HONOR 200 Pro Review: Redefining Portrait Photography with Innovation

The HONOR 200 Pro is a testament to HONOR’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of smartphone technology, particularly in the realm of photography. Partnering with the renowned Studio Harcourt, HONOR has introduced groundbreaking features that set the HONOR 200 Pro apart from its predecessors and competitors. This review delves into the various aspects of the HONOR 200 Pro, from its design and display to its camera capabilities and performance, providing an in-depth look at what makes this device a standout in the market.

HONOR 200 Pro specifications

• 6.78-inch (2700 × 1224 pixels) 1.5K OLED 120Hz curved display, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, up to 4,000 nits peak brightness, 3840Hz high-frequency PWM dimming
• Octa Core Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 4nm Mobile Platform with Adreno 735 GPU
• 12GB LPDDR5 RAM, 512GB storage
• Android 14-based MagicOS 8.0
• Dual SIM (nano + nano)
• 50MP camera with 1/1.3″ OmniVision OV50H sensor, f/1.9 aperture, OIS, 12MP 112° ultra-wide camera with f/2.2 aperture, 2.5cm macro option, 50MP 2.5x portrait telephoto camera with Sony IMX856 sensor, OIS, f/2.4 aperture, 4K video recording
• 50MP front camera with Sony IMX906 sensor f/2.1 aperture, 3D depth camera, 4K video recording
• In-display fingerprint sensor
• Dimensions: 163.3×75.2 ×8.2mm; Weight: 199g
• USB Type-C Audio, Stereo Speakers
• Dust and splash resistant (IP65)
• 5G SA/NSA, Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ax (2.4GHz/5GHz), Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, USB Type-C, NFC
• 5200mAh battery with 100W SuperCharge fast charging, 66W wireless SuperCharge fast charging

Design and Build: Elegance Meets Functionality

The HONOR 200 Pro’s design is inspired by the architectural marvel Casa Milá in Barcelona, featuring an elongated circular camera surround that gives it a distinctive look. The device is available in three colors: Moonlight White, Black, and Ocean Cyan, each offering a unique aesthetic. The back of the phone is made of matte glass, providing a velvety feel that resists fingerprints and adds a touch of elegance.

The phone’s dimensions are 163.3 x 75.2 x 8.2mm, and it weighs 199g, making it comfortable to hold despite its large screen size. The curved edges on both the front and back enhance the grip, while the high-gloss metal frame around the edges adds to the premium feel. The device is also IP65 dust and water-resistant, ensuring durability.

Display: A Feast for the Eyes

The HONOR 200 Pro features a 6.78-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2700 x 1224 pixels, delivering sharp and vibrant visuals. The screen supports a 120Hz refresh rate, which can dynamically adjust between 60Hz and 120Hz depending on the content, ensuring smooth scrolling and gaming experiences. With a peak brightness of 4000 nits, the display remains visible even under direct sunlight.

One of the standout features of the display is its 3840Hz PWM dimming technology, which reduces flicker and eye strain, making it ideal for prolonged use. The display also covers the DCI-P3 color gamut, providing accurate and rich colors, whether you are watching videos, playing games, or browsing photos.

Camera System: Portrait Photography Mastery

The camera system is where the HONOR 200 Pro truly shines. The device is equipped with a triple-camera setup on the back, consisting of a 50MP main camera with a 1/1.3-inch sensor and OIS, a 50MP 2.5x telephoto lens with OIS, and a 12MP ultra-wide lens with macro capabilities. The front houses a 50MP wide-angle selfie camera.

Studio Harcourt Collaboration

HONOR’s collaboration with Studio Harcourt brings a new dimension to portrait photography. The Harcourt Classic and Harcourt Color filters replicate the studio’s signature black-and-white and color portrait styles, adding an artistic touch to your photos. These modes utilize AI to enhance light and shadow, providing a professional-grade portrait photography experience.

Camera Performance

The main camera delivers stunning photos, especially in low light, thanks to its large sensor and wide f/1.9 aperture. The telephoto lens offers excellent zoom capabilities, maintaining image quality up to 5x optical zoom and providing usable results up to 10x digital zoom. The ultra-wide lens, although lower in resolution, captures detailed macro shots and is suitable for wide-angle photography.

The front camera, while impressive in resolution, lacks autofocus, which can be a drawback for selfie enthusiasts. However, it still produces high-quality images, especially in good lighting conditions.

Performance: Power and Efficiency

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, the HONOR 200 Pro delivers top-notch performance. The device comes with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage, ensuring smooth multitasking and ample space for apps, photos, and videos. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 provides a balanced combination of power and efficiency, making the phone suitable for both daily tasks and intensive gaming.

Gaming and Thermal Management

The HONOR 200 Pro’s performance in gaming is bolstered by the GPU Turbo X technology. This enhances graphics rendering and reduces power consumption. Games like “Honor of Kings” and “Genshin Impact” run smoothly at high settings, with minimal frame drops. The device’s advanced cooling system, featuring an ultra-thin wide-area stainless steel vapor chamber, ensures that it remains cool during extended gaming sessions.

Software: MagicOS 8.0

The HONOR 200 Pro runs on MagicOS 8.0, based on Android 14. This customized interface offers a range of features designed to enhance user experience. The Magic Capsule feature, reminiscent of Apple’s Dynamic Island, provides quick access to media controls and other functions. Magic Portal allows for easy sharing and searching of text and images by dragging them to the side of the display.

While MagicOS 8.0 offers many useful features, it can be a significant departure from stock Android. This may require some adjustment for new users. The interface is intuitive and user-friendly, with a focus on customization and convenience.

Battery Life and Charging: Long-lasting and Fast

The HONOR 200 Pro is equipped with a 5200mAh battery that easily lasts through a day of heavy use. The device supports 100W wired charging and 66W wireless charging. This makes it one of the fastest-charging phones in its class. A 30-minute charge can replenish the battery to around 70%, and a full charge takes just under an hour.

The inclusion of 66W wireless charging is particularly noteworthy, as it allows for rapid charging without the need for cables. HONOR’s SuperCharge stand however is sold separately. This maximizes the wireless charging speed, making it a worthwhile investment for users who value convenience.

Connectivity and Additional Features

The HONOR 200 Pro supports 5G connectivity, ensuring fast internet speeds and low latency. It also includes Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and NFC for seamless connectivity with other devices. The device features dual stereo speakers with HONOR Histen spatial audio, providing an immersive sound experience for music and videos.

Price and Availability

The HONOR 200 Pro is priced at £699.99 in the UK. It’s also available in Europe, but not in the US or Australia. Given its feature set, the price is quite competitive. Especially when compared to other flagship devices like the Samsung Galaxy S24 and Google Pixel 8.

Conclusion: A Game-Changer in Portrait Photography

The HONOR 200 Pro is a remarkable device that excels in portrait photography, thanks to its collaboration with Studio Harcourt. Its combination of a stunning design, vibrant display, powerful performance, and fast charging capabilities make it an excellent choice for anyone looking to upgrade their smartphone. While it may not have the longest support window or the most advanced AI features compared to some competitors, its strengths in battery life and portrait photography make it a compelling option.

Whether you are a photography enthusiast or simply in need of a reliable and stylish smartphone, the HONOR 200 Pro is a device that could deliver on all fronts. It stands out in a crowded market, offering a unique blend of features that cater to both everyday users and those with a keen interest in mobile photography.