Honor 400 Lite Review: South Africa’s Best Budget Smartphone of 2025?
If you’re on the hunt for a smartphone that offers premium features without the premium price tag, you’ve just stumbled upon gold. Introducing South Africa’s best-selling budget smartphone of 2025—the Honor 400 Lite.
This feature-packed device brings flagship-level AI technology to the mid-range market, and after spending 10 days with it, TechSceneZA is here to give you a hands-on review of everything you need to know.
What’s New in the Honor 400 Lite?
Released in May 2025, the Honor 400 Lite makes waves with one quirky but interesting addition—a dedicated AI camera button, a first for Android smartphones. While the idea might seem gimmicky at first, after testing it out, we can honestly say it’s a useful shortcut for content creators and photography lovers alike.
Specs
| Display | 6.7” AMOLED | 120Hz | 3,500 nits | 100% DCI-P3 1080*2412 |
| Body & Build | Slim161mm (L) x 74.55mm (W) x 7.29mm (D) 7.29mm | Lightweight 171g | IP65 Wet-hand Touch | SGS Drop Certified |
| Weight | 171g |
| OS | MagicOS 9.0 (Android 15) |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 7025-Ultra |
| Storage | 256GB |
| Memory | 8GB or 12GB RAM + HONOR RAM Turbo |
| Network | 5G Dual SIM |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 5, BT 5.3, USB-C |
| Battery | 5230mAh | 35W SuperCharge |
| Camera | 108MP Main 5MP Ultra-Wide/Depth 16MP Selfie w/ Selfie Light |
| Bonus Features | AI Eraser AI Outpainting AI Motion Sensing Magic Portal Magic Capsule Google Gemini overlay |
Pricing & Availability in South Africa
You can expect the Honor 400 Lite to retail between R8,000 and R9,000, depending on where you shop. On contract, it starts from around R360/month and can go up to R500/month, available through major networks like MTN and Vodacom.
Available Colors:
- Mars Green
- Velvet Black
Who Should Buy the Honor 400 Lite?
This phone is perfect for:
- Content Creators
- Students
- Young Professionals
- Social Media Enthusiasts
If you’re looking for a smartphone that combines smart AI tools, strong camera performance, and premium build quality—without draining your wallet—the Honor 400 Lite is a top pick in 2025.
Honor 400 Lite Pros
Bright & Smooth AMOLED 120Hz Display
High-Quality 108MP Main Camera
Google Gemini AI Integration
Long Battery Life + Fast Charging
Excellent for Multitasking
Dedicated AI Camera Button
Honor 400 Lite Cons
No wireless charging (but honestly, for this price, that’s forgivable)
Final Thoughts: Is the AI Button Just a Gimmick?
Let’s be honest. At first, the AI camera button seemed like a gimmick—especially when you can program similar shortcuts on other devices. But once you start using it, especially for spontaneous content creation, it becomes surprisingly handy.
Plus, with features like Magic Portal, AI Eraser, and Gemini overlay, Honor is clearly leaning into practical, everyday AI that works. It’s not just tech for tech’s sake—it’s AI with purpose.