Honor 400 Lite Review: Premium Feel, Budget Price

The Honor 400 Lite has captured my attention over the past two weeks—and for good reason. Priced at just RM1,299, it offers an impressive feature set that rivals much more expensive smartphones. With a large 120Hz display, super slim bezels, and a dedicated camera button that surprisingly outperforms even some premium flagships, the Honor 400 Lite may just be one of the best mid-range options available today.

Sleek Design That Feels Premium

At first glance, the Honor 400 Lite bears a strong resemblance to the iPhone 16 Pro, particularly in its camera layout. But where it pulls ahead is its slim 7.29mm profile and lightweight body at just 171 grams. Despite not being a flagship device, it doesn’t feel cheap in hand. The phone offers a comfortable grip with smooth, rounded corners and a matte finish that effectively resists fingerprints.

Durability also plays a role here, with the phone rated IP65 for dust and water splash resistance—a crucial feature for everyday use.

Bright and Vivid AMOLED Display

The 6.7-inch AMOLED display is another highlight. Though it only offers a Full HD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate, it still manages to shine—literally. With peak brightness up to 3,500 nits, this screen performs remarkably well outdoors, offering great visibility and viewing angles.

Additionally, the stereo speakers are a welcome surprise at this price point, making the Honor 400 Lite a solid choice for media consumption.

Decent Performance for Daily Use

Under the hood, the phone is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7025 Ultra processor, paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage (non-expandable). While it won’t compete with top-tier flagships in raw power, it handles everyday tasks efficiently.

There’s a slight hesitation when launching apps or navigating animations, but nothing that impacts usability. In fact, for its class, the user experience is smooth and satisfying. Gamers will find it performs decently too—just stick to the default graphics settings for the best results.

Practical and Smart AI Features

One of the most exciting aspects of the Honor 400 Lite is its suite of AI-powered tools. It includes:

• Automatic Portal: Performs contextual actions based on what’s on screen.

• AI Translate: Offers real-time interpretation of languages.

• AI Eraser: Removes unwanted objects from photos.

• AI Outpainting: Expands the canvas of your photos creatively.

The camera button can also be long-pressed to quickly access Google Lens for instant object or text search. These smart features are rarely seen in phones at this price and add genuine everyday value.

Camera Quality: Surprisingly Good

Honor has taken inspiration from the iPhone 16 Pro in placing the camera button, but due to the Honor 400 Lite’s longer frame, it’s actually more accessible. The side controls are also highly responsive and feature a soft tap to autofocus—a feature not even available on the iPhone 16 Pro at this point.

Camera specs include a 108MP main sensor and a 5MP ultra-wide lens. While modest, these cameras capture impressive shots for the price, even in low-light settings. The 16MP front camera delivers clear selfies and includes an LED light for better lighting in darker environments.

Battery Life: Two Days of Use

With a 5,230mAh battery, the Honor 400 Lite easily delivers two days of usage under normal conditions. However, the 35W charging speed feels a bit slow compared to some competitors. Still, a full charge from zero takes just over an hour—not the fastest, but acceptable for most users.

Final Verdict: Excellent Value for Mid-Range Buyers

The Honor 400 Lite brings together a stunning display, premium-like design, reliable performance, and intelligent AI features—all for just RM1,299 in Malaysia. If you’re searching for a mid-range smartphone that offers real value, modern features, and a thoughtfully designed camera experience, this phone should definitely be on your list.