Huawei Nova 12i vs Samsung Galaxy S26
Compare Huawei Nova 12i vs Samsung Galaxy S26 side by side: Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Samsung Exynos 2600, 5000mAh vs…
Huawei
Huawei Nova 12i
$699
4categories won
Samsung
Galaxy S26
$790
9categories won
13 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Samsung Galaxy S26 takes the overall win
The Samsung Galaxy S26 proves superior overall against the Huawei Nova 12i, outperforming on gaming and photography. For battery longevity and charging speed, the Huawei Nova 12i takes the lead, while the Galaxy S26 is the clear choice for demanding 3D gaming and heavy multitasking. Choose the Galaxy S26 if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the Huawei Nova 12i if its lower retail price better fit your budget.
Huawei Nova 12i wins on endurance with 5,000 mAh and 40W fast charging.
Galaxy S26 provides greater sustained gaming output with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Samsung Exynos 2600 and 12GB RAM.
Galaxy S26 takes photography with 50MP optics and 3x optical telephoto capabilities.
Huawei Nova 12i provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $699 vs $790.
Category verdicts are computed algorithmically from verified technical specifications and hardware benchmarks. Rows where neither figure is objectively better — screen size preference, operating system choice, aesthetic build materials — are displayed for direct reference without scoring bias.
Huawei Nova 12i vs Galaxy S26: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | Huawei Nova 12i | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.7" | 6.3" |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388Winner | 1080 x 2340 |
| Pixel density | 391 ppi | 409 ppiWinner |
| Refresh rate | 90 Hz | 120 HzWinner |
| Peak brightness | 650 nits | 2600 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | Huawei Nova 12i | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Samsung Exynos 2600 |
| Process node | — | 2 nm |
| AnTuTu score | 315,000 | 3,064,672Winner |
| Geekbench multi | 1470 | 10824Winner |
| Maximum RAM | — | 12 GB |
| Maximum storage | — | 512GB |
Camera
| Specification | Huawei Nova 12i | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | — | 50 MP |
| Rear cameras | — | 3 |
| Optical zoom | — | 3x |
| Ultrawide | — | 12 MP |
| Selfie camera | 8 MP | 12 MPWinner |
| Max video | 1080p@30fps | 8K at 30fps / 4K at 120fps |
Battery and charging
| Specification | Huawei Nova 12i | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5,000 mAhWinner | 4,300 mAh |
| Wired charging | 40 WWinner | 25 W |
| Wireless charging | No | 15 WWinner |
Design
| Specification | Huawei Nova 12i | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 199 g | 167 gWinner |
| Thickness | 8 mm | 7.2 mmWinner |
| Water resistance | IP53 | IP68 |
| Build | — | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame |
Software and support
| Specification | Huawei Nova 12i | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | 14 | Android 16 |
| OS updates | — | 7 years |
| Security updates | — | 7 years |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | Huawei Nova 12i | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | No | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band 2.4/5/6GHz, 320MHz bandwidth) |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $699Winner | $790 |
Huawei Nova 12i
Huawei Nova 12i showcases flagship-inspired Super Star Orbit Ring styling, a 108MP high-resolution camera, 5000mAh battery with 40W Huawei SuperCharge Turbo, and EMUI 14 with customizable lock screens.
- Display
- 6.7"
- Chipset
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G
- Battery
- 5,000mAh
- Software
- 14
Samsung Galaxy S26
The Samsung Galaxy S26 is a premium compact smartphone suited for buyers who want top-tier performance without the bulk. Priced at $789.99, it pairs a powerful 2nm processor and exceptional seven-year update support with a bright 6.3-inch LTPO display, though its 25W charging speeds lag behind the competition.
- Display
- 6.3"
- Chipset
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Samsung Exynos 2600
- Main camera
- 50MP
- Battery
- 4,300mAh
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