The Honor 500 series has officially launched in China, showcasing a significant design transformation inspired by popular trends, particularly reminiscent of the iPhone Air. This new lineup includes the Honor 500 and the Honor 500 Pro, both featuring striking aesthetics with a distinctive camera visor on the back, aluminum frames, and glass backs. While they may not match the iPhone Air in terms of weight and thickness, at 7.8mm and weighing 198g for the Honor 500 and 201g for the Honor 500 Pro, they hold their own with impressive features.
Both models are equipped with advanced display technology, sporting 6.55-inch LTPO OLED screens with a resolution of 1,264 x 2,736 pixels and a high refresh rate of 120Hz. Additionally, their maximum brightness of 6,000 nits ensures visibility even in bright sunlight. Users will also appreciate the in-display fingerprint scanners and high-resolution 50MP selfie cameras that enhance the photography experience.
Diving into performance specifications, the Honor 500 Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, featuring configurations of up to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage. Meanwhile, the standard Honor 500 uses the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor. Both models share a robust camera setup, including a remarkable 200MP main camera with a 1/1.4” sensor and a 12MP ultrawide lens. The Pro variant also offers a 50MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom, making it an excellent choice for photography enthusiasts.
One of the standout features of the Honor 500 series is the substantial battery capacity of 8,000mAh, equipped with 80W wired charging. The Pro model adds an extra layer of convenience with 50W wireless charging capability, while both models support 27W reverse wired charging, allowing users to charge other devices.
Furthermore, the devices run on MagicOS 10, which is based on Android 16, promising a smooth user experience. Available colors for the Honor 500 series include Aquamarine, Starlight Powder, Moonlight Silver, and Obsidian Black. Pre-orders for both models are currently open, with shipments expected to commence on November 27. Pricing for the Honor 500 starts at CNY 2,699 ($380) and goes up to CNY 3,299 ($646) for the high-end configuration, while the Honor 500 Pro starts at CNY 3,599 ($506) and reaches CNY 4,799 ($675).
In conclusion, the Honor 500 series represents a noteworthy advancement in smartphone technology, combining impressive performance, innovative design, and advanced camera capabilities. With pre-orders already underway and a variety of configurations available, these smartphones are poised to attract attention from a broad audience.