Honor officially revealed the designs of its new Honor 500 and 500 Pro smartphones on November 13, 2025, with pre-orders immediately commencing in China. The announcement, made via the company's Chinese website and a Beijing live stream event, follows an October teaser campaign emphasizing AI integration in mid-range devices. As of November 13, 2025, pre-order numbers have surged past 500,000 units within the first 24 hours in China. This represents a 30% increase over the Honor 400's pre-order phase, signaling strong market momentum.
Pricing, Availability, and Pre-Order Details
The Honor 500 series offers competitive pricing. The standard Honor 500 starts at ¥2,499 (approximately $350 USD) for 8GB RAM + 256GB storage, with a top 12GB RAM + 512GB variant at ¥2,999 (approximately $420 USD). The Honor 500 Pro begins at ¥3,199 (approximately $450 USD) for 12GB RAM + 256GB, scaling to ¥3,799 (approximately $530 USD) for its 16GB RAM + 1TB configuration.
Chinese pre-order customers receive free wireless earbuds (valued at ¥299) and an extended warranty until November 19, 2025. The full China launch is set for November 20, 2025. Honor has also teased global availability for Q1 2026.
Design and Core Specifications
Both the Honor 500 and 500 Pro feature a design inspired by nature, available in Glacier Blue and Midnight Black. Their slim bezels and matte finish aim for a distinct aesthetic.
Key specifications:
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Display: Honor 500 sports a 6.7-inch 120Hz OLED. The Pro upgrades to a 6.8-inch 144Hz LTPO OLED with 2,500 nits peak brightness.
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Processor: Both are powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset (up to 3.0 GHz). The Pro includes enhanced thermal management with a 20% larger vapor chamber cooling system compared to the Honor 400.
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Battery: A 5,200mAh battery supports 66W wired charging (full charge in 35 minutes). The Pro model adds 50W wireless charging.
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Camera System: A triple-rear setup includes a 50MP main sensor with OIS, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 5MP macro lens. The Honor 500 Pro exclusively adds a 50MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and a variable aperture (f/1.4-2.4). A 32MP front camera is standard.
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Durability and Software: Built with "Dragon Crystal Glass" for scratch resistance and an IP68 rating, both devices run MagicOS 9.0, which incorporates enhanced privacy through on-device AI.
Advanced Features and Initial Market Reaction
The 500 series introduces several advanced features. The AI-driven "Magic Eye" camera system provides auto-scene optimization, boosting low-light shots by 40%. "Honor Connect" facilitates data transfer at up to 8GB/min, and eye-tracking allows for hands-free scrolling. A notable differentiator is satellite connectivity for emergency SOS in remote areas. The design also incorporates 30% recycled materials.
Honor CEO George Zhao stated on November 12, 2025, that the series "redefines mid-range innovation with AI... bringing premium features to more users." Qualcomm confirmed on November 13, 2025, that the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 delivers "35% better AI performance" in the series.
Initial community sentiment, observed on Reddit and XDA Forums on November 13, 2025, highlights value-for-money and battery life. Expert reviews from Android Authority, TechRadar, and Gizmochina praised the distinct design and the Pro model's telephoto lens. Honor aims for 10 million units sold globally in 2026. In Q3 2025, Honor held 18.5% of China's smartphone market, an increase attributed to its AI-focused devices.