Review: HONOR 400 5G (12GB+512GB) – A Stylish All-Rounder Packed with AI Features, It’s Smarter Than Ever!

Another popular mid-range model from HONOR Philippines has been unveiled under its number series, the HONOR 400 5G.

We’ve been teasing this new phone not only through its press releases but also by showcasing some of its exciting new features. One of the most highlighted features is the AI Image-to-Video, which you may have already seen in how it works across various social media platforms.

Last year, the HONOR 200 5G was a huge success for the brand. But will the new HONOR 400 5G do just as well this year? I have high hopes, especially since we’ve already experienced what it can do.

So in this review, let us share the new features of the HONOR 400 5G and help you decide, is it worth buying?

Unboxing

The packaging box of the HONOR 400 5G is very simple and looks similar to its previous model which is clad in all white with minimal printed elements.

We hope the brand can improve and introduce a new packaging design that adds a bit more color and texture, just as they meticulously innovate their phones.

Now, let’s check out our unboxing video to see everything you’re getting inside.

Design and Build Quality

In terms of design, the HONOR 400 5G features a different style compared to its predecessor. It has a more modern look which the brand calls an iconic Multi-Angle layout gping with a flat aesthetics on the frame, front, and back panels, along with rounded corners.

The phone measures 156.5 x 74.6 x 7.3 mm and weighs 184 grams. It will be available in three color variants in Tiger Blue, Desert Gold and our unit, Midnight Black for those who prefer a muted color design.

Everything from the design, dimensions, and weight of the HONOR 400 5G feels premium, sturdy, and comfortable to hold even for hours. I’m more inclined toward the flat design concept of phones, so I really love the new aesthetics.

A new and distinctive design element on the back panel is a trapezoid-shaped camera module with rounded corners that houses the dual rear cameras and LED flash. The rear cameras have two large circular rings that are aligned vertically on top of each other.

The entire back panel is made of durable plastic in a minimalist design with a matte black finish, a classic yet elegant color. The aluminum frame also has a matte finish. The matte finish on the panel helps hide those pesky fingerprint marks.

Standard ports and buttons are placed on the edges, the right side has the volume rockers and power/sleep button.

The left side is completely clean admiring the nice matte finish and slimness of the phone.

The bottom edge has the speaker grille, USB-C Port, microphone, and SIM card tray unit.

Another speakers and microphone on the top edge along with an IR blaster.

On the front, the screen bezels are thin at 1.51mm which gives more screen real estate for watching and playing. The front-facing camera has a punch-hole design at the top center, and below the display is an optical fingerprint sensor.

The HONOR 400 5G comes with an IP66 rating offering protection against dust particles and water jets. It’s also built to withstand accidental drops as it is  backed by a SGS 5-Star Drop Resistance certification.

Display

From the front view, the HONOR 400 5G features a 6.55-inch OLED display, 120Hz refresh rate and a crisp resolution of 2736 x 1264 pixels. Thanks to its 460 PPI pixel density, everything on screen looks clean and super sharp especially the text.

You can also set the display’s refresh rate in either dynamic or standard mode at default 60hz to save battery life.

We’re impressed with the HONOR 400 5G’s display. It boasts a bright, vibrant, and smooth screen that gives it an edge over the other mid-range competitors in the market. Colors pop with accuracy and depth, which makes everything visually enjoyable from streaming any video content, scrolling social media and gaming on the phone.

The phone offers good legibility even under direct sunlight with its impressive peak brightness of 5000 nits. Indoors, even at lower brightness levels, the screen maintains an excellent viewing angles as well as the display quality.

The screen is designed to be usable with wet hands having the Super Rainproof Touch technology to be responsive even when the display or your hands are slightly wet. 

It comes equipped with an array of HONOR Eye Comfort features, including eBook Mode, TÜV Rheinland-certified 3840Hz Risk-Free Dimming, AI Defocus Eye Care, and AI Circadian Night Display. These are all designed to reduce eye strain and promote better sleep, supporting users visual health throughout the day.

Performance

Under the hood, the HONOR 400 5G is powered by the same chipset as its predecessor, a mid-range Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 octa-core processor with clock speeds of up to 2.63GHz and then paired with an Adreno 720 GPU.

It also retains the same storage and RAM configuration that boasts a 12GB of memory and a generous 512GB of internal storage. However, there’s no option for a microSD card, so if you need additional space, you can turn to cloud storage services or use an external USB-C drive as a viable solution.

With the HONOR RAM Turbo feature, an additional 12GB of virtual RAM is automatically added to support multitasking or demanding graphic-intensive games, ensuring smooth performance.

Here’s the benchmark scores we got for the HONOR 400 5G.

