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Verdict: The HONOR 400 is a strong mid-range phone for daylight photos and portraits, with a 200MP main camera that gives useful cropping flexibility. But it is not a complete camera system: there is no dedicated telephoto lens, the 12MP ultrawide is merely adequate, and video is less consistent than still photography. Buy it for the main camera and occasional 2x shots; look elsewhere if zoom or video is a priority.
At a glance
- Best at: Daylight photos, portraits and 1x–2x shooting.
- Weakest areas: Long-range zoom, ultrawide detail and video consistency.
- Good fit: Casual photographers who mainly use the main camera.
- Consider instead: The HONOR 400 Pro if you want a dedicated telephoto camera, or another phone if reliable 4K60 video is essential.
- HONOR 200 owners: Treat this as a mixed change, not an automatic camera upgrade; the 400 gains a higher-resolution main camera but drops the 200’s dedicated telephoto camera.
TechRadar rated the HONOR 400’s camera 4/5. That is an attributed review score, not a laboratory rating or a guarantee that every regional model and software version will produce identical results. The available independent reviews mainly concern UK and global-market models, and pricing and configurations vary by country.
HONOR 400 camera hardware
| Camera | Specification | What it means in practice |
|---|---|---|
| Main rear | 200MP, 1/1.4-inch sensor, f/1.9, optical image stabilization | The strongest camera; high resolution offers cropping flexibility, while OIS helps steady shots. |
| Ultrawide / macro | 12MP, 112-degree field of view | Useful for fitting more into a frame, but not a match for the main camera’s detail. |
| Front | 50MP, f/2.0 | High-resolution selfies, with portrait features and autofocus reported on the reviewed unit. |
| Telephoto | None | Zoom beyond the main camera is a crop or digital processing, not optical magnification. |
These specifications are listed by HONOR’s product page; the regional HONOR comparison shows the telephoto camera on the 400 Pro, not the standard 400. Features, memory, charging and software services can differ by market.
Daylight photos: the main camera earns its headline
In good light, the 200MP main camera is the HONOR 400’s clearest strength. PhoneArena’s testing found detailed images with wide dynamic range and generally accurate color, while TechRadar also praised the main camera in bright conditions. It is well suited to landscapes, buildings and everyday scenes when you want a detailed 1x photograph.
#1 Best Overall
- 6.55 inches, AMOLED, 1B colors, 1264 x 2736 pixels
- 256GB Storage, 12GB RAM
- Android 15, Qualcomm SM7550-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm), Octa-core (1x2.63 GHz Cortex-A715 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510)
- Rear: 200 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.4", PDAF, OIS, 12 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide), AF, Front: 50 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
- Dual-SIM (Nano-SIM + ESIM OR Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM)
The megapixel count alone does not guarantee a better picture. HONOR says the 200MP figure refers to the camera’s pixel parameters; normal photos are not necessarily captured at 200MP. To save a full-resolution image, select High-Res mode in the camera app. The usual photo mode uses processing designed for more practical everyday output. Details and file size can vary by mode.
High resolution is most useful as extra room to crop or reframe in bright conditions. A 2x crop can retain useful detail, but it is still not equivalent to a separate optical lens. Fine textures, especially in foliage or distant detail, can look less natural as processing and sharpening become more visible. A high-resolution sensor also cannot freeze a moving subject by itself: for children, pets or people walking, shutter timing and light still matter.
The independent findings support a capable main camera, not a promise of flagship-level consistency in every scene. For a practical check, compare full-size images at normal phone viewing size and zoomed in; aggressive sharpening or AI enhancement may be more noticeable at 100%.
Portraits and people
Portraits are another highlight. TechRadar found HONOR’s portrait treatment and selfie-camera bokeh appealing. The camera’s portrait tools include Harcourt-inspired looks, which can give people photos a more deliberately styled finish. They are optional creative effects rather than evidence that the underlying camera is better in every situation.
Look closely at the parts portrait processing has to separate: loose hair, glasses, shoulders and the space between an arm and a body. Blur can look pleasing when the outline is clean, but computational separation can make errors around fine edges. As with any phone portrait mode, movement and complicated backgrounds are harder than a still subject against a simple backdrop.
Rank #2
- For USA Buyers: This Smartphone is not compatible/will not work with any CDMA Networks including: VERIZON, SPRINT, US CELLULAR. Please check with your network provider for 3G or 4G/LTE compatibility check before you purchase.
- Dual-SIM, Network Compatibility, SIM CARD 1 AND 2 [2G : GSM 850 / 900/ 1800/ 1900 and/or3G : HSDPA 850(B5) / 900(B8) / 1700|2100(B4) / 1900(B25) / 2100(B1) and/or4G : LTE and/or5G : SA/NSA]
- 6.7 inches, AMOLED, 1080 x 2412 pixels
- 256GB Storage, 12GB RAM
- Android 15, Mediatek Dimensity 7025 Ultra (6 nm), Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
HONOR promotes AI portrait processing and low-light portrait features; those are manufacturer claims. The independent assessment supports portraits as a strength, but the available reviews do not establish uniform results across every skin tone, lighting setup or regional firmware. If portraits matter most, try the effect at a few simulated focal lengths and check faces for natural texture before sharing.
Zoom: useful at 2x, no substitute for telephoto
The practical zoom ladder is straightforward:
- 1x: The main camera’s best-quality view.
- 2x: Often useful in good light. PhoneArena found the crop reasonably good, helped by the main sensor’s high resolution.
- 3x: Increasingly reliant on cropping and processing; results are less dependable, especially in dim light or with fine textures.
- 4x and beyond: Digital zoom. Detail and texture become less reliable as magnification rises.
