While AI has been the buzzword in the industry for a while now, 2025 has seen it used more and more for smartphone launches and headline feature sets and the midrange HONOR 400 Lite is no different in this regard, but integrates artificial intelligence in a rather helpful way in this instance, coming in the form of its dedicated AI Camera Button, a first for Android smartphones.
This dedicated button allows users to instantly launch the camera, snap photos, or record videos with a single tap making it easier than ever to capture spontaneous moments. Whether it’s a bustling street scene, an impromptu selfie, or a memorable sunset, the AI Camera Button brings speed and creativity together in one seamless feature. It also activates Google Lens, letting users translate menus, identify local landmarks, or scan and explore products — adding everyday intelligence to your mobile experience.
Wrapped in a stunning but very grippable (161 x 74.55 x 7.29 mm; Approx. 171g) water and dust resistant (IP65) Marrs Green frame (also available in Velvet Black), HONOR’s 400 Lite packs a highly-capable dual camera rear setup consisting of a 108MP Main Camera(f/1.75)+5MP Wide&Depth Camera(f/2.2). This setup allows for stunning stills in pretty much any lighting conditions, as well as steady full HD video recording (unfortunately no 4K video recording), with users also being able to utilise the handy 16MP Camera (f/2.45) front shooter with Selfie Light to capture 1080p video, do video calls, or capture stunning shelfies/groupies.
You review these pics and videos on the gorgeous 6.7″ 2412 × 1080 AMOLED screen and its barely there bezels, accompanied by loud and good quality sound from the speakers. You have to use Bluetooth speakers though for a more personal listening and viewing experience for occassions like a flight, or Gautrain trip though since there is no 3.5mm audio jack (if you don’t have one of those USB-C to 3.5mm connectors).
Also onboard this feature-packed midranger is a large 5230 mAh Li-ion Polymer Battery that will get you easily through a working day and well into the next day thanks to HONOR’s adept power usage profiles.
Once depleted, you can tap the 35W HONOR SuperCharge to quickly top the battery back up. Speaking of quick, the phone is powered by an octocore CPU, a MediaTek Dimensity 7025-Ultra in this instance consisting of two A78 cores clocked at 2.5GHz plus six A55 cores running at 2.0Ghz, that keeps things buttery smooth and snappy within MagicOS 9.0(Based on Android 15) which has fast become one of our favourite Android skins.
Helping to keep things snappy is the 8GB worth of RAM that the smartphone comes equiiped with along with its quick 256GB onboard storage, and mobile games fans won’t be dissappointed by the performance of the IMG BXM-8-256 GPU as it delivers blistering frames in all but the most demanding (where performance is still smooth) of titles.
Ultimately, the HONOR 400 Lite is feature-packed, very stylish and slim enough for users whose hands do not reach Springbok prop-sized levels. It comes well recommended in the highly competitive midrange market with rivals such as Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G Midnight Black (usually R9999 but currently on special for R8999 at local retailers like Incredible Connection), or the pricier Samsung Galaxy S24 FE 128GB (coincidently also on special down from R13999 to R9999), but we feel that the HONOR is well worth considering as a top contender for your hard earned bucks.
