Honor has officially added a new member to its budget-friendly 400 series lineup. The Honor 400 Smart, now available in the European market, delivers a strong combination of core features with an emphasis on long battery life, updated software, and a surprisingly smooth display — all without breaking the bank.
While Honor has yet to announce the price, the new device is expected to target entry-level smartphone users, especially in regions where battery endurance and basic performance outweigh flagship-level specs. The Honor 400 Smart builds upon the formula set by its predecessor, the Honor 200 Smart, which launched last year at €220.
Display and Design: Bigger Doesn’t Mean Bulkier
The Honor 400 Smart features a 6.77-inch TFT LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1610 pixels. While it sticks to an HD+ panel, the screen supports a 120Hz refresh rate, which is uncommon in this price range. This higher refresh rate enables smoother scrolling and more fluid animations — ideal for social media, basic gaming, and day-to-day navigation.
With a peak brightness of 700 nits, the screen performs adequately even under outdoor lighting. The phone measures 166.9 x 76.8 x 8.24 mm and weighs just 189 grams, making it a manageable device despite its large battery.
The device has a clean, modern design with slightly curved edges and a centrally placed rear camera module. The fingerprint sensor is embedded into the power button for easy access.
Performance and Storage: Efficient but Basic
At the heart of the Honor 400 Smart is the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 chipset — a budget SoC optimized for balanced power consumption and stable everyday performance. Paired with 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage, the device is well-suited for casual users who focus on messaging, web browsing, and media streaming rather than high-performance gaming or multitasking.
Although the RAM size is limited, Honor may offer virtual RAM expansion in future updates, which is becoming increasingly common in budget Android phones.
Camera Setup: Simplicity with a Focus on Essentials
The rear camera system includes a 50 MP main sensor with an f/1.8 aperture, supported by a 2 MP depth sensor for portrait shots. The camera’s strength lies in daytime photography, where it delivers sharp and colorful images. Night performance is expected to be basic, in line with most phones in its class.
On the front, a 5 MP selfie camera sits inside the top bezel, aimed at handling casual selfies and video calls. While this may not excite photography enthusiasts, it’s a sensible choice for budget-conscious consumers.
Battery Life: The Star of the Show
What truly sets the Honor 400 Smart apart is its massive 6,500 mAh battery, which is among the largest capacities available in its segment. Combined with the energy-efficient chipset and HD+ resolution screen, users can expect two full days of use on a single charge under moderate usage.
Charging is handled by a 35W wired fast charger, allowing for reasonably quick top-ups. Although not the fastest charging in the market, it strikes a good balance for a device of this category.
Software: Android 15 and Magic OS 9.0
Surprisingly, the Honor 400 Smart comes with Android 15 out of the box — a major plus considering many budget phones still ship with outdated versions of Android. It runs on Magic OS 9.0, Honor’s customized UI, which offers fluid transitions, privacy-focused features, and system-wide optimizations.
The phone is backed by five years of security updates, which is a significant commitment in the budget category. This ensures longer usability and device safety for users who may not upgrade often.
Connectivity and Extra Features
Despite being a budget phone, the Honor 400 Smart doesn’t cut corners on connectivity. It supports 5G, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1, NFC, and even retains a 3.5 mm headphone jack — a feature increasingly rare in modern smartphones.
Other highlights include:
Stereo speakers for immersive audio
IP64-rated water and dust resistance
Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
Expandable storage via microSD (unconfirmed but likely based on past models)
These features make the device particularly appealing to users who still value analog headphone support, physical biometric access, and durability.
Target Market and Launch Expectations
Although currently available in Spain through Orange, the Honor 400 Smart is expected to roll out to other European regions in the coming weeks. While the official pricing is yet to be announced, comparisons with last year’s €220 Honor 200 Smart suggest that the 400 Smart could arrive at a similar or slightly higher price point due to its bigger battery and newer OS.
Honor’s move reflects its strategy of focusing on affordable innovation — providing functional, well-rounded smartphones for everyday users without unnecessary frills.
Final Thoughts
The Honor 400 Smart isn’t here to compete with flagship models or premium mid-rangers. Instead, it carves out a niche for itself by offering practical features where they matter most: battery life, smooth display experience, modern software, and essential connectivity.
For students, first-time smartphone users, or those seeking a reliable backup phone, the 400 Smart delivers great value — especially in a market where entry-level phones often compromise on the essentials.
