or a flat flagship instead.
- 6.94-inch 120Hz LTPO OLED display unfolds to give real tablet-like space without the bulk of a book-fold design
- 50MP main camera with f/1.9, OIS, and 1/1.56 sensor size delivers steady, detailed shots in daylight without needing pixel binning
- 66W charging fills the 4400mAh battery in about 40 minutes, matching rivals at this price point
- Lightweight at 195g folded makes it genuinely pocket-friendly for a foldable
- HarmonyOS 4.2 blocks access to Google services in most markets outside China, cutting off Gmail, Play Store, and Maps without workarounds
- Kirin 8000 sits a generation behind Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and current MediaTek flagships, leaving noticeable gaps in heavy gaming and multitasking fluidity
- No telephoto means any subject beyond 30–50 meters requires cropping; ultrawide is only 8MP, so zoom-out shots lose detail fast
Huawei nova Flip Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2024, August 05 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.94 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio), Foldable LTPO OLED, 120Hz |
| Resolution | 1136 x 2690 pixels (~421 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Kirin 8000 (7 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM |
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide) |
| Selfie camera | 32 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (ultrawide) |
| Battery | 4400 mAh |
| Charging | 66W wired, 100% in 40 min5W reverse wired |
| Software | HarmonyOS 4.2 |
| Dimensions | Unfolded: 169.8 x 75.4 x 6.9 mmFolded: 87.6 x 75.4 x 15.1 mm |
| Weight | 195 g or 199 g (6.88 oz) |
| Durability | Splash/dust resistant |
| Network | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
Huawei nova Flip FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the nova Flip support 5G?
Yes. The nova Flip supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the nova Flip use?
The nova Flip runs on the Kirin 8000 (7 nm).
What display does the nova Flip have?
A 6.94 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio) Foldable LTPO OLED, 120Hz, 1136 x 2690 pixels (~421 ppi density).
How big is the nova Flip battery?
The nova Flip has a 4400 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 66W wired, 100% in 40 min5W reverse wired.
Does the nova Flip have NFC?
Yes, the nova Flip has NFC.
Is the nova Flip water resistant?
The nova Flip carries a Splash/dust resistant rating.
Does the nova Flip support a microSD card?
No, the nova Flip does not support expandable storage.
Does the nova Flip have a headphone jack?
No, the nova Flip does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the nova Flip isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
nova Flip S
Nova 15
nova 14 Lite
nova 12
Galaxy F17 5G
