HONOR 200 Pro 5G: A Comprehensive Review

Design and Build Quality

Classic or Old?

The HONOR 200 Pro 5G features a design that may appeal to some while feeling outdated to others. The phone’s camera module is inspired by Gaudi’s “Casa Milá” and has a cameo brooch shape, which might remind some users of a vintage aesthetic. Available in Ocean Cyan, the phone’s pale green, mother-of-pearl finish gives it a unique look, but this design may not be for everyone.

The phone is light, slim, and curves front and back into the aluminum frame, making it comfortable to hold. However, the curved screen can lead to accidental touches, a common issue with such designs. The 6.78-inch AMOLED screen boasts a resolution of 2,700 x 1,224 pixels, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 4,000 nits, though this figure might be optimistic. The stereo speakers deliver impressive sound quality.

The fingerprint sensor at the bottom of the screen is fast and responsive, but the double cutout for the front-facing camera and the lack of a 3D time-of-flight sensor means the 200 Pro doesn’t offer secure face unlock like its more expensive siblings. The phone has an IP65 rating, meaning it can withstand rain and spills but should not be submerged in water.

Performance

Powered by Snapdragon 8s Gen 3

The HONOR 200 Pro 5G is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor, a step down from the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Despite this, the phone delivers robust performance for everyday tasks, gaming, and multitasking, thanks to its 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. During testing, the phone performed well in games like Asphalt 9: Legends and managed to stay cool under heavy use.

Display and User Experience

Stunning Visuals with Minor Drawbacks

The 6.78-inch AMOLED screen on the HONOR 200 Pro 5G is sharp and bright, making it easy to read outdoors. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and gameplay. However, the curved edges might lead to accidental touches, which could be a drawback for some users.

Camera System

Portrait Photography with Studio Harcourt Collaboration

The HONOR 200 Pro 5G features a triple-lens main camera setup: a 50MP main shooter with a 1/1.3-inch image sensor, a 50MP telephoto lens with a customized Sony IMX 856 sensor capable of 2.5X optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide lens that also handles macro photography. The front-facing camera is 50MP with a 2MP lens for depth sensing.

The AI Portrait Engine, developed in collaboration with Studio Harcourt, aims to enhance portrait photography by optimizing shadow and light. The camera app includes a Harcourt Portrait mode with vibrant, color, and classic (black-and-white) styles, though this only works with the main camera

Mixed Results

While the HONOR 200 Pro 5G can capture studio-style portraits, the results are mixed. The fake bokeh portrait mode is not always accurate, and the ultrawide lens is notably poorer than the main camera. The camera also struggles with fast-moving subjects and nighttime performance.

Battery Life and Charging

Impressive Battery and Fast Charging

The HONOR 200 Pro 5G is equipped with a 5,200mAh silicon-carbon battery, offering higher energy density than traditional lithium-ion batteries. The phone easily lasts a busy day and can push to two days with lighter use. The included 100W charger can fully charge the phone from dead in around 45 minutes, and the phone also supports 66W wireless charging, but only with HONOR’s charger.

Software and Features

MagicOS 8.0

HONOR’s MagicOS 8.0 sits atop Android 14, resembling Apple’s iOS in many ways. This might make it easier for iPhone users to adjust, but it also comes with a lot of bloatware that needs to be removed. HONOR promises three Android platform updates and four years of security updates for the 200 Pro, which is less than its flagship and significantly behind Google and Samsung’s seven-year commitment.

AI Features

The AI features on the HONOR 200 Pro 5G are a mixed bag. AI suggestions float anticipated actions, Magic Portal allows for drag-and-drop text or images into relevant apps, and Magic Capsule provides contextual controls around the camera cutout. Air gestures enable control without touching the phone, though this feature may not be very useful for most users.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Good for Outdoor Photography: The camera performs well in most conditions, especially outdoors.
Well-Exposed Photos and Videos: Consistent autofocus and accurate display colors enhance the photo and video quality.
Excellent Screen Touch Interactions: The screen is highly responsive, enhancing the user experience.
Impressive Battery Life and Fast Charging: Long-lasting battery and quick charging capabilities.

Cons

Inconsistent Low-Light Performance: Image quality in indoor and low-light conditions can be inconsistent.
Video Instabilities: Some issues with video stability while walking.
Limited Screen Luminance Outdoors: The screen brightness might not be sufficient for outdoor readability.
Mixed AI Features: Some AI features feel gimmicky and not very practical.
Design Not for Everyone: The design may not appeal to all users, particularly those not fond of the vintage aesthetic.

Conclusion

The HONOR 200 Pro 5G offers a compelling package with its impressive hardware, good battery life, fast charging, and versatile camera system. However, it sits in an odd spot in the market, with some features feeling gimmicky and the design not appealing to everyone. While it provides good value for money, there are alternatives like the Samsung Galaxy S24 and Google Pixel 8 Pro that might offer a more balanced experience for a similar price. Ultimately, the HONOR 200 Pro 5G is a solid choice for those looking for a premium midrange phone with unique features, but potential buyers should weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.

NETWORK

Technology
GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 – SIM 1 & SIM 2
CDMA 800
3G bands HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
CDMA2000 1x
4G bands LTE
5G bands SA/NSA
Speed HSPA, LTE, 5G
Support E-Sim

BODY

Dimensions 163.3 x 75.2 x 8.2 mm (6.43 x 2.96 x 0.32 in)
Weight 199 g (7.02 oz)
SIM Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
IP65 (Int’l), IP55 (China), dust and water resistant

DISPLAY

Type OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR, 4000 nits (peak)
Size 6.78 inches, 111.5 cm2 (~90.8% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution 1224 x 2700 pixels (~437 ppi density)

PLATFORM

OS Android 14, MagicOS 8
Chipset Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1×3.0 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4×2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3×2.0 GHz Cortex-A520)
GPU Adreno 735

MEMORY

Card slot No
Internal  512GB 12GB RAM

MAIN CAMERA

Triple 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.3″, 1.2µm, PDAF, OIS
50 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 2.5x optical zoom
12 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide), AF
Features LED flash, HDR, panorama
Video 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, OIS

SELFIE CAMERA

Dual 50 MP, f/2.1, (wide)
2 MP, f/2.4, (depth)
Features HDR
Video 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS

SOUND

Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers
3.5mm jack No

COMMS

WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Positioning GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDS (B1I+B1c)
NFC Yes
Infrared port Yes
Radio No
USB USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

FEATURES

Sensors Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, ultrasound proximity

BATTERY

Type Si/C 5200 mAh, non-removable
Charging 100W wired, 60% in 15 min, 100% in 41 min (advertised)
66W wireless, 64% in 30 min (advertised)
5W reverse wired
Reverse wireless

Disclaimer. We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.