Latest news with #Honor400Lite
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Honor 400 Lite review: premium iPhone styling & excellent battery for under €300
Back in my halcyon days of DJing, there was nothing more exciting than having a new record before anyone else. The same applies to being a tech reviewer - it's a massive privilege and pleasure to get to test new products before they go on sale in Ireland, especially when it is before other reviewers too. Honor 400 Lite is one such piece of kit. I've been having fun with this incredible phone for a couple of months ahead of its arrival in Harvey Norman and Three this month. It's an incredible device because of the refined and elegant experience you get for your money, starting with the stunning 6.7in full HD+ AMOLED display with a superfast 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 3,500 nits that is unusually high for a handset in this price range. The superslim Honor 400 Lite lives up to its name by weighing just 171g and it is comfortable to hold and use. The review unit was matte black in colour but it's also available in green and grey. Honor 400 Lite has just one rear camera of note to shout about, a 108MP wide angle shooter that delivers especially pleasing shots in decent lighting. It comes with a dedicated AI camera button similar to iPhone 16's Camera Control and it works efficiently as both a zoom controller and shutter button. You can also record video by pressing the button for longer and you can set it to shoot photos in burst mode which is handy for capturing fast moving subjects. The main camera works superbly as a macro camera, capable of sharp close-up shots at 2x and 3x that include impressive bokeh. Within the app you can turn on an iPhone-style Live Photo feature to automatically record a short three-second video and then select the best frame as the still image. Another handy tool is Highlights Capture which can detect smiles, people jumping or running and pets and instantly grab an image. It's useful for grabbing hands-free selfies from the 16MP front camera just by smiling. You will get decent results from the main camera's Portrait mode and Night mode. To use the full 108Mp resolution, you need to switch on High-Res mode which is found under the More tab in the camera app. There's also a Pro mode that offers a decent amount of customisation but it does not shoot in 108MP. However, there is no RAW capture. Honor 400 Lite is driven by a MediaTek Dimensity 7025-Ultra processor coupled with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. The software is the firm's own MagicOS 9.0 atop Android 15. It is sleek and easy to navigate with plenty of customisation options. The OS is not quite as flawless as, for example, Oppo's ColorsOS but the user experience on the 400 Lite is without hiccups. Performance is top notch for everyday use. Like other phones in this price range, it's not powerful enough for serious gaming but aside from that you'll find it fast and fluid. When not in camera mode, a long press of the camera button opens Google Lens by default. This enables you to search images or translate text almost instantly. Honor 400 Lite has a relatively large 5,230mAh power pack and most people who buy this device will get up to two days out of the battery from a single charge. There is support for 35W charging which is not lightning fast but this is a budget phone and those speeds are not far off the flagships from Samsung and Apple. Honor has included iPhone-esque styling elements such as the Magic Capsule display at the top of the screen, rounded corners, and completely flat and metal-coloured edges. This gorgeous handset does not feel like a €299 phone. The IP65 rating means it is dustproof and splashproof and can withstand an occasional dash of water during everyday use. The unit also boasts Wet-hand Touch technology that means the screen is responsive even in the rain. There is an under-display fingerprint sensor that is reliable but not as fast as the ultrasonic sensor on Honor's flagship devices. You also get NFC, Bluetooth 5.3, dual speakers and support for Wi-Fi 2.4GHz and 5GHz up to the 802.11ac standard. Honor 400 Lite does a great job of delivering premium iPhone-style features on a budget-priced phone. In 2025, this is a competitive price point with options from Nothing and Samsung offering plenty of competition. But anyone who buys this Honor unit should be pleased by the value-for-money feature set. Honor 400 Lite costs €299 sim-free and is available from Harvey Norman and Three. You can also buy it from Amazon.
The Citizen
23-05-2025
- The Citizen
Experience smart photography with new Honor 400 Lite – now available in South Africa
Experience exceptional AI photography and stunning AMOLED display with innovative Honor 400 Lite. Honor has officially introduced the Honor 400 Lite, the latest addition to its smartphone line-up. Designed to meet the needs of today's content-driven, connected users, the device offers AI-powered photography, immersive visuals, and smart functionality — all packed into a sleek, premium design. At the heart of the Honor 400 Lite is the innovative AI Camera Button, a first for Android smartphones. This dedicated button allows users to instantly launch the camera, snap photos, or record videos with a single tap, making it easier than ever to capture spontaneous moments. Whether it's a bustling street scene, an impromptu selfie, or a memorable sunset, the AI Camera Button brings speed and creativity together in one seamless feature. It also activates Google Lens, letting users translate menus, identify local landmarks, or scan and explore products — adding everyday intelligence to your mobile experience. The device also features a powerful 108MP main camera, built to elevate mobile photography. It supports three portrait modes — Environmental, Classic, and Close-up — giving users creative control over how they frame their stories. The large f/1.75 aperture allows for vibrant, detailed images even in low light, making it ideal for night-time photography, events, or cityscapes after dark. For South Africans who spend plenty of time outdoors, the 6.7-inch AMOLED display is a standout. It delivers an impressive 3500nits of peak brightness, ensuring the screen remains clear even under bright sunlight. Whether you are reading messages by the pool, navigating through a city, or watching videos on the move, visuals remain sharp and vivid. The display also supports a 120Hz refresh rate for fluid scrolling and includes seven eye care technologies that help reduce eye strain and promote better sleep. The Honor 400 Lite is now available in stores and available in stylish Velvet Black, and Marrs Green. The Honor 400 Lite is built for users who demand functionality, style, and value — without compromise. NOW READ: Honor 400 Lite: 5 ways the AI Camera Button quietly changes everything
Stuff.tv
22-05-2025
- Stuff.tv
My test found the Honor 400 Pro's image to video AI a bit freaky, but I still think it's a fantastic mid-ranger
Stuff Verdict An exceptionally capable all-rounder. The Honor 400 Pro might not have the same mainstream appeal as its Big Three rivals, but it easily competes with them on cameras, battery and software smarts. Pros Long-lasting battery with rapid wired and wireless charging Colourful, engaging photos in almost all conditions Extensive AI toolbox and upper-tier performance for everything else Cons Some might find all the AI photography features a little creepy A little less pre-installed bloat should be standard at this price Introduction Honor's mid-season smartphone launches have been blurring the line between mid-range and flagship for a while now. The formula is largely the same: show up roughly six months after the firm's tip-tier Magic model, packing the sort of spec you'd usually expect to pay a lot more for. The Honor 400 series also continues the firm's trend for starting with a cut-price Lite version, before following it up with a more potent bigger brother. The Honor 400 Pro feels like a very different proposition to the Honor 400 Lite, though. The iPhone-imitating styling is gone, replaced with more a bespoke look; photography is even more of a focus, with an extra-large helping of AI; and the price has put it closer to big-name rivals – while still staying the right side of affordable. At £699 (there's no US release planned, as is usual for Honor) it undercuts the Google Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy S25, and slips between the iPhone 16e and iPhone 16. With hardware that has all three beat in places, could it be 2025's first genuine upper-midrange model surprise? How we test smartphones Every phone reviewed on Stuff is used as our main device throughout the testing process. We use industry standard benchmarks and tests, as well as our own years of experience, to judge general performance, battery life, display, sound and camera image quality. Manufacturers have no visibility on reviews before they appear online, and we never accept payment to feature products. Find out more about how we test and rate products. Design & build: much more personality My first thoughts after taking the Honor 400 Pro out of its box? 