Lifestyle and Tech had the opportunity to use the HONOR 200 Lite for a few weeks, putting it through its paces in real-world scenarios. As a writer constantly on the move, attending events, and needing to capture moments on the fly, I found the HONOR 200 to be a capable companion.
The HONOR 200 boasts a sleek design, measuring just 6.78 mm in depth and weighing approximately 166g. Its 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2412 x 1080 pixels provided vibrant colours and sharp text, making it easy to review photos and draft articles on the go.
The HONOR 200’s camera system truly shines in various scenarios, making it an invaluable tool for a writer always on the move. The triple rear camera setup is versatile and powerful, featuring a 108MP main camera, a 5MP wide & depth camera, and a 2MP macro camera.
During a tech conference, the main 108MP camera captured stunningly detailed shots of new product displays. The high resolution allowed me to zoom in on specific details later without losing quality, which was incredibly useful when writing up my articles. The camera supports an image resolution of up to 12000 x 9000 pixels, ensuring that even the tiniest details are preserved.
The wide-angle lens came into its own when photographing crowded conference halls and expansive booth setups, allowing me to capture the scale and atmosphere of the events. Meanwhile, the depth sensor helped create professional-looking portraits with a pleasing bokeh effect, perfect for snapping quick headshots of interviewees.
The 2MP macro lens, while not as high-resolution as the main camera, still proved useful for extreme close-ups of gadgets, revealing intricate design details that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Low-light performance was impressive, thanks to the night mode. At after-hours networking events in dimly lit bars, I was able to capture clear, atmospheric shots without excessive noise or blur. This feature was a lifesaver when trying to document the more social aspects of professional events.
The camera app offers a wide array of shooting modes, including Photo, Video, Portrait, Night, Aperture, Multi-Video, PRO, Slow-Mo, Panorama, HDR, Time-Lapse, Watermark, Super Macro, HIGH-RES, Story, and even a Document Scan feature. This last one proved particularly useful for quickly digitizing business cards and handwritten notes.
On the front, the 50MP selfie camera (f/2.1) is equally impressive. It captures sharp, detailed self-portraits and is more than capable for video calls with editors or remote interviews. The front camera supports an image resolution of up to 8192 x 6144 pixels, ensuring high-quality selfies and vlogs.
Both front and rear cameras support up to 1080p video recording. While this might disappoint those looking for 4K capabilities, the Full HD videos were crisp and smooth, perfect for quick event recaps or impromptu interviews.
The camera system also includes some nifty features like smile capture, gesture control, and mirror reflection for the front camera, making it easier to get the perfect shot in various situations.
One minor drawback is the digital zoom, which maxes out at 10x. While this is sufficient for most scenarios, there were times when a bit more reach would have been beneficial, especially when trying to capture details from a distance at larger events.
Battery life was another standout feature. The 4500 mAh battery easily lasted through long days of coverage. During a day-long outdoor music festival, I was able to take photos, post updates on social media, and even use the phone as a mobile hotspot for my laptop without running out of juice. The 35W HONOR SuperCharge support meant I could quickly top up the battery during short breaks.
The MediaTek Dimensity 6080 processor, coupled with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, handled most tasks smoothly. Whether I was rushing between interview locations or trying to quickly jot down notes during an impromptu meeting, the HONOR 200 never felt cumbersome.
Connectivity was solid, with support for 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.1, ensuring I stayed connected even in crowded venues. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor provided quick and secure access to the device.
Running on MagicOS 8.0, the phone offered useful features like multi-window support and app cloning, which came in handy for managing multiple social media accounts during events.
However, the device isn’t without its drawbacks. The user interface, while generally smooth, occasionally stuttered when switching between multiple apps – a common scenario when juggling research, note-taking, and photo editing on the fly. Additionally, while the camera system is versatile, it’s limited to 1080p video recording, which may disappoint those looking for 4K capabilities.
Overall, the HONOR 200 proves to be a solid mid-range option for professionals who need reliable performance and strong camera capabilities without breaking the bank. Its strengths in battery life, portability, and photography make it particularly well-suited for writers and journalists who are always on the move.