Honor 50 Lite review

Item picture

The Honor 50 Lite is an intriguing device that has piqued our interest with its affordable price point in Malaysia. With a 999 ringgit tag, this smartphone packs an impressive 8GB RAM and 128GB internal storage, making it a fantastic value for those seeking a reliable device without breaking the bank. The sleek silver design and quad-camera setup at the back promise decent performance, but can it deliver on its promises? Let's dive into our review to find out.

Overview
Parameters

Build Quality and Design

The Honor 50 Lite is a device that has caught my attention with its sleek design and impressive build quality. The moment I took it out of the box, I was struck by its slim bezels and mirror-like finish on the back panel. Although the silver color may not be the most accurate description, it's still a unique look that catches the eye. One thing that stands out is the similarity between this device and previous Huawei models. The circular frame around the cameras is reminiscent of earlier designs, but with a modern twist. I must admit that while the bezels on the sides have a slightly purple hue, I think it's still a stylish touch. The use of aluminum for the back panel gives it a premium feel, and I appreciate the attention to detail in this aspect of the design. The fingerprint scanner on the right side is conveniently located, and the single firing speaker on the bottom doesn't take away from the overall aesthetic. When flipping the device over, you'll notice a decent LCD display that's 6.67 inches large and runs at 1080p resolution. While it may not have a fast refresh rate, the saturation levels are good, and brightness levels are strong. The contrast ratio is especially impressive for an LCD panel of this caliber. However, one minor complaint I have is the pill-shaped cutout on the top left corner, which houses a single 16-megapixel selfie camera. It's not particularly notable, but it does take away from the overall clean design. Overall, the Honor 50 Lite has a solid build quality and a design that's hard to ignore. It may have some minor flaws, but for its price point, it's an excellent value proposition.

Battery Life

The Honor 50 Lite is a budget-friendly smartphone that has been making waves in the market with its affordable price point. While it's easy to get caught up in discussing its features and design, one aspect of this device deserves special attention - its battery life. Equipped with a 4,300mAh battery, the Honor 50 Lite promises to deliver all-day performance. And, for the most part, it delivers. The phone's power-efficient processor and optimized software ensure that your usage is spread out throughout the day. In my experience, the Honor 50 Lite easily lasts from morning to evening with moderate use - browsing the web, social media, email, and some light gaming. However, if you're a heavy user who enjoys intense gaming or video streaming, you might need to top up the battery around lunchtime. The good news is that the phone's fast charging capabilities make it easy to recharge on the go. With 66W fast charging, you can get from zero to 40% in just 10 minutes - a convenient feature for those times when you need a quick boost. Overall, I'm impressed with the Honor 50 Lite's battery life, especially considering its price point. It's not the longest-lasting phone on the market, but it gets the job done without breaking the bank. If you're in the market for a budget-friendly smartphone that won't leave you stuck without power, the Honor 50 Lite is definitely worth considering.

Display

The Honor 50 Lite boasts an impressive LCD display that is sure to please users on a budget. Measuring 6.67 inches in size, the screen runs at 1080p resolution and features a decent touch sampling rate of 180Hz. One of the standout features of this display is its excellent color accuracy and brightness levels. The saturation levels are particularly good, making colors pop on the screen. Additionally, the contrast ratio is satisfactory for an LCD panel, resulting in crisp text and vibrant visuals. However, there is one notable drawback - the lack of a fast refresh rate. Unlike more premium devices, the Honor 50 Lite's display only runs at 60Hz. This may not be ideal for those who enjoy smooth scrolling or gaming experiences. The bezels around the screen are slim, giving the device a sleek and modern appearance. The only design quirk is the presence of a pill-shaped cutout on the top left corner, which houses the single selfie camera. While this may take some getting used to, it does not detract from the overall aesthetic appeal of the phone. In terms of display quality, the Honor 50 Lite's LCD panel is among the best in its class. It's a testament to Honor's commitment to delivering solid displays on budget devices. Overall, we were impressed with the display's performance and would recommend it to anyone looking for an affordable smartphone with a great screen.

