HONOR has announced two new smartphones, the HONOR 500 and HONOR 500 Pro, bringing upgraded cameras, new chipsets, and large batteries. Both models share similar visual design but differ in performance and camera setups. The series has now launched in China.
Why it Matters: The HONOR 500 series follows the growing trend of large batteries with fast charging. The phones also bring high-resolution cameras and new Snapdragon chipsets, which could place them against other upper midrange phones if released in more markets.
The HONOR 500 and HONOR 500 Pro feature a 6.55-inch AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution and a 120 Hz refresh rate. The Pro variant can reach up to 600 nits brightness and supports 3840 Hz PWM dimming. Four color choices are available: Aquamarine, Starlight Pink, Moonlight Silver, and Obsidian Black. The HONOR 500 uses a two-ring rear camera layout, while the Pro has a wider camera bar. The design is very reminiscent of the Google Pixel series, and subsequently, the recently-launched Apple iPhone Air.
For performance, the HONOR 500 runs on the Snapdragon 8s Gen chipset with an Adreno 825 GPU. The HONOR 500 Pro uses the more powerful Snapdragon 8 Ultra. Both phones run MagicOS 10 based on Android 16, with built-in AI features such as the YOYO assistant and interactive themes. The Pro model also includes an AI button that activates functions when long-pressed.
Camera setups differ between the two models. The HONOR 500 carries a 200 MP main lens and a 12 MP ultrawide camera. The front camera is a 50 MP shooter, and the device has a CIPA 4.5 rating. The HONOR 500 Pro features a larger combination: 200 MP main camera, 50 MP telephoto lens, and a 12 MP ultrawide. The front also uses a 50 MP camera. The Pro includes stabilization rated at CIPA 5.0 for action shots and low-light use.
Both models include an 8,000 mAh battery. The HONOR 500 supports 80 W wired charging, 50 W wireless charging, and reverse charging. The HONOR 500 Pro also supports 80 W wired and 50 W wireless charging. HONOR lists endurance of up to six years for the Pro model.
Other features include Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, NFC, and IP69/IP69K water and dust protection, along with gravity, gyroscope, infrared, compass, proximity, ambient light, and accelerometer sensors.
Below are the Chinese prices with estimated Philippine conversion based on current exchange rates:
HONOR 500:
- 12 GB + 256 GB: 2,699 yuan – around PHP 22,000
- 12 GB + 512 GB: 2,999 yuan – around PHP 24,300
- 16 GB + 512 GB: 3,299 yuan – around PHP 26,700
HONOR 500 Pro:
- 12 GB + 256 GB: 3,599 yuan – around PHP 29,200
- 12 GB + 512 GB: 3,899 yuan – around PHP 31,700
- 16 GB + 512 GB: 4,199 yuan – around PHP 34,100
- 16 GB + 1 TB: 4,799 yuan – around PHP 39,000
This has been one of the most interesting developments in HONOR’s number series, yet there is no confirmation yet on global or Philippine availability. HONOR has not made announcements beyond the Chinese market, but the specs show potential if brought to more regions.
Would you consider either of these if they launch locally?
(HONOR China 1, 2; via Huawei Central 1, 2)
