Huawei has officially introduced the Nova Flip S in China, a clamshell-style foldable positioned as its most affordable foldable smartphone to date. The launch marks Huawei’s continued effort to make foldable devices accessible to a broader audience, trimming prices while maintaining much of the premium design and functionality found in its earlier models.
The Nova Flip S succeeds last year’s Nova Flip, which debuted at 5,288 yuan (around $740). This new model starts at just 3,488 yuan (approximately $490), undercutting not only its predecessor but also most competing foldables in the Chinese market. The aggressive pricing signals Huawei’s intent to expand the appeal of foldable phones beyond the high-end niche, especially among younger consumers who have gravitated toward the Nova lineup for its blend of style and value.
Visually, the Nova Flip S stays close to the original, with a 6.9mm profile, 195-gram weight, and a refined clamshell design. Huawei has introduced two fresh color options — Sky Blue and Feather Sand Black — joining the existing palette of New Green, Zero White, Sakura Pink, and Star Black.
The external 2.14-inch display remains compact but versatile, featuring a 480×480 resolution and supporting interactive features such as animated pet themes, DIY wallpapers, and call-screen effects. Users can also pin essential apps for quick access, including weather updates, schedules, and QR code payments. The “live window” function adds convenience by showing real-time information like flight status or delivery tracking without opening the phone.
Inside, the main 6.9-inch OLED screen delivers a crisp 1136×2698 resolution and supports an adaptive LTPO refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz. The hinge design employs a water-drop mechanism that minimizes crease visibility and has been durability-tested for 1.2 million folds by Swiss certification firm SGS.
The Nova Flip S runs on Huawei’s HarmonyOS 5.1, though the company has not disclosed which chipset powers the device — a notable omission given Huawei’s typical use of in-house Kirin processors. Powering the phone is a 4,400mAh battery with 66W fast charging, complemented by side-mounted fingerprint recognition and splash-resistance certification for everyday use.
The camera setup includes a 50MP main sensor with an f/1.9 aperture and an 8MP ultra-wide lens (f/2.2). On the front, a 32MP selfie camera supports 4K video capture, aided by Huawei’s AIS image stabilization.
Available in two storage configurations — 256GB for 3,488 yuan and 512GB for 3,788 yuan — the Nova Flip S offers an appealing balance of functionality and affordability. It’s not just Huawei’s cheapest foldable yet; it’s also one of the most competitively priced in the broader market, signaling how quickly foldable technology is maturing and becoming mainstream.
