The Honor 50 Review: Unveiling the New Mid-Range Phone with Impressive Features
The Honor 50 has made its debut as the first globally-launched phone by the Honor company since the release of the Honor 20 in 2019. Previously a sub-brand of Huawei, Honor now operates independently, and the Honor 50 marks its re-entry into the global smartphone market. In this review, we will delve into the key features, design, camera capabilities, performance, software, and battery life of the Honor 50 to determine its overall value and competitiveness in the mid-range phone market.
Design and Display
The design of the Honor 50 bears a striking resemblance to the Huawei Nova 9, which is not surprising considering the past affiliation between Honor and Huawei. The phone measures 160 x 73.8 x 7.8mm and weighs just 175g, making it comfortable to hold. The curved screen adds to the overall aesthetic appeal of the device.
The Honor 50 features a 6.57-inch OLED panel with a FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The display offers vibrant colors and a commendable maximum brightness, enhancing the visual experience while gaming or watching videos. The 120Hz refresh rate contributes to smoother motion, and the software animation complements this high rate. However, the always-on display feature of the Honor 50 can be temperamental and does not consistently function as expected.
Camera Capabilities
The Honor 50 boasts a versatile camera setup, with a 108MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and two 2MP auxiliary cameras for depth sensing and macro photography. The main camera utilizes pixel binning technology to combine nine pixels into one, resulting in impressive low-light performance and bright, detailed photos. The autofocus is quick, and the natural-looking depth effect enhances close-up shots.
While the main camera excels, the performance of the other lenses is less impressive. The ultra-wide lens captures a wide field of view but lacks the same level of color vibrancy and resolution as the main camera. The 2MP auxiliary cameras, both for depth sensing and macro photography, do not add much value to the overall camera capabilities of the Honor 50.
On the front, the Honor 50 features a 32MP selfie camera that produces bold and vibrant selfies, even in low-light conditions. The Portrait mode effectively enhances the depth effect without compromising the natural look of the subject.
Performance and Software
Powered by the Snapdragon 778G chipset, the Honor 50 delivers satisfactory performance for day-to-day tasks. The device offers options for 6GB, 8GB, or 12GB of RAM, and storage options of 128GB or 256GB. While the Snapdragon 778G is a capable mid-range processor, it falls short when compared to the higher-end Snapdragon 800 series.
The Honor 50 runs on Android 11 with Honor's Magic UI overlay. The availability of Google apps, including Maps, Pay, and the Play Store, ensures a familiar and convenient user experience. Magic UI, while visually appealing with its bright and punchy colors, may divide users with its cartoonish appearance. However, the software performs well in optimizing the phone's performance, and the animation complements the 120Hz display.
Battery Life
One of the standout features of the Honor 50 is its impressive battery life. With its 4,300mAh battery capacity, the device easily lasts a full day of moderate to heavy usage. Users can expect a day-and-a-half of battery life, thanks to software optimizations that conserve power. Charging the device is relatively fast, with a 66W charger capable of fully charging the phone in approximately 40 minutes. However, it is worth noting that the Honor 50 does not support wireless charging.
Pricing and Competition
The Honor 50 is competitively priced in the mid-range market, with two variants available: 6GB RAM with 128GB storage, and 8GB RAM with 256GB storage. The pricing starts at £449 (roughly $620, AU$820) for the base model, making it an affordable option for consumers seeking a mid-range phone with decent specifications. However, the market is saturated with similarly priced alternatives that offer more compelling features and competitive advantages, such as the Realme GT and OnePlus Nord 2.
Pros and Cons
To summarize, the Honor 50 offers several positive aspects, including a vibrant display, capable main camera, long-lasting battery life, and snappy performance for day-to-day tasks. However, it falls short in certain areas, such as the inconsistent always-on display feature, underwhelming performance of the auxiliary cameras, and lack of standout features that differentiate it from competitors in the mid-range market.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Honor 50 is a solid mid-range phone that delivers satisfactory performance and features. While it lacks standout qualities that would distinguish it from the competition, the Honor 50 still offers a good user experience with its vibrant display, capable main camera, and long-lasting battery life. However, with numerous alternatives available at a similar price point, consumers may find it challenging to justify choosing the Honor 50 over other more compelling options in the market.
The Honor 50 is a step towards reestablishing Honor as a global player in the smartphone industry, but it remains to be seen if it can truly capture the attention and loyalty of consumers in an increasingly competitive market.
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