Huawei Nova 12s vs Samsung Galaxy S26
Compare Huawei Nova 12s vs Samsung Galaxy S26 side by side: Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 4G vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Samsung Exynos 2600, 4500mAh vs…
Huawei
Huawei Nova 12s
$699
5categories won
Samsung
Galaxy S26
$790
5categories won
3 categories tied · 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 12s, outperforming on gaming and photography. For battery longevity and charging speed, the Huawei Nova 12s 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 12s if its lower retail price better fit your budget.
Huawei Nova 12s wins on endurance with 4,500 mAh and 66W 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 12s 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 12s vs Galaxy S26: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | Huawei Nova 12s | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.7" | 6.3" |
| Resolution | 1084 x 2412Winner | 1080 x 2340 |
| Pixel density | 395 ppi | 409 ppiWinner |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 1200 nits | 2600 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | Huawei Nova 12s | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 4G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Samsung Exynos 2600 |
| Process node | — | 2 nm |
| AnTuTu score | 590,000 | 3,064,672Winner |
| Geekbench multi | 2820 | 10824Winner |
| Maximum RAM | — | 12 GB |
| Maximum storage | — | 512GB |
Camera
| Specification | Huawei Nova 12s | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | — | 50 MP |
| Rear cameras | — | 3 |
| Optical zoom | — | 3x |
| Ultrawide | — | 12 MP |
| Selfie camera | 60 MPWinner | 12 MP |
| Max video | 4K@30fps | 8K at 30fps / 4K at 120fps |
Battery and charging
| Specification | Huawei Nova 12s | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4,500 mAhWinner | 4,300 mAh |
| Wired charging | 66 WWinner | 25 W |
| Wireless charging | No | 15 WWinner |
Design
| Specification | Huawei Nova 12s | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 168 g | 167 g |
| Thickness | 6.9 mm | 7.2 mm |
| 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 12s | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | 14 | Android 16 |
| OS updates | — | 7 years |
| Security updates | — | 7 years |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | Huawei Nova 12s | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | 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 12s
Huawei Nova 12s captures global attention with an ultra-thin 6.88mm silhouette weighing just 168g, a world-class 60MP ultra-wide front selfie shooter, 66W SuperCharge Turbo, and Star Orbit Ring camera styling.
- Display
- 6.7"
- Chipset
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 4G
- Battery
- 4,500mAh
- 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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