In today’s smartphone market, it’s not enough to just have a good camera; it has to be smart, fast, and reliable to the customer’s needs.

That’s exactly the promise HONOR is making with its latest release, the HONOR 400 5G. Released this June 17, it is equipped with a high-resolution 200MP ultra-clear AI main camera that is capable of advanced AI image processing.

This smartphone falls within the thin line between mid-range and premium phones, aiming not to break your budget.

But does the HONOR 400 5G live up to its claims? We spent time putting its camera and AI processing to the test and here’s what we found.

HONOR 400 5G Unboxing

The box itself is standard HONOR packaging: a clean white box with minimalist HONOR branding. Inside, you will find:

• HONOR 400 5G unit with a protective film attached
• 100W HONOR SuperCharge wall adapter
• USB-A to USB-C cable
• Clear protective silicone case
• SIM ejector pin
• Manuals and warranty guides

Nothing overly fancy, but everything you need to get started. There’s even a pre-applied protective film already attached on the phone, which is a bonus for users who want to give it a go in a snap. What actually stood out for me is the fact that HONOR still includes a charger out of the box – a 100W SuperCharge adapter that is.

HONOR 400 5G: Design and Build

Despite the tech packed inside, the HONOR 400 5G is surprisingly lightweight and ergonomic. The curved edges and the back matte finish provide a modern, premium feel, while the standard hole-punched camera island on the front still is not an eyesore.

Key Features:

• 6.55” AMOLED display on a rounded corners design
• 2736×1264 resolution and up to 120Hz screen refresh rate
• Colors available: Desert Gold, Meteor Silver, Tidal Blue, and Midnight Black
• In-display fingerprint sensor and 2D face ID
• 156.5mm x 74.6mm x 7.3mm (H x W x D)
• 184g (including the 6000mAh battery)

If you’re picking up the HONOR 400 5G for the first time, you’d be thinking it was a top premium device with a heavy price tag. It is that matte yet very polished. HONOR opted for a design that wouldn’t look out of place in a coffee shop, a meeting room, or on your latest Instagram story.

Front and Back

At first glance, the phone showcases elegance with its minimalist layout, and a matte back finish highlighted by the raised island housing a dual-camera and flash layout. 

It features a 2736×1264 AMOLED display panel up front while the back has a matte finish that resists fingerprints and smudges. Despite its lightweight feel, it provides decent grip even when your hands are sweaty from the summer commute or during a late-game pressure.

Button and Port Placements

HONOR plays it safe with the button layout. On the right side of the device, you’ll find power button right below the volume rocker. At the bottom sits the USB type-C port, dual-SIM tray (no microSD here, unfortunately) and the speaker grill on the right end.

Take note that there is no 3.5mm headphone jack here either. While that might be a letdown for wired-audio enthusiasts, it also means fewer water entry points given that the HONOR 400 5G is rated at IP66 for water and dust resistance.

Biometrics

The in-display fingerprint sensor is responsive and doesn’t get fussy even when your fingers get smudgy. We tried unlocking it with sunscreen on, greasy fingers after snacking, and even a wet thumb and it reads just right almost every time.

Also onboard is the 2D Face Unlock, which works well in daylight and decently in low-light scenarios, thanks to the AI-enhanced selfie cam. It also works with your facemask on, perfect during commuting hours.

HONOR 400 5G Camera System

Here’s where things get exciting. The HONOR 400 5G camera system isn’t just about boasting that 200MP main camera, but also highlighting its AI post-processing capability that would surely ramp up your interests as we go through its features.

Dual Back Camera:

• 200MP Ultra-clear AI Main Camera (f/1.9, OIS)
• 12MP Ultra Wide Camera (f/2.2)

Front Camera:

• 50MP Portrait Selfie Camera (f/2.0 aperture)

Whether you’re capturing portraits, detailed close-ups, landscapes, or city lights, the phone’s AI-enhanced imaging system ensures you get shots that are not only share-worthy but often impressively polished straight out of the camera. Here’s a quick look at how each mode stacks up in real-world use.

Portrait Mode

Portrait shots on the HONOR 400 5G come out clean. The AI-assisted blur effect does a great job separating the subject from the background, without harsh edges or overly weird blurs.

Macro Mode

The macro lens lets you get impressively close that is ideal for capturing textures, tiny subjects, or detail shots. Colors stay punchy even in tight frames, and while it works best in good lighting, it delivers solid results for quick, creative close-ups.

Ultrawide Mode

For wide-angles, the ultrawide lens delivers more than just extra space while keeping edges fairly distortion-free. It also handles contrast well, especially in daylight. It’s great for group photos, scenic landscapes, and dramatic architecture without the need to step back.

Colors appear vivid while contrast and shadows maintain their detail without getting overly exposed. Whether you’re shooting in bright daylight or softer indoor lighting, the HONOR 400 5G produces images that are visually pleasing and ready to post even without edits.

HONOR 400 5G AI Image Processing

The HONOR 400 5G phone prides itself on its AI capabilities and the countless creative combinations you can get from its built-in features. We’ve tested a few of its AI editing powers ,and what we can say, it’s definitely a power move on the palm of your hand. Some of the features we’ve tried are the following:

AI Image to Video

AI Outpainting

AI Cutout and Edit

HONOR 400 5G Performance and Battery Life

While the camera and AI capabilities did really well on their respective areas, the rest of the package can hold its own.

Specs Overview:

• Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 Octa-Core Processor
• 12GB RAM + 512GB storage
• 6000mAh battery
• 100W HONOR SuperCharge (0 to 100% in under 45 minutes)
• MagicOS 9.0 is based on Android 15

The device breezes through multitasking, photo editing, and even some moderate gaming without stutters. The 120Hz display is also a joy to scroll on. During benchmarking and stress tests, it showed a promising performance capable of handling moderate loads like a pro. While there are some hiccups on higher CPU and GPU requirements, it still sports a very capable gaming or editing phone.

The phone handles popular titles like Mobile Legends, Call of Duty: Mobile, and even Genshin Impact on medium settings with solid frame rates and minimal hiccups. Casual and competitive gamers alike will appreciate the smooth gameplay, fast touch response, and stable thermal performance even during longer sessions. Actual gameplay records can be seen below:

Conclusion

If you’re the kind of user who values photography, content creation, and smart daily tools, the HONOR 400 5G hits a sweet spot. It offers exceptional cameras powered by intelligent AI software, a premium look and feel, and surprisingly strong overall performance. Scheduled to launch this June 17, 2025 at 5:00PM, it is priced at PHP 22,999 range, perfectly positioned as an altrernative from last year’s HONOR 200 5G that was priced at PHP 24,999.

Whether if you’re capturing portraits, close-up food shots, wide landscapes, or late-night scenes, the AI enhancement features add polish without over-processing. Gaming enthusiasts get a smooth 120Hz screen and capable mid-range chipset that handles popular mobile game titles with ease.