Camera

The Honor 50 Lite's quad-camera setup is its most notable feature, and I was excited to put it through its paces. The camera system consists of a 64-megapixel main sensor, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and two macro lenses that serve more as gimmicks than useful features. The 64-megapixel primary sensor takes decent photos in both daylight and nighttime conditions. Colors are accurately captured, and the level of detail is satisfactory for a phone at this price point. The camera's autofocus system is also quite fast, which helps in capturing clear images. However, it's worth noting that the Honor 50 Lite doesn't excel in any particular area of photography. The images taken by the camera are average, with nothing particularly outstanding or exceptional. This is not to say that they're bad; rather, they simply meet expectations for a phone at this price point. In low-light conditions, the camera performs adequately, but it's clear that it struggles with noise and grain in some areas of the image. The ultra-wide lens takes wider shots without noticeable distortion or loss of detail, making it useful for landscape photography. The macro lenses, as I mentioned earlier, are more like a novelty than a useful feature. They're not very good at capturing detailed images up close, and their usefulness is limited to casual snapshots rather than anything more serious. In summary, the Honor 50 Lite's camera is decent but unremarkable. It takes average photos that meet expectations for a phone at this price point, but it doesn't excel in any particular area of photography. If you're looking for a phone with a good camera and are on a budget, the Honor 50 Lite might be worth considering. However, if you're a serious photographer or want exceptional image quality, you may want to look elsewhere.

Price and Value

In today's market, finding a phone that offers decent specs at an affordable price is a rare gem. The Honor 50 Lite, however, is one such device that managed to catch my attention with its impressive price point of under RM999 in Malaysia. The phone comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of non-expandable storage, which may not be the most powerful configuration but is sufficient for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and YouTube. The real surprise lies in the price, where you get a phone that looks good, has a decent LCD display, and supports the Google Play Store. At this price point, I believe the Honor 50 Lite offers great value for money. While it may not be the most powerful device on the market, its performance is acceptable considering its affordability. The quad-camera setup at the back is another highlight, with a 64MP main sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and decent image quality. The battery life is also impressive, with a 4300mAh power cell that supports fast charging via a 66W charger. While not the fastest charging speed, it's still a welcome feature at this price point. Overall, I think the Honor 50 Lite is a great option for those looking for a budget phone that doesn't skimp on features and performance. Its affordable price tag and decent specs make it a solid choice in today's competitive market.

Performance

The performance of the Honor 50 Lite is somewhat underwhelming, given its relatively affordable price point of less than RM1000 in Malaysia. The device is powered by a Snapdragon 662 processor, which is an outdated chip that struggles to keep pace with modern demands. In day-to-day use, the phone's performance can be felt, particularly when multitasking or running demanding applications. While it can still handle basic tasks like browsing the internet and social media, more strenuous activities will reveal the phone's limitations. This is not entirely surprising, given the processor's age, but it's still a notable drawback. In benchmarking tests, the Snapdragon 662 performs as expected, but these results are unlikely to translate to real-world usage for most users. The inclusion of 8GB of RAM and 128GB of non-expandable storage helps mitigate some of the performance issues, but ultimately, this device is not designed to handle heavy multitasking or gaming. One might expect some compromise given the price point, but the Honor 50 Lite's performance feels somewhat below par, even compared to other budget devices. It's worth noting that the phone does support the Google Play Store, allowing users to download popular apps and games directly onto their device. For those looking for a basic smartphone that can handle simple tasks, the Honor 50 Lite might suffice. However, anyone requiring more demanding performance will need to look elsewhere. In terms of value for money, the device's affordability is undeniable, but its performance limitations make it a less-than-ideal choice for users seeking a reliable and capable smartphone experience. Overall, while the Honor 50 Lite has some redeeming qualities, its performance shortcomings are a notable drawback that should be carefully considered by potential buyers.

