Honor 400 Review: A Balanced Mid-Range Contender

The Honor 400 has arrived in Nepal as part of an updated series that includes the Lite and Pro models. This review focuses on the standard Honor 400, which is priced at NPR 68,000 for the 12GB RAM with 512GB storage variant. As an incentive, Honor is providing a Choice 2i smartwatch worth NPR 11,000 and Honor X7 Lite earbuds valued at NPR 2,082 as pre-booking gifts, along with a 0% EMI option and a one-year free screen replacement policy.

Starting with the unboxing experience, the Honor 400 comes with an 80W charger in the box, a feature not common among competitors like Samsung or Nothing. The phone boasts a premium design with a boxy shape, rounded corners, and a glass back available in sophisticated color options. It is lighter and more comfortable to handle than its predecessor, with an IP65 dust and water resistance rating, an improvement over the previous model. Despite the large 6000mAh battery, the device remains comfortably manageable in size.

The display stands out as a 6.55-inch AMOLED panel with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, offering vivid colors and a 10-bit color depth for enhanced accuracy. It includes 3840Hz PWM dimming to reduce eye strain during extended use and supports HDR across streaming platforms. An in-display optical fingerprint sensor provides quick unlocking, though its placement may require a stretch for users with smaller hands.

Honor has committed to providing six years of software updates, comparable to Samsung's update policy. The MagicOS 9.0 interface runs cleanly without ads or excessive bloatware, although it still trails slightly behind Samsung's OneUI or Nothing OS in overall polish. A notable addition this year is a suite of AI features, including AI Eraser, AI Upscaler, and AI Outpainting for image editing. There is also an AI Face Tune tool that can open closed eyes in photos, a built-in image-to-video converter, and an AI video editor suitable for quick social media clips. Perhaps most intriguing is the Deepfake Detection feature, which can identify potential deepfakes during video calls.

Performance is handled by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor, which is smooth for daily tasks and offers decent gaming performance, with PUBG Mobile running at 60fps and Genshin Impact at High + 30fps. However, some users may notice that the haptic feedback feels cheap and buzzy. Additionally, while the processor is strong for the price range, the Chinese variant uses the newer Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, which could have made a difference.

Camera capabilities include a 200MP main camera with optical image stabilization and a 12MP ultra-wide lens. The main camera produces vibrant images with strong contrast and sharpness, and it performs well in well-lit conditions, even at night without night mode. Selfies from the 50MP front camera appear natural with accurate colors. Video recording supports 4K at 30fps on both the main and ultra-wide lenses, with steady footage thanks to electronic image stabilization combined with optical image stabilization. However, low-light video quality can be noisy, and the ultra-wide lens lacks fine detail in dim settings.

Battery life is excellent, with normal use extending to two days, and heavy use still leaving around 10-15% by day's end. The included 80W charger can fully recharge the device in approximately one hour.

Pros of the Honor 400 include its sleek design, top-tier display, impressive battery endurance, and a clean software experience enriched with AI features. However, drawbacks consist of the missing telephoto lens, subpar low-light video quality, a design that feels familiar compared to its predecessor, and a price point that could be more competitive.

In conclusion, the Honor 400 is a well-rounded smartphone that holds its ground among rivals, particularly with its stylish design and excellent display. Performance is adequate for most users, though enthusiasts may find it unremarkable. The lack of a telephoto lens is a notable omission, but the phone still delivers strong camera outputs. Battery life is among the best in class, and the inclusion of an 80W charger is a welcome bonus. For users keen on exploring AI functionalities, the Honor 400 provides some intriguing tools, especially the deepfake detection feature. However, at NPR 68,000, the phone could have been priced more aggressively to stand out in a crowded market.