HONOR 400 5G Review

• AI For All: Experience advanced AI Features across the board on a new smartphone that's fairly affordable
• 200MP Rear Camera: Ultra-detailed photography with AI-enhanced clarity
• 6000mAh Battery + 80W Charging: All-day use with lightning-fast top-ups

I’ve been using the HONOR 400 5G for over a week now, and there’s a lot to unpack. From its AI features to its flagship-grade camera setup, from its sleek design to its generous 6000mAh battery, this phone boldly makes a case in the competitive midrange segment. Whether you’re into content creation, mobile gaming, or just want a future-ready device that doesn’t feel like a compromise, this might be the phone to keep your eye on.

Holding HONOR 400 and posing for a photo during the phone's official launch event in the Philippines held at The Grand Ballroom of Okada Manila on June 17, 2025

Let’s explore together what makes the HONOR 400 5G a standout, especially at a price that's at arm's reach of even young professionals.

Price and Availability in the Philippines

HONOR Philippines officially launched the HONOR 400 5G on June 17, 2025, at the Grand Ballroom of Okada Manila. At PHP 22,999, the phone arrives with pre-order freebies worth PHP 9,397, which includes the HONOR Choice Earbuds Clip, JBL Go 4 Speaker, and a JISULIFE Fan Pro1. That’s not just generousl It’s truly value-packed.

Available in three elegant colors, namely, Desert Gold, Midnight Black, and Tidal Blue, the HONOR 400 5G comes with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage, ensuring smooth performance and delivering enough space for files, games, and apps.

Launch Experience

HONOR made sure the launch felt premium. Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto were formally introduced as their first local celebrity ambassadors, and the event had energy, music (courtesy of OPM favorite Mayonnaise), and tech in perfect harmony. It wasn’t just a product release; it was a celebration of the brand’s evolution in the country.

Watch my full HONOR 400 5G Philippines Launch Experience in just 10 Minutes here:

Quick Unboxing and Package Contents

Inside the sleek white box with subtle gold prints, you’ll find:

• HONOR 400 5G Unit
• 100W HONOR SuperCharge Travel Charger
• USB Type-C Cable
• Metal SIM Ejector Pin
• Quick Start Guide
• Free Soft Transparent Siicone Case

Everything feels well thought out. That fast charger right out of the box? A rare treat nowadays.

Here's my quick TikTok unboxing of the HONOR 400 5G Official Retail Package here in the Philippines:

@techpinas HONOR 400 5G Quick Unboxing #HONOR400 #YourAIPhone #BringPhotosToLife @honorphilippines ♬ original sound - TechPinas

Here's the Youtube Shorts version if you're having a problem loading the one on top:

Design

At just 7.3mm thin and weighing 184 grams, the HONOR 400 5G feels feather-light yet solid in the hand. The curved edges add to its ergonomic appeal, and the back panel finish has a premium shimmer that catches light beautifully, especially in Desert Gold.

If you’re the type who cares about aesthetics, this one looks like it costs more than it does. It’s the kind of phone you’d proudly flaunt without needing a designer case.

Display

The 6.55-inch AMOLED display here is a visual delight. With a crisp 1264 x 2736 resolution and ~460ppi pixel density, it’s incredibly sharp. And brightness? A whopping 5000 nits peak makes sunlight readability effortless. Add in HDR support, 3840Hz PWM dimming for eye comfort, and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, and you're looking at a screen made for both binge-watching and gaming.

It’s the type of display that makes TikToks look better, makes text easier on the eyes, and doesn’t leave you squinting even under Manila’s noontime sun.

Imaging Performance (Back and Front Cameras)

The HONOR 400 5G captures photos and stories in incredible detail. Headlining the rear setup is a whopping 200MP main sensor with a wide f/1.9 aperture, optical image stabilization (OIS), and phase detection autofocus (PDAF). This combo delivers ultra-sharp images with excellent contrast and clarity, even in challenging lighting situations. From capturing the sparkle in your pet’s eye to the texture of a freshly baked ensaymada, the results are consistently impressive.

What surprised me most is how well it handles low light. The sensor is large enough (1/1.4") to let in a good amount of light, so your night photos don’t look like a pixelated mess. The Night Mode, assisted by smart AI, boosts shadow detail while maintaining a natural vibe, no excessive over-sharpening here.

Then there’s the 12MP ultrawide camera, which really comes in handy when you want to fit more into the frame. With a 112° field of view and autofocus, this isn’t just a "filler" lens. It’s a capable shooter for architectural snaps, landscapes, and those spontaneous barkada groupies. Colors remain vivid without becoming oversaturated, and distortion is minimal, even around the corners.

