HONOR honor

The best Honor smartphones of 2021

Honor phones offer a lot for the price - and with the launch of the Honor 50 and 50 Lite, you can finally buy Honor phones with the full Google program.

Honor has made a name for itself over the years as Huawei's cheaper, youth-oriented division, but now that it's been sold by Chinese giant Honor, it needs to break out as an independent company.

This brings both challenges — building its own R&D, manufacturing and distribution channels — and benefits, as Honor is finally freed from US trade restrictions that have hampered Huawei's ability to make phones and can now ship Honor devices globally. Google software.

The result is that the phones on this chart are a mixed bag. The Honor 50 is the only model we've reviewed that comes with Google support, so it almost automatically takes the top spot on our chart. The cheaper Honor 50 Lite will also be available soon and we hope to review it, while the company has also promised a global launch of the flagship Honor Magic 3.

The other phones in this chart were released during the ban, and so while the hardware is still relatively new, they won't let you use Google apps or access the Google Play Store, limiting you to apps available from the Huawei App Gallery or downloaded. as .apk files using Huawei's Petal Search tool (unless you're brave enough to sideload Google).

These are still good phones, but with major limitations, so make sure you know what you're getting into.

The best Honor models of 2021

Honor 50 - the best Honor phone

The Honor 50 is the company's first phone to receive a global launch since going standalone and also the first to be backed by Google. As a result, it's really the only Honor phone we've tested that we'd recommend most people consider.

The design and display are the biggest selling points here - the Honor 50 looks and feels great, being both thin (7.8mm) and light (175g). The curved 120Hz OLED display is also one of the best you'll find on any phone at this price point.

The 108-megapixel rear camera is pretty strong, but the other rear lenses leave a bit to be desired. The selfie camera is still good, and at 32MP, it's one of the highest-resolution front-facing cameras out there.

The Honor 50 Lite is also getting a global launch, but we haven't been able to review that model yet.

Honor 30 Pro+ - the best without Google

The Honor 30 Pro+ boasts phenomenal hardware at a very competitive price. It has a great set of cameras up front, but also has the chops to deliver great gaming performance and has a big, beautiful display (provided you can live with the dual pinholes).

The elephant in the room is that this is one of the Honor phones that lacks Google Mobile Services.

Bear in mind that you'll need to import this device to get your hands on it, and for most, despite its many strengths, the 30 Pro+ becomes another top phone that you probably shouldn't buy.

Honor 9X Pro - the best budget without Google

The Honor 9X Pro includes many of the great aspects of the Honor 9X - the versatile camera and full-screen view - while improving the design and processor.

However, not all changes are positive. It was the first Honor phone without full Google features, and that created additional software challenges and frustrations.

On top of that, you still get a high-end look and feel, plus excellent battery life that lasts nearly two days of real use.

Honor 9A - the best battery

The best thing about the Honor 9A is undoubtedly its battery life - getting a 5000 mAh battery at such a low price is a real plus. The striking exterior design is also quite attractive.

The budget price means that the camera is no slouch, and this is another Honor phone that lacks Google Mobile Services.

If you're looking for a basic phone for your day-to-day tasks and don't mind Google integration, then the Honor 9A is still worth considering.

About HONOR

Founded in 2013, Honor is a leading global provider of smart devices.
We are committed to becoming a global technology brand
and enabling smart life in all scenarios and across all channels, for all people.
With a strategic focus on innovation, quality and service,
Honor is dedicated to developing technology that empowers people around the world
to go beyond through its R&D capabilities and forward-thinking technologies,
Also creating a new intelligent world for everyone with its innovative product portfolio.

Innovation, quality and service

HONOR has pioneered many industry-first technologies and has excellent R&D capabilities
Support the development of a complete portfolio of smartphones and other smart devices.
All Honor smartphones are subject to strict quality control and must pass
400 product tests and more than 20 global certification standards* before launch.
Honor owns 3000+ service centers and 9 regional call centers that provide premium
and efficient customer service in over 100 markets.

11000+
employees

55%+
R&D personnel

6
R&D centers

100+
Innovative laboratories

8500+
Global patent applications

100+
markets

200+
Operators and channel partners

3000+
Service centers

9
Regional call centers

The company announces the global launch of the HONOR Magic 4 series at MWC 2022
Honor has unveiled its latest flagship smartphone HONOR Magic4 Series at Mobile World Congress 2022.

Honor (stylized and marketed as Honor) is a smartphone brand majority owned by a state-owned enterprise controlled by the Shenzhen Municipal Government. It was previously owned by Huawei Technologies. As part of former owner Huawei Consumer Business Group's dual brand strategy, Honor offers smartphone phones aimed at younger consumers, but has also launched tablet computers and wearable technology.

Since 2016, George Zhao has served as Global President of Honor. In November 2020, Honor acquired Shenzhen Zhixin New Information Technology Co., Ltd.

History and business model

Founded in 2013, the Honor smartphone line has allowed Huawei to compete with mid-range online smartphone brands in China and globally. Honor sells its products primarily online, both through its own sites and through third-party online retailers. Some Honor products are available in stores in select markets.[7][8]

In November 2020, the Honor brand was sold to Shenzhen Zhixin New Information Technology, a majority state-owned company controlled by the Shenzhen Municipal Government, to "ensure" the survival of its then parent company, Huawei, due to US sanctions against them. 9][2] US sanctions have restricted US firms from selling hardware components to Huawei.[10]

Timeline for international expansion

Honor began its international expansion in April 2014, launching the Honor 3C in Malaysia, followed by the Honor 6 in Europe in October. By June 2015, the brand had expanded to 74 countries, including Europe, India and Japan.

Honor launched the Honor 7 in July 2015, and in October of the same year, announced its goal of increasing revenue to $5 billion (double the previous year) by focusing on India.

In 2015, Honor's Vmall online store, previously only available in China, was launched in Europe and the United Kingdom, allowing direct purchases from the manufacturer.

In late 2015, Honor confirmed plans to bring its smartphone range and wearable technology to the US.

Honor made its US debut with the launch of the Huawei Honor 5X at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January 2016. Initially only available for online purchase, the Huawei Honor 5X later became available in select brick and mortar stores.

growth

In August 2016, Recode reported that Honor had sold more than 60 million products, generating more than $8.4 billion in revenue.

At CES in January 2017, Honor announced that the Honor 6X, previously only available in China, would expand to thirteen new markets, including the United States.] The phone earned "Best of CES 2017" recognition from several technology publications, including Android Authority, Digital Trends , Slash Gear and Talk Android.

On February 24, 2020, Honor launched the View 30 Pro and 9X Pro globally. HONOR View 30 Pro is the international rebrand of Honor V30 Pro, which was launched in China last year.[citation needed]

On January 21, 2021, Honor launched its first non-Huawei phone, the V40, following a major setback to Honor device production due to the forced removal of Google's Android mobile operating system and the lack of support from Huawei's R&D department.