Honor has a storied history, but right now it's bouncing back with a collection of impressive mid-range and top-end smartphones, as well as its debut foldable phone.
Honor is most well known for its smartphones, but it also has laptops, earbuds, and a fantastic range of wearables under its umbrella of products. The company chiefly serves its home country of China, but we also see many of its products launch worldwide, albeit sometimes only in selected regions.
Generally, the company puts out affordable devices, with its smartphones serving the mid-range and budget markets, and its wearables offering plenty of features at relatively low prices.
To help you understand Honor, we’ve written this guide on the company, so you can get a flavor of the brand’s story to date, as well as the types of products it launches to market.
A brief history of Honor
Huawei originally created Honor as a sub-brand in 2013, to focus on creating low-cost products – and, in particular, targeted towards a young audience. Through the following year, the brand rolled out globally, setting up its own online stores in Europe in 2015.
Honor started selling fitness trackers in 2016, laptops and smartwatches in 2018, and earbuds and TVs in 2019. The majority of those products are available in most regions, although some, such as TVs, have limited availability.
Everything changed for the company in mid-2019, when the Huawei ban began. This effectively stopped Huawei phones, and Honor ones by extension, from carrying Google apps such as the Play Store, Maps, Gmail and Chrome. Since these are important to the running of a smartphone – especially the former, which permits the download of new apps – Honor and Huawei were hit hard.
It’s difficult to come by exact sales figures to illustrate the extent to which Honor has been affected by the lack of Google apps, but we do know that the brand’s output has significantly decreased. In the UK, for example, since the Huawei ban, Honor has released only four smartphones affected by the changes (this doesn’t include the one handset launched immediately after the ban was put in place, which remained unaffected).
For a year and a half thereafter, Honor continued to launch laptops, wearables and audio devices, but slowed its global release of smartphones, only releasing its top models in China, where Google apps aren’t used.
Then, in late 2020, it was announced that Huawei was to sell Honor to the Shenzhen Zhixin New Information Technology Co, which would likely save it from the effects of the Huawei ban.
Since then we've see it put out its own tech, though lots of its devices do bear more than passing similarities to Huawei equivalents. In 2021, the brand put out some good smartphones and at the beginning of 2022 it unveiled its debut foldable phone, the Honor Magic V .
What phones does Honor make?
Honor’s main smartphone series has a numerical indicator, with the Honor 20 phones launching in 2019 and the Honor 30 range in 2020. These are sometimes joined by Lite and Pro siblings too.
Honor’s second line of smartphones have different names, depending on where you are. In China it’s known as the V series, but worldwide the phones are launched with that V extended into View. So while China saw the launch of the Honor V30, elsewhere it was the Honor View 30. This series is typically used as a way to test out features that eventually make their way to the flagship line, though we haven't actually seen one since the Huawei days..
Another key series in Honor’s lineup of smartphones is the X series, which is a budget range offering generous screen sizes and long-lasting batteries. The last few generations of X phones have featured pop-up cameras as well, and are sometimes available in Pro and Lite variants, too.
Finally, since ditching Huawei, Honor resurrected its Magic line with the Honor Magic 3 premium device and Magic V foldable, and it seems like Honor will use this family more in the future.
Those are Honor’s key lines of note, but the brand also has a fair few other models that often aren’t released as widely, and typically have affordable price tags. There are the -S, -A, -I and -C lines, identified by those letters coming after the generation number. Of those, only the -A line has models currently for sale in the UK.
Honor phone availability information
Honor smartphones are available in most countries around the world, although some are only launched in China, or in certain European countries. Not many Honor phones make their way to Australia; likewise, Honor used to sell smartphones in the US, but hasn’t done for several years now.
Honor’s V-series of smartphones tend to launch in China at the end of a year, followed by a global launch at the beginning of the next year under the View name. That’s followed up in the first few months of the year by the numerical equivalent, so the V20 was launched as the Honor View 20 shortly after, then a few months after that, the Honor 20 series launched.
Most of Honor’s other series receive a new entry each year, with the Honor 9X line coming out in 2019 and the X10 devices in 2020. However, it’s harder to pin-point an exact time in the year this happens, since it varies.
With the company's reinvention in 2021, we've seen it change a few points of its schedule though, so the above points could change over time.
Other tech Honor sells
Honor may have slowed down its smartphone arm following the aforementioned Huawei ban, but the company has instead put greater focus on other products, making great strides in certain areas.
The Honor MagicBook line of laptops, like the MagicBook Pro , are low-cost but fairly powerful devices that look good and come with some useful features.
