SHENZHEN, CHINA — In a bold move shaking up the budget smartphone market, Honor has unveiled its 400 series—featuring groundbreaking 200MP primary cameras—with prices starting at just ¥1,999 (∼$280). The lineup, targeting photography enthusiasts and value seekers, includes the Honor 400 and Honor 400 Pro, both running Android 15 with Honor’s MagicOS 9.0 overlay.
Key Innovations
The star attraction is the 200MP Samsung ISOCELL sensor—the highest resolution ever in this price bracket—promising DSLR-level detail, enhanced night photography, and AI-powered zoom without quality loss. The Honor 400 Pro amps up the specs with a 6.78-inch 120Hz AMOLED display and Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset, while the base model packs a 6.67-inch 90Hz screen and MediaTek Dimensity 8300.
Battery life impresses too: 5,500mAh with 66W fast charging (35 minutes to 100%) on the Pro, and 5,000mAh/33W on the standard model. Honor also emphasized "eco-conscious design," using recycled aluminum frames and 100% plastic-free packaging.
Strategic Pricing Amid Market Slump
Launching below $300, Honor targets China’s cost-sensitive youth amid a 12% domestic smartphone sales dip. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo notes, "This disrupts expectations—200MP was exclusive to $600+ flagships just months ago." Competitors like Xiaomi and Realme face pressure to recalibrate their mid-range strategies.
Availability
The phones hit Chinese shelves today. Honor offers exclusive launch discounts via its online store:
- Honor 400 (8GB+256GB): ¥1,999 ($280)
- Honor 400 Pro (12GB+512GB): ¥2,799 ($390)
International buyers aren’t left out. Though global rollout dates are unconfirmed, Honor confirmed Amazon pre-orders will open next month:
Reserve via Amazon
Early Verdict
Early reviewers praise the camera’s "stunning clarity" in daylight but note minor low-light noise. Performance is "smooth for casual gaming," though heavy users may crave more power. For under $300, however, the 400 series sets a new benchmark—proving premium specs needn’t command premium prices.
"Honor’s playing chess while others play checkers," says TechRadar’s Li Wei. "This could redefine budget photography forever."
Alex Chen covers consumer tech across Asia. Reach him @alexchen_tech.
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