HONOR 200 Review: A Powerful All-rounder with Pro-Grade Cameras

The HONOR 200 has just hit the Philippine market, with a pre-order offer that comes with a free JBL Soundgear Frame. This smartphone stands out with its 50MP Portrait camera, inspired by the renowned Harcourt Studio in Paris, and promises to deliver professional-quality portraits.

Having spent considerable time with HONOR 200, here’s my review based on my personal experience with its features, capabilities, and performance, to help you determine if this HONOR smartphone is worth the upgrade.

HONOR 200 Specs

MagicOS 8.0 (Based on Android 14)
6.78-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display, 2664 x 1200 pixel resolution, ~436ppi
120Hz refresh rate
HDR, 4000 nits peak brightness
2.63GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 octa-core processor
Adreno 720 GPU
8GB/12GB RAM
256GB/512GB internal storage, non-expandable
50MP Wide- Angle (f/1.95, OIS) + 50MP Telephoto (f/2.4, OIS) + 12MP Ultra Wide (f/2.2)rear cameras, LED flash
50MP (f/2/1) selfie cameras
Under-display fingerprint scanner, Face unlock
Stereo speakers
Dual SIM, Dual standby
4G LTE, 5G
WiFi 6, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 2x2 MIMO
Bluetooth 5.3
GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS
NFC
USB-C
5,200mAh battery, 100W wired, 5W reverse wired charging
Colors: Moonlight White,Emerald Green,Coral Pink,Black
187g

Design and Built Quality
The HONOR 200 features a sleek profile with a slim 7.7mm thickness. It has a squared body with elegantly curved edges and a subtly curved 7.6-inch display, which enhances both its visual appeal and ergonomic comfort. 

The phone's premium build quality combines a lightweight feel with a sturdy, solid build, making it both stylish and comfortable to hold.

The HONOR 200 is available in four colors: Moonlight White, Emerald Green, Coral Pink, and Black. My review unit is the black variant, with glass surface which looks premium and classic.

On the back, the HONOR 200 sports a triple-camera setup, with a prominent camera bump. The design is inspired by Gaudi’s "Casa Mila," which balances symmetry with graceful curves. Compared to last year's HONOR 90, this phone showcases a more polished design and enhanced camera features.

The volume and power buttons are conveniently placed on the right side, while the top houses an IR blaster for controlling appliances, It's an old feature but still functional and adds convenience. Additionally, it includes a speaker and an extra microphone.

The bottom of the device features a SIM slot, and it also supports eSIM, though it's worth noting that there's no microSD card slot, which might be a downside for some users. It also includes a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, a loudspeaker, and a microphone, consolidating essential functions in one location.

In terms of connectivity, the HONOR 200 supports the latest connectivity options, including 5G (with eSIM support), Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.3. These features ensure fast and reliable internet and data transfer speeds. Additionally, the phone has NFC support, making it convenient for contactless payments and data sharing. It also has an IR blaster with a Smart Remote app that can be used to control IR appliances and devices.

Display and Sound
The HONOR 200 boasts a 6.7-inch quad-curved screen, delivering a sharp resolution of 2664 x 1200 at 435 pixel per-inch. The 120Hz refresh rate makes everything look smooth, whether you're scrolling through apps or playing games.

Colors are bright and vivid thanks to the hyper-dynamic color display technology. Even under direct sunlight, the screen remains clear with a peak brightness of up to 4000 nits.

The HONOR 200's display is also HDR-certified by Amazon and Netflix, making it perfect for watching your favorite shows and movies in high-resolution. The panel supports up to 1.5K resolution, offering incredibly detailed and crisp images.

One of the cool features of the HONOR 200 is its focus on eye comfort. These features include several eye-friendly features powered by AI, such as:

• Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) Technology: This feature helps in reducing flicker, making it easier on the eyes.
• AI Circadian Night Display: Adjusts the screen's color temperature based on the time of day to reduce blue light exposure.
• Dynamic Dimming: Automatically adjusts the brightness to match your surroundings, ensuring optimal viewing comfort.
• Low Blue Light: Reduces blue light emission to protect your eyes.

Additionally, it uses 3840Hz Risk-Free PWM dimming, which minimizes screen flicker to levels undetectable by the human eye. This, combined with dual TÜV certifications for eye safety, means my eyes feel less strained after prolonged use.

The sound quality on the HONOR 200 is just as impressive. The dual stereo speakers are loud and clear, even at high volumes. Whether I’m watching movies or listening to music, the audio enjoyable. There’s also a sleep-aid feature that adjusts the volume to create a relaxing environment. When I use headphones, the HONOR Histen spatial audio feature makes the sound feel immersive and vibrant, enhancing my listening experience.

Performance
One of the things I look forward to when using a new smartphone is its capabilities and performance. I was eager to put the phone's performance to the test. It's equipped with a Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chip, 12GB of RAM (plus 12GB of HONOR RAM Turbo), and 512GB of storage. This phone promises top-tier performance, and it certainly delivers.

The first thing I noticed after I completed the setup process and installed my favorite apps was how effortlessly this phone handles multitasking. Whether I was switching between apps, browsing the web, or watching videos, there was no lag. The chip, paired with a total of 24GB of RAM, ensures that even the most demanding tasks are managed smoothly.

