The Honor 400 lite is here, and we’ve already put it through its paces. While it aims for affordability, does it truly deliver on its promises?
Honor’s latest smartphone, the 400 Lite, sports a design that might give you déjà vu. Could this budget-friendly contender be more than just an iPhone look-alike?
Starting at 299 euros in France, the Honor 400 Lite undercuts its predecessor, the Honor 200 Lite. But what corners were cut to reach that price point? Let’s dive in.
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A Design That Borrows Heavily From the iPhone
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The first reaction we got when showing off the Honor 400 Lite? “Is that the new iPhone?” It’s a question we heard a lot during our testing.
Available in black and gray,the Honor 400 Lite features a triple-camera setup in the upper left corner,mimicking the layout of recent iPhones,minus the flash and Lidar sensor. The “Honor” logo on the back is the only real giveaway.
Unlike the iPhone, the Honor 400 Lite has volume and power buttons on the right side. They’re well-placed and responsive.
There’s also an extra button on the right edge,similar to what you find on OPPO,Sony,and now Apple phones: a tactile button for controlling the camera. Some might find it gimmicky, others a game-changer. Unfortunately, the button on the Honor 400 Lite feels a bit cheap and isn’t very responsive, as we’ll discuss in the camera section.
The front of the Honor 400 Lite features a 6.7-inch display with a selfie camera cutout at the top. This cutout even has a “dynamic Island” vibe, similar to the iPhone. The bezels are fairly thin, though the bottom one is slightly thicker.
The Honor 400 Lite feels good in hand. the buttons are easily accessible, and the flat edges make it agreeable to use.While the design lacks originality, it’s still practical and pleasant for everyday use. One minor gripe: the camera module smudges easily.
A Decent, Adaptive Screen
the Honor 400 Lite boasts a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a peak brightness of 3,500 nits, according to Honor.That’s bright enough to ensure good visibility even in direct sunlight.However, the auto-brightness adjustment can be a bit slow to react.
The screen can switch between 60Hz and 120Hz refresh rates. You can lock it at either 60Hz or 120Hz, or use the dynamic mode, which adjusts the refresh rate based on the content being displayed. The dynamic mode is the most practical, unless you prioritize consistently smooth visuals (at the expense of battery life).
The AMOLED panel delivers deep blacks and vibrant colors.you can choose between “normal” and “vivid” color modes. While the “vivid” mode can be a bit oversaturated, we preferred it to the “normal” mode, which made the screen look a bit yellow.
Mediocre Performance
Under the hood, the Honor 400 Lite packs 8GB of RAM and a Mediatek Dimensity 7025-Ultra processor, also found in the Xiaomi Poco M7 Pro (around 200 euros) and the Redmi Note 14 5G.
In everyday use, the Honor 400 Lite’s performance is just okay. It can sometimes slow down when opening multiple apps. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s a reminder that this isn’t an iPhone, but rather an entry-level device.
Gamers should temper their expectations. Demanding games like Wuthering Waves or Honkai Star rail are difficult to run smoothly, even with the graphics settings turned down. The visuals are noticeably degraded, and the frame rates are choppy. The phone also gets warm during extended gaming sessions, though not to an alarming degree.
Let’s not forget the new “AI button” on the right side. It’s supposed to quickly launch the camera and provide controls. While the idea is interesting, it takes some getting used to. You can also use it to launch Google lens, finally putting the “AI” in “AI button.” It’s a shame you can’t customize the button’s function, but AI enthusiasts can still access Gemini with a long press on the power button.
A Decent Day Camera, But Not Much more
Despite its iPhone-esque design, the Honor 400 Lite doesn’t have a triple-camera system. It only has a 108MP main sensor and a 5MP ultrawide lens.
In good lighting conditions, the Honor 400 Lite can capture decent photos. However, the colors tend to be a bit oversaturated, with skies appearing bluer than they are and trees having an unnaturally vibrant green hue. The main sensor can also struggle with fast-moving subjects. And don’t rely too much on the burst mode, as it’s slow to trigger.
Time.news sat down with Arthur Finch,a mobile tech analyst,to dissect the Honor 400 Lite and what it means for budget-conscious consumers.
Time.news: Arthur, thanks for joining us. The Honor 400 Lite is generating buzz, primarily for its affordable price point. What’s your overall impression based on recent reviews?
Arthur Finch: Thanks for having me. The Honor 400 Lite definitely aims for that sweet spot where affordability meets modern design. The design is clearly inspired by a certain fruit-themed competitor, and for many, that’s part of the appeal. Starting at 299 euros,it’s an attractive price,but as always,it’s about understanding what you’re giving up for that lower cost.
Time.news: Let’s talk about that design. The review highlights how much it mimics the iPhone. Is that a smart move for Honor?
Arthur finch: It’s a double-edged sword. On one hand, familiarity breeds comfort. People are drawn to designs they recognize and associate with premium devices. Conversely, it’s critical to stand out beyond mere aesthetics. The review mentions that the Honor logo is the only real giveaway. That suggests Honor needs to further develop its own design language in future models. The article mentions the good in-hand feel of this phone as a pro, that’s a big plus in terms of practicality.
Time.news: The display gets a “decent, adaptive” rating. It boasts 3,500 nits peak brightness and a 120Hz refresh rate. What are your thoughts?
Arthur Finch: The 6.7-inch AMOLED display is a strong point for the Honor 400 Lite, this screen ensures good visibility even in direct sunlight. The adaptive refresh rate is also a smart feature, balancing smoothness and battery life. I agree with the reviewer’s color mode observations too. It’s a common trade-off. Manufacturers often boost vibrancy to make the screen pop, even if it’s not entirely accurate.
Time.news: Performance seems to be a sticking point. The review describes it as “mediocre,” citing occasional slowdowns and struggles with demanding games. Is the Mediatek Dimensity 7025-Ultra processor up to the task?
Arthur Finch: The Mediatek Dimensity 7025-Ultra is a capable chip for basic tasks but running demanding games is often challenging. gamers should definitely temper their expectations, as performance will also depend on the game. For everyday use – browsing, social media, basic apps – it should be adequate for most users, even though the review specifically cites occasional slowdowns.
Time.news: What about the camera—the 108MP main sensor and 5MP ultrawide lens? The review says it’s “a decent day camera, but not much more.”
Arthur finch: That’s a fairly typical assessment for a budget phone. A 108MP sensor sounds remarkable, but the results hinges more on image processing and lens quality. Oversaturated colors and struggles with fast-moving objects are common limitations. Night photography is usually a challenge for budget devices due to the lack of advanced stabilization and low-light capabilities.
Time.news: The Honor 400 Lite has an extra “AI button,” but the review calls it “practical, but basic.” What’s your take on this feature?
Arthur Finch: Extra buttons can be useful, offering quick access to frequently used features. The problem arises when it lacks customization or doesn’t function reliably. The review’s point about the lack of customization is meaningful. To really add value,these buttons should be programmable to suit individual user needs.
Time.news: What advice would you give to someone considering buying the Honor 400 Lite?
Arthur Finch: Be realistic about your expectations. The Honor 400 Lite offers a stylish design and a decent screen at an attractive price. So, if you prioritize design and everyday usability, this phone is adequate. However, if high-performance gaming or advanced photography are crucial, you might want to consider spending a bit more. If you use camera quite often, a phone with good camera feature and overall good performance would be a better option.
