When I first got my hands on the Honor 200 Smart, the build quality immediately stood out. The phone feels solid yet lightweight, tipping the scales at around 191-193 grams, which makes it very comfortable to hold. The 8.1mm thickness adds to the sleek profile of the phone, and I loved how slim it felt without compromising on sturdiness.
Design and Build Quality
It has an IP64 rating, which gives it some dust and splash resistance, and while it’s not fully waterproof, it’s good to know it can handle the occasional splash. The dual SIM capability is always a welcome feature, especially for those who like to travel or juggle between two numbers.
One of the standout features for me was the use of aluminosilicate glass protection on the front, which is a great bonus for durability. I’ve dropped phones more times than I’d like to admit, so having that extra layer of protection gives me peace of mind.
Midnight Black and Forest Green are the two color options available for the phone. I tested the Forest Green variant, and it has a subtle yet premium look that sets it apart from the typical black slabs you see on the market. The matte finish on the back reduces fingerprints, which is something I really appreciate in day-to-day use.
Display
The Honor 200 Smart boasts a sizable 6.8-inch TFT LCD display, which offers a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. When I first started using it, the 120Hz refresh rate immediately caught my attention. Scrolling through apps and websites felt incredibly smooth, and it made the phone feel much snappier than other phones in this price range.
The resolution of 1080 x 2412 pixels, coupled with a pixel density of around 389 ppi, ensures that everything looks sharp and vibrant. Watching videos and browsing photos was a pleasure, and the high brightness levels (up to 850 nits peak) ensured good visibility outdoors, even under direct sunlight.
The screen-to-body ratio of around 86.8% made the display feel expansive, and the thin bezels add to the immersive experience. While it’s not an AMOLED panel, the TFT LCD performs admirably in terms of color accuracy and overall brightness. I watched a couple of YouTube videos in 1080p, and I was impressed by how vivid the colors appeared. It may not have the deep blacks of an OLED screen, but for most users, the display will more than satisfy their needs, especially with the smoothness brought by the 120Hz refresh rate.
Performance
Under the hood, the Honor 200 Smart is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset, and for its price, the performance is solid. During my hands-on experience, I didn’t notice any major slowdowns or lag. With an octa-core processor (2×2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6×1.95 GHz Cortex-A55), the phone was able to handle multitasking well. I tried running several apps at once, switching between social media, browsing the web, and streaming videos, and everything worked without a hitch. The 4GB of RAM feels a bit on the low side for more demanding tasks, but for basic daily use, it’s more than sufficient.
When it comes to gaming, I tested a few titles like “PUBG Mobile” and “Call of Duty: Mobile,” and while the phone isn’t designed for high-end gaming, it performed better than I expected. I had to lower the graphics settings to avoid stutters, but the overall gaming experience was enjoyable. The Adreno 613 GPU is capable enough to handle light to medium gaming loads, though it’s clear that this phone is more suited for casual users rather than hardcore gamers.
Battery Life and Charging
One of the things I appreciated most about the Honor 200 Smart was its battery life. Equipped with a 5200mAh battery, this phone comfortably lasted me through a full day of heavy usage, including streaming, browsing, and gaming. I even managed to get it to stretch into the second day with moderate usage, which is a testament to how efficient the phone is. The large battery, combined with the power-efficient Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset, means you won’t have to worry about running out of juice halfway through the day.
Charging the Honor 200 Smart was also a pleasant experience. The phone supports 35W wired charging, and in my hands-on use, it took around an hour to get the phone from 0 to 100%, which is quite impressive for a budget-friendly device.
The convenience of a fast-charging phone at this price point can’t be overstated. It’s particularly useful when you need a quick top-up before heading out, as even a short 15-minute charge gives you enough power to get through several hours of use.
Camera Performance
The camera setup on the Honor 200 Smart is fairly standard for a budget phone, featuring a 50MP wide sensor and a 2MP depth sensor. In good lighting conditions, I found the main camera to be quite capable, delivering sharp and vibrant images with decent dynamic range. I went out for a walk on a sunny day and took a few photos, and I was pleasantly surprised by the level of detail the 50MP sensor was able to capture. Colors were accurate, and the images didn’t appear overly processed, which can sometimes happen with phones at this price point.
The 2MP depth sensor adds a bit of depth to portrait shots, but I wouldn’t say it’s a game-changer. It does its job decently, but the results weren’t always perfect. Edge detection can be a bit hit-or-miss, especially when shooting in complex environments. The selfie camera, a 5MP wide sensor, was adequate for quick snaps, but it doesn’t offer the same level of detail as the rear camera. That said, it’s perfectly fine for video calls and casual selfies, and it can shoot video at 1080p, which is more than enough for most users.
Software and User Experience
The Honor 200 Smart runs Android 14 with Magic OS 8 on top, and I found the overall software experience to be smooth and intuitive. Magic OS 8 doesn’t stray too far from stock Android, but it adds a few customization options and tweaks that enhance usability. The interface felt snappy, and I didn’t encounter any major bugs or issues during my use. I particularly liked the fact that Honor has kept bloatware to a minimum, which is often an issue with budget phones. Most of the pre-installed apps can be uninstalled if you don’t find them useful.
Navigating through the UI was a breeze, and the side-mounted fingerprint sensor worked reliably every time I used it. The placement of the sensor felt natural, and it was responsive, unlocking the phone quickly. There are also facial recognition features, but I found the fingerprint sensor to be faster and more secure. The user experience overall was positive, and I didn’t feel like I was missing out on any essential features despite the phone being priced affordably.
Connectivity and Other Features
In terms of connectivity, the Honor 200 Smart supports 5G, which is a nice addition for a budget device. I had no issues with network reception during my time with the phone, and the 5G speeds were consistently fast in areas where 5G coverage was available. The phone also includes dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0, which worked seamlessly. I paired it with my wireless earbuds, and the audio quality was clear with no noticeable lag or connection drops.
However, the absence of NFC might be a downside for some users, especially if you’re used to making mobile payments via Google Pay or other contactless services. While the phone does have stereo speakers, which provided decent audio quality, the lack of a radio might be a disappointment for those who enjoy listening to FM on the go. Overall, though, the connectivity options are robust, and the phone checks most of the boxes for everyday use.
Storage and Expandability
The Honor 200 Smart comes with 256GB of internal storage, which is a generous amount for a budget phone. During my time with the device, I never felt like I was running out of space, even after installing multiple apps, games, and saving a lot of photos and videos. Unfortunately, there’s no microSD card slot, so you’re limited to the built-in storage, but for most users, 256GB should be more than enough to store all their apps, media, and files.
I didn’t experience any issues with storage speed, either. The built-in storage is fast enough to keep apps running smoothly, and I didn’t notice any slowdowns when launching or switching between apps. While the lack of expandable storage might be a dealbreaker for some, Honor has made up for it by offering ample internal storage, which should satisfy the majority of users who don’t need a ton of space for media or large files.
Price and Value for Money
Priced at €199.90 or £134.99, the Honor 200 Smart offers excellent value for money, especially considering the features it brings to the table. For less than $250, you’re getting a phone with a large 6.8-inch display, a 120Hz refresh rate, a capable 50MP camera, and solid battery life with fast charging. In my experience, it’s rare to find a phone with these specs at such an affordable price. Honor has done a fantastic job of packing in a lot of value without compromising too much on quality.
If you’re in the market for a budget-friendly 5G phone, the Honor 200 Smart is a strong contender. It may not have all the bells and whistles of a flagship device, but for most people, it offers everything they need in a phone without breaking the bank. The combination of solid performance, great battery life, and a smooth display makes it one of the best options in its price range.