During a typical weekday, I rely heavily on my phone for work-related tasks such as emails, document editing, video conferencing, and managing calls. The phone's performance in these areas is impressive. Apps like Google Docs run smoothly, and video calls on platforms like Microsoft Teams are clear.

When it's time to unwind, this phone is a great entertainment device. Watching movies and series on Netflix or YouTube is a pleasure, thanks to the vibrant and large display. The sound quality is also impressive, making for an immersive viewing experience.

Gaming on this phone is enjoyable, and thanks to its powerful CPU and GPU, it can deliver high frame rates and smooth gameplay. Popular games like "PUBG Mobile" and "Genshin Impact" run without a hitch, even on high graphics settings. The phone does get slightly warm during extended gaming sessions, but it’s normal and nothing too concerning.

I tested the HONOR 200 with several popular games, like "Call of Duty: Mobile" and the experience was great, with fast loading times and sharp visuals. The touch responsiveness is excellent for quick and accurate controls, which is crucial in fast-paced games like first-person shooting games.

I often use my phone for video editing and content creation on the go, using Capcut and other video editing apps. The HONOR 200 processing power makes these tasks swift and efficient. Rendering videos is faster, and the phone can handle large files without slowing down.

Running on the latest Android 14 version with the new MagicOS 8.0, it provides access to the newest features and updates, ensuring the device stays current with software advancements.

The phone's performance is impressive across the board. The chip is designed to handle intensive tasks with ease. Whether it’s processing complex applications, editing videos, or running multiple apps, it makes everything smooth. The AI capabilities of the chipset also enhance everyday tasks, from optimizing battery life to improving camera performance.

Camera Capabilities
The HONOR 200’s camera system is one of its best features. Equipped with a triple camera system at the back, it's designed to handle a wide range of photography needs. 

Here’s a look at its key features:

50MP Portrait Main Camera: With a 1/1.56-inch Sony IMX906 sensor and an f/1.95 aperture, the main camera captures stunningly detailed photos. The OIS and 4-in-1 pixel technology ensure clear and bright images even in low light.

50MP Telephoto Camera: This camera, with the HONOR x Sony IMX856 sensor, offers 2.5x optical zoom and up to 50x digital zoom. It’s perfect for capturing distant subjects with clarity.

12MP Ultra Wide and Macro Camera: The 112° ultra-wide angle is great for landscape shots, while the macro mode lets you get up close to capture fine details.

Up front the 50MP Portrait Selfie camera with an optimized lighting algorithm ensures selfies are always flattering and detailed. The HONOR AI Portrait Engine enhances photos by intelligently adjusting settings to ensure perfect portraits and well-balanced images.

For a deeper dive into the HONOR 200’s camera AI capabilities and the AI Portrait Engine, check out our full review here: HONOR 200 Camera Review: Redefining Portait Photography

Battery Life and Charging
The HONOR 200 is equipped with a sizeable 5,200mAh battery, designed to keep you powered throughout the day and beyond. My day usually begins with checking emails and social media updates just like anyone else, followed by a mix of online calls, messaging, and browsing. With this continuous usage, the battery performance is impressive. On an average workday with a full-charge battery, using this phone, which includes occasional gaming sessions and video streaming during breaks, the battery easily lasts until late evening, often with some charge left for the next day if I forget to charge it.

On days when I push the phone to its limits with heavy gaming and extensive video watching, the battery still holds up remarkably well. Playing resource-intensive games for a couple of hours reduces the battery, but not as drastically. The HONOR 200 battery manages to maintain a good balance between performance and power consumption.

Fast Charging Capabilities
The HONOR 200 supports 100W SuperCharge capability, which is now becoming the new normal in newer smartphones today,. In my experience, the battery can charge up to 45% in just 18 minutes. This quick boost is perfect for those moments when you need to top up the battery before heading out or during a short break.

Cooling System and Thermal Management
Another noteworthy feature is the All-range Cooling System 2.0. This cooling system includes a super-large stainless steel biomimetic VC, ensuring the phone stays cool even under heavy use. With a total heat dissipation area of 34,696mm² and an ultra-thin 0.3mm design, it provides excellent thermal management. During extended gaming or video streaming sessions, the phone remains cool to the touch, which is a significant plus for both comfort and performance.

Pros:
Impressive Camera Setup
Stunning Display
Great Performance
Long Battery Life and Fast Charging
Advanced Eye Comfort Features
Elegant Design

Cons:
No Expandable Storage
Slight Heating During Heavy Use
Prominent Camera Bump
No 3.5mm Headphone Jack

Simple Protective Case

Verdict:
The HONOR 200 is a significant upgrade over its predecessor, offering improvements in AI technology, camera capabilities, display quality, performance, and battery life. Its professional-grade camera setup, powerful Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor, and advanced display make it an excellent choice for photography enthusiasts, gamers, and general users looking for a high-performing, stylish smartphone. The HONOR 200 is a great upgrade if you are looking for a smartphone with a stylish design, robust performance, and superior camera capabilities.

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