Have you noticed the monotony creeping into Android imaging flagship designs, where nearly every phone sports a circular, Oreo-like camera layout on the rear? While image quality has significantly improved, aesthetics and grip have often suffered. Pressing your index finger against a protruding circular camera module can be quite uncomfortable. Is this truly the imaging flagship we desire? The Honor 400 Pro introduces an alternative, demonstrating that an imaging-focused phone can indeed break the mold.

Stylish and Minimalist Design, Merging Comfort with Aesthetic Appeal

The Honor 400 Pro we reviewed comes in Sea Breeze Blue, showcasing undulating wave patterns when light reflects off its back. This minimalist design aligns with my aesthetic preferences, exuding fashion without excess.

Furthermore, the camera layout of the Honor 400 Pro strays from the ubiquitous circular Oreo design. Instead, the three cameras are positioned in a triangle at the top-left corner, resembling the iPhone 16 Pro series at first glance. However, the protruding Deco area features a trapezoidal design with rounded corners, and the flash/fill light is nestled between the upper and lower cameras, giving it a more organic appearance compared to the iPhone 16 series.

With the cameras not occupying the entire top of the back, there's ample room for your index finger when holding the Honor 400 Pro with your right hand. Coupled with its 204g weight, this phone offers a lightweight and comfortable grip. Despite its right-angle frame, the transitions between the frame, screen, and back are smoothly chamfered, making it comfortable to hold even without a case. The matte back material also resists fingerprints, making it ideal for users who prefer using their phones caseless. However, to protect the protruding cameras, using a case is still recommended.

Anti-Touch Error and Eye-Care Features: No 2K, No Problem

Let's turn to the 6.55-inch Oasis Eye-Care Screen on the front. As a flat screen, it's compatible with tempered glass screen protectors. With a resolution of 2734*1264, it supports a 120Hz high refresh rate and offers an application management option for high refresh rates. Although it doesn't meet 2K display specifications, the Honor 400 Pro boasts full-scene eye-care technology. It features 3840Hz high-frequency PWM dimming and includes functions like Smart Eye-Care, Sleep Aid, and Motion Sickness Relief Display. For this, the settings menu includes a dedicated Honor Oasis Eye-Care section. The sub-menu's Smart Eye-Care offers Dry Eye Friendly, Defocus Vision Relief, Natural Color Display, and Blue Light Filtering Eye-Care Display, providing tailored solutions to various eye strain issues caused by mobile phones.

Additionally, this screen remains clear in bright outdoor environments and supports full-scene wet-hand touch control, reducing touch errors when the screen is wet. I tested operating the phone without drying my hands after washing, and while there was a chance of successful fingerprint unlocking, screen disturbances were minimal when wet. However, apps sometimes launched inexplicably. This feature has some utility, but avoid using your phone with wet hands habitually. The fingerprint unlock uses a short-focus solution, resulting in a mixed experience.

Versatile Triple Camera System: Exceptional Image Quality and High Playability

Next, let's delve into the imaging system of the Honor 400 Pro. The rear main camera has an equivalent focal length of 24mm, an aperture of f/1.9, and a 200-megapixel Samsung CMOS sensor with a 1/1.41-inch sensor size. In regular mode, it outputs 12-megapixel images. By default, it uses a large sensor and large pixels, resulting in a natural and pleasing imaging style without obvious sharpening artifacts. Thanks to its high pixel count, the cropped image quality at 2x zoom is impressive, and the transition from the main camera to the 3x optical zoom telephoto lens is seamless.

The telephoto secondary camera supports 3x optical zoom, with an equivalent focal length of 68mm and an aperture of f/2.4. It offers a 50-megapixel high-pixel mode but defaults to 12 megapixels. Based on this 3x optical zoom lens, Honor has added an equivalent 135mm focal length (6x optical zoom) shooting range. For photography enthusiasts, the 135mm focal length is ideal for outdoor portraits. As long as there are no obstructions, it's a long focal length capable of stunning portrait shots.

Moreover, the clarity of the main camera and 3x telephoto lens at high pixel counts is impressive. Enabling high-pixel mode to capture a restaurant menu from a distance still results in clear images when zoomed in. Now, you can check prices on your phone before entering a restaurant. The usefulness of high pixel counts speaks for itself!

The image on the left is the original high-pixel photo, and the image on the right is a close-up of the menu.

The ultra-wide-angle secondary camera has an equivalent focal length of 16mm, an aperture of f/2.2, and a 12-megapixel sensor. While it doesn't support a high-pixel mode, it does support macro photography with the 200-megapixel main camera, adding to its playability. Capturing scenic shots in daily use is effortless.

It's worth noting that the Honor 400 Pro automatically triggers the night scene shooting function in many scenarios but not all. Fortunately, most scenes preserve details in highlights and shadows well.

However, in some scenarios, there were issues with abnormal highlight suppression. The lights of amusement park light boxes in the image below were either overexposed or preserved with completely dark and detail-less backgrounds. Firmware updates may further optimize this.

AI Computational Photography Enhances Capture and Post-Processing

Beyond imaging hardware specifications, Honor incorporates AI functions into computational photography. The Eagle Eye Capture feature improves the success rate of capturing moving subjects, a promising direction for mobile phone imaging. AI also plays a crucial role in post-processing. Features like AI Stranger Removal and AI Reflection Removal are practical and easy to use, requiring only an internet connection and a tap. For users less skilled in portrait retouching, AI Smart Beautification produces ready-to-share photos with a single tap, likely satisfying most users.

AI Reflection Removal (left image is the original)

AI One-Tap Beautification (left image is the original)

Large Battery with Fast Charging and Last-Generation Flagship SoC: No Performance or Battery Life Anxiety

Performance-wise, while it doesn't use the latest Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, the previous-generation flagship SoC, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, is still capable. It scores 1,899,124 on AnTuTu and supports high frame rates in Arena of Valor and Game for Peace. Playing popular mobile games offers both high image quality and smooth gameplay.

Admittedly, the Snapdragon 8 Elite offers better energy efficiency, but the Honor 400 Pro compensates with a massive 7200mAh Qinghai Lake battery, supporting 90W wired and 50W wireless charging. With moderate usage, it can last two days without recharging. This battery capacity and fast charging configuration alleviate daily battery life anxiety.

Regarding the system, MagicOS 9 performed smoothly without significant lags or bugs in daily use. One highlight is the Honor Anydoor feature, offering efficient text and image recognition and app integration. Gesture control is also useful when eating or watching dramas, allowing hands-free interaction.

Conclusion

From a holistic perspective, the Honor 400 Pro excels in imaging without compromising on battery life, feel, or performance. It's a refreshing addition to the imaging-focused smartphone market. If you seek a phone with outstanding imaging capabilities but dislike the clichéd Oreo-style camera design, the Honor 400 Pro is an excellent choice for your daily driver.