The Honor 400 5G is a well-designed mid-range phone with a vibrant display, solid main camera, and fast charging. But with mediocre performance and no wireless charging, does it stand out against rivals like the Galaxy A56 and Pixel 9a?
Key Takeaways
- Stunning 6.55″ AMOLED Display – 1,600 nits peak brightness, great color accuracy.
- 200MP Main Camera – Good detail & dynamic range (but weak ultrawide).
- 66W Fast Charging – 75% in 30 mins, full charge in 45 mins.
- 6 Years of Updates – Matches Samsung’s long-term support.
- Mid-Range Performance – Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 lags behind rivals.
- No Wireless Charging – A missed opportunity at this price.
- Average Battery Life – 5,300mAh but worse endurance than Galaxy A56.
Design & Display: Premium Look, Great Screen
- Flat-edge design (similar to iPhone/Google Pixel).
- Unique trapezoid camera module (Desert Gold color looks best).
- 6.55″ AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate, 1,600 nits peak brightness.
- Thin bezels, under-display fingerprint sensor.
Verdict: One of the best-looking mid-rangers, with a flagship-grade display.
Performance: Just Enough for Daily Use
- Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (mid-range chip).
- 8GB RAM, 256/512GB storage (no microSD slot).
Benchmarks (vs. Competitors)
| Test | Honor 400 5G | Galaxy A56 5G | Pixel 9a | iPhone 16e |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (Single) | 1,141 | 1,361 | 1,687 | 3,166 |
| Geekbench 6 (Multi) | 3,179 | 3,894 | 4,385 | 7,763 |
| 3DMark Extreme | 1,488 | 1,322 | 2,625 | 3,017 |
Verdict: Fine for social media & light gaming, but slower than rivals.
Cameras: Strong Main Sensor, Weak Elsewhere
- 200MP Main (f/1.9) – Great daylight shots, good 2X zoom crops.
- 12MP Ultrawide (f/2.2) – Soft edges, washed-out colors.
- 50MP Selfie – Decent, but overexposed in bright light.
Video:
- 4K/30fps (main cam only).
- Stabilization is average, colors look unnatural.
Verdict: Main camera impresses, but ultrawide & video need work.
Battery & Charging: Fast Wired, No Wireless
- 5,300mAh battery → 6h 28min screen time (below average).
- 66W wired charging → 75% in 30 mins, full in 45 mins.
- No wireless charging (unlike Galaxy A55).
Comparison:
| Phone | Battery Life | Charging Speed | Wireless? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honor 400 5G | 6h 28min | 66W (45 min full) | ❌ No |
| Galaxy A56 5G | 7h 3min | 25W (~90 min full) | ✅ Yes |
| Pixel 9a | 8h 11min | 30W (~80 min full) | ❌ No |
Verdict: Fast charging is great, but battery life could be better.
Software: MagicOS 9 (Android 15)
- Clean UI, minimal bloat.
- AI features (real-time translation, deepfake detection).
- 6 years of updates (matches Samsung’s policy).
Verdict: Long-term support is a plus, but performance may lag over time.
Audio & Extras
- Stereo speakers (good for a mid-ranger).
- No headphone jack (unlike Galaxy A55).
- Pre-applied screen protector (nice touch).
Verdict: Solid audio, but missing a 3.5mm jack.
Should You Buy It?
Buy If:
- You love the design & display.
- You prioritize fast charging.
- You want long software support.
Skip If:
- You need the best performance (get a Pixel 9a).
- You want wireless charging (Galaxy A56 5G has it).
- You shoot a lot of video.
Alternatives:
- Samsung Galaxy A56 5G – Better battery, wireless charging, headphone jack.
- Google Pixel 9a – Better camera, faster chip, longer updates.
- iPhone 16e – Best performance, but iOS & no high refresh rate.
Final Verdict: 6.5/10
The Honor 400 5G is a good mid-range phone with a great display, solid main camera, and fast charging. But mediocre performance, no wireless charging, and average battery life make it hard to recommend over rivals.
At €499, it’s decent—but the Galaxy A56 and Pixel 9a are better all-rounders.
