HUAWEI is bringing its selfie game to the Philippines with the launch of the HUAWEI nova 16s Series, which the company bills as the “King of AI Selfies.” With a dual front camera setup designed to capture true-to-color images and a high-resolution main sensor, the 5G lineup targets creators and everyday users looking for capable cameras without the steep flagship price tag.

If you’re eyeing an upgrade, you won’t have to wait long. Official preorders begin on Oct. 30, with the base HUAWEI nova 16s priced at a promotional ₱29,999 (roughly $517) and the higher-end HUAWEI nova 16s Pro at ₱39,999 ($690), giving you a ₱5,000 ($79) limited-time discount.

All preorders come with a premium gift bundle valued at ₱14,997 ($258). If you want to jump the gun, there is an early deposit promo running on the brand’s official online store until Oct. 29 where a mere ₱500 ($9) deposit translates to a ₱6,000 ($103) discount.

The cameras are a major highlight. The HUAWEI nova 16s Pro packs a 200-megapixel RYYB ultra-large sensor main camera designed to capture more light, helping with low-light shots and giving you more room to crop photos without losing too much detail.

Our HUAWEI nova 16s Series feature video. For more of our YouTube videos, subscribe to our channel. You can purchase the new nova from any the following: HUAWEI Online Store, Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok

The front camera system is where things get more interesting, though. It pairs a multispectral sensor for real-time color correction with a 50-megapixel ultra-portrait lens offering an industry-first 0.8x to 5x selfie zoom. Whether you’re squeezing the whole squad into a frame or zooming in for a closer portrait, the setup is designed to preserve natural skin tones, even under tricky lighting and neon lights. Check out our feature video above for a closer look at the cameras in action.

Hardware is only half the story, of course. The series also packs AI tools to help improve everyday shots. AI Composition offers real-time framing guidance, while AI Best Expression can adjust facial expressions in group photos, helping save those otherwise perfect shots ruined by a badly timed blink.

The smartphones feature aerospace-grade aluminum and Kunlun Glass, which HUAWEI says offers improved drop resistance over previous generations. Inside, a 7,000mAh battery powers the slim 7.1mm design, while 100-watt fast charging can take the battery to 40% in just 15 minutes.

On the software side, the HUAWEI nova 16s Series runs EMUI 16 and supports cross-platform file transfers, letting users send high-resolution photos and other files to Apple devices such as iPhones and MacBooks. Google essentials and local apps are available through AppGallery as well.

Be 1 of the 50 HUAWEI nova 16s Pro winners

Ahead of the Oct. 30 launch, HUAWEI is running the TikTok #TrueColorsSelfieChallenge. The contest has a prize pool of ₱2,249,950 ($38,792), with the top 50 participants set to receive one HUAWEI nova 16s Pro each.

With its high-resolution cameras, AI-powered editing tools, and large battery, the HUAWEI nova 16s Series is making a clear play for creators and selfie enthusiasts. Whether you’re capturing a night out or fine-tuning your next social media post, there’s plenty here to explore.

HUAWEI nova 16s Pro specs

• 6.84-inch OLED display, 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate, up to 6,000 nits peak brightness, durable Kunlun Glass
• Kirin 9010S 5G processor
• 12GB RAM
• 256GB storage
• Quad rear cameras: 200MP RYYB ultra-large sensor main + dedicated Rear True-to-Color camera + others
• Dual front cameras: 50MP ultra-portrait with 0.8x–5x selfie zoom + 1.5MP Front True-to-Color sensor
• 7,000mAh battery with 100W Huawei SuperCharge Turbo
• EMUI 16
• 7.1mm thickness, 218g weight
• Color options: Breathing Crystal, Isle Blue, and Starry Black

HUAWEI nova 16s specs

• 6.68-inch OLED display, FHD+ (2800 × 1280) resolution, 120Hz refresh rate
• Kirin 8020 octa-core 5G processor
• 12GB RAM
• 256GB storage
• Triple rear cameras: 50MP ultra-vision main + 50MP RYYB periscope telephoto + True-to-Colour camera
• 50MP ultra-portrait front camera
• 7,000mAh battery with 100W Huawei SuperCharge Turbo
• EMUI 16.0
• 7.3mm thickness, 199g weight
• Color options: Breathing Crystal, Sky White, and Starry Black

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