Honor 500 Series Launches in China with Snapdragon Chips and Massive 8,000mAh Batteries
Honor has officially unveiled its new 500 series smartphones in the Chinese market, marking a significant upgrade over the previous 400 models with premium specifications and a redesigned aesthetic that draws clear inspiration from contemporary smartphone trends.
Design and Build Quality
The Honor 500 and 500 Pro feature a notable design overhaul with aluminum frames and glass backs, measuring 7.8mm in thickness and weighing 198g and 201g respectively. The most striking visual element is the camera visor on the rear, which bears resemblance to modern iPhone designs. Both devices maintain top-tier durability with full IP68 and IP69K ingress protection ratings, ensuring resistance to dust and water.
Display and Performance
Both models in the series sport 6.55-inch LTPO OLED displays with 1,264 x 2,736px resolution and 120Hz refresh rates. The screens boast impressive 6,000 nits peak local brightness and incorporate in-display fingerprint scanners. The performance differentiation comes from the chipset selection - the Honor 500 Pro utilizes the flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, while the standard Honor 500 employs the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip. Memory configurations range up to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage on the Pro model.
Camera System
The camera setup represents a significant upgrade, with both variants featuring a 200MP main sensor (1/1.4") paired with 12MP ultrawide lenses. The Pro model gains additional photographic capabilities with a dedicated 50MP telephoto camera offering 3x optical zoom. Front-facing cameras on both devices are 50MP sensors for high-resolution selfies and video calls.
Battery and Charging
One of the standout features across the series is the massive 8,000mAh silicon-carbon (Si-C) battery, which promises extended usage times. Both phones support 80W wired charging and 27W reverse wired charging capabilities. The Pro model further enhances the charging experience with 50W wireless charging support. The devices run MagicOS 10 based on Android 16 out of the box.
Pricing and Availability
The Honor 500 series is available in four color options: Aquamarine, Starlight Powder (pink), Moonlight Silver, and Obsidian Black. Pricing starts at CNY 2,699 ($380) for the base Honor 500 with 12GB/256GB configuration, while the Pro model begins at CNY 3,599 ($506) for the same memory configuration. Both phones are currently available for pre-order with first shipments expected to begin on November 27.
Conclusion
The Honor 500 series represents a comprehensive upgrade that positions the brand competitively in the mid-to-high-end smartphone segment. With powerful Snapdragon processors, exceptional battery capacity, and advanced camera systems, these devices offer compelling specifications for Chinese consumers. The combination of premium build quality, extensive protection ratings, and modern design elements suggests Honor is targeting users seeking both performance and durability in their smartphone choices.