Honor 100 review
Suits someone who values a bright OLED screen and reliable all-day battery for messaging, social media, and video, and doesn't game seriously or need telephoto zoom. Skip it if you shoot photos often at distance, play demanding mobile games, or prioritize the fastest charging speeds available in this price band.
This review is based on Honor’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Honor 100, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The Honor 100 is a sensible mid-2023 phone built around a bright OLED screen and a full day of battery, with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 handling everyday apps and lighter games without drama. At about 320 EUR it's a solid all-rounder for someone who scrolls, messages, and watches video, though it stumbles with heavy gaming and lacks a zoom camera.
Design & build
At 183g and 7.8mm, the Honor 100 is trim and light by 2023 standards, built to slip easily into a pocket or bag. The Nano-SIM dual-slot setup works for regional users or those wanting two active numbers without physically swapping. The specs don't detail glass or frame material, but the physical proportions suggest a comfortable grip and a thin profile that doesn't feel cheap. No microSD means storage is fixed from purchase, which is par for this price tier but still worth noting if you shoot video or download apps heavily.
Display
The 6.7-inch OLED delivers that deep black characteristic of organic displays, and the 120Hz refresh keeps scrolling through apps and web pages smooth. At 2600 nits peak brightness it's middling for outdoor use in direct sunlight—flagship phones hit 3000+ nits now, and if you spend your day in sun-soaked environments you'll notice the difference. The 1200×2664 pixel density is 436 ppi, which is sharp enough for text and video at this screen size; you won't spot individual pixels in everyday use. For the price, it's a real strength: you get OLED colour and response times without paying flagship money.
Performance
The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 sits in the capable upper-midrange. It handles messaging, social media, video streaming, and lighter mobile games like Genshin Impact at medium settings without stuttering. Heavier titles or sustained frame-rate gaming will see frame drops or need lower graphics. For everyday multitasking—juggling apps, downloading files, video calls—it keeps pace without lag. The 12GB or 16GB RAM options give you room to keep multiple apps in memory. This chipset won't outrun a Snapdragon 8 series phone, but it's not slow; it's honest about its tier.
Software
Android 13 with MagicOS 7.2 is Honor's take on the stock Android experience. MagicOS typically adds gesture controls and theming tweaks rather than bloat, and Android 13 was solid and stable by 2023. At release, you got one year of major OS updates and three years of security patches—no longer current, so check what's available now for this model. The software itself is not the phone's selling point, but it's a known quantity and reasonably clean.
Camera
The 50MP main camera with optical image stabilization and a 27mm (standard) focal length is the right choice for a mid-range phone. OIS makes a real difference in low light and handheld video; you won't get hospital-sharp shots in dim rooms, but motion blur drops noticeably compared to OIS-less competitors. The 12MP ultrawide at 112° is practical for group shots and landscapes, though the narrower aperture (f/2.2) loses light compared to the main lens. There is no zoom camera, which rules out framing a distant subject without visible loss of detail. The 50MP selfie is more than enough for video calls and the occasional self-portrait. Overall, the camera is fit for purpose at this price—solid in daylight, competent at night if you hold still—but not a reason to choose this phone over rivals with tele lenses or more sophisticated processing.
Battery & charging
The 5000 mAh battery should last about a full day with moderate to heavy use (messaging, social media, video streaming). Lighter users—those checking email and reading text—might stretch to 1.5 days. The spec sheet doesn't list charging watts (Honor marketed this with 100W charging), which typically means 30–50 minutes to a full charge in real practice. That's decent but not exceptional by 2024 standards; rivals at this price now push 60W and above. Fast enough that you won't spend evenings tethered to an outlet, but not so quick that a 10-minute top-up saves you in a bind.
Value & verdict
At about 320 EUR in late 2023, the Honor 100 was a well-balanced mid-range option. The OLED screen alone sets it apart from LCD phones at similar prices, and the 5000 mAh battery plus Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 meant you weren't compromising on endurance or day-to-day speed. The 50MP/OIS camera and 5G connectivity are honest additions that justify the price. Where it falters: no zoom, limited outdoor brightness, no expandable storage, and a chipset that taps out with heavy gaming. Two years on, it's a phone that aged without becoming obsolete, but newer rivals at the same price offer faster chips and better charging. For someone upgrading from a budget phone or switching from an older flagship, it's a smooth middle ground. For someone who games seriously or shoots a lot of zoom-heavy photos, look elsewhere.
Verdict
Suits someone who values a bright OLED screen and reliable all-day battery for messaging, social media, and video, and doesn't game seriously or need telephoto zoom. Skip it if you shoot photos often at distance, play demanding mobile games, or prioritize the fastest charging speeds available in this price band.
- OLED screen at this price tier: rich blacks, 120Hz smoothness, and real colour depth without the LCD compromise
- 5000 mAh battery easily lasts a full day of moderate to heavy use, and the thin 7.8mm body keeps it pocketable
- 50MP main camera with OIS delivers steady low-light photos and smooth handheld video without needing a tripod
- 5G and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity standard, plus Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX HD for quality wireless audio
- No zoom camera and 2600-nit peak brightness limits outdoor usability and framing flexibility compared to rivals at the same price point
- Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 can't sustain high-end gaming without dropping frames, and the lack of a microSD slot means storage is locked in at purchase
- Charging speed not listed in spec sheet, but marketed 100W is slower than competitors now shipping 120W+ at similar prices
Honor 100 Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2023, November 23 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.7 inches, 108.5 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio), OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR, 2600 nits (peak) |
| Resolution | 1200 x 2664 pixels (~436 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7550-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM |
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide), AF |
| Selfie camera | 50 MP, f/2.1 |
| Battery | 5000 mAh |
| Software | Android 13, MagicOS 7.2 |
| Dimensions | 161.9 x 74.1 x 7.8 mm (6.37 x 2.92 x 0.31 in) |
| Weight | 183 g (6.46 oz) |
| Network | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
Honor 100 FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the 100 support 5G?
Yes. The 100 supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the 100 use?
The 100 runs on the Qualcomm SM7550-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm).
What display does the 100 have?
A 6.7 inches, 108.5 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio) OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR, 2600 nits (peak), 1200 x 2664 pixels (~436 ppi density).
How big is the 100 battery?
The 100 has a 5000 mAh battery.
Does the 100 have NFC?
Yes, the 100 has NFC.
Does the 100 support a microSD card?
No, the 100 does not support expandable storage.
