Honor 400 Smart 4G review
The Honor 400 Smart suits someone who needs a phone to last two days, watch video, and handle messaging without thinking about it. Anyone who games, edits photos, or uses demanding apps will hit the performance ceiling fast; anyone who values a sharp screen or good low-light photos should step up to a rival at the same price with a newer chip and better camera.
This review is based on Honor’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Honor 400 Smart 4G, 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 400 Smart is a budget phone that prioritizes battery life and a large display over all else: the 6500 mAh cell lasts nearly two days, and the 120Hz LCD is bright enough outdoors, but the 720p resolution, weak Snapdragon 685, and basic camera make it a tool for messaging and video-watching, not a versatile daily driver for the price.
Design & build
At 8.2 mm thin and 208 g, the Honor 400 Smart fits the hand better than its 6.77-inch footprint suggests. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor works fast, and dual stereo speakers are a welcome touch for video and music. IP54 dust and splash resistance covers everyday spills and rain, though the Mohs level 4 glass scratches without effort. Drop resistance to 2 meters is modest; any fall from chest height risks cracking. The phone feels dense but not premium—plastic frame, no wireless charging—which is fine for its price, but the overall build lands squarely in budget territory without surprises.
Display
The 120Hz LCD is the phone's standout feature. Scrolling and swiping feel smooth, a meaningful quality-of-life gain over 60Hz at this price point. At 850 nits peak brightness, the screen is genuinely readable in direct sunlight without glare-fighting. The problem is pixel density: 261 ppi on a 6.77-inch panel means edges of text and small UI elements look fuzzy, a constant reminder that this is a budget display. On-screen text in apps like Gmail or Twitter requires squinting. The 20:9 aspect ratio eats into some app layouts, and the TFT panel can't match the contrast or color accuracy of AMOLED rivals, even those at similar prices. For video and web browsing, the display works; for reading and detail work, it frustrates.
Performance
The Snapdragon 685 is a 2022-era chip now three years old in 2025. It handles light everyday tasks without lag: messaging, email, maps, and social media scroll without stuttering thanks in part to the 120Hz refresh. However, even moderately demanding apps bog down noticeably. Gaming at any meaningful quality is out of reach; PUBG Mobile on low settings will drop frames, and anything heavier is a slideshow. The base 6GB RAM variant is a constraint for multitasking—switching between apps causes visible pause, and keeping more than three or four apps in memory becomes a chore. The 8GB option is better but still just adequate, not comfortable. If your days are calls, texts, and streaming, this chip suffices. Anything beyond that reveals its age quickly.
Software
Android 15 with Magic OS 9 is current and comes with a broad range of system tweaks. Magic OS is Honor's flavor of Android, and it adds convenience features—always-on display modes, gesture controls, system-wide dark mode—without feeling intrusive. Bloatware is minimal. Updates on a budget device like this are rarely guaranteed beyond a year or two, and Honor's track record on mid-range phones in the global market is mixed, so don't expect long-term support. That said, out of the box, the software is clean and responsive, even if the underlying performance can't always keep pace with the polish.
Camera
The 108MP main camera is a spec-sheet headline that delivers only in good light. The f/1.8 aperture and PDAF focus are genuine strengths for daylight sharpness and close-ups, and you'll get clean, punchy photos in bright conditions. Zoom in via the sensor's native crop, and detail holds up. The moment light drops, quality collapses: without a night mode, low-light shots become grainy and muddy, and the 1080p video at 30fps only feels choppy compared to the 60fps or 4K that rivals offer at this price. The 8MP selfie camera is adequate for video calls and casual shots, nothing more. Lack of ultrawide or telephoto lenses limits versatility. For a phone marketed at around €300, missing a night mode and 4K video is a real gap against competitors.
