HONOR 400 5G: Reviewed

C’mon, let’s face it. These phone companies sometimes throw design out the window. But the HONOR 400 5G actually tries to look halfway decent. Forget your trendy, oversized phablets– the HONOR 400 5G is aiming for a more refined elegance. The departure from the flamboyant styles of its predecessors, like the HONOR 90 and 200 series, signals a conscious shift towards a more timeless design. Think Clark Gable, not some TikTok influencer.

The soft gold colorway, subtly accented by those chromed bezels, gives the device a touch of class without being overly flashy. The symmetrical rounded corners aren’t just for show, see? They’re designed for better grip and usability, reducing the chances of you fumbling the thing onto the concrete. And speaking of usability, the phone’s compact form factor is definitely a plus in a world dominated by ever-growing screens. At just 7.3mm thick and weighing only 184g, it’s like holding onto something that won’t dislocate your pinky. This focus on ergonomics caters to a specific market segment, those who appreciate a phone that fits comfortably in their hand and pocket.

The flat glass display, a design choice shared with a few other players in the market, adds to the phone’s modern appeal. The rear camera island, shaped like a curved trapezoid, houses the dual-camera setup. It’s nothing groundbreaking, but it ain’t ugly either. In a world of monstrous camera bumps and garish colors, the HONOR 400 5G attempts to strike a balance between style and functionality. It’s not winning any design awards, but it’s a design choice that’s both accessible and rather clean. The HONOR 400 5G does its best offering a compact yet fashionable and functional design tailored to meet the demands of today’s smartphone users

Under the hood, we got the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor humming along. Now, this ain’t no top-of-the-line engine, but it gets the job done for most everyday tasks, gaming included. Snappy multitasking, smooth browsing, and the occasional round of mobile gaming are all within its capabilities. Just don’t expect to run the latest graphically intensive titles at max settings without a few hiccups. You get what you pay for

Battery life, however, looks to be the fly in the ointment. The HONOR 400 5G is packing a 5,300 mAh battery. That’s a hefty cell, usually good for a full day of use, maybe even two. But reports are painting a different picture, labeling the battery performance as “mediocre”. What gives? Well, potential culprit number one is software inefficiency. Sometimes, the way a phone’s operating system is programmed can suck up more power than it should. Or perhaps there are other components within the phone that are draining the battery more aggressively.

Now, the phone comes in configurations with either 8GB or 12GB of RAM, paired with 256GB or 512GB of storage. That’s more than enough space for your apps, photos, and videos. And connectivity wise, you’re covered with 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 6, and dual SIM support. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 should give you solid reliability with access to all the basics. The main caveat would be in the battery department. Overall, the specifications show some promise in performance, battery life is something to be desired.

Alright, let’s talk about the camera. They say the HONOR 400 5G’s camera is the main attraction here. And on paper, it’s got the goods to back that up. The big upgrade from the previous generation isn’t the number of cameras but the specs on them. It shifts from a trio to a dual setup of a 200MP main lens with optical image stabilization (OIS) and a 12MP ultrawide lens.

That 200MP sensor is the star of the show. It’s aiming to capture highly detailed and vibrant photos. The absence of a telephoto lens might disappoint some, but the sheer resolution of the main sensor aims to compensate through digital zoom capabilities. The 50MP front-facing camera, unchanged from the previous model, should deliver high-quality selfies. Early reviews paint a positive picture, highlighting the camera’s ability to capture detailed and visually appealing images across a variety of lighting conditions.

Moreover, HONOR has integrated AI features into the camera software, designed to enhance image processing and offering intelligent scene recognition. These AI capabilities aren’t presented as mere marketing buzzwords, but rather as practical tools to improve the overall photography experience. For example, scene recognition can automatically adjust camera settings based on the environment, ensuring optimal results whether you’re shooting landscapes, portraits, or food photos. And the camera performance puts the HONOR 400 5G as a standout among the other players.