Honor has two TVs, the Vision and Vision Pro from 2019, although they didn’t get a wide release – and we haven’t seen any newer versions of these models.
The company also puts out affordable earphones, in the form of its FlyPods series (also called the Magic Earbuds in some regions), and home internet routers too.
Perhaps the company’s biggest non-phone output is in wearables, however. The brand has brought a series of feature-packed affordable fitness trackers to the market, called the Honor Band, and a line of fitness-orientated smartwatches too. These wearables are available at low prices but include lots of useful features for fitness fans. For example, the Honor Watch ES offers exercise modes that guide you through particular workout routines, and the Honor Watch GS Pro is a rugged smartwatch with tools that are useful for outdoors types.
Tesla vs the rest: which auto brand makes the EV charging process easiest?
Electric vehicles are getting better in every way with features and functionality that easily match their traditional petrol and diesel counterparts. There are no exhaust emissions to feel guilty about, but pollution from brake and tire wear is still an issue.
Overall though, EVs are cleaner, greener and also less hassle thanks to having fewer moving parts to go wrong.
In many cases there's better performance thanks to the instant supply of torque, which comes with a vehicle that uses electric motors. And the specifications on offer mean you can order an EV tailored to meet your needs, be it a compact, sedan, SUV or truck.
All fine and dandy, right? Well, not quite. EVs need to be charged, and right now doing that is perhaps the biggest issue with owning an electric vehicle. That's why Tesla has stolen a march on the other auto manufacturers simply because early on it developed its own dedicated charging infrastructure.
Tesla owners have the distinct advantage of being able to use its fast and efficient Supercharger network, which is just that: a quick, hassle-free way to charge. Tesla even used to offer free charging but this has since fallen by the wayside, save for some of its older vehicles.
Super charging
Tesla's Supercharger network features a plentiful supply of units, frequently found in obvious and handy locations. It's growing too, with more charging outlets appearing all the time and in many parts of the world.
Adding more muscle to the charging appeal of the Tesla network is its supplementary range of Destination Chargers, which are located at places of interest or at leisure and vacation spots, including many hotels.
That's fine if you own a Tesla, but where does that leave everyone else? Anyone who's enjoyed the thrill of driving an electric car will find the experience is usually tempered by the nagging thought of where you'll charge it when the battery percentage indicator starts dropping down into the low digits.
It's not a nice feeling and this range anxiety is almost tangible, particularly if you're on a road trip and don't have the lowdown on the best chargers to use. That's if you can find one available of course.
Helping hands
Sure, there are apps like PlugShare, ChargeHub, ChargePoint and EVgo that can help guide you to your preferred charger network outlet and choose from Level 1, Level 2 and DC Fast Stations too.
EV Hotels is a neat alternative if you're not a Tesla owner, have an EV and need to find accommodation while charging.
Similarly, most electric vehicles also allow you to pick routes with charging in mind. The sat nav can often be programmed to choose a route that'll take you via the chargers of your choice.
However, the weakness in all this is that you're never quite sure what you'll find when you get there. Tesla's charging infrastructure is much more consistent by comparison.
Sometimes chargers are hidden away in dimly lit parking lots or obscure locations. Occasionally, you'll arrive feeling a sense of relief only to find the charger doesn't exist at all. Or, it might be there, but it's out of order or has been ICE'd (when a non-electric car blocks a charging bay) by someone, either by accident or intention.
The whole thing can be nerve-wracking and stressful. Tesla owners appear to have it easiest in that respect.
Your charging options
So what of the competition? Thankfully, aside from Tesla and its Supercharger network, auto manufacturers are doing their best to make it easier to charge your EV when you're on the go.
This is done using an RFID card or an app, or in some cases just walking up and following the instructions on the charging unit in pay-as-you-go fashion.
No matter which non-Tesla rival you own this mixed bag of options can often result in a fistful of plastic fobs or cards and numerous apps having to be added to your phone if you're looking to use multiple networks.
Money saving
However, while the process of replenishing an EV from one of the rival automakers might be a little more convoluted than the Tesla procedure, there are deals to be had on charging.
Several manufacturers are offering free charging for a set period of time as part of the package if you're buying a new EV.
While deals change all the time, at the time of writing a deal for the nigh-on-$100k Audi E-Tron GT makes a good example of the value it adds if you're buying at the premium end of the market. Right now, you'll get three years of free charging via access to the Electrify America network.
Other manufacturers offer variations on the theme, depending on the model. Hyundai, for example, will give you two years of free charging using Electrify America outlets with a purchase of the Ioniq 5 .
