HONOR 600: Design and workmanship
Does HONOR really need this? This question almost automatically arises when looking at the HONOR 600. So blatantly copying Apple seems rather audacious. I would have expected more originality from HONOR in their design. At the same time, it's hard to deny that the overall look is coherent and it works well in everyday use.
The vibrant orange adds just the right touch of character that the device might otherwise lack. It's eye-catching without looking cheap, and makes you not want to immediately hide the smartphone in a case. I haven't had this feeling since the Google Pixel 4 in orange a few years ago. If such a bold color isn't for you, the HONOR 600 is also available in much more subdued options like black or gold-white.
With a case thickness of just 7,8 mm, the HONOR 600 remains pleasantly slim and doesn't appear bulky despite its angular shape. Combined with the 6,57-inch display, this results in a compact form factor that fits comfortably in the hand while still offering ample space for media and apps. The HONOR 400 was similar in this respect, but the 600 feels even more harmoniously balanced overall.
In direct comparison to the HONOR 400, it's also noticeable that HONOR has improved its choice of materials. This is mainly due to the metal frame, which makes the device feel significantly more premium and robust than the plastic frame of its predecessor. The workmanship is excellent, nothing creaks, the transitions are clean, and the buttons have a crisp, tactile feel.
New is the additional AI button on the side. As with many other manufacturers, the button isn't fully customizable, but limited to a few functions. These include the camera, various AI features, and Google Lens. However, you can define what should happen with a short press, double press, or long press, allowing you to create a small selection of quick access options. If you don't find this useful, you also have the option to disable the button completely.
HONOR has also improved its robustness. Instead of simple splash protection like the HONOR 400, the HONOR 600 offers comprehensive IP68 and IP69 certification. This means the device is not only better protected against dust and water, but also more durable overall for everyday use, whether at the beach, in the rain, or by the pool.
HONOR 600: Display
As with the HONOR 400, HONOR uses a flat AMOLED panel and continues to forgo curved edges, meaning that accidental inputs at the edge are practically non-existent.
At 6,57 inches, the display is slightly larger than that of the HONOR 400, but remains easily manageable. The very narrow display bezels are much more noticeable; they are uniform all around and give the device a modern, almost borderless look.
The resolution is 2728 x 1264 pixels, ensuring a sharp display. Content appears clear, text is crisp, and even upon close inspection, no distracting pixelation is visible. The panel renders colors vividly without oversaturating them. Compared to the HONOR 400, the color rendition is slightly more vibrant, yet remains pleasantly natural.
The brightness is typical of modern smartphones. While the extreme values advertised by HONOR aren't consistently reached in everyday use, well over 1.500 nits are possible in automatic mode. This means the display remains easily readable even in direct sunlight. Indoors, the panel dims sufficiently to prevent unpleasant glare in dark environments. The automatic brightness control works reliably, though it occasionally reacts somewhat hesitantly.
With a 120Hz refresh rate, everything runs smoothly. Scrolling, swiping, and animations feel consistently fluid. The display operates in fixed steps, switching between 60, 90, and 120Hz depending on the application. This is rarely noticeable in normal use, but it does mean that not every app runs at a constant 120Hz. Overall, however, there's no significant difference compared to the HONOR 400.
The display also performs well in terms of media playback. HDR content is supported, and streaming services like Netflix deliver high-resolution content via Widevine L1.
For eye comfort, HONOR continues to rely on a PWM dimming frequency of 3840 Hz. This reduces visible flicker at low brightness levels and is particularly noticeable when reading in the evening. This is complemented by features such as a blue light filter and an e-book mode.
One minor criticism remains regarding the implementation of the always-on display. Despite its name, it isn't permanently active; it must first be activated by tapping or movement. This feels somewhat half-baked, especially since the panel itself would easily meet the requirements for a true always-on display.
HONOR 600: Performance
The HONOR 600 features the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, the direct successor to the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 found in the HONOR 400. As expected, the performance increase is moderate, but the performance is perfectly adequate.
Apps launch quickly, the system responds reliably, and there are hardly any delays when switching between multiple applications. With 8 or 12 GB of RAM, there's enough headroom for multitasking, and compared to the HONOR 400, the system feels slightly smoother. However, as mentioned, you shouldn't expect major differences.
Mobile games present the typical picture of the upper-middle class. Titles like Call of Duty Mobile or PUBG run smoothly as long as the graphics settings aren't too high. More demanding games like Genshin Impact are playable, but require reduced detail settings for stable frame rates. Ambitious gamers will inevitably reach the limits sooner or later.
The heat management is a positive aspect. Even under load, the device remains controlled and does not become uncomfortably hot. As a result, the performance remains relatively stable over longer periods without significant drop-off.
HONOR 600: Software
The HONOR 600 runs on MagicOS 10 based on Android 16. This means it is up-to-date in terms of software and closely follows what HONOR has already introduced in its high-end devices.
The user interface continues to rely on a blend of classic Android and clear iOS influences. Transparency effects, smooth transitions, and the familiar "Magic Capsule" for notifications are clearly reminiscent of Apple's approach, but blend seamlessly into the overall design. Users coming from another Android device will need a short adjustment period, but will quickly find their way around.