• GeekBench 6 CPU: 1136 Single Core / 3203 Multi-Core
• GeekBench 6 GPU: 3462
• CPDT: 38 MB/s Write, 952.97 MB/s Read
• 3DMark: 5408 (32.38 fps)
• PCMark: 12790 Work 3.0 Performance Score

Based on our benchmark scores, the HONOR 400 5G translates a solid everyday multitasking power from its Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor, capable graphics performance for light gaming and intensive tasks. It offers a fast storage speeds for quick file transfers and app loading, reliable visuals for gaming, and smooth overall performance for productivity and daily use.

Sound Quality

Now, if you’re someone who enjoys watching videos or playing games with great sound, you’ll be glad to know that the HONOR 400 5G is equipped with a stereo speaker setup. We found the audio quality surprisingly good, it’s loud enough and the vocal clarity is excellent. However, the bass still needs a bit improvement.

One thing to note, there’s no 3.5mm headphone jack so, you’ll need a USB-C adapter or go wireless with a Bluetooth earbuds. On the plus side, the phone’s vibration motor feels strong, we could clearly feel every notification and call, which is convenient when you’re on the move or the phone is on silent.

Camera and Photo Sample

In the camera department, there are some improvements in the lens, but also a few missing features you might have expected from the previous model. The new HONOR 400 5G is fitted with a dual-camera system on the back, with the main camera now upgraded to a 200MP lens with an f/1.9 aperture and optical image stabilization (OIS) for steadier shots to reduced shake or blur.

Although there’s no dedicated telephoto lens, the high 200-megapixel resolution allows for decent crops when zooming or capturing portrait shots.

Accompanying the main camera is a 12MP ultra-wide lens with an f/2.2 aperture and OIS, which also doubles as a macro shooter for those close-up subjects you need.

For selfies, the phone features the same 50MP front-facing camera with facial recognition to produce clear and detailed shots of your face.

When it comes to video capabilities, the HONOR 400 5G offers solid options for content creators and casual users alike. It can shoot resolutions of 4K at 30 fps, 1080p or 720p recording at both 30fps and 60fps.

One of the standout features found on the new HONOR 400 5G is the array of AI editing tools that can enhance your photos, even some still shots can be brought to life. We’ll be focusing on six AI editing tools that we think are especially useful for turning your photos and videos into post-worthy content for your social media platforms.

The AI Eraser tool helps you remove unwanted objects, people, or distractions from your photos in just a few taps. You can select in either Circle to erase, Brush to erase, remove reflection or automatically it will identify people or passers-by in your image. The AI Eraser intelligently analyzes your image and fills in the area naturally which gives you a cleaner, more polished shot.

Blurry or low-resolution images? The AI Upscale can enhance your photos by sharpening details and boosting resolution without noticeable distortion. Even old or scanned photos can benefit with improved clarity and before doing a subtle edit in color vibrancy or highlights.

AI Cutout lets you quickly separate a subject from the background. It’s perfect for changing backgrounds, creating fun stickers, or placing the main subject into another photo.

AI Outpainting works similarly to Adobe’s Generative Fill as it allows you to extend your image beyond its original borders by intelligently filling in the surrounding areas with realistic details. Perfect for creating wider compositions or reframing your shots without losing context.

One of the standout AI features on the HONOR 400 5G is Image to Video. This simple yet impressive tool brings your still photos to life by converting them into short, 5-second animated video clips. Whether you shot of someone walking or a water flowing, the AI analyzes the image and simulates realistic motion for a cinematic effect. You can re-render the same photo multiple times to get different results, though daily usage is capped at around 20 to 30 renders.

If you need to quickly upload a video to your social media platforms, the AI Instant Movie can automatically create a movie using up to 30 photos or video clips. It analyzes the content and generates a video for you, with the option to choose from available templates that best suit your style.

For those who enjoyed the Harcourt Filters from last year’s HONOR 200. They’re still available on this model for your portrait shots. You can choose from three filter styles with Vibrant, Color, and Classic with each processing a unique mood and finish to your photos.

Shooting in daylight conditions, the phone captures excellent photos with vibrant colors and a good dynamic range. Details are well-preserved, though some colors can appear slightly oversaturated at times. Indoors, as long as the ambient lighting is bright, the results are nearly just as good.

The ultra-wide-angle lens captured decent image quality, with slightly soft details and more natural-looking colors compared to the main camera.

Since the phone doesn’t have a dedicated telephoto lens, zoom shots rely on either 2x or 4x using the main camera. Thanks to its high-resolution sensor, the results still look quite nice with good detail.

The phone supports zooming up to 30x. On the viewfinder, the subject may appear a bit noisy with soft edges, and the photo might not look good at first. Good thing the HONOR 400 5G has the AI Super Zoom, which helps enhance the image for clearer and more detailed results when zooming in on distant subjects.

