Huawei has officially unveiled its latest mid-range smartphone series, the Nova 15, in China. The launch event, held on December 22, 2025, introduced three models: the Nova 15, Nova 15 Pro, and the top-tier Nova 15 Ultra. This new generation marks a significant step forward for the series, bringing back the high-performance Kirin 9-series chipsets, introducing a novel dual-ring camera design, and packing some of the largest batteries seen in Huawei smartphones to date. The devices are set to run the new HarmonyOS 6 out of the box, promising enhanced AI integration and a smoother user experience.
The Return of Kirin Power and HarmonyOS 6
At the heart of the new series is the much-anticipated return of Huawei's Kirin 9-series processors. The Nova 15 Ultra and Nova 15 Pro are powered by the new Kirin 9010S chipset. Huawei claims this silicon delivers an 18% performance boost over the Kirin 8020 used in the previous generation's high-end models. The standard Nova 15 utilizes the Kirin 8020 chipset, which itself is reported to offer up to a 42% performance improvement over the Kirin 8000 found in the Nova 14. All three models boot the latest HarmonyOS 6, which integrates AI capabilities more deeply into daily tasks through features like "AI沾色" (AI Color Touch) and an enhanced "Xiaoyi" voice assistant.
Performance Claims & Comparisons
- Kirin 9010S (Nova 15 Ultra/Pro): Huawei claims an 18% performance boost over the Kirin 8020 (used in Nova 14 Ultra).
- Kirin 8020 (Nova 15): Huawei claims up to a 42% performance boost over the Kirin 8000 (used in Nova 14).
A Focus on Imaging with the Red Maple System
Huawei has placed a strong emphasis on camera technology with the Nova 15 series, particularly on the Ultra model. The headline feature is the debut of the dual Red Maple imaging system. The Nova 15 Ultra is the first to feature this technology on both its front and rear cameras. The front camera system incorporates a pixel-level spectral sensing algorithm designed to accurately reproduce colors for both people and scenery. On the back, the Ultra model boasts a formidable quad-camera setup, with all four sensors rated at 50MP and utilizing the RYYB pixel arrangement for better light sensitivity. This array includes a variable aperture main lens with optical image stabilization (OIS), a periscope telephoto lens offering 3.7x optical zoom, and an ultra-wide-angle macro lens.
Robust Specifications and Design
The Pro and Ultra models share a 6.84-inch LTPO OLED display with a high 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate, 1,320 x 2,856 resolution, and a claimed peak local brightness of 4,000 nits, protected by Kunlun Glass. They are also notable for their substantial 6,500mAh silicon-carbon batteries, supporting 100W wired charging. The Ultra model adds 50W wireless charging to its repertoire. Both achieve high ingress protection ratings of IP68 and IP69. The standard Nova 15 features a slightly smaller 6.7-inch FHD+ 120Hz OLED, a 6,000mAh battery with 100W charging, and an IP65 rating. All models support satellite connectivity, a feature becoming increasingly standard in Huawei's lineup.
Huawei Nova 15 Series Key Specifications & Pricing
| Model | Chipset | Display | Main Camera (Rear) | Battery & Charging | Starting Price (CNY) | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nova 15 Ultra | Kirin 9010S | 6.84" LTPO OLED, 1-120Hz | 50MP RYYB (Var. Aperture, OIS) + 50MP RYYB Periscope (3.7x) + 50MP RYYB Ultra-wide | 6,500mAh, 100W wired, 50W wireless | 4,199 | 209g |
| Nova 15 Pro | Kirin 9010S | 6.84" LTPO OLED, 1-120Hz | 50MP RYYB (OIS) + 12MP RYYB Telephoto + 13MP RYYB Ultra-wide | 6,500mAh, 100W wired | 3,499 | 202g |
| Nova 15 | Kirin 8020 | 6.7" FHD+ OLED, 120Hz | 50MP RYYB + 12MP RYYB Telephoto | 6,000mAh, 100W wired | 2,699 | 196g |
All models feature satellite connectivity, a front-facing 50MP camera, and run HarmonyOS 6.
Pricing, Availability, and Broader Ecosystem Launch
The Nova 15 series is priced competitively within the mid-range segment. The Nova 15 starts at CNY 2,699, the Nova 15 Pro at CNY 3,499, and the flagship Nova 15 Ultra at CNY 4,199. Pre-orders are open on Huawei's Vmall platform, with the first shipments scheduled for December 27, 2025. Huawei has not indicated plans for an international release. The smartphones were launched alongside other products in a broader "All-Scenario" ecosystem event, which also included a new MatePad 11.5 tablet, the Huawei WATCH 10th Anniversary Edition, the WATCH GT 6, and updates to the Hongmeng Zhijia (Smart Home) platform, showcasing the company's continued expansion beyond mobile devices.