HONOR 400 Pro 5G and 400 5G both offer 200 MP cameras, fast charging — but which model gives more value?

By Art Samaniego

I’ve used a lot of phones over the past couple of years, flagships, budget picks, weird concept devices.

So, when I picked up the HONOR 400 series, I didn’t expect much beyond the usual “AI-powered” marketing.

But after using both the HONOR 400 Pro and its sibling, the regular 400 5G, I walked away with a few strong opinions and a bit of surprise.

The Pro has serious flagship energy

The first thing that hits you about the HONOR 400 Pro 5G is the screen. It’s ridiculously bright. I don’t know if it actually hits the claimed 5,000 nits (I’d need lab equipment for that), but under direct sunlight, I could still see YouTube thumbnails clearly.

That’s rare. The curved AMOLED panel feels premium too, almost like something from a much pricier phone.

Performance-wise, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 inside does not disappoint. Apps opened fast, games ran smoothly (even Genshin Impact), and I didn’t notice any overheating.

I went with the 12 GB RAM model and paired it with 512 GB storage. Overkill? Maybe. But it’s fun to have room to breathe.
Cameras are where things got even more interesting. The 200 MP primary sensor is sharp, sure, but that 50 MP telephoto lens was a nice bonus.

Zoom shots were surprisingly usable, even at 3x optical. AI features like “Image-to-Video” feel like a gimmick on paper, but I actually found myself using them when I had a batch of photos I didn’t know how to share.

Oh, and the 100 W wired charging? It’s real. I went from 8% to 95% in less than half an hour. Wireless charging at 50 W is just the cherry on top.

The standard 400 5G—lighter, flatter, and honestly, not bad

Switching to the regular HONOR 400 5G felt like a step down at first, less power, no telephoto camera, and only 66 W charging. But over time, I started appreciating its simplicity.

The flat display is more comfortable for day-to-day use. It’s lighter, too, just around 20 grams less than the Pro, and easier to grip. The screen’s still OLED, still 120 Hz, and still very bright. Not as vibrant as the Pro, but it holds its own.

What surprised me most? It has the same 200 MP main camera. If you don’t care about zoom or don’t take a lot of portrait shots, this is enough camera for most people. Battery life also felt about the same, even though charging is slightly slower.

The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 is noticeably weaker than the Pro’s chip if you multitask heavily or game a lot, but for casual use, it’s fine. And just like the Pro, you get six years of software updates, which is wild for a phone under P23,000.

Which one would I buy?

If I were shopping purely for myself, I’d lean toward the Pro. I like the extra power, and I know I’d use the wireless charging and telephoto lens. But if I were recommending something to a friend, someone who wants a good phone without spending too much, the regular 400 5G is the smart buy.

It’s lighter, flatter, still fast, and nearly half the price in some markets. That’s hard to argue with.

Final thoughts

The HONOR 400 series is probably the most balanced launch I’ve seen from the brand in years. The Pro feels like a genuine flagship alternative, while the 400 5G punches above its weight in almost every category that matters.

Just don’t let the lower price fool you, this series is far from “budget.”