The Honor 400 Lite arrives in the mid-range market with an enticing promise and a sleek design reminiscent of much more expensive flagships, a retina-pleasing screen, and a spec sheet that, on paper, has plenty to entice. Launched at around 300 euros, this smartphone aims to democratize certain "premium" features without blowing the budget. But behind this attractive facade, does the Honor 400 Lite manage to offer a balanced experience, or do the compromises necessary to maintain this price become too noticeable in use? We took the time to test.
The characteristics of the Honor 400 Lite
As a reminder of the characteristics, the new Honor 400 Lite offers you:
| Honor 400 Lite | |
|---|---|
| Screen | - 6.7-inch AMOLED - 1080 x 2 resolution - 120Hz - DCI-P3 - 700 nits brightness, 1200 nits (adaptive) and 3500 nits peak - PWM 3840Hz - Hallmark - Honor Eye Comfort Display |
| Design | - IP64 |
| Colors | - Velvet Grey - Velvet Black |
| SoC and GPU | - MediaTek Dimensity 7025-Ultra (2 x 2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 and 6 x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - IMG BXM-8-256 |
| Memory | - 8 GB RAM - 256 GB internal storage |
| Camera | - 108 MP main sensor (f/1.75) - 5 MP ultra wide angle and depth sensor (f/2.2) - 10x digital zoom - 16 MP front camera (f/2.45) - 1080p video recording - Capture Mode: Photo, Video, Portrait, Night, PRO, Aperture, Multi-video, Slow Motion, Panorama, Time Lapse, Watermark, Stickers, High Resolution, Story, Document Scan, HDR, Motion Photo, Highlight Capture, Smile Capture, |
| Audio | - Mono Speaker - No 3.5mm Jack |
| Battery | - 5230mAh Battery - Honor 35W Charging |
| Connectivity | - Facial Recognition - Under-screen fingerprint reader - Bluetooth 5.3 LE - WiFi 5 - USB-C USB 2.0 - 2 x eSIM - 1 x nano-SIM - 5G |
| Software | - Android 15 - Magic UI 9.0 with Magic Capsule and Magic Portal - 6 years of UPDATE (OS and Security) |
| Size and Weight | - 161 x 74.55 x 7.29 mm - 171g |
| Price | - 299.90 euros |
| Availability date | - May 2025 |
This smartphone comes in a single version with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage. At the time of publication of the test, it is listed by its manufacturer at a price of 299.90 euros in two colors: Velvet Gray and Velvet Black. The Honor 400 Lite is the little brother of the Honor 400, also reviewed in our columns.
Design: a definite (and rather successful) family resemblance
Design-wise, the Honor 400 Lite doesn't hide its inspirations with its flat edges and prominent camera module. Comparisons with certain Apple models are inevitable, a choice that some will call a "copy" but which gives the device an undeniably modern and rather high-end look for its price. Its thinness (around 7.3 mm) and lightness (around 171 g) make it pleasant to handle, but our Black version tends to attract fingerprints.
A small original feature, it integrates a dedicated “AI camera” button on the edge, promising quick access to photo functions and artificial intelligence. The latter is also tactile and allows you to change the zoom level as soon as you access the camera, and you get used to it quite quickly.
On the back, the triangular camera block sits in a square and is quite imposing. It protrudes from the back of the device, without really hindering the stability of the 400 Lite when placed on a flat surface. The IP64 certification against dust and splashes is also a good point, offering some peace of mind on a daily basis.
Screen: efficient OLED
From the first time you pick it up, the screen captures attention and Honor has not skimped on this point. There is a 6.7-inch AMOLED panel offering rich colors and deep contrasts, characteristics of this technology. It displays in 2412 x 1080 pixels, a comfortable definition for most uses.
The 400 Lite also stands out for its fluidity, thanks to a refresh rate of 120Hz and its brightness. With a peak announced at 3500 nits, readability in direct sunlight, often a weak point in this segment, is not a problem.
This is clearly one of the strong points of this smartphone and we must not forget the seven eye protection technologies. An asset for long browsing or viewing sessions.
