Are Honor smartphones good?
Honor smartphones achieve an average overall score of 7.7, placing them #11 among all smartphone brands, and have a user rating of 9, ranking #9 in user reviews.
Honor smartphones generally deliver excellent hardware value— particularly strong displays, competitive performance, and impressive camera setups—making them a worthy consideration, especially if you're seeking flagship-level specs without flagship pricing.
For example, the Honor Magic 7 Pro is praised for its powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, vibrant 120 Hz AMOLED display, long battery life, and top-notch camera hardware. Meanwhile, the Honor 400 Pro, positioned in the upper mid-range, impresses with near-flagship performance using Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, a bright AMOLED display, robust battery and fast charging, as well as six years of update support—all at a more approachable price point.
However, Honor’s software experience can be divisive. Its custom MagicOS interface—while feature-rich with AI tools like Image‑to‑Video—receives criticism for bloatware and inconsistency in image processing
(Note: A total of 37 brands were evaluated in the comparison in the first paragraph. Only those with at least 6 smartphones in our database that were released after 2022 were included.)
The best available Honor smartphones (with the highest overall score) are as follows:
- HONOR Magic7 Pro (12GB + 512GB) (Overall score: 8.94)
- HONOR Magic5 Pro (16GB + 512GB) (Overall score: 8.78)
- HONOR Magic6 Pro (12GB + 512GB) (Overall score: 8.64)
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What are the main advantages of Honor smartphones?
The main advantages of Honor smartphones are as follows:
- Display quality: Many Honor models use AMOLED panels with resolutions up to 2848×1312 pixels and refresh rates of 120 Hz, which gives smooth animations and sharp details for gaming and multimedia.
- Fast charging: Flagship models support wired charging up to 100 W and wireless charging up to 66 W, so the battery can reach 50 % in less than 20 minutes.
- High camera performance: Premium devices feature up to 200 MP main sensors with optical image stabilization and advanced AI scene detection, which improves low-light and zoom shots.
- Strong battery life: Large capacities up to 5450 mAh combined with power-efficient processors give up to two days of mixed use.
- Powerful processors: Many models use Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 or Dimensity 9000 chips with up to 3.2 GHz clock speed and GPU performance suitable for demanding 3D games.
- Design and build: Slim bodies under 8 mm thick with curved glass edges and lightweight profiles around 180 g make them comfortable to handle for long periods.
What are the main disadvantages of Honor smartphones?
Honor smartphones have the following disadvantages:
- Software updates: Some mid-range models receive fewer than three years of Android updates, which limits long-term support.
- App availability: Lack of native Google Mobile Services on certain devices means some popular apps require alternative installation methods.
- Price gaps: Flagship pricing can reach over £850, which is close to competitors with stronger brand recognition.
- Limited water resistance: Not all models have full IP68 certification, so protection against water and dust can be lower.
- Weight of larger models: Devices with bigger batteries exceed 200 g, which can feel heavy during extended one-hand use.
- Accessory compatibility: Some third-party accessories are harder to find due to smaller global market presence compared to brands like Samsung or Apple.
Who makes Honor smartphones?
Honor smartphones are designed, marketed, and produced by Honor Device Co., Ltd., a Chinese consumer electronics company based in Shenzhen. Originally launched in 2013 as a sub‑brand of Huawei, Honor was created to target younger consumers with more affordable, online-focused products.
However, in November 2020, Huawei sold the Honor brand and its associated business to Shenzhen Zhixin New Information Technology Co., Ltd., a consortium backed by the Shenzhen municipal government. Since then, Honor has operated independently from Huawei, managing its own design, R&D, and production processes.
What are the main Honor smartphone series?
The main Honor smartphone series are as follows.
- Magic series: Honor uses this premium line for high-end devices with advanced features like foldable designs and AI enhancements. Models such as the Magic V5 and Magic7 Pro focus on studio-level cameras, silicon-carbon batteries, and drop-resistant builds. Honor often tests innovative tech here before wider rollout.
- Numerical N series: This core lineup progresses with numbers like Honor 400 and includes Pro or Lite variants for different budgets. Devices emphasize long battery life, high-resolution displays, and fast charging, with examples like the Honor 400 offering 5300mAh batteries and Snapdragon chipsets.
- X series: Honor designs this budget-friendly range for large screens and durable batteries, often with popup cameras in recent models. Phones like the X60 and X7c provide affordable options with features such as 108MP cameras and expandable storage, targeting everyday users.
How much do Honor smartphone costs?
Honor smartphone costs vary by series and specifications, with entry-level models starting from around £130 and premium flagship devices reaching £850 or more. Prices differ based on processor performance, camera setup, display quality, storage capacity, and additional features such as fast charging or advanced connectivity options.
The X series targets budget-conscious users and usually costs between £130 and £260. The mid-range Honor 90 series typically falls between £300 and £470, with better displays, higher megapixel cameras, and faster processors. The flagship Magic series starts at about £700 and can exceed £850, as it features top-tier chipsets, premium build quality, and advanced photography systems.
Special editions or foldable models cost even more due to higher production complexity and premium components.
Honor smartphones cost on average £300 €, ranking #24 in price among smartphone brands (from cheapest to most expensive), and have a quality-price ratio score of 8, placing them in position #12.
(Note: Only brands with at least 6 smartphones in our database, released after 2022, were included.)
What should you consider while choosing the best Honor smartphone?
When choosing the best Honor smartphone, consider the following aspects.
- Processor: Select between Qualcomm Snapdragon and MediaTek chipsets based on your performance needs. The Snapdragon 8 Elite and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processors power flagship models like the Magic7 Pro and Magic V2, which deliver high-speed processing and energy efficiency. Mid-range models feature Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 or Snapdragon 680 chips that provide adequate performance for daily tasks and light gaming.
- RAM Capacity: Choose RAM based on your usage patterns and multitasking requirements. Basic users need 4GB to 6GB RAM for essential apps and light usage, while moderate users benefit from 6GB to 8GB RAM for streaming and social media. Heavy users and gamers require 8GB to 12GB RAM to handle demanding applications without lag, and power users should opt for 12GB to 16GB RAM like the Magic5 Pro for intensive gaming and professional work.
- Storage Options: Honor smartphones offer storage capacities from 128GB to 1TB to match different usage patterns. The 128GB and 256GB options suit most users who store photos, apps, and videos, while 512GB to 1TB configurations target professionals and heavy users with extensive media libraries. Models like the Honor 90 and Magic V2 offer 512GB configurations for users who need substantial storage space.
- Camera System: Honor cameras range from basic setups to advanced triple camera systems with high megapixel counts. Entry-level models feature 50MP dual cameras, mid-range devices like the X8a include 100MP main cameras with ultra-wide and macro lenses, and flagship models such as the Magic 5 Pro offer sophisticated triple rear camera systems with 50MP sensors, optical zoom, and 4K video recording. Consider optical image stabilization and low-light performance for photography enthusiasts.
- Battery Performance: Honor devices feature battery capacities from 5000mAh to 8000mAh with fast charging support. Standard models include 5000-6000mAh batteries that last a full day, while power-focused devices like the Honor Power feature massive 8000mAh batteries that provide up to 25 hours of video playback. Future Honor flagships will standardize 7000mAh batteries, with mid-range devices receiving 8000mAh+ capacities for extended usage. Fast charging speeds range from 35W to 66W across the product lineup.