Battery & charging
The 6500 mAh cell is the phone's practical heart. On mixed use—messaging, browsing, some streaming—it easily reaches a full day and pushes into a second day before dimming. Heavy users won't quite hit 48 hours, but the gap is close. This is a genuine advantage; most phones this price dip below 24 hours. At 35W, charging fills the battery in around 60 to 75 minutes from empty, or hits 50% in half that time if you're in a hurry. Reverse wireless charging for 5W tops up accessories, a novelty that sees little real use. No wireless charging means you're tethered to a cable, a minor frustration for a phone meant to last two days.
Value & verdict
At €300, the Honor 400 Smart is cheaper than many competitors, but not the best value at its price point. The battery and bright display are genuine strengths for a phone meant to last and be readable outside. The Snapdragon 685 is recognizably weak, even for 2025 budget standards—rivals in this bracket now ship Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 or better, a meaningful jump in speed and efficiency. The 720p display is a false economy; an extra €30 to €50 buys you 1080p and a sharper, more pleasant screen. The camera is capable but lacks the night mode and 4K video that increasingly matter even in budget brackets. If your priorities are battery life and a large, bright screen for media, and you accept slow performance and modest photos, this phone works. If you value all-around usability, gaming, or better cameras, look elsewhere. The 400 Smart carves out a niche for people who watch video, message friends, and rarely push their phone hard—a shrinking group.
Verdict
The Honor 400 Smart suits someone who needs a phone to last two days, watch video, and handle messaging without thinking about it. Anyone who games, edits photos, or uses demanding apps will hit the performance ceiling fast; anyone who values a sharp screen or good low-light photos should step up to a rival at the same price with a newer chip and better camera.
- 6500 mAh battery comfortably reaches two days on mixed use, a real advantage in this tier
- 120Hz LCD and 850 nits brightness make the 6.77-inch display practical for outdoor viewing despite low resolution
- Compact at 8.2 mm and 208 g, with side fingerprint sensor and usable stereo speakers
- 35W charging fills the tank in around 60–75 minutes, competitive for the price
- 720p resolution at 261 ppi means text and icons lack sharpness, noticeable on a 6.77-inch screen
- Snapdragon 685 struggles with any demanding app or game; base 6GB RAM is tight for multitasking
- Camera is capable only in good light; no night mode, 1080p video at 30fps, and lack of depth mean low-light shots are grainy and uninspiring
Honor 400 Smart 4G Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2025, September 12 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.77 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio), TFT LCD, 120Hz, 850 nits (HBM) |
| Resolution | 720 x 1610 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~261 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 685 (6 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main camera | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens |
| Selfie camera | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Battery | 6500 mAh |
| Charging | 35W wired5W reverse wired |
| Software | Android 15, Magic OS 9 |
| Dimensions | 166.9 x 76.8 x 8.2 mm (6.57 x 3.02 x 0.32 in) |
| Weight | 208 g (7.34 oz) |
| Durability | IP54 dust protected and water resistant (water splashes) Drop resistant up to 2m |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
Honor 400 Smart 4G FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the 400 Smart 4G support 5G?
No. The 400 Smart 4G tops out at GSM / HSPA / LTE, without 5G.
What chipset does the 400 Smart 4G use?
The 400 Smart 4G runs on the Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 685 (6 nm).
What display does the 400 Smart 4G have?
A 6.77 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) TFT LCD, 120Hz, 850 nits (HBM), 720 x 1610 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~261 ppi density).
How big is the 400 Smart 4G battery?
The 400 Smart 4G has a 6500 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 35W wired5W reverse wired.
Does the 400 Smart 4G have NFC?
Yes, the 400 Smart 4G has NFC.
Is the 400 Smart 4G water resistant?
The 400 Smart 4G carries a IP54 dust protected and water resistant (water splashes) Drop resistant up to 2m rating.
Does the 400 Smart 4G support a microSD card?
No, the 400 Smart 4G does not support expandable storage.
Does the 400 Smart 4G have a headphone jack?
No, the 400 Smart 4G does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the 400 Smart 4G isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
400 Smart 5G
400 Smart
X7d 4G
X7d 5G
Galaxy M17e
