Most consumers consider premium phones less capable than ultra-premium models, and the Samsung A series or Google Pixel 8a come to mind. However, Honor aims to change that expectation with its latest phone – the Honor 200 Pro.
For starters, Honor has surprised me with the launch price of S$799. Instead of mid-range processors such as the MediaTek Dimensity 8000 series or the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7, the Honor 200 Pro comes with a zippy Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chip.
It also packs 12GB of RAM, 512GB of storage space, and a 5,200mAh battery that can be charged wirelessly or with a 100W fast wired charger that comes with the phone.
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor is not the same as the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 but it still packs enough power for demanding tasks such as image and video editing.
In the looks department, the Honor 200 Pro isn’t shabby, though the frosted glass at the back does detract a little from the premium look the Chinese company is trying to achieve.
The phone’s 6.78-inch Full HD+ AMOLED screen curves to the sides. Weighing 199g, the phone does not weigh down on you, and with a thickness of just 8.2mm, it slides easily into pockets and handbags.
The glass back is partly glossy and frosted, bounded by a shiny silver metal frame. I do prefer the matte black back for that more understated, luxurious today. Shiny seems a little dated these days.
Also at the back, the Honor 200 Pro’s camera array comes with two 50-megapixel cameras in the main camera, two telephoto cameras, and a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera. Yes, flagship range here.
That said, I would still prefer having a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera that will give a bit more details for the onboard AI to work its magic.
The maximum aperture for the main camera is a ‘mere’ f1.9, which might be a disadvantage for low-light and night scenes. At the front, the smartphone has a 50-megapixel camera that captures good wefies.
To be fair, once the Honor 200 Pro is given enough illumination, it usually takes good photos and videos. However, it does pale in comparison to the Honor Magic 6 Pro as the images do not look as vibrant. Skin tones are also a tad warmer on the Honor 200 Pro than I like – I’d spend a bit of time editing to get the look I want.
I appreciate that the new Honor phone gives users many of the imaging features of flagship phones. For example, it has an Aperture function that creates bokeh for non-human subjects, such as cats, and toys.
The smartphone’s video camera can utilise the ultrawide-angle lens, which is useful when shooting interiors and the environment. Its full-featured Pro (manual) mode can shoot up to 30 seconds, opening up the possibility of capturing the Milky Way at night and fireworks.
The Honor 200 Pro may not be the best smartphone for imaging, but it certainly has enough processing power to run apps without hassle for a couple of years, or more.
It is not perfect, to be sure. However, with a price of S$799, the Honor 200 Pro is the value buy I’d recommend if you want a capable smartphone without breaking the bank.