- 15x–30x: HONOR markets algorithm-powered “Super Zoom,” not optical zoom. Treat it as a way to make a distant subject more recognizable in some conditions, not as a replacement for a telephoto lens.
The distinction matters for portraits, pets, sports, concerts and wildlife. A dedicated telephoto camera gives you a different optical view; cropping a main-camera image cannot fully reproduce that. Android Central’s reviewer preferred a telephoto for common 2x and 3x shooting. The 200MP camera narrows the gap at modest zoom in favorable light, but does not erase the hardware omission.
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Ultrawide and macro: convenient, not compelling
The 12MP ultrawide is the weaker rear camera. PhoneArena judged it adequate but noted detail loss from its smaller sensor. It is handy for a cramped room or a broad landscape, but images are unlikely to hold as much fine detail as the main camera. Expect quality to fall further in low light, and do not assume color and exposure will match perfectly when switching lenses.
The same camera also handles macro photography. That is convenient for close-ups, but it is not a dedicated high-quality telemacro system. When space allows, try stepping back and using the main camera instead; it will usually give you more detail than the ultrawide/macro camera.
Night photography
The main camera can produce respectable casual low-light shots, and TechRadar found the dedicated Night mode useful for ordinary snapshots. That makes the HONOR 400 a reasonable choice for static scenes such as a lit street or a dinner table, but the available testing does not establish class-leading night photography.
Rank #3
- For USA Buyers: This Smartphone is not compatible/will not work with any CDMA Networks including: VERIZON, SPRINT, US CELLULAR. Please check with your network provider for 3G or 4G/LTE compatibility check before you purchase.
- Dual-SIM, Network Compatibility, SIM CARD 1 AND 2 [2G : GSM 850/ 900/ 1800/ 1900and/or3G : HSDPA 850(B5) / 900(B8) / 1900(B2) / 2100(B1)and/or4G : LTE and/or5G : SA/NSA/Sub6]
- 6.78 inches, AMOLED, 1224 x 2700 pixels
- 256GB Storage, 12GB RAM
- Android 14, Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm), Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
As with other phones, results depend on the scene. A longer night exposure may brighten a still subject while blurring a moving person or pet. Mixed light—warm lamps, LED signs and daylight from a window—can also challenge color and highlight control. HONOR promotes low-light portrait processing, but that is a manufacturer feature claim, not proof that every dim portrait will look natural.
Selfies
The front camera is a 50MP, f/2.0 unit. TechRadar described its selfies as pleasing, highlighting soft background blur and autofocus on the reviewed phone; PhoneArena also found selfie results pleasant for the price category. It is a strong specification and a capable option for everyday self-portraits.
Portrait blur and skin processing are matters of taste, so check whether faces retain natural texture rather than appearing overly smoothed. For group selfies, framing matters as much as resolution: make sure everyone fits before relying on a tight portrait composition. The cited results come from reviewed market versions and should not be assumed to prove identical performance on every regional firmware.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Video: usable, but less convincing than stills
The HONOR 400 is better supported as a still-photo camera than as a video camera. PhoneArena found decent detail and stabilization in real-world use, but also noted occasional color and exposure problems. Android Central criticized the lack of 4K at 60 frames per second (4K60). The cited finding is specifically about 4K60; it does not mean the phone records no 4K video.
That makes the 400 adequate for casual clips, but a less safe choice for creators who need dependable exposure and color or want 4K60 capture. The available review evidence does not establish a complete, current recording-mode table for every region, so check the exact model’s camera app and local specifications if a particular resolution or frame rate is essential.
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AI camera features: extras, not a reason to overlook the hardware
HONOR advertises AI RAW enhancement, AI zoom, portrait processing, HD Moving Photo and Image to Video. These tools serve different purposes: RAW and portrait processing affect still-image output, while Moving Photo and Image to Video are creative features. They do not change the fact that the standard 400 has no optical telephoto camera.
Image to Video is an optional creative extra, not a core camera capability. HONOR’s regional buying page says continued use may require payment after a free trial, with availability and terms varying by region. TechRadar found the feature interesting but questioned its practical value, including its short output length. Check local terms before treating it as a lasting included service.
HONOR 400 vs. HONOR 400 Pro
Both models share the 200MP main-camera headline, but the Pro adds a 50MP telephoto camera with OIS. HONOR’s cited regional comparison also lists a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and 100W charging for the Pro, compared with the standard 400’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 3. Those are regional specifications; verify the local version and price before buying.
Choose the standard HONOR 400 if you mostly take 1x daylight photos, value portraits and want a useful 2x crop. Consider the 400 Pro if real zoom, portraits at a longer focal length or a more complete camera system justify the price difference. Its telephoto hardware is the meaningful camera distinction; do not mistake Pro-model results for evidence about the standard 400.
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Should you buy it?
- Buy the HONOR 400 if most of your photos are everyday 1x shots in decent light, you like portrait effects, and occasional 2x cropping is enough.
- Choose the 400 Pro or a phone with a telephoto camera if you regularly photograph distant subjects, concerts, sports or pets, or want more flexibility for portraits.
- Look elsewhere for video if 4K60 or reliably consistent color and exposure are must-haves.
- HONOR 200 owner? Keep the telephoto trade-off in mind. The 400’s higher-resolution main camera may appeal if you mostly shoot wide, but it is not a straightforward upgrade for someone who relies on the 200’s dedicated zoom camera.
Price is market- and date-dependent. TechRadar listed UK launch prices of £399.99 for 256GB and £449 for 512GB in 2025; those are historical launch prices, not verified current prices. Compare current local offers before deciding whether the Pro’s zoom hardware is worth the difference.
Quick Recap
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