The Honor 400 Lite, also referred to as “the affordable iPhone,” offers high-end capabilities to the mid-range market without the high cost. This phone, which will be available by the time this review is out, at HONOR Stores and authorized dealers, combines stylish design, AI-enhanced functionality, and a variety of photography features at a price that is likely to draw attention.
Let’s dive deep into everything the HONOR 400 Lite has to offer, from its AI Button and impressive camera capabilities to its vibrant display, durable build, and all-day battery life.
Design: Sleek, Durable, and Comfortable in Hand
The HONOR 400 Lite weighs only 171g and is only 7.29mm thin, making it a delight to touch and use. With nanoscale intricacy and a delicate mist coating, it has a velvet-like surface that feels secure in the hand and high-end. Its simple geometric camera design, which comes in Velvet Grey and Marrs Green, gives a sophisticated touch.
However, this phone is more than simply a pretty phone. The HONOR 400 Lite’s IP64 wet-hand contact rating allows it to function flawlessly even with wet hands, which is a huge help for daily use. Despite its featherlight frame, it is remarkably durable because it has earned SGS Five-Star Drop Resistance Certification.
Display: Stunning Visuals at Every Glance
With a pixel density of 394 PPI for sharp details and a refresh rate of 120 Hz for incredibly smooth animations, the 6.7-inch AMOLED display of the HONOR 400 Lite is a visual feast. Using the display outdoors is a breeze because of its peak brightness of 3,500 nits, which allows for good visibility even in direct sunlight.
With its support for 3840Hz PWM dimming, the screen minimizes flicker for a more comfortable viewing experience, particularly when used for extended periods of time. Another well-considered innovation is the Circadian Night function, which modifies tones to encourage the creation of melatonin for better sleep patterns.
Performance: Smooth and Capable
The MediaTek Dimensity 7025-Ultra processor, which powers the HONOR 400 Lite, has 8GB of RAM and 256GB of UFS internal storage. This allows for rapid 5G connectivity, high frame rate support, and powerful image performance with sufficient multitasking requirements. This processor plus the generous amount of memory provide dependable and responsive performance whether you’re streaming, playing games, or multitasking.
With the support of MagicOS 9.0, which is based on Android 15, the HONOR 400 Lite’s user interface is clear, simple, and tailored for the AI features that make it unique.
AI Features: Smart, Convenient, and Surprisingly Capable
HONOR is set to redefine what users can expect from a mid-range smartphone with the upcoming launch of the HONOR 400 Lite, bringing intelligent convenience to the forefront through its dedicated AI Button. Drawing inspiration from recent innovations seen in flagship devices, this feature is designed to simplify how users interact with their phones by putting powerful tools just one tap away.
One of the standout uses of the AI Button is its camera control function, which allows users to instantly capture photos, zoom in or out, and start or stop video recording without navigating through on-screen menus. This intuitive shortcut streamlines mobile photography and makes it easier to capture spontaneous moments.
Beyond the camera, the AI Button also serves as a gateway to Google Lens, turning the phone’s camera into a smart visual assistant. Whether users are translating foreign text, identifying objects, shopping by image, or solving school assignments, the feature offers instant answers and practical support through real-time image recognition.
Additionally, a long press on the power button activates Google Gemini, Google’s advanced AI assistant. With Gemini, users can compose messages, brainstorm content, get quick information, and interact with apps like Maps or YouTube, all through voice, text, or camera input.
AI Software Capabilities
The HONOR 400 Lite comes with a number of strong AI tools in addition to the AI Button, like AI Eraser, which allows you to remove undesired aspects from your photos with a single tap, and AI Outpaining, which allows you to enlarge images beyond their original frame, making it ideal for artistic edits. For multilingual talks, Face-to-Face Translation provides a real-time interpreter. With the help of AI support and Google’s well-known Circle to Search feature, which allows you to highlight on-screen material to instantly launch a search, Magic Portal helps you simplify the app-switching experience.
HONOR also may add more AI features arriving in future updates, thus making the 400 Lite an even better long-term value.
Cameras: Affordable Photography For Everyone
HONOR pushes the boundary with the camera system, headlined by a 108MP main sensor that delivers high-quality shots, even in challenging lighting. With a wide f/1.75 aperture, night photography is brighter and more detailed than expected at this price range.
You also get a 5MP wide and depth lens, which adds creative versatility when shooting portraits and landscapes. The device supports 3x lossless zoom, maintaining clarity when capturing distant scenes.
Street Style Portrait Modes
The camera interface offers three distinct modes tailored for portrait enthusiasts:
- 1x Environmental Portrait: Include background context while keeping the subject clear.
- 2x Classic Portrait: Balanced focus for elegant, timeless portraits.
- 3x Close-Up Portrait: Detail-focused, intimate framing with rich texture.
Front Camera & Selfie Light
The 16MP front camera performs admirably with the inclusion of the Selfie Light, which casts a soft glow to enhance facial features in low light. Whether it’s a casual selfie or a video call, the output is sharp and flattering.
Battery Life: Power That Lasts and Charges Fast
Packing a 5,230mAh battery, the HONOR 400 Lite goes the distance by offering up to 22 hours of call time, over 20 hours of streaming, about half a day of browsing and at least half a day of social media usage in a full charge.
When you do need to recharge, 35W HONOR SuperCharge brings the device to 52% in just 30 minutes, and reaches a full 100% in around 73 minutes. That’s more than enough for a full day’s use with minimal downtime.
Final Verdict: A Feature-Rich Powerhouse That Doesn’t Break the Bank
Pros:
AI Button makes everyday tasks smarter and faster
Gorgeous AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate
Flagship-level camera with 108MP sensor and portrait modes
Long-lasting battery with fast charging
MagicOS 9.0 + Android 15 with robust AI tools
Durable yet lightweight design with IP64 protection
Cons:
No MicroSD Card expansion support
The Honor 400 Lite is a fantastic illustration of how high-end experiences can be had with reasonably priced devices. This is a gadget that performs far above its price range thanks to its sophisticated design, strong cameras, and intelligent AI functions. You should keep an eye on the Honor 400 Lite if you’re searching for an iPhone-like experience on a budget, complete with some ingenious AI techniques.
HONOR 400 Lite is now officially retailed at RM1299 on all HONOR stores and HONOR authorized dealers. For more information and purchase, Click here to find out.