'Now this is more like it.' I'd been disappointed by the 400 Lite's 'Me too' styling, which tried way too hard to be an iPhone at pocket money pricing; the Pro feels far more unique, with a slightly rounded frame, subtle quad-curved glass up front, and a distinctive rear camera housing. There really are three sensors underneath the three lenses this time, and it's glass on the rear rather than polycarbonate, which wraps neatly into the frame. OK, Lunar Grey and Midnight Black aren't the most exciting two colour choices, especially compared to some of Honor's more out-there offerings lately, but the materials feel suitably luxe for the money. Honor hasn't included the AI camera button found on the 400 Lite, which only further highlights how different the two phones are, despite sharing a name. I feel it would've made a lot of sense to bring it back here, given the better camera setup; maybe next year. At 8.1mm it's not the slimmest mid-ranger around; nor is it the lightest, tipping the scales at 205g. But it sits very comfortably in the hand and those subtly protruding camera lenses mean it slips easily in and out of a trouser pocket. It's also impressively durable, with both IP68 and IP69 resistance ratings. Protection from high pressure water jets probably isn't something you'll need on the regular, but it's still nice to have in a phone that doesn't cost four figures. Honor has brought back its secure face recognition, via an iPhone-esque pill-shaped screen cutout, and also offers fingerprint biometrics from an under-display sensor. I liked having both configured, so I could quickly skip the lock screen regardless of lighting conditions or the angle I was holding the phone. Both worked quickly and accurately enough. Screen & sound: easy on the eyes The 400 Pro's bright and colourful AMOLED screen isn't a huge step down from the flagship Magic 7 Pro's. It's ever-so-slightly smaller at 6.7in, but has the same 2800×1280 resolution, and Honor has carried over the subtle 2.5D glass as well. This doesn't reflect light anywhere near as much as a properly curved-edge screen would, yet feels more in keeping with modern phone design trends – without being a carbon copy of any flat-screened rivals. Viewing angles in general are fantastic, and given its an OLED panel underneath contrast is understandably rather brilliant. Black levels are suitably deep and inky, and the 120Hz refresh rate ensures scrolling is as smooth as silk. Streaming content was a pleasure to kick back with, particularly shows shot in HDR. Those really let the 400 Pro's extreme peak brightness shine. 5000nits is about as good as it gets in the phone world, although that figure only counts a tiny portion of the screen at a time. The phone doesn't get anywhere near as bright in everyday use, but I couldn't fault it for outdoor visibility. Even on especially sunny days, I could clearly see what was onscreen. It fared well against the impressively potent Google Pixel 9 XL, which costs considerably more. It's great to see all of Honor's usual eye comfort tech included here. As well as dialling out extra blue light, the phone supports high frequency dimming and automatically adjusts its colour temperature to lower eye fatigue. The defocusing mode softens the screen edges to help here too, which is something you won't find on rival Androids. I liked how dark the extra dim settings gets for night-time reading, too. The Honor 400 Pro's speakers put in a strong showing, with the earpiece tweeter and down-firing main driver delivering more than enough volume for headphone-free listening. Sound is generally clean and clear, with the usual lack of bass I expect from any phone speaker setup. Cameras: AI video arrives On pixel count alone, the Honor 400 Pro looks formidable. There's a 200MP lead snapper (with optical image stabilisation, naturally), backed up by a 50MP telephoto (also with OIS) equipped for 3x optical zoom. The 12MP ultrawide leans more mid-range, but also doubles as a macro shooter with a very short 2.5cm focus distance. A 50MP selfie can up front completes the set. Sensor cropping expands the camera's reach from 0.6x to 6x before digital zoom properly comes into play, and you're offered a trio of colour modes. These either give your snaps authentic, natural-looking hues, more vivid and highly saturated shots, or an analogue film-style treatment that ups the vignetting and strips out a little warmth. I liked experimenting with them on the Magic 7 Pro at the start of 2025, so it's great to see them return here – even if a lot of owners are likely to pick one of the three and rarely stray from it. Most of my shots were taken in Vibrant mode, which is selected by default. Honor's partnership with Studio Harcourt has also returned for the portrait mode, for moody black-and-white snaps that do a pretty decent job of preserving loose hairs and finer edge details. Algorithms are just as important as pixels, of course, and for the most part the Honor 400 Pro delivers. The lead lens captures a glorious amount of detail as you'd expect, along with convincing and vibrant colours. Colour and exposure consistency between it and the other two lenses is rather great too, if not quite up there with the class leaders. Dynamic range isn't quite as wide as some rivals can manage, leaving some of my most brightly-lit scenes looking a bit washed out as HDR processing exposed for both highlights and shadow detail. Outside of extremes, though, it held up rather well across all three lenses. The ultrawide