Up front, you’ve got a 50MP selfie camera that’s wide enough to accommodate you and a friend with room to spare. Selfies look naturally lit, with flattering skin tones and excellent detail retention, even when you crop. It's one of those rare front-facing shooters that’s good enough to stand in as a main camera for vlogs or even quick product shots.

What's even better? The color tuning across the lenses feels cohesive. No more switching from main to ultra-wide and ending up with two totally different-looking photos.

In everyday use, this means you can confidently capture food, pets, scenery, and people without second-guessing your settings. Whether you’re a casual point-and-shooter or someone who loves tweaking compositions, the HONOR 400 5G delivers.

Video Recording

When it comes to video, you’re looking at 4K recording for both front and rear cameras, with gyro-EIS and OIS ensuring stability. Vlogging on the move? This phone can handle it. You get cinematic footage even when you’re walking through crowded city streets or on a shaky jeepney ride.

More than the high 4K resolution, the dynamic range and focus lock-in make your content stand out on social feeds. Also, thanks to the large sensor of the main camera, videos look good even when they are recorded in low light conditions.

AI Features

AI isn’t just a buzzword here, it’s actually useful. The HONOR 400 5G’s AI HONOR Image Engine supercharges your photography, not only when you're pressing the shutter, but also after the shot has been taken.

Start with AI Portrait Snap, which intelligently detects faces and optimizes skin tone, background blur, and lighting in real-time. The result? Natural-looking portraits with an artistic touch. If you’re into that golden-hour glow, the Harcourt Portrait Mode gives your shots a timeless, studio-style aesthetic that’s straight-up IG-worthy.

If you're like me and love to tinker with your shots after they’re taken, this phone’s editing suite is a dream. AI Erase Passers-by is magic. Just tap on a photobomber in the background, and poof, they’re gone. AI Remove Reflection helps clean up shots taken behind glass or windows, while AI Eraser works on basic object removal with surprising precision.

The AI Face Tune subtly smooths skin and brightens eyes without making you look like a plastic doll. Perfect for quick edits before uploading to socials, no third-party app needed.

But perhaps the most futuristic features are AI Outpainting and AI Cutout. Outpainting smartly extends your photo’s borders, useful when you’ve cropped a bit too tight. AI Cutout helps isolate subjects from the background, great for thumbnails, stickers, or digital collages.

My favorite, the AI Image-to-Video tool lets you create short highlight reels from your best shots, while Moving Photo Collage adds flair to what would otherwise be a static memory. These are the kinds of features that turn casual users into content creators without the steep learning curve.

AI Features on the HONOR 400 5G are not all about creativity. They offer convenience too. AI makes sure your images are optimized in the background, minimizing noise and enhancing sharpness before you even open the gallery. You’re basically getting a pocket-sized photo editor that works quietly in the background while you just enjoy capturing the moment.

Internal Hardware

Under the hood is the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset built on a 4nm process, paired with either 8GB or 12GB of RAM. You also get 256GB or 512GB of storage, which is ample space for all your apps, games, and media. However, no microSD card slot, so choose your variant wisely.

The smooth experience isn’t just specs-deep. The phone remains snappy, whether you're multitasking, scrolling endlessly on social, or editing high-res photos.

Software

Running on Android 15 with MagicOS 9, the interface feels fluid and modern. HONOR promises up to 6 major Android updates, which means this phone is built to last beyond just its hardware. Features like Smart Folders, customizable widgets, and system-wide dark mode are all refined and useful.

Gaming Performance

With an Adreno 720 GPU and that responsive AMOLED display, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang runs smoothly even with settings cranked up. No lags, no stutters; Just pure gaming joy. Heat management is solid too; the phone stays cool even during extended matches.

Graphics-rich games look immersive, and thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate, you gain an edge in fast-paced gameplay. It’s also great for casual games that benefit from smooth scrolling and tap feedback.

Privacy and Security Features

HONOR 400 5G offers an under-display optical fingerprint scanner, facial recognition, and the usual pattern/passcode unlocks. Setup is quick, and both methods work reliably, even in low light.

Whether you’re unlocking your phone in bed or in a hurry at the checkout counter, this device doesn’t slow you down or frustrate you with failed scans.

Battery and Charging Speed

Equipped with a massive 6000 mAh silicon-carbon battery, the phone easily powers through a full day, and then some. It supports 80W wired charging, giving you 40% in just 15 minutes using the included charger.