Performance: everyday life without trembling, but not cut out for gaming
Powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7025-Ultra processor and supported by 8 GB of RAM (with possible virtual expansion), the Honor 400 Lite ensures smooth browsing Smooth for everyday tasks, social media, and light multitasking. The 120Hz display contributes to this responsive feel. However, don't expect miracles in gaming: demanding 3D titles will put the IMG BXM-8-256 GPU to the test, with necessary graphical concessions and possible slowdowns. For everyday use, it's sufficient, but demanding gamers will have to go their own way.
| Realme C75 | |
|---|---|
| SoC | - Mediatek Dimensity 7025 Ultra (6 nm) - CPU: 2 x Cortex-A78 up to 2.5 GHz, 6 x Cortex-A55 up to 2.0 GHz - GPU: IMG BXM-8-256 |
| AnTuTu | - 422418 - CPU: 129790 - GPU: 46965 - Mem: 129343 - UX: 116320 |
| Geekbech 6 CPU (single-core / multi-core) | 958 / 2305 |
The real problem is that some of its direct competitors (like the Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro) do much better in this area. Additionally, its GPU is quite exotic (which explains why we weren't able to run all the usual benchmarks) and isn't always supported by some games. The Honor 400 Lite is even less comfortable than the Honor Magic 7 Lite, a device from the same brand... which can be found at a comparable price.
These little details that count (or are missing)
While the Honor 400 Lite ticks many boxes, there are a few notable omissions. Sound is delivered by a single mono speaker, which is a bit lacking for complete multimedia immersion. The 3.5mm jack is gone, forcing you to use USB-C or Bluetooth headphones. Finally, the 256GB internal storage, while comfortable to start with, is not expandable via microSD, a point to consider for heavy media consumers.
Software: a durable smartphone with MagicOS
Delivered under Android 15 with the MagicOS 9.0 overlay, the Honor 400 Lite opts for an efficient interface... which is a bit reminiscent of iOS (definitely). The Chinese brand stands by its choices with this neat overlay which highlights AI functions, whether they come from Honor or Google. Nothing revolutionary on this model which is inspired by its elders with the Magic Portal functions (circle on the screen), AI translation or even Magic Capsule or Parallel Space.
Apart from a few pre-installed applications, which can be quickly uninstalled, this interface lacks nothing. However, it might not appeal to all users, especially those who like overlays close to Android Stock. But Honor's real selling point for this model might be its update policy: up to 6 major Android updates and 6 years of security patches announced.
Photo: 108 MP useful during the day, AI as reinforcement
On paper, the Honor 400 Lite comes with the following configuration:
- 108 MP wide-angle (main camera): 1/1.67″, f/1.75
- 5 MP ultra-wide-angle and depth: f/2.2
- 16 MP selfie camera: f/2.5
The 108-megapixel main sensor (f/1.75) is the star of the camera module. In good lighting conditions, it is capable of capturing detailed and bright shots. The digital zoom of up to x3, resulting from a cropping of the main sensor, is quite effective in compensating for the lack of a dedicated telephoto lens. On the other hand, the x5 or x10 digital zoom results in a significant loss of quality and is only used in very specific cases (and during the day). Honor is banking heavily on AI to improve photos, with features like the magic eraser and image expansion. Finally, the dedicated AI button makes these tools easier to access.
Secondary and video sensors: the Achilles heel?
This is where the compromises are most felt, with an ultra-wide angle limited to 5 MP that doesn't work miracles. The 400 Lite tries to make the most of it and manages to create an illusion during the day, even if the lack of precision quickly becomes noticeable. Things get extremely complicated as soon as the light is lacking and you will have to rely on artificial light strong enough to help the sensor.
As for the 16 MP selfie camera, it does the job without shining, marking a regression compared to the 50 MP sensor of the Honor 200 Lite. Regarding video recording, it is capped at 1080p at 30 frames per second, both for the main camera and the selfie camera. The clearly announced lack of optical stabilization (OIS) is also felt, with videos that can lack fluidity.
Battery life: it comes out with honors
Under the hood, a 5230 mAh battery gives hope for good battery life and this is rather the case in use. The Honor 400 Lite proves capable of lasting a day of intensive use, or even a little more for the more moderate. The 35W fast charge is not the fastest on the market, but remains correct and in line with the rest of the technical sheet. However, be careful, the charger is not directly included in the box.
Charging time will depend on the power adapter used, and we achieved a full charge in just under 1.5 hours.
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