definitely shows a detail drop-off compared to the other two, and the edges of the frame aren't super-sharp, but its narrow minimum focus distance meant I got some rather tidy close-up shots. I was genuinely impressed with the clarity of the zoom at 6x, too. In some cases I thought the colours were more convincing and the contrast more true-to-life than 3x shots taken from the same spot, despite cropping the sensor to achieve them. It quickly became my favourite 'lens' for travel snaps, so long as my subjects were far enough away from me. I'd sooner reach for this than a Galaxy S25. Honor's AI Super Zoom can take over beyond 30x, as it could on the Magic 7 Pro flagship. Your shots are optionally sent to the Cloud for processing, and come back either looking like someone took a decent stab at adding detail the sensor couldn't capture, or more like a poster illustrated version of what you saw in the viewfinder. Even without AI, there's clearly a lot of smoothing and noise reduction going on to create a usable image. There's still a bit of work to do in low light, where the colour disparity between lenses seems stronger and the ultrawide quickly runs out of pixels to preserve fine detail. The other two hold up well for contrast and exposure, though, and aren't far off the class leaders. Honor is also all-in on AI image editing at this point, and is first in line to bake support for Google's Leo Cloud processing straight into its gallery app. On top of the generation image expansion, smart subject cutouts, reflection and background object removal it could do previously, you now get AI image to video. There are a few limitations, like using single subjects and it rejecting blurry snaps, but it needs just a few minutes to turn a single static image into five seconds of video. These aren't basic clips, either: as well as animating your subject, it adds camera pans, zooms, and drone-like aerial climbs. Naturally you'll have to pay for this functionality at some point – it's labelled as a 'free trial' on my review unit. Honestly, it's freaky stuff at times: some of my test snaps looked incredibly convincing. A few were clearly AI slop, with nonsense creations and artifacts appearing mid-scene. You've also got no input over the camera movement or what your subjects are animated to perform. There's a fun side to it, but I can't ever imagine forking over cash to be able to use it. Software experience: that's magic Honor usually saves big updates to its Android skin for flagship phones, so the 400 Pro arrives running the same MagicOS 9 software as the 400 Lite and Magic 7 Pro I tested at the start of 2025. It's based on Android 15, though a lot of the styling feels very iOS-inspired. All your apps get spread over multiple home screens by default, notifications and quick settings are on separate pull-down menus, and a few of the icons look pretty familiar. There's the usual extensive selection of own-brand apps, with dupes for most of Google's defaults (which are hidden away in a folder). I was also a little disappointed my review unit had so much pre-installed third-party bloat; it's a pretty common move on budget models, and was excusable on the sub-£250 Honor 400 Lite, but less so on a phone that costs a fair bit more. Your mileage may vary as the phone will be set up differently for different regions, admittedly, and it's only the work of a minute or two to erase them if you're not a fan. With a whopping 512GB of onboard storage, it's not like you're short on space right out of the box either. Magic Portal is quickly becoming an Honor standout, letting you drag images or text to the side of the screen to bring up contextual actions and relevant apps. Highlight an address and Google Maps shows up at the top of the sidebar that appears. It's a handy way for opening two apps in multi-window, too. I'm in two minds about the Apple-like Magic Capsule, which puts music controls, call timers and alarms around the pill-shaped camera cutout. Yup, it's Dynamic Island – except far more limiting, with no third-party app support. I'd love Honor to open up the API to app developers, or at least integrate more of its stock apps. The firm gets a thumbs up for its long-term update support, though. Honor flagships get seven years of Android versions and seven years of security updates now. The 400 Pro isn't quite a flagship, but six years of each is still a great showing, and puts it just behind the likes of Google's Pixel 9 and the Samsung Galaxy A56. Of course it's all the AI additions that Honor is putting the biggest emphasis on this year – and why not, given everyone else is doign the same. A lot of the various tools use Google Gemini, so of course you get Circle to Search, the Gemini voice assistant, and Gemini Live conversational AI. The writing tools, live language translation, voice transcription and subtitles are all par for the course, too.I wouldn't say they're better or worse than any rival offering, currently. Performance & battery life: what more do you want? The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 inside the