After the release of the Honor 400 lite and the tough-as-nails X9c earlier this year, it’s now time for the big boys. The Chinese manufacturer has officially launched its new AI-focused smartphones, the Honor 400 and Honor 400 Pro, in South Africa.

The unveiling at Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit highlighted the brand’s commitment to advanced imaging and creative tools, aiming to bring flagship-level features to a wider market.

The launch event saw creators, developers and the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, among the first to experience the devices. This reflects the increasing convergence of artificial intelligence, mobile technology and digital policy. Honor currently holds the second spot in South Africa’s smartphone market share, with an ambitious target of reaching number one by 2028.

New AI features

A standout feature of this release is the global debut of Google Cloud’s Veo 2-powered Image-to-Video tool, integrated directly into the phones. This innovative tool allows users to transform still photos into cinematic video clips in seconds, bringing old memories to life. Imagine turning a cherished photograph of your grandmother from the 1970s into a moving image.

The Honor 400 series also introduces an industry-first 50x telephoto zoom via the main camera, utilising AI to sharpen distant details without the need for bulky external lenses.

Other notable AI-powered tools include:

• AI Erase Passers-by: This feature automatically identifies and removes pedestrians from photos, ensuring a clean shot of your intended subject.
• AI Deepfake Detection: A first for this tier of smartphone, this technology can detect whether a participant in a video call is using deepfake technology, addressing growing concerns around digital manipulation.

Beyond its AI prowess, both phones boast a vibrant 6.7-inch OLED display with 5000 nits peak brightness and a robust 6000 mAh silicon-carbon battery, alongside a substantial 12 GB RAM and 512 GB storage capacity.

Pricing and availability

The Honor 400 is available from R12 999 and the Honor 400 Pro from R17 999. Both models are stocked at major mobile networks including Vodacom, MTN, Telkom and Cell C.