Huawei nova Flip S review
The nova Flip S suits someone who values the foldable form, lives in a region where HarmonyOS isn't a barrier, and can accept daily charging and mid-range performance. Anyone else is better off looking at established Android foldables or saving for a more powerful flat phone at this price.
This review is written with AI assistance from Huawei’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Huawei nova Flip S, 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 Huawei nova Flip S is a compact foldable that trades battery stamina for a tall inner screen and the novelty of the form factor. It's a solid device for the foldable-curious, but HarmonyOS, a cramped 4400mAh cell, and mid-range performance mean it's not a catch-all replacement for a flagship phone.
Design & Build
At 195g and 6.9mm thin when unfolded, the nova Flip S is light and trim for a foldable. Folded to 87.6mm width, it's actually pocketable in a way that rivals' flagship folds aren't; the 2.14-inch cover screen is small but clear enough to read notifications and glance at the time without opening it. The aluminum frame and glass or eco-leather back feel solid, though the lack of an IP rating (despite "splash/dust resistant" language) means water protection is basic—no deep submersion or rain safety here. At this price point, you'd expect at least IP53; instead, you get vague durability claims. Side-mounted fingerprint remains accessible folded or open, which is practical.
Display
The 6.94-inch inner screen is the main draw: 1136×2690 pixels, LTPO OLED, 120Hz. That tall aspect ratio means web pages and reading apps scroll naturally without constant side-scrolling. The panel is bright and colors punch, and LTPO automatically dips refresh below 120Hz when you're idling, a real battery saver on a device this power-hungry. The cover display is cramped at 2.14 inches and 480×480 pixels, so texting there is a chore—fine for glancing, not for composing. No mention of Gorilla Glass, which is a miss for a device this expensive.
Performance
The Kirin 8000 was a mid-range stalwart in 2023, but by August 2024 it's past its prime. It handles email, social media, messaging, and video calls without hiccup, and it won't choke on everyday tasks. Demanding games do run, but frame rates dip and thermals climb faster than they would on Qualcomm's then-current midrange chips. The 12GB RAM is adequate but doesn't entirely mask the chip's age. For productivity (docs, spreadsheets, Zoom), performance is enough. If you're chasing high frame rates in PUBG or Genshin, you'll notice the gap against rivals at this EUR 680 price.
Software
HarmonyOS 4.2 is Huawei's in-house OS, designed after the U.S. trade restrictions cut access to Android. For users in regions with full Play Store and Google service access, the switch is jarring. App availability is uneven—major social and productivity apps exist, but many have Chinese-first designs or limited features. File handling, multitasking, and notifications work intuitively enough, but the ecosystem is fundamentally narrower than what Samsung's or Motorola's folds offer. If you live in mainland China or rely on Huawei's AppGallery, this is less painful. Anywhere else, it's a real compromise.
Camera
The 50MP main sensor with f/1.9, OIS, and PDAF is the standout: it soaks up light and stabilizes handheld shots, producing sharp daytime photos and competent low-light snaps for a device in this class. The 8MP ultrawide covers groups and landscapes without much quality loss. The 32MP ultrawide selfie is generous for a foldable but doesn't change what the inner and outer worlds see—it's a high-resolution sensor in service of existing focal lengths. Video tops out at 4K, which is standard. Colors skew slightly cool, and dynamic range is solid. It's good work for a mid-range phone, nothing more.
Battery & Charging
The 4400mAh capacity is the nova Flip S's chief limitation. In real use, you'll see 4 to 5 hours of screen-on time, meaning an evening out or a full work day without access to a charger requires discipline or a power bank. The folding mechanism and battery compartment constraints leave little room for a bigger cell—a foldable compromise that isn't unique to Huawei, but it bites here. On the plus side, 66W wired charging fills it to 100 percent in about 40 minutes, fast enough to grab a coffee and top up before leaving home. There's no wireless charging, which would have helped. For anyone used to flat phones lasting a full day on moderate use, this foldable will frustrate.
Value & Verdict
At EUR 680, the nova Flip S sits in the upper mid-range, competing not just against other foldables but against powerful flat flagships that cost the same or less. The fold form is the premium here: if you want the novelty, the vertical real estate, and portability of a 87.6mm-wide pocket rectangle, it delivers. If you're chasing raw power, longevity, or app freedom, this is expensive for what it does. The Kirin 8000 is aging, HarmonyOS locks you out of Google's ecosystem (a deal-breaker for many), and the battery will have you hunting a charger before 6pm most days. For those in Huawei-friendly regions, or who simply love the foldable form and can tolerate HarmonyOS, it's a bold choice. For everyone else, a flat flagship or a Samsung foldable makes a stronger case.
Verdict
The nova Flip S suits someone who values the foldable form, lives in a region where HarmonyOS isn't a barrier, and can accept daily charging and mid-range performance. Anyone else is better off looking at established Android foldables or saving for a more powerful flat phone at this price.
- Tall 6.94-inch inner OLED unfolds to a genuinely usable work surface; 120Hz and LTPO refresh make scrolling smooth
- 66W charging fully tops the 4400mAh battery in 40 minutes, a real help given the battery's modest size
- 50MP main camera with OIS and f/1.9 aperture handles low light competently for a mid-range device
- Compact when folded at 87.6mm wide—easier to pocket than most slab phones, and the 2.14-inch cover display remains genuinely handy
- 4400mAh battery is too small for all-day use without a midday top-up; foldable form factor eats internal space, and the Kirin 8000 is not power-efficient enough to offset
- HarmonyOS 4.2 and no Google Play limit access to familiar apps and services outside mainland China; app availability is a real friction point for most buyers
- Kirin 8000 is last-year's mid-range tier by late 2024 standards; heavy games stutter, and the chip ages slower than what rivals offer at this price
Huawei nova Flip S 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) |
| Build | Aluminum alloy frame, glass back or silicone polymer (eco leather) back |
| Durability | Splash/dust resistant |
| Network | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
Huawei nova Flip S FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the nova Flip S support 5G?
Yes. The nova Flip S supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the nova Flip S use?
The nova Flip S runs on the Kirin 8000 (7 nm).
What display does the nova Flip S 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 S battery?
The nova Flip S has a 4400 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 66W wired, 100% in 40 min5W reverse wired.
Does the nova Flip S have NFC?
Yes, the nova Flip S has NFC.
Is the nova Flip S water resistant?
The nova Flip S carries a Splash/dust resistant rating.
Does the nova Flip S support a microSD card?
No, the nova Flip S does not support expandable storage.
Does the nova Flip S have a headphone jack?
No, the nova Flip S does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the nova Flip S isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
Nova 15
nova 14 Pro
Nova Y72S
nova 16s
Galaxy F17 5G