That kind of speed and endurance combo is ideal for students, professionals, or content creators who don’t have time to wait around for their phones to recharge.

Verdict

The HONOR 400 5G strikes a sweet balance between AI feature-set, camera excellence, gaming power, and modern design. At PHP 22,999, HONOR 400 5G is a future-proof companion that doesn’t make you compromise on its capabilities.

✅ Pros:

AI Features

Stunning 200MP main camera

Gorgeous AMOLED display with high brightness and refresh rate

Long battery life with ultra-fast charging

Snappy Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor

Premium look and feel

❌ Cons:

No microSD card slot

No 3.5mm headphone jack

Recommendation

If you’re shopping for a phone under PHP 25K that punches well above its weight, HONOR 400 5G is one of the best choices in 2025. Whether you're a mobile gamer, amateur photographer, or just someone looking to upgrade without splurging on a flagship, this device hits the mark with style and substance.

Highly recommended for GenZ students and gamers, young professionals, content creators of all ages, mid-level pros, and everyday users who simply want more from their phone.

HONOR 400 5G Specs

BODY

Dimensions: 156.5 x 74.6 x 7.3 mm

Weight: 184 grams

Colorways: Desert Gold, Midnight Black, Tidal Blue

Model: DNY-NX9

DISPLAY

Size: 6.55

Resolution: 1264 x 2736 Pixels, 19.5:9 Ratio (~460 ppi Density)

Type: AMOLED, 1B Colors, 3840Hz PWM, HDR, 5000 nits (Peak)

Refresh Rate: 120Hz

PLATFORM

OS: Android 15, MagicOS 9

Upgrades: Up To 6 Major Android Updates

Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm)

CPU: Octa-Core (1x2.63 GHz Cortex-A715 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510)

GPU: Adreno 720

MEMORY

RAM: 8GB RAM, 12GB RAM

Internal Storage: 256GB, 512GB

Card Slot: No

MAIN CAMERA

Dual:

200 MegaPixels, f/1.9, (Wide), 1/1.4", PDAF, OIS

12 MegaPixels, f/2.2, 112° (Ultrawide), AF

Features: LED Flash, HDR, Panorama

Video: 4K 1080p Gyro-EIS OIS

SELFIE CAMERA

Single: 50 MegaPixels, f/2.0 (Wide)

Features: HDR

Video: 4K 1080p Gyro-EIS

AUDIO

Loudspeaker: Yes, With Stereo Speakers

3.5mm Jack: No

COMMUNICATIONS

SIM: nano-SIM + nano-SIM + eSIM (Max 2 Active) / nano-SIM + eSIM

WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, Dual-Band, Wi-Fi Direct

Bluetooth: 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD

Positioning: GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDS

NFC: Yes

Infrared Port: Yes

Radio: No

USB: USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

PRIVACY AND SECURITY

Fingerprint Scanner: Under Display, Optical

Facial Recognition: Yes

Pattern And Passcode Unlock: Yes

SENSORS

Accelerometer: Yes

Compass: Yes

Proximity: Ultrasonic

AI HONOR IMAGE ENGINE

AI Super Zoom

AI Portrait Snap

HD Moving photo

Film Simulation

Harcourt Portrait Mode

AI EDITING

AI Image to Video

AI Outpainting

AI Eraser

AI Erase passers-by

AI Remove Reflection

AI Face Tune

AI Upscale

AI Cutout

Moving Photo Collage

BATTERY

Type: Si/C Li-Ion 6000 mAh

Charging:

80W Wired (6000 mAh) - 40% In 15 Min

5W Reverse Wired

HONOR 400 5G Official Retail Package

White Box with Subtle Gold Prints

Contents: HONOR 400 5G Unit itself, 100W HONOR SuperCharge Travel Charger, USB Type C Charging Cable, Metal Pin for Ejecting SIM Card Tray, Quick Start Guide, Soft Transparent Silicone Case

HONOR 400 5G Price

Official SRP - PHP 22,999

Official Launch Date in the Philippines - June 17, 2025, The Grand Ballroom, Okada Manila, 5PM to 9PM, Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto were formally introduced as the First Celebrity Ambassadors of HONOR Philippines at the Event, OPM Band Mayonnaise performed for the audience

Pre-Order Period - June 17 to 27, 2025

Pre-Order Freebies Worth PHP 9,397

1. HONOR Choice Earbuds Clip - PHP 4,999

2. JBL Go 4 Speakers - PHP 2,599

3. JISULIFE Fan Pro1 - PHP 1,799