HONOR 200: UNBOXING AND FIRST IMPRESSIONS

My partner Ed, who writes the “Technivore” column for Business Mirror, has always been captivated by Portrait Mode. Since using an Honor 6 Plus back in 2015, he would rave about its capabilities and consistently use it to photograph various subjects. Although I would occasionally try this mode when taking his picture, I never quite grasped its appeal.

That changed when HONOR offered me the opportunity to review the HONOR 200, which they tout for its AIPortrait feature. My excitement grew when I read the accompanying feature story, which claimed, "Take Studio-level AI Portraits Worth P120K with the NEW Studio Harcourt feature of HONOR 200."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lou Sv (@lemongreenteaph)

 

A smartphone capable of producing photos valued at P120K? I was intrigued!

 

I quickly researched Studio Harcourt and discovered its prestigious reputation. In France, being photographed at the renowned studio is a rite of passage for actors, cementing their status in the industry.

 

When it comes to innovation and design, the HONOR number series has consistently set high standards in the smartphone market. If you know the 8x series for being tough, this series has been quite popular for its cameras. The HONOR 200 is no exception, promising to deliver cutting-edge features and premium performance that continue this legacy. 

 

Today, we unbox the Honor 200 and share our first impressions. What’s in the Box?

The smartphone comes in a pristine white box with the HONOR 200 branding in the middle embossed in gold letters. As we lift the lid on the sleek, minimalist packaging, the first thing that catches the eye is the device itself, nestled securely in its protective casing. The box's contents are neatly arranged, showcasing the brand’s attention to detail and commitment to providing a premium unboxing experience.

 

Inside the box, you’ll find:

·       The Honor 200 smartphone

·       A clear protective case

·       A pre-applied screen protector

·       A 100W fast charger

·       A USB-C to USB-C charging cable

·       A SIM ejector tool

·       Quick start guide and warranty card

 

One of the things I like about smartphone brands here in the Philippines is that everything you need is included in the box.

 

Design

The Honor 200 impresses immediately with its solid build quality and elegant design which Honor calls “intelligent aesthetics.” The design is inspired by the Natural coastline design and is available in three colors Moonlight White, Emerald Green and Black. The phone’s sleek back, though a bit slippery, adds a touch of luxury, while the curved edges ensure a comfortable grip. The symmetrical rear camera module on the other had is said to be reminiscent of Casa Milà's patio windows, that merges geometric outlines with naturalism. The review unit I have came in Black, and while I am not usually a fan, I really like its elegance and something that can go with any of my OOTDs.

Display

One of the standout features of the Honor 200 is its 6.78-inch FHD+ OLED display. With a resolution of 2664 x 1200 pixels and a pixel density of approximately 436 ppi, the screen delivers sharp and vibrant visuals. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and fluid animations, enhancing the overall user experience. Additionally, the peak brightness of 4000 nits makes it easy to view the display even under direct sunlight, and HDR support enriches the viewing experience with richer colors and better contrast.

 

Performance

Under the hood, the Honor 200 is powered by the 2.63GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 octa-core processor, paired with an Adreno 720 GPU. With 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage, the device promises seamless multitasking and ample space for all your apps, media, and more. In our daily use the Honor 200 impressed me as I was able to switch between apps quickly without any noticeable lag with almost the same smooth performance as my iPhone.

 

Camera System

I brought the Honor 200 to our quick trip in Cebu and I was wowed by the photos I took of the beach and portrait shots. The Honor 200 is equipped with a 50MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 50MP telephoto camera, which I feel is one of the best combinations for a smartphone. The front camera also boasts an impressive 50MP sensor, ensuring high-quality selfies and video calls.

 

Like I mentioned in the beginning, perhaps the most exciting aspect of the Honor 200 is its collaboration with Studio Harcourt, a prestigious photography studio known for its iconic black-and-white portraits of celebrities and public figures. This partnership brings Studio Harcourt's expertise in lighting and composition to the smartphone's AI-enhanced portrait modes. Users can now capture professional-grade portraits with ease, making every shot look like it was taken in a high-end studio. The AI features include sophisticated lighting adjustments and detailed facial recognition, ensuring that every photo has the signature Harcourt touch. Now I’m not much of a photographer, but I was able to get some photos that even surprised me. Check out the sample photos below.

 

Battery and Charging

Battery life is always a critical factor, and the Honor 200 doesn’t disappoint with an even bigger the normal 5200mAh battery. The included 100W fast charger promises rapid charging speeds, with the capability to go from 0 to 50% in just 15 minutes. Again during our three day Cebu trip, I only needed to charge it once and it recharged faster than the time I had breakfast.

 

INITIAL THOUGHTS: To say that I was impressed, with the Honor 200, would be an understatement. I knew the Honor 200 would be good, but I never expected to have a lot of fun using it—and styling my OOTDs with it.! It has a premium design, vibrant display, and I dare say flagship level camera system. The collaboration with Studio Harcourt also gives you different effects for Portraits and if you love taking photos of people, playing with the different filters will be an enjoyable challenge.

 

Stay tuned for our in-depth review as we delve deeper into the performance, AI capabilities, camera quality, and overall user experience,  but for now, I’d definitely add the HONOR 200 to your cart.

Get your hands on the AI Portrait Master! HONOR 200 and HONOR 200 Pro are now available in-store nationwide priced at Php 24,999 and Php 29,999 respectively. Drop by any HONOR Experience and Partner Stores, or online via Lazada

https://bit.ly/Laz_H200Series_PR,

Shopee https://bit.ly/Shop_H200Series_PR,

and Tiktok Shop https://bit.ly/TikTok_H200_PR.  

 

For more affordable offers, the HONOR 200 is also available at Home Credit for as low as Php 1,619/month. Inquire now via:https://bit.ly/HONORPH_HomeCredit. 

 

 

To know more about HONOR 200, head on to: https://bit.ly/Web_H200_PR.

 

 For more exciting announcements, check out HONOR Philippines’ social media platforms: Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok Shop: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines). To check out HONOR’s complete list of retail

 stores, go to https://www.hihonor.com/ph/retailers/.