Honor 400 Pro isn't quite cutting edge today, but you don't have to go too far back in time to the point where it was Qualcomm's class-leading silicon. Paired with a healthy 12GB of RAM, it means this phone feels every bit the high-end hero, with a near-unflappable Android experience for the most part. Apps open in a blink, multitasking is no sweat, and even demanding apps run smoothly. It's not quite so fast in synthetic benchmarks, as single- and multi-core scores of 2046 and 6463 in Geekbench 6 show; flagship rivals with Snapdragon 8 Elites are some 2000 points quicker on the multi-core test. Single-core grunt is greater than Razr 60 Ultra flip phone, though – showing what a difference effective cooling can make on performance. At no point in real-world use did I feel like I needed any extra oomph. Gaming was a similar story. The 3Dmark Solar Bay test churned out a score of 7665, again putting it some distance behind the fastest phones on sale today – but not so much that games from the Play Store weren't nigh-on flawless. Horror fishing adventure Dredge isn't asking an awful lot of the GPU, so it was no surprise I saw perfectly smooth gameplay, but Genshin Impact was also stutter-free. You're in no way getting a sub-par processor for your money here. I like that the 400 Pro continues Honor's streak of offering plenty of on-board storage, too. You get 512GB as standard here, while rivals only offer 256GB – or in some cases just 128GB. Honor also puts its competition on blast when it comes to battery capacity. Admittedly the Pixel 9 and Galaxy S25 are both physically smaller phones, but there's a big gulf between their meagre cells and the 400 Pro's 5300mAh unit. Chinese brands have been quick to adopt silicon-carbon tech, and it has made a big difference to this phone's staying power. I comfortably lasted through full days of heavy use without having to plug in, and two days was achievable with lighter use. That's an excellent showing for a phone that's otherwise so capable everywhere else. I was never waiting around for the phone to charge, either. The 400 Pro supports 100W top-ups from a compatible power brick, so I could complete a full refuel in under ah hour. Wireless charging is impressively speedy at 50W, too, though compatible charging plates are a little rarer. Honor 400 Pro verdict In just a few short years, Honor has transformed its upper-midrange phones into true mainstream flagships. The 400 Pro can comfortably rub shoulders with Google and Samsung's mass market models, thanks to its capable rear camera trio, high capacity battery, and impressively wide-reaching software smarts. Not everyone wants their photo galleries filled with AI-adjusted images, and Honor still needs to remember customers paying this sort of cash have a lower tolerance for pre-installed bloat. But the colourful screen, modern (yet still unique) styling and slightly more affordable price make it a genuine alternative for those who aren't obsessed over brand names. Stuff Says… Score: 4/5 An exceptionally capable all-rounder. The Honor 400 Pro might not have the same mainstream appeal as its Big Three rivals, but it easily competes with them on cameras, battery and software smarts. Pros Long-lasting battery with rapid wired and wireless charging Colourful, engaging photos in almost all conditions Extensive AI toolbox and upper-tier performance for everything else Cons Some might find all the AI photography features a little creepy A little less pre-installed bloat should be standard at this price Honor 400 Pro technical specifications Screen 6.7in, 2800×1280 120Hz AMOLED CPU Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Memory 12GB RAM Cameras 200MP + 50MP + 12MP rear 50MP front Storage 512GB on-board Operating system Android 15 w/ MagicOS 9 Battery 5300mAh w/ 100W wired, 50W wireless charging Dimensions 8.1mm thick 205g
The Citizen
21-05-2025
- The Citizen
Honor 400 Lite: 5 ways the AI Camera Button quietly changes everything
The AI Camera Button creates a shortcut to features that matter. Honor didn't just build a better phone — it rethought how we use it. The Honor 400 Lite introduces Android's first dedicated AI Camera Button, creating a shortcut to features that matter. Here's what it unlocks: 1. Snap and search — no app-switching. Google Lens connects instantly. Spot something, press once and get the answer. 2. Works with gloves on. From delivery riders to outdoor staff, this button means no more fumbling. It just works. 3. AI editing tools at your fingertips. Erase, expand or enhance in seconds with Gemini AI features. No third-party apps needed. 4. Record without reaching. Tap to open the camera, press to zoom or shoot. It's quick, smooth and never gets in your way. 5. Timing that feels personal. It's not just about features. It's about the phone showing up when you need it most. The tech behind the tap This experience runs on the Dimensity 7025-Ultra processor and Honor's smart software. Paired with a bright AMOLED display, 24GB RAM Turbo and a powerful battery, it brings speed and fluidity to everything you do.