Sharing our sample photos we captured using the HONOR 400 5G.

1x Photo mode, Outdoor, Cloudy Weather

1x Photo mode, Outdoor, Cloudy Weather

1x Photo mode, Indoor, Sunny Weather

1x Photo mode, Outdoor, Sunny Weather

4x Photo mode, Outdoor, Cloudy Weather

1x Photo mode, Outdoor, Low Lighting

0.6x Photo mode, Outdoor, Low Lighting

2x Photo mode, Indoor, Ambient Lighting

Selfies taken with the front camera came out nice, thanks to face detection, the facial details are clear and skin tones look natural. It has a wider field of view at 0.8x, making it great for groufies. While the portrait mode, you get a pleasingly soft bokeh.

1x Selfie, Indoor, Ambient Lighting

1x Selfie, Indoor, Ambient Lighting (Left Side Portrait Mode with Bokeh)

Battery

The HONOR 400 5G comes with a larger battery capacity—a 6000mAh battery, which is slightly bigger than the standard 5000mAh. The battery is made of Silicon-Carbon, a high-density material that enables faster charging, higher energy capacity, and a slimmer form factor, making the phone thinner.

A significant strength of the HONOR 400 5G is its 100W HONOR SuperCharge wired charging, which can fill the battery quickly.

We charged the HONOR 400 5G from empty to full in just 1 hour and 12 minutes, with the first 30 minutes already reaching an impressive 56%.

Charging Time – HONOR 400 5G

• 09:10 – 09:40 : 56% 30 minutes
• 09:40 – 10:00 : 77% 20 minutes
• 10:00 – 10:20 : 99% 20 minutes
• 10:20 – 10:22 : 100% 2 minutes
• Total: 1 Hour 12 Minutes

In our experience, the phone easily got us through a full day with moderate use, including around three gaming sessions during breaks. However, with extended video watching throughout the afternoon and more hours of intensive gameplay, we needed to recharge it later in the day. Standby time on the phone is excellent.

It also offers power-saving modes and charging optimization to extend longevity of the phone as well as the battery itself.

The HONOR 400 5G delivers great battery specs, but it lacks wireless and bypass charging features that would have added extra convenience for gamers and on-the-go users.

Connectivity and Biometrics

As its name suggests, the HONOR 400 5G supports 5G connectivity, especially in areas with good 5G coverage like BGC and Makati City, the mobile data speeds were fast and stable. Texts and calls were also clear, with no issues at all.

It also comes with dual SIM support, allowing you to use two nano SIM cards at the same time.

For wireless connections, it’s equipped with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4, offering smoother pairing and faster connections for your accessories. And of course, it uses a USB-C port for charging and data transfer.

You can choose either the fingerprint sensor or face unlock for biometrics, then add an additional layer of security with a regular screen lock using a PIN, pattern, or password. All of these work perfectly, and registering your biometrics is fast.

Software

The HONOR 400 5G runs on the latest MagicOS 9 based on Android 15, right out of the box. While there is some preinstalled bloatware such as Agoda, Booking.com, Facebook, Lazada, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Trip.com…it’s not a major issue. Some of these apps are we commonly use, and you can easily uninstall the ones you don’t need.

Google apps are readily available, along with WPS Office for handling documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Google Gemini is also integrated into the system, just long press the power button or hold the home button for a few seconds to activate it.

Aside from the AI-powered camera editing tools, the HONOR 400 5G adds even more intelligence with built-in AI features through its MagicOS 9 software. These include helpful tools like AI Writing, which assists in creating smarter or more clear text, and an AI Recorder that can transcribe voice notes into text, ideal for meetings or lectures.

With the AI Translation, it supports real-time language conversion, which is handy for travelers. There’s also AI Deepfake Detection that works to flag spam or spoofed calls during call scenarios.

For those who want a more personalized touch, the Magic Lock Screen lets you customize your lock and standby screens with creative layouts, templates, and even your own photos.

It even includes a proprietary design feature called the Magic Capsule, which expands into a pill-shaped info area that you can tap to access functions which is available for screen recording, media playback, clock, or a beauty filter for video calls.

The updated HONOR Magic Portal 2.0 can streamline multitasking by allowing users to quickly select and share images or text across supported apps with simple gestures like Knuckle Circle, Touch and Hold, or Touch and Hold a screenshot then drag it on the sidebar.

One of the standout promises of the HONOR 400 5G is the brands commitment to guarantee a 6 years of major OS updates, ensuring that your device stays up-to-date and good for users who prefer to keep their phones longer.

Price and Availability

The new HONOR 400 5G is priced at Php 22,999 and is available at all HONOR 400 5G retail stores nationwide, as well as through official e-commerce partners on Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop.