Perhaps unsurprisingly, given it has masterminded the Electrify America network, VW offers a tempting three years worth of free charging on its Ioniq rival, the ID.4.
VW has big plans too, with a target of having over 10,000 chargers available across the US by 2025.
Straightforward solution
Therefore, simplifying the charging process in the same way as Tesla does is certainly showing signs of improvement. Some rival automakers now give EV owners the option of having one card to charge their electric vehicle, which can be used on more than one brand of charging outlet.
Better still, one of the most interesting, not to mention convenient routes prospective EV owners will be interested in is Plug and Charge technology.
This allows a driver to arrive at an EV charging station, connect the charging cable and let the vehicle automatically communicate with the outlet so no cards or apps are needed.
It offers the sort of ease and convenience that Tesla does so well and Europe has a similar system falling into place using the Ionity network. However, while this seems like a great way to simplify the charging situation for EV owners, making it happen across the States in a seamless, joined up fashion is going to be no mean feat.
Cars like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Porsche Taycan might be ready to use this type of charging, but getting all of the back-end systems up and running is very much a work in progress. It's not a universal solution just yet.
Mixed bag
Looking at Tesla's competition then, it's all a bit of a hotchpotch but there is hope.
GM, for example, unveiled its Ultium Charge 360 program in April 2021 with the express intention of making it simpler for EV owners to charge their vehicles.
The scheme is a partnership between 7 networks including Blink Charging, ChargePoint, EV Connect, EVgo, FLO, Greenlots and SemaConnect. It's aimed at both the US and Canada, with a GM-branded app giving you access to almost 60,000 charging outlets.
Meanwhile, the likes of Volvo, Kia and, indeed, any sensible automaker with an EV strategy in place are also working to streamline charging into one centralized app or card, which lessens the hassle factor for drivers.
Being able to access multiple networks without the need for endless apps, accounts and passwords is certainly a step in the right direction.
Nevertheless, it's still easy to see why Tesla continues to lead the field when it comes to quick and easy charging. Things might be improving, but there's no doubt the rest of the auto industry is still playing catch-up.
WWE Royal Rumble live stream: how to watch wrestling online from anywhere
There are three belts on the line at the 2022 WWE Royal Rumble. Hulking man-mountains Brock Lesnar and Bobby Lashley go toe-to-toe, old pals Roman Reigns and Seth "Freakin" Rollins renew acquaintances, and Becky Lynch faces a reckoning from Doudrop. Oh, and there's also the small matter of two 30-body Royal Rumble matches! Read on as we explain how to watch a 2022 Royal Rumble live stream, wherever you are in the world - with Peacock TV the exclusive broadcaster for US viewers !
The road to WrestleMania starts here, and aside from the belts there are two championship shots on the line for The Grandest Stage of Them All.
After humiliating Sami Zayn at SmackDown, Johnny Knoxville is in the mix, and it's a good thing he's got a strong stomach.
Impact's reigning knockouts world champ Mickie James is the special guest in the women's Royal Rumble, which also stars Charlotte Flair, who's hell-bent on becoming the first reigning women's champ to win the tombola. If she does, she'll wade through the bodies and select her WrestleMania opponent.
There are rumors of a show-stealing appearance from the great Ronda Rousey too, and the prospect of "Rowdy" facing up to Flair again has certainly captured fans' attentions. Read on for the full Royal Rumble 2022 card and all you need to know to watch a WWE live stream online from anywhere.
US: How to watch a WWE Royal Rumble live stream
Live stream Royal Rumble from outside your country
You'll be able to watch Royal Rumble from a wide range of countries with WWE Network, but if you don't want to grab a new membership there are plenty more live streams available. We're rounding up all the best places to watch in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, Japan, and India just below.
If there aren't any reliable WWE live streams in your country, or if you're away from home and your plans have been scuppered by geo-blocking, we've got a top tip to make sure you don't miss out as well.
Watch a Royal Rumble live stream from anywhere
How to use a VPN
Using a VPN is as easy as one-two-three...
1. Download and install a VPN - as we say, our top choice is ExpressVPN
2. Connect to the appropriate server location - open the VPN app, hit 'choose location' and select the appropriate location.
3. Go to the broadcaster's stream - head to your home broadcaster's site or app and watch as if you were at home - so that's Peacock for the US.
How to watch Royal Rumble: live stream WWE in Canada
How to watch Royal Rumble: live stream WWE in the UK
Australia: how to watch WWE Royal Rumble live stream
Japan: how to watch WWE Royal Rumble live stream
India: how to watch WWE Royal Rumble live stream
2022 WWE Royal Rumble full card