The Citizen
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Honor celebrates Amajita with R250 000 worth of 400 Lite devices to mark proud moment for South African football
AI-powered photography meets sporting excellence as the South African U20 squad 'Amajita' strikes gold, winning the 2025 Afcon final! Honor Technologies proudly celebrates a historical moment for South African football, as the men's national soccer team defeated Morocco to win the u20 Afcon title after 28 years, marking a historical moment in South African football. The brand officially unveiled the Honor 400 Lite at the Amajita vs Morocco match day experience held in Sandton on 18 May 2025. Picture: Supplied This new release takes on the amazing success of its predecessor, the Honor 200 Lite, which became the top-selling post-paid smartphone across all price points and ranges in July 2024. As the exclusive technology device sponsor of Bafana Bafana, in partnership with the South African Football Association (Safa), Honor continues to champion the development of South Africa's rising football talent, including the national under-20 squad, Amajita. ALSO READ: Amajita down Morocco to clinch first-ever Afcon title In recognition of their outstanding performance, Honor will be awarding each player and team member with the newly launched Honor 400 Lite Android AI Camera Button smartphone. The official handover will take place at the O.R. Tambo International Airport upon the team's return with the cup this week. The device sponsorship, which is valued at R250 000, is a celebration of their success and a reflection of Honor's commitment to empowering youth through accessible technology that embodies progress and possibility. Like Amajita, the Honor 400 Lite carries the momentum forward, offering smart AI features, sleek design and exceptional value for South Africans who want more from their phone, whether capturing moments on the pitch or in daily life. Meet the Honor 400 Lite The Honor 400 Lite brings AI-powered innovation to everyday users with a standout 108MP main camera, Android's first dedicated AI Camera Button, and Google Lens integration for instant visual search and translation. Whether you're celebrating pitchside or street-side, the phone is designed to keep up. It's sleek, fast and super sharp in every shot. With a 6.7-inch AMOLED display, all-day battery life, and smart eye comfort tech, it's a device built for clarity, creativity and connection whether in stadiums, classrooms, boardrooms or on the move. 'This launch is about more than features,' says Fred Zhou, CEO of Honor South Africa. 'It's about recognising where we've come from, celebrating growth, and offering the tools to help South Africans see and share their world with more clarity.' Taking the tech to the next level 108MP Main Camera with depth sensor and pro-level portrait modes AI Camera Button for fast photo capture, Google Lens access and AI editing 6.7-inch AMOLED Display with up to 3,500 nits brightness 5230mAh Battery with 35W fast charging Up to 24GB Extended RAM with Honor RAM Turbo MediaTek Dimensity 7025 Processor for smooth multitasking and 5G support Eye comfort display tech including Low Blue Light and Circadian Night Mode IP65 rating for dust and water resistance The Honor 400 Lite is available in Velvet Grey and Mars Green now at retail stores. For more, visit NOW READ: Honor 400 Lite takes the throne with first Android AI Camera Button
