The demolition
4.6
Very few phones in this price range offer competitive specs like that of the Honor 200 Pro. It excels in most camera features, and with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 on board, the Honor 200 Pro delivers fast everyday performance and solid gaming experiences.
The HONOR 200 Pro is a testament to HONOR’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of smartphone technology, especially in the field of photography. In collaboration with the renowned Studio Harcourt, HONOR has introduced groundbreaking features that distinguish the HONOR 200 Pro from its predecessors and competitors. This review delves into the various aspects of the HONOR 200 Pro, from its design and display to its camera capabilities and performance, providing an in-depth insight into what makes this device a standout in the market.
HONOR 200 Pro Specifications
- 6.78-inch (2700 x 1224 pixels) 1.5K OLED 120 Hz curved screen, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, 4,000 nits maximum brightness, 3840 Hz high-frequency PWM dimming
- Octa Core Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 4nm mobile platform with Adreno 735 GPU
- 12 GB LPDDR5 RAM, 512 GB storage
- Android 14-based MagicOS 8.0
- Double SIM card (nano + nano)
- 50 MP camera with 1/1.3″ OmniVision OV50H sensor, f/1.9 aperture, OIS, 12 MP 112° ultra-wide camera with f/2.2 aperture, 2.5cm macro option, 50 MP 2.5x portrait telephoto camera with Sony IMX856 sensor, OIS, f/2.4 aperture, 4K video recording
- 50MP front camera with Sony IMX906 sensor f/2.1 aperture, 3D depth camera, 4K video recording
- Fingerprint sensor on the display
- Dimensions: 163.3×75.2×8.2mm; Weight: 199g
- USB Type-C audio, stereo speakers
- Dust and splash proof (IP65)
- 5G SA/NSA, Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ax (2.4GHz/5GHz), Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, USB Type-C, NFC
- 5200 mAh battery with 100W SuperCharge fast charging, 66W wireless SuperCharge fast charging
Design and construction: elegance meets functionality
The HONOR 200 Pro’s design is inspired by Barcelona’s architectural wonder Casa Milá, with an elongated circular camera bezel that gives it a distinctive look. The device is available in three colors: Moonlight White, Black and Ocean Cyan, each with a unique aesthetic. The back of the phone is made of frosted glass, which gives a velvety soft feel that resists fingerprints and adds a touch of elegance.
The dimensions of the phone are 163.3 x 75.2 x 8.2 mm and it weighs 199 grams, making it comfortable to hold despite the large screen size. The curved edges on both the front and back improve grip, while the high-gloss metal frame around the edges adds to the premium feel. The device is also IP65 dust and water resistant, which ensures durability.
Display: a feast for the eyes
The HONOR 200 Pro features a 6.78-inch OLED screen with a resolution of 2700 x 1224 pixels, for sharp and vivid images. The screen supports a 120Hz refresh rate, which can be dynamically adjusted between 60Hz and 120Hz depending on the content, ensuring smooth scrolling and gaming experiences. With a peak brightness of 4000 nits, the display remains visible even in direct sunlight.
One of the standout features of the display is its 3840 Hz PWM dimming technology, which reduces flicker and eye strain, making it ideal for long-term use. The display also covers the DCI-P3 color gamut, ensuring accurate and rich colors whether you’re watching videos, playing games or browsing photos.
Camera system: mastery of portrait photography
The camera system is where the HONOR 200 Pro really shines. The device features a triple camera setup at the back, consisting of a 50 MP main camera with a 1/1.3-inch sensor and OIS, a 50 MP 2.5x telephoto lens with OIS and a 12 MP ultra-wide-angle lens with macro capabilities. On the front there is a 50 MP wide-angle selfie camera.
Studio Harcourt collaboration
HONOR’s collaboration with Studio Harcourt brings a new dimension to portrait photography. The Harcourt Classic and Harcourt Color filters replicate the studio’s signature black and white and color portrait styles, adding an artistic touch to your photos. These modes use AI to enhance light and shadow, creating a professional portrait photography experience.
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Camera performance
The main camera delivers beautiful photos, especially in low light, thanks to the large sensor and fast f/1.9 aperture. The telephoto lens offers excellent zoom capabilities, maintaining image quality up to 5x optical zoom and delivering usable results up to 10x digital zoom. The ultra-wide lens, although lower in resolution, takes detailed macro shots and is suitable for wide-angle photography.
The front camera, while impressive in resolution, lacks autofocus, which could be a drawback for selfie enthusiasts. However, it still produces high-quality images, especially in good lighting conditions.
Performance: power and efficiency
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, the HONOR 200 Pro delivers top performance. The device comes with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage, which ensures smooth multitasking and plenty of space for apps, photos, and videos. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 offers a balanced combination of power and efficiency, making the phone suitable for both daily tasks and intensive gaming.
Gaming and thermal management
The performance of the HONOR 200 Pro during gaming is enhanced by the GPU Turbo X technology. This improves graphics and reduces power consumption. Games like ‘Honor of Kings’ and ‘Genshin Impact’ run smoothly on high settings, with minimal frame drops. The device’s advanced cooling system, featuring an ultra-thin, large-area stainless steel vapor chamber, ensures the device stays cool during extended gaming sessions.
Software: MagicOS 8.0
The HONOR 200 Pro runs on MagicOS 8.0, based on Android 14. This custom interface offers a range of features designed to improve the user experience. The Magic Capsule feature, reminiscent of Apple’s Dynamic Island, provides quick access to media controls and other features. Magic Portal lets you easily share and search text and images by dragging them to the side of the screen.
While MagicOS 8.0 offers many useful features, it may differ significantly from stock Android. For new users, this may require some adjustment. The interface is intuitive and user-friendly, with an emphasis on customization and convenience.
Battery life and charging: long lasting and fast
The HONOR 200 Pro is equipped with a 5200mAh battery that can easily last a day of intensive use. The device supports 100W wired charging and 66W wireless charging. This makes it one of the fastest charging phones in its class. A 30-minute charge can replenish the battery to approximately 70%, and a full charge takes just under an hour.
The inclusion of 66W wireless charging is particularly notable, as it allows for fast charging without the need for cables. However, HONOR’s SuperCharge stand is sold separately. This maximizes wireless charging speed, making it a worthwhile investment for users who value convenience.
Connectivity and extra features
The HONOR 200 Pro supports 5G connectivity, ensuring fast internet speeds and low latency. It also includes Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 and NFC for seamless connectivity with other devices. The device features dual stereo speakers with HONOR Histen spatial audio, providing an immersive sound experience for music and videos.
Price and availability
The HONOR 200 Pro costs £699.99 in the UK. It is also available in Europe, but not in the US or Australia. Considering the feature set, the price is quite competitive. Especially compared to other flagship devices like the Samsung Galaxy S24 and Google Pixel 8.
Conclusion: a game-changer in portrait photography
The HONOR 200 Pro is a remarkable device that excels in portrait photography thanks to the collaboration with Studio Harcourt. The combination of a stunning design, vibrant display, powerful performance and fast charging capabilities makes it an excellent choice for anyone looking to upgrade their smartphone. While it may not have the longest support period or the most advanced AI features compared to some competitors, its strengths in battery life and portrait photography make it an attractive option.
Whether you’re a photography enthusiast or just need a reliable and stylish smartphone, the HONOR 200 Pro is a device that can deliver on all fronts. It stands out in a crowded market and offers a unique mix of features that suit both casual users and those with a keen interest in mobile photography.