The update commitment is a positive point. HONOR promises six years of system and security updates, up to Android 22. That's decent for a device in this class.
HONOR places a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence in its features. Many functions aren't new, but they have been further developed and better integrated into the system. One example is Magic Portal, a kind of context-sensitive clipboard. Content can be captured with a gesture and directly shared with relevant apps. This works surprisingly well in everyday use, for example, when sharing images, addresses, or text.
Features like Magic Text, which recognizes text from images, AI subtitles, and live translations are also included. These are particularly useful features for foreign language content or in noisy environments. The app is complemented by smaller tools such as deepfake detection in video calls and an AI-powered reminder function that automatically sorts content.
The gallery app plays a central role, as it bundles many of the AI functions. Besides familiar features like removing objects or adjusting images, the image-to-video function is also back. In the current version, multiple images can be combined and processed into short 3-8 second clips using text input. While technically impressive, this remains more of a creative extra than a regularly used feature. Furthermore, an internet connection is required, and its use is likely to become a paid service in the long run. The aforementioned AI button directly accesses many of these functions.
Not everything runs perfectly. During testing, some minor inconsistencies in the system became apparent, such as with notifications or certain processes. This isn't dramatic, but it does show that MagicOS isn't quite on par with the cleanest Android interfaces yet.
HONOR 600: Camera
The main camera uses a 200 MP sensor with an f/1.9 aperture and optical image stabilization, supported by a 12 MP ultrawide camera. A telephoto camera is still missing and reserved for the HONOR 600 Pro.
main camera
In everyday use, the main camera proves reliable. In daylight, it produces sharp, detailed photos with vibrant colors and solid dynamic range. The calibration is typical of HONOR, meaning it's geared towards ready-to-use results. Contrasts appear slightly stronger without being overly exaggerated. In most situations, the camera simply delivers.
However, not everything is perfect. In very bright scenes, the camera occasionally tends to slightly overexpose areas or capture lens flares if the sun is at an unfavorable angle. This isn't always noticeable, but can become apparent depending on the subject.
The biggest limitation becomes apparent when zooming. A 2x zoom works surprisingly well thanks to the high sensor resolution, delivering usable results with decent sharpness. Beyond that, however, the quality quickly deteriorates. Details are lost, and the software intervenes more aggressively. HONOR attempts to compensate for this with AI-assisted post-processing, which works better in some cases than others. However, this cannot replace a true telephoto camera.
The main camera performs well in night shots. The sensor captures enough light from the scene without overexposing it. Colors generally remain stable, and image noise is kept to a minimum. The night mode can bring out additional detail, but it requires some time and a steady hand.
Ultra wide angle camera
The ultrawide camera is solid, but clearly the weaker of the two. It's sufficient for landscapes or group photos, but exhibits typical weaknesses such as softer details at the edges and an overall lower light sensitivity. It's fine in good lighting conditions, but its limitations become apparent quickly in low light.
Front camera and video
The 50 MP selfie camera is among the best in its class. It delivers sharp photos with good exposure and natural skin tones. Video recording is also impressive, as both the front and main cameras support 4K. The videos appear stable, the autofocus works reliably, and the quality is easily sufficient for social media and clips.
HONOR 600: Connectivity
In terms of mobile connectivity, the device supports 5G on both SIM slots. HONOR uses a combination of dual nano-SIM and eSIM, which offers flexible everyday use. In testing, the connection remained stable, whether on the 5G network in the city or using LTE as a fallback in rural areas. Call quality is also generally good, although occasional minor software glitches can occur, such as when answering calls from the lock screen.
The Wi-Fi is Wi-Fi 6. While not the latest technology, it's perfectly adequate for everyday use. Data rates are high enough for streaming, downloads, and cloud backups, and the stability of the home network is also good.
Bluetooth 5.4 ensures stable connections to headphones, smartwatches, and other devices. Common audio codecs such as SBC and AAC, as well as higher-quality standards like aptX and LDAC, are supported.
For navigation, the HONOR 600 relies on common satellite systems such as GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, and BeiDou. Location tracking is reliable, and the position remains stable even in densely populated areas.
NFC is also on board and works flawlessly for contactless payments or quickly pairing compatible devices.
The audio experience is mixed. The smartphone has stereo speakers that are loud enough for videos or podcasts. However, the sound lacks depth and punch, especially with music.
The in-display fingerprint sensor works quickly and reliably. Additionally, facial recognition is available, which works well in good lighting conditions but reaches its limits in the dark.
HONOR 600: Battery
While the HONOR 400 had to make do with a 5.300 mAh battery, the new model boasts a 6.400 mAh battery. With moderate use, two days of battery life are easily achievable, and even more with a bit more restraint. Even with intensive use involving a lot of screen time, streaming, and social media, you can generally get through a full day without constantly having to check the battery level. Compared to the HONOR 400, this is a further improvement, even though the old model was already quite capable.
Charging is done via cable at up to 80 watts. HONOR no longer includes a suitable fast-charging adapter, which is now common practice. With a compatible power adapter, you can reach about 50 percent charge in approximately 20 to 25 minutes; a full charge takes about an hour.
The HONOR 600 does not support wireless charging. Reverse wireless charging is also missing; only wired reverse charging is supported.
