HONOR 400 Review: A Flagship-Level Mid-Range Fighter

honor 400 5g review

After several days of playing around with the HONOR 400 5G, the device proves to be a compelling entry in the mid-range smartphone segment, packing in many of the flagship-level AI features traditionally reserved for premium models.

With a remarkable emphasis on photography, immersive display, enduring battery life, and intelligent AI tools, the HONOR 400 aims to redefine what a mid-range device can deliver.

Watch the unboxing video on our Tiktok and Facebook pages. Link to the videos below.

@techpatrl

Honor 400 Unboxing HONOR4005G BringPhotostoLife YourAIPhone

♬ original sound – Tech Patrol – Tech Patrol

Let’s take a look at the physical attributes first. Before you decide to buy, I’d like to help you to a “device tour”.

The SIM tray is right at the bottom together with a noise-cancelling mic, a speaker grill. Note also that the HONOR 400 5G has enabled an e-SIM should you like to retire your legacy SIM card.

Up top, the other noise-cancelling mic is mounted beside an IR blaster that is enabled by the pre-installed app called Smart Remote. It is pretty a working feature. I’ve tried turning off branded TVs to test it. The three dots on the right is the other speaker.

Of the right side, you have the two buttons — the power button and the volume rocker. On the same side at the back is the huge camera modules.

See also  HONOR is announcing new high-profile devices on September 2 at IFA in Europe

Note how slim and solid the HONOR 400 5G. It is also very lightweight and compared to the HONOR 200, the latter is a better looking, slim and lightweight device.

Photography & AI Imaging: A New Trendsetter

The HONOR 400’s camera system is its standout feature — everything AI comes easy with the device. There’s no need to download a third-party app to get it done.

It boasts a 200MP Ultra-Clear AI Main Camera, a 12MP Ultra-Wide and Macro Camera, and a 50MP Portrait Selfie Camera.

These hardware specs are further enhanced by the HONOR Image Engine, a robust AI suite that includes AI Super Zoom, AI Portrait Snap, HD Moving Photo, and cinematic features like Film Simulation and Harcourt Portrait Modes.

From ultra-detailed landscapes to dynamic portraits, the camera system delivers outstanding results across all lighting conditions.

The AI Super Zoom enables clarity even at 30x zoom, while the AI Intent Recognition Engine intelligently captures movement.

@techpatrl

#YourAIPhone HONOR 400 can BringPhotosToLife! Coming on June 17 in the Philippines! Stay tuned! #HONOR4005G

♬ original sound – Tech Patrol – Tech Patrol

Meanwhile, features like HD Moving Photo and AI Face Tune ensure both moments and expressions are preserved and perfected.

AI Editing Tools: Creativity Meets Convenience

HONOR’s commitment to intelligent imaging continues with an advanced suite of AI Editing Tools.

Now you can:

  • Convert photos into video clips using Google’s Veo-powered Image-to-Video feature.
  • Erase unwanted elements like passers-by or reflections with precision.
  • Create Moving Photo Collages, Outpaint images, Upscale old photos, or even open closed eyes in group shots using AI Face Tune.
See also  HONOR to complete 2023 X series with the affordable yet powerful HONOR X6a, X5 Plus, and Pad X9

These tools make it effortless to polish and personalize images and videos directly on the device without the need for third-party apps.

All these AI editing tools available on the HONOR 400 5G made my content creation so easy.

You can take a look at the bunch of sample reels I made in my Facebook account.

Here’s one actual sample I made using the AI editing tools.

Battery & Performance: Built for the Long Haul

HONOR 400 features a silicon-carbon battery (6000mAh outside the EU, 5300mAh in the EU), offering excellent endurance for long-term use. It supports up to 80W wired charging (66W in the EU), delivering 44% charge in 15 minutes and full charge in just 46 minutes. Users can enjoy up to 34 hours of calls or nearly 28 hours of offline video playback.

Coupled with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 Mobile Platform, 12GB RAM, and 512GB storage, the HONOR 400 ensures smooth multitasking, gaming, and media consumption with ample storage for thousands of photos and songs.

Display: Visual Brilliance with Eye Comfort

The 6.55-inch OLED display stands out with its 2736×1264 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, 5000nits peak brightness, and support for 100% DCI-P3 color gamut. Whether under direct sunlight or in a dark room, the screen remains vivid and responsive.

HONOR also emphasizes eye comfort with technologies like:

  • 3840Hz PWM dimming to reduce flicker.
  • Hardware-level low blue light emission.
  • Circadian Night Mode to promote better sleep.
  • AI Defocus Display to mimic myopia-control lens comfort.
  • Ultra Dark Mode, ideal for night reading.
See also  Honor X9b Camera Review

MagicOS 9.0: AI at the Core

The HONOR 400 runs MagicOS 9.0, based on Android 15, integrating a powerful AI ecosystem:

  • Magic Portal 2.0 enhances app linking with intelligent suggestions.
  • AI Writing Tools offer content generation, grammar correction, and rephrasing support.
  • AI Recorder transcribes and summarizes spoken content.
  • AI Translation enables both face-to-face and simultaneous interpretation.
  • AI Deepfake Detection offers real-time video call verification.
  • Magic Capsule and Magic Lock Screen boost productivity and personalization.

The device is also pre-loaded with Google Gemini and Google Lens, allowing users to interact with their surroundings intelligently—from plant identification to solving math problems.

Design & Aesthetics: Elegance in Hand

With a lightweight 184g body and 7.3mm slim profile, the HONOR 400 merges comfort with sophistication. It comes in four stylish color options—Midnight Black, Tidal Blue, Meteor Silver, and Desert Gold—and its angular frame provides a premium aesthetic that belies its mid-range pricing.


Final Verdict: A Mid-Range Phone That Feels Premium

The HONOR 400 punches well above its weight, delivering an astonishing mix of AI innovation, imaging capabilities, battery endurance, and refined user experience—all in a beautifully designed chassis. While aimed at the general user, it includes enough advanced features to even intrigue tech-savvy consumers.

Rating: 4.7 / 5

✅ Pros:

  • Industry-leading AI camera system
  • Advanced AI editing and content tools
  • Vibrant, high-brightness OLED display with eye protection
  • Long battery life with fast charging
  • Durable and water-resistant
  • Smart OS with deep AI integrations

❌ Cons:

  • Some AI features still require OTA updates
  • Not optimized for flagship-level gaming
  • Region-based hardware variations may confuse buyers

HONOR 400 5G Price (Philippines)

Official price is P22,999 with FREEBIES worth almost P9,000 and an entry to join the Rolex and Hermes bag raffle worth P1 million.

Pre-order date is from June 18 – 27, 2025.

Categories: Mobile Phones, Reviews
Raffy Pedrajita

Written by:Raffy Pedrajita All posts by the author

is Rafael Pedrajita offline. He is the founder of Tech Patrol. He's been a freelancer and a blogger since March of 2010. He married a beautiful woman named Amor. You can follow him on his Social Media accounts in the links below.

Cookies Notice

Our website use cookies. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with this.