• Lazada – https://bit.ly/Laz_H400_Media
• Shopee – https://bit.ly/Shop_H400_Media
• TikTok Shop – https://bit.ly/TikTok_H400_Media

Pre-order from June 18–27 and get exclusive freebies worth over Php 9,000, including:

• HONOR Choice Earbuds Clip – Php 4,999
• JBL Go 4 Speakers – Php 2,599
• JISULIFE Fan Pro1 – Php 1,799

Plus, enjoy a special pre-order raffle giveaway from HONOR Philippines! Get a chance to win a Rolex GMT Master II Green Arrow worth Php 600,000 or an Hermès Lindy Mini worth Php 420,000.

What We Like

• Slim Profile and Flat Modern Aesthetics
• Lightweight
• IP66 Rating and Drop Resistance
• Vibrant and Sharp Display
• 120Hz Refresh Rate
• 5000 nits Peak Brightness
• Eye Comfort Features
• 6000 mAh Battery
• 100W HONOR SuperCharge
• 512GB Storage
• 12GB RAM with HONOR RAM Turbo
• Great Cameras
• A Lot of AI Features
• Google Gemini

What We Want

• Larger Display
• Wireless Charging
• Updated Processor
• Telephoto Camera
• Bypass Charging

Conclusion

The HONOR 400 5G caught my attention with its sleek flat-edge design, vibrant OLED display, and solid performance. I especially liked the phone’s modern look, the slim profile, and lightweight.

Although it retains the same 12GB of RAM and a generous 512GB of storage, the battery saw a major improvement. From a 5,200mAh capacity to a larger 6,000mAh delivering stronger battery life. Plus, the fast 100W wired charging comes in handy on busy days when you need a quick top-up.

The phone also handles day-to-day tasks and even moderate gaming with ease. It also stands out with its AI-powered features from the advanced AI photo editing tools like AI Eraser, AICutout, and the popular Image-to-Video, up to its practical software enhancements like AI Writing and Magic Portal 2.0. The HONOR 400 5G feels smart, intuitive, and tailored for today’s content creators and social media users.

At the end of the day, we had a lot of fun exploring its AI editing tools. You can even combine some of these features to enhance your photos. Whether it’s extending parts of the image, removing unwanted objects, upscaling for better quality, or bringing them to life for a more engaging post.

The 200MP main camera takes great photos, and while the video quality could use some refinement.

Comparing the new HONOR 400 5G to the HONOR 200 5G, there are several remarkable upgrades, making it a worthy upgrade if you’re a fan of HONOR’s Number series model.

If you value smarter features, longer battery life, great cameras, and future software updates, for PHP22,999 the HONOR 400 5G is a better long-term pick that can keep up both work and play. It’s also a smart device a reliable content creator’s companion.

Full Specifications – HONOR 400 5G

• Price: PHP 22,999
• Colors: Midnight Black, Desert Gold
• Dimensions: 156.5 x 74.6 x 7.3 mm
• Weight: 184g
• Display Size: 6.55-inch
• Display Panel: OLED
• Refresh Rate: 120Hz
• Resolution: 2736 x 1264 pixel
• Pixel Density: 460 PPI
• Brightness: 5000 nits
• Eye Comfort Features: 3840Hz Risk-free PWM Dimming, AI Defocus Eyecare, AI Circadian Night Display, Full-scene Sunlight Display Enhancement Technology, Low Blue Light, Motion Sickness Relief, Ultra Dark Mode
• Durability: SGS 5-stars Drop resistance (Overall Unit), IP66 water and dust resistance
• Processor: Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 Mobile Platform
• CPU: 1×Cortex-A715 2.63GHz + 3×Cortex-A715 2.4GHz + 4×Cortex-A510 1.8GHz
• GPU: Adreno720
• Rear Camera: 200MP Main Camera (f/1.9, 1/1.4”, OIS), 12MP Ultra-Wide and Macro Camera (f/2.2, FOV 112°)
• Front Camera: 50MP
• Battery: 6000mAh Silicon-Carbon
• Fast Charging: 100W Wired HONOR SuperCharge
• Audio: Dual Stereo Speak with Voice Care
• Connection: WIFI 6, Bluetooth 5.4, Type-C Connector, Dual SIM
• RAM: 12GB
• Storage: 512GB
• OS: MagicOS 9.0 (Android 15)
• AI Editing Features: AI Image to Video, AI Outpainting, AI Eraser, AI Erase passers-by, AI Remove Reflection, AI Face Tune, AI Upscale, AI Cutout, Moving Photo Collage
• Other Features: Support Google Lens, Gemini, an AI assistant from Google13, Magic Portal, AI Deepfake Detection, AI Translation, Circle to Search, HONOR Notes, AI Writing Tools