Tech expert Art Samaniego shares his experience lining up early to pre-order the HONOR 400 5G in SM City Sta. Rosa. Is the hype real or just a gimmick?
HONOR Philippines has officially set a new benchmark in mobile technology with the release of its most anticipated device yet, the HONOR 400 5G. With long queues, viral videos, celebrity endorsements, and luxury giveaways like Rolex and Hermès, many began to question: was all this excitement just a marketing ploy? To find out, we spoke to a credible tech voice—Art Samaniego, IT Head at Manila Bulletin and co-founder of ScamWatch Pilipinas, who experienced the launch firsthand.
Samaniego, known for his deep understanding of emerging technologies, was among the first to secure the HONOR 400 5G during its pre-order period. “I first saw the device during media launches and activities,” he shared. “When I finally saw it up close, I knew it was something special. I wanted to test it in real life because I believed in what I saw.” He placed his pre-order on June 18 at SM City Sta. Rosa, recognizing the value the smartphone offered for its price point.
He recalled the buzz during the official first-day sale on June 28, saying, “I arrived at around 10 to 10:30 AM, thinking the store just opened. I told my wife we’d be done in 30 minutes. But when we got to the HONOR store, it was already packed. There were bollards set up and people everywhere.” Surprised by the overwhelming crowd, Samaniego began counting the early birds. “I counted around 80 people initially and took a photo. A few minutes later, even more people arrived. Eventually, the staff had to remove the barriers because of the crowd.” He was then informed he was already 90th in line, despite arriving just 30 minutes after the mall opened.
The overwhelming turnout wasn't lost on HONOR Philippines. “One thing is for sure, it’s not a gimmick,” affirmed Stephen Cheng, HONOR Philippines Vice President. “We were just as surprised by the massive crowd on launch day. We’re beyond grateful for the support and promise to continue delivering the best to our Filipino HONOR fans.”
Now officially available nationwide, the HONOR 400 5G comes in three stunning colors: Midnight Black, Tidal Blue, and Desert Gold. Priced at Php 22,999 for the 24GB + 512GB variant, the phone is available for purchase in all HONOR Experience and Partner Stores, as well as online via Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop.
Consumers can also enjoy flexible financing through Home Credit, starting at just ₱979/month for 18 months. For postpaid users, the HONOR 400 5G is offered via Globe’s GPlan 1799, which includes 13GB data, unlimited all-net calls and texts, and exclusive bonuses for a Php 2,300 cashout.
To explore more about the HONOR 400 5G, visit the official HONOR website or check their social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. For a complete list of HONOR retail stores nationwide, head over to: https://www.hihonor.com/ph/retailers.