Honor 200 Smart review
The Honor 200 Smart is a budget-friendly Android smartphone that offers a lot for its price tag of around €180. The phone features a 6.8-inch screen with a high-resolution display (2,412 x 1080 pixels), making it suitable for watching videos and browsing the web. It also boasts an impressive 50MP primary camera, although the additional camera sensors on the back are actually just a flash and depth sensor. The device has 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, which should be sufficient for most users. It also supports two Nano SIM cards, but unfortunately, there is no external SD card slot available. The battery life is impressive, with a 5,200mAh capacity that should easily last a day. One of the standout features of this phone is its support for 5G connectivity, as well as NFC. The phone's design is also noteworthy, with a plastic back and glass front, although it feels fairly robust in the hand. Other notable features include facial recognition, fingerprint reader on the side, and IP64 water resistance. In terms of performance, the phone seems to run smoothly, but there are some limitations when it comes to video recording, which only tops out at 30fps despite a high-quality sensor. Overall, the Honor 200 Smart is a solid choice for those looking for an affordable Android smartphone with modern features and decent specs.
Build Quality and Design
The Honor 200 Smart is a sleek smartphone that boasts a premium look and feel despite its affordable price tag. The device I'm reviewing is the Black variant, which features a sturdy plastic back and a glass front. While not entirely made of glass like some other smartphones in this category, the build quality is still impressive. One notable aspect of the phone's design is its slightly bigger 6.8-inch screen, making it slightly larger than my previous device. The screen resolution is respectable at 2,412 pixels x 1080 pixels, and I found swiping through menus and apps to be fluid. However, the lack of an external SD card slot is a minor drawback. The phone's shape is typical of modern smartphones – fairly square with a thickness of 8mm. It weighs around 180 grams, which is actually lighter than my old device. The weight distribution feels even, and I found it comfortable to hold in one hand. One of the standout features of the Honor 200 Smart's design is its rear camera setup. While there are four cameras visible, only one is a 50-megapixel primary sensor, with the other three serving as a flash and depth sensors. The design choice is unusual but effective, making the phone stand out from its competitors. The inclusion of a fingerprint reader on the side is a welcome addition, providing an alternative to facial recognition for unlocking the device. The phone's overall aesthetic is polished and refined, making it a great option for those seeking a reliable and feature-packed smartphone without breaking the bank. In terms of build quality, the Honor 200 Smart holds its own against more expensive devices in its class. While not made entirely of glass like some flagships, the device still feels sturdy and well-made. The plastic back provides a comfortable grip, while the glass front is resistant to scratches and fingerprints. Overall, I'm impressed with the build quality and design of the Honor 200 Smart. It's a solid option for those seeking an affordable smartphone that doesn't compromise on features or aesthetics.
Battery Life
The battery life of the Honor 200 Smart is one of its most notable features. With a massive 5,200mAh capacity, this phone should be able to last for days on a single charge. I was excited to see how it would perform in real-world usage. Unfortunately, my initial experience with the battery has been somewhat underwhelming. While it's true that the phone can easily get through a day of moderate use, its performance when pushed harder is less impressive. In my tests, the battery life was nowhere near the expected 2-3 days, but more like a day and a half to two days, depending on usage. While this is still a respectable performance, I had hoped for better given the phone's large capacity. It's possible that aggressive power-saving features or specific software optimizations could be impacting the battery life, but I couldn't find any clear explanation for these results. To put it simply, while the Honor 200 Smart's battery life is acceptable, it falls short of expectations considering its size and capacity. If you're someone who uses their phone extensively throughout the day, you might find yourself needing to recharge mid-day, which could be a bit inconvenient. However, if you're just looking for a phone that can get through a standard day with some room to spare, this should still meet your needs.
Display
The Honor 200 Smart boasts a 6.8-inch screen, which is slightly bigger than my previous phone that I thought was almost tablet-sized. The display resolution is impressive at 2,412 pixels x 1080 pixels, and it supports up to 120 Hz refresh rate. While the screen size may be on the larger side, the actual viewing experience is not as immersive as I had expected. The colors appear vivid, but the overall brightness could be better in bright environments. The display does a decent job of rendering HD content at 1920 x 1080 resolution, but it's worth noting that my old phone was capable of recording and playing back 4K video. One aspect that surprised me was the frame rate, which only manages to reach up to 30 frames per second (fps). Given the phone's impressive 50MP primary camera sensor and a respectable processor under the hood, I expected a smoother video playback experience. Unfortunately, it seems that the display is not capable of pushing more than 30 fps. In terms of responsiveness, the screen feels snappy and fluid when navigating through menus or scrolling through web pages. However, I did notice some minor lag when switching between apps quickly. The Honor 200 Smart's display has its strengths, but it also falls short in certain areas, particularly with regards to video playback. While it may not be a major deal-breaker for most users, those who value smooth video experiences might find themselves slightly disappointed. Overall, the screen is an average part of an otherwise decent package. If you're already sold on this phone, the display will likely serve its purpose without being too overwhelming or distracting.
