The smartphone world just got a lot more interesting. Honor has officially pulled back the curtain on the successors to its popular Honor 400 line, and the new Honor 500 and Honor 500 Pro are here to make a serious statement. Moving beyond incremental updates, this new generation brings a complete design overhaul, a powerhouse chipset, and a battery spec that will make power users take notice.
If you’ve been waiting for a phone that combines flagship-level performance with all-day—and then some—battery life, the Honor 500 series might be the answer you’ve been looking for.
A Fresh, Modern Design with Premium Touches
Gone is the curved frame of its predecessor. The Honor 500 series debuts a sleek, flat-frame design that not only feels great in the hand but also gives it a distinct, modern aesthetic. The camera housing has been redesigned into a prominent, pill-shaped module on the back, lending it a unique identity in a crowded market.
Around the front, users are treated to a cleaner viewing experience thanks to a smaller, single punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera. It’s a subtle change, but one that maximizes screen real estate and minimizes distractions.
Display Dominance: Unmatched Brightness and Smoothness
Honor is pushing the boundaries of mobile display technology with the 500 series. Both models feature a stunning 6.55-inch AMOLED panel with a buttery-smooth 120 Hz refresh rate for seamless scrolling and gaming. The resolution is a sharp 2,736 x 1,264 pixels, ensuring everything from text to videos is crystal clear.
But the real headline is the brightness. With a peak HDR brightness of a staggering 6,000 nits, this display is built to be visible even in direct sunlight, while a full-screen brightness of 1,800 nits is impressive for everyday use. For those sensitive to screen flicker, Honor has included a 3,840 Hz PWM dimming, which significantly reduces eye strain, especially in low-light conditions.
Performance & Camera: Where the Pro and Standard Models Diverge
This is the core of the difference between the two models. Both phones are performance powerhouses, but they cater to slightly different users.
- Honor 500 Pro: This is the undisputed king of the lineup, equipped with the top-tier Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, designed to handle the most demanding games and applications with ease.
- Honor 500: No slouch either, the standard model is powered by the very capable Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4. It promises flagship-level performance for most tasks but at a more accessible price point.
The camera system also sees a key differentiation. Both phones share an impressive triple-camera setup on the back:
- A massive 200 MP f/1.9 main camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) for incredibly detailed photos in any light.
- A 12 MP f/2.2 ultrawide camera for capturing expansive landscapes and group shots.
- A high-resolution 50 MP f/2.0 front-facing camera for sharp selfies and video calls.
The exclusive feature for the Pro model is the addition of a 50 MP f/2.4 telephoto lens, offering lossless zoom capabilities that photography enthusiasts will love. You can explore the full capabilities of the Pro model directly on the official Honor 500 Pro product page.
The Marathon Battery and Robust Features
Perhaps the most jaw-dropping specification is the battery. The entire Honor 500 series packs a colossal 8,000 mAh battery. In an era where making it through a single day can be a challenge for some flagships, this phone is built to last for two full days of heavy use. When you do need to top up, 80-watt USB-C charging gets you back to full speed quickly.
Wireless charging, however, is a perk reserved for the Honor 500 Pro. Beyond the battery, both models are exceptionally well-equipped with an IP69 rating for superior dust and water resistance, cutting-edge Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, and Bluetooth 6.0 with support for high-quality aptX Lossless audio.
Price, Availability, and Final Thoughts
For now, the Honor 500 Pro is launching exclusively in the Chinese market. The pricing is aggressive, positioning it as a high-value flagship:
- Honor 500 Pro: Starts at ¥3,599 (approx. $507) for 12GB RAM + 256GB storage, going up to ¥4,799 (approx. $676) for the 16GB RAM + 1TB storage variant.
- Honor 500: The more affordable option starts at ¥2,699 (approx. $380) for the 12GB/256GB model and ¥3,299 (approx. $465) for the 16GB/512GB configuration.
While international availability is yet to be confirmed, the specs and pricing suggest Honor is aiming squarely at the premium segment. For those looking at the previous generation, you can still find the Honor 400 Pro on Amazon for around $799, making the new 500 series an enticing proposition for its upgraded features at a potentially lower cost.
The Honor 500 series presents a compelling package of cutting-edge display technology, exceptional battery life, and powerful performance. It’s a clear signal that Honor is not just competing but aiming to lead in the flagship smartphone arena.