Pros

1. It's a fantastic price for the kind of device you're getting, especially since it looks pretty good as well.

2. You get a very unique look here at the back straight up it looks like aluminum so I think that looks pretty cool

3. The LCD display is one of the best in the market right now with strong brightness levels and contrast levels are especially good for an LCD panel like this

4. The price point of under 1000 ringgit is very special, offering a great value for money

5. You can't really compare it to the cheapest phones in the market but you're actually getting a pretty solid build quality device here

6. The camera performance is decent, taking good pictures in the day and night with no major complaints

7. The fast charging support of 66 watt is still fairly fast despite not being the fastest

Cons

1. It's being powered by an outdated Snapdragon 662 processor which can feel slow through day-to-day use

2. Performance is somewhat lacking, especially considering today's standards

3. Pillar shape cut out at the top left corner can look a bit awkward with only one selfie camera

4. The macro lens and depth sensor are not very useful in most scenarios

5. Haptics system is normal and unimpressive for a budget device like this

6. Performance may be compromised by an outdated processor, which might be frustrating for some users

7. You can't expect it to be very high performing, especially since the price point is under 1000 ringgit

Structure
Width:
74.7
Height:
161.8
Depth:
8.5
Weight:
192
Usable surface:
89 %
Materials:
Plastic
Colors:
Black
Blue
Silver
Hardware
Model:
Qualcomm Snapdragon 662
CPU:
4x Kryo 260 2.0 GHz + 4x Kryo 260 1.8 GHz
Type:
Octa-Core
Nanometer:
11
Frequency:
2
64 Bits:
GPU:
Qualcomm Adreno 610
RAM:
6
Type:
LPDDR4X RAM
Capacity:
128
Type:
UFS Storage 2.1
SD slot:
Fingerprint security:
Yes, on the side
Fingerprint sensor:
Proximity sensor:
Light sensor:
Accelerometer sensor:
Compass sensor:
Gyroscope sensor:
Gravity sensor:
Audio:
Noise cancellation microphone
2 microphones
Antutu Score:
201000
Antutu Version:
Antutu v9
Antutu Standing:
Overall performance better than 55% of devices
Cooling system:
Gaming buttons:
Cameras
Phone rear cameras
Standard:
Resolution:
64
Sensor:
Sony IMX682 Exmor RS
Sensor size:
1/1.7"
Type:
CMOS
Aperture:
ƒ/ 1.9
Pixel size:
0.80 µm
Pixel binning:
1-4 (2x2)
Wide Angle lens:
Resolution:
8
Aperture:
ƒ/ 2.4
Pixel size:
1.12 µm
Portrait mode (depth):
Resolution:
2
Aperture:
ƒ/ 2.4
Pixel size:
1.75 µm
Macro lens:
Resolution:
2
Aperture:
ƒ/ 2.4
Pixel size:
1.75 µm
Resolution:
16
Aperture:
ƒ/ 2.0
Phone front cameras
Flash:
LED
Optical stabilisation:
No
Slow motion video:
Yes, 120 fps
Rear camera features:
Digital zoom
Quadruple camera
Autofocus
Touch focus
Phase detection autofocus (PDAF)
Continuous shooting
Geotagging
Panorama
HDR
Face detection
White balance settings
ISO settings
Exposure compensation
Scene mode
Self-timer
Front camera features:
Ultra wide angle lens 118°
Screen
Diagonal:
6.67
Type:
TFT LCD (IPS)
Aspect ratio:
20:9
Resolution in pixels:
1080 x 2376 px
Resolution quality:
FHD+
ppi:
391 ppi
Density:
High Density
Others:
Hole-punch Notch
Touch sampling rate 180 Hz
Max brightness HBM - 500 cd/m²
TÜV Rheinland Eye Comfort Certification
DCI-P3
Scratch resistant
2.5D curved glass screen
Capacitive
Multi-touch
Frameless
Battery
Capacity:
4300
Type:
Li-Polymer
Fast charge:
Yes, 66.0W
Others:
Non-removable
Connectivity
2G:
3G:
4G LTE:
5G:
SIM card:
Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM)
Standards:
802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11n 5GHz, 802.11ac
Others:
Wi-Fi Hotspot
Wi-Fi Display
Version:
Bluetooth 5.0LE
Profiles:
A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile)
LE (Low Energy)
APT-x
LDAC
AAC
Navigation:
GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou
Charging:
Mass storage:
USB On-The-Go (OTG):
USB Type C:
NFC:
Audio jack:
Radio FM:
Computer sync:
OTA sync:
Tethering:
VoLTE:
Software
Operating System:
Android 11
Google services: