The foldable market is heating up, with clamshell and book-style designs vying for dominance. We pit the Huawei nova Flip S, a stylish and affordable flip phone, against the OnePlus Open, a premium foldable aiming for flagship status. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which device delivers the best experience for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-around performance and battery life, the OnePlus Open emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and impressive 11:59-hour active use battery score significantly outperform the Huawei nova Flip S, despite the latter's faster 66W charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, October 17 | 2023, October 19 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, October 25 | Available. Released 2023, October 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Aluminum alloy frame, glass back or silicone polymer (eco leather) back | Glass front (Ceramic Guard) (folded), plastic front (unfolded), glass back or eco leather back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | Unfolded: 169.8 x 75.4 x 6.9 mmFolded: 87.8 x 75.4 x 15.1 mm | Unfolded: 153.4 x 143.1 x 5.8 mmFolded: 153.4 x 73.3 x 11.7 mm |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) |
| Weight | 195 g or 199 g (6.88 oz) | 239 g or 245 g (8.43 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1136 x 2690 pixels (~421 ppi density) | 2268 x 2440 pixels (~426 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.94 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 7.82 inches, 196.7 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Foldable LTPO OLED, 120Hz, HDR | Foldable LTPO3 Flexi-fluid AMOLED, 1B colors, Dolby Vision, 120Hz, 2800 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Kirin 8030 | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 740 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 5.1 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, OxygenOS 15 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama | Hasselblad Color Calibration, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.43", 1.12µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS
64 MP, f/2.6, 70mm (telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
48 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF |
| Video | 4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/480fps gyro-EIS, HDR10+, Dolby Vision |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (ultrawide) | 20MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 0.7µm
Cover camera:
32MP, f/2.4, 22mm (ultrawide), 1/3.14", 0.7µm |
| Video | 4K, 1080p | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (Dolby Atmos enhanced) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, L2HC | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 100% in 40 min
5W reverse wired | 67W wired, PD, 100% in 42 min
Reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4400 mAh | Li-Po 4805 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Green, Pink, White, Black, Nova Black, Blue | Emerald Dusk, Voyager Black, Apex Edition |
| Models | PSD-AL80 | CPH2551 |
| Price | About 410 EUR | $ 1,059.99 / € 926.54 |
| SAR | - | 0.98 W/kg (head) 0.76 W/kg (body) |
Huawei nova Flip S
- Faster 66W wired charging
- Compact and portable flip phone design
- Potentially more affordable price point
- Less powerful Kirin 8030 chipset
- Likely shorter battery life
- Limited camera information
OnePlus Open
- Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance
- Exceptional battery life (11:59h active use)
- Bright and immersive display (1238 nits)
- Slightly slower charging speed (42 minutes)
- Larger and less pocketable form factor
- Higher price tag
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Open boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1238 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the nova Flip S’s display specs are not provided, flip phones generally prioritize compactness over screen real estate. The OnePlus Open’s larger folding screen is likely to offer a more immersive experience for media consumption and multitasking. The absence of LTPO information for the nova Flip S suggests it may not dynamically adjust refresh rates for power saving like the OnePlus Open likely does.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specs for the nova Flip S are missing, but the OnePlus Open is expected to deliver a more versatile and higher-quality camera experience. The OnePlus Open likely features a multi-camera system with advanced features like OIS and sophisticated image processing algorithms. The absence of information regarding sensor sizes on the nova Flip S makes a direct comparison difficult, but the OnePlus Open’s flagship status suggests a larger, more capable primary sensor. We can assume the OnePlus Open will excel in both photo and video capture.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Open’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) is a powerhouse, featuring a complex octa-core configuration with a peak clock speed of 3.2 GHz. This translates to significantly faster processing speeds and superior graphics performance compared to the Huawei nova Flip S’s Kirin 8030. The 4nm fabrication process of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, minimizing throttling during demanding tasks. While both CPUs are octa-core, the architectural differences favor the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for sustained performance.
Battery Life
The OnePlus Open shines in battery performance, achieving an impressive 11:59 hours of active use and a 96-hour endurance rating. While the Huawei nova Flip S offers a competitive 66W wired charging, reaching 100% in 40 minutes, the OnePlus Open’s 67W charging (with PD support) takes only 42 minutes. The larger battery capacity of the OnePlus Open, combined with the power efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, provides a substantial advantage in real-world usage. Both devices offer 5W reverse wired charging, a convenient feature for topping up accessories.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova Flip S if you prioritize a compact, fashionable form factor and rapid 66W charging, and are comfortable with a mid-range chipset. It’s ideal for users who value portability and style over raw power. Buy the OnePlus Open if you demand top-tier performance, exceptional battery endurance (96h endurance rating), and a larger, brighter display. This is the choice for power users, content creators, and those who want a truly premium foldable experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin 8030 in the Huawei nova Flip S struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Kirin 8030 is a capable mid-range chipset, but it will likely exhibit more frame drops and throttling in graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the OnePlus Open. Expect to lower graphics settings for a smoother experience.
❓ How does the folding mechanism of the OnePlus Open hold up over long-term use?
OnePlus has implemented a second-generation drop-resistant hinge in the Open, designed to improve durability and reduce the visibility of the crease. While long-term reliability requires more extensive testing, initial reports suggest a robust and well-engineered folding mechanism.
❓ Is the 5W reverse wired charging on either phone useful for more than just earbuds?
While primarily intended for earbuds, the 5W reverse wired charging can provide a slow trickle charge to other devices like smartwatches or even another phone in an emergency, though it's not a substitute for a dedicated power bank.
❓ Given the price difference, is the OnePlus Open worth the extra cost over the Huawei nova Flip S for a casual user?
For a casual user primarily focused on social media, calls, and light browsing, the Huawei nova Flip S offers a compelling value proposition. However, if you anticipate using your phone for gaming, content creation, or demanding multitasking, the OnePlus Open's superior performance and battery life justify the higher price.