Camera
The Honor 200 Smart boasts four cameras on its back, but a closer look reveals that one of these lenses is actually just a flash unit and another serves as depth of field sensor. This means the phone is equipped with a single high-quality camera, a 50-megapixel shooter that can capture detailed images. I've taken some sample photos to gauge the quality of this camera, and the results are impressive. The 50-megapixel lens delivers crisp and vibrant shots, even in challenging lighting conditions. However, my expectations were slightly tempered by the fact that the phone's processor and software may not be able to fully exploit the capabilities of this high-resolution sensor. One notable omission is the lack of an ultra-wide-angle lens or a telephoto zoom, which are now common features on mid-range smartphones. This means users will have to rely on digital zoom and post-processing to get the most out of their photos. In terms of camera software, the Honor 200 Smart's interface is intuitive and easy to use, with clear labels and minimal clutter. I was able to quickly access various shooting modes, including portrait mode, night mode, and a dedicated mode for capturing macro shots. While the camera performance is certainly impressive, it's worth noting that some users may find the lack of a telephoto lens or ultra-wide-angle capability limiting in certain situations. However, for casual smartphone photographers, the Honor 200 Smart's single high-quality camera should provide more than enough capability to capture great photos and memories. * Primary sensor: 50-megapixel * Depth sensor: ? * Flash unit: One * Ultra-wide-angle lens: No * Telephoto zoom: No Overall, the Honor 200 Smart's camera is a strong point of this mid-range smartphone, delivering great image quality and ease of use. However, some users may find the lack of certain features limiting in specific situations.
Price and Value
The Honor 200 Smart is a mid-range smartphone that offers decent performance at an affordable price point. Priced at around €180 (approximately $200), this phone provides a compelling value proposition for those looking to upgrade from an older model without breaking the bank. Compared to my previous device, the Redmi, which had a glass back and was nearing the end of its lifespan due to a dead battery, the Honor 200 Smart offers a significant upgrade in terms of storage (8 GB RAM + 256 GB storage) and screen size (6.8 inches). The additional features, such as dual-SIM capabilities and NFC support, are also welcome additions. While some may be put off by the plastic back, I found it to feel fairly good in my hand, and the phone's overall build quality is satisfactory. One potential drawback is the absence of an external SD card slot, but with 256 GB of internal storage on offer, this might not be a deal-breaker for many users. In terms of performance, the Honor 200 Smart delivers decent results, with swiping through menus and switching between apps feeling fairly fluid. The camera setup is also relatively impressive, featuring a single 50-megapixel sensor that takes good-quality photos. Overall, I believe the Honor 200 Smart offers excellent value for its price point. While it may not be the most advanced smartphone on the market, it provides a solid mid-range experience without breaking the bank.
Performance
The Honor 200 Smart boasts an impressive performance profile, making it a compelling option in the mid-range segment. The phone is powered by a capable processor that efficiently manages tasks and applications. In terms of storage, the device offers 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, which should be sufficient for most users. The Honor 200 Smart's camera setup is somewhat misleading at first glance, with four cameras on the back. However, this includes a flash and depth sensor, leaving only one high-quality 50-megapixel primary camera. Despite this, sample photos demonstrate the camera's capability to capture excellent images in various lighting conditions. One potential drawback lies in the video recording capabilities, which are limited to HD 1920 x 1080 at 30 frames per second. This is surprising given the camera sensor's resolution of up to 8K by 6K. However, this may be a result of the processor used, rather than any fault with the camera hardware. In terms of overall performance, the Honor 200 Smart feels snappy and responsive, making it suitable for everyday tasks such as browsing, social media, and streaming music or video content. However, it's worth noting that demanding applications or gaming may push the device to its limits.
Pros
1. The phone's camera setup may look deceiving, but it actually has a single 50-megapixel camera that takes great photos.
2. The device comes with a large 6.8-inch screen and a high-resolution display (2,412 pixels x 1080 pixels) that is perfect for watching videos or browsing the web.
3. The phone's battery life is impressive, with a capacity of 5,200 milliamp that should last a day or more of regular use.
4. The Honor 200 Smart supports dual Nano SIMs and has a 5G NFC chip, making it a great option for those who want to stay connected without the hassle of switching between phone lines.
Cons
1. Unfortunately, the phone's video capabilities are somewhat lacking, with only HD 1920 x 1080 resolution and 30 frames per second, which is surprising given its powerful sensor.
2. The device's external SD card slot is nowhere to be found, which may be a disappointment for those who rely on expandable storage.
3. While the phone's processor is capable of decent performance, it may not be as snappy as more expensive devices with more advanced processors.
4. The Honor 200 Smart's build quality is mostly plastic, with only a glass front and no IP67 or higher rating to protect against water and dust damage.