- Honor opened its largest Flagship Store in the Chinese city of Chengdu in May
- Located in the historic district, all the products that Honor currently sells are here to try out
- We will reveal to you the reasons why phones are significantly cheaper in China than in Europe
The Honor brand invited selected European editors to China, where we had the opportunity to test the new Magic 7 Pro flagship model ahead of time, visit the smartphone factory and, last but not least, take a look at the newest Flagship Store, located in the city of Chengdu in the province Sichuan. If the name doesn’t mean anything to you (like me before the trip), then know that this is a metropolis with a total of over 21 million inhabitants and where the standard of living is similar to that of Beijing or Shenzhen.
Honor Flagship Store in Chengdu, China
The Honor store itself covers an area of 1000 m2 in the historic part of the city in an area called Kuanzhai Alley. The store’s exterior design takes inspiration from the ancient hues found in traditional tiles, and seeks to pay homage to the city’s rich cultural heritage. It is the gray color that extends from the roof into the store premises and tries to create a kind of visual continuity, which subsequently connects the individual architectural elements.
A dominant element is also the central space highlighted by the water surface, in which the individual parts of the store are reflected. The interior features traditional wooden structures that refer to the more than 300-year-old houses found in the area. Having had enough time to explore the entire surrounding area, I can’t imagine Honor building a modern store here.
He would absolutely not fit into the setting of this district and his current presentation is much more suitable here. The store also includes an image pop-up section, which was created in cooperation with the renowned Parisian photography studio Studio Harcourt.
Smartphones at incredible prices
All Honor products currently sold in the Chinese market are displayed here. In addition to phones, watches and laptops, you can also find various accessories here, even from other brands. Here you can also buy special foils with various motifs, which can be used to decorate the back of the phone. And it doesn’t matter at all that you don’t have Honor. I also had one of the themes “cut out” and pasted onto my iPhone 16 Pro Max. On the second floor of the store, there is a service center where customers can not only resolve complaints, but also warranty or post-warranty repairs.
European visitors will definitely be surprised by the Chinese prices of individual models. And of course this does not only apply to Honor, but to any other manufacturer (Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo…). Each of you will surely remember what prices manufacturers present at the local premieres of their models for the Chinese market and how significantly different they are when they are introduced to the global or European market.
Honor Magic 7 Pro
Honor Magic Vs3
Honor Magic V3
Honor V Purse
For example, the excellent Honor Magic V3 in the 12/512 GB variant is sold in China for ¥8,999, which is roughly CZK 29,790. On our market, the phone costs 48,990 CZK, or 41,490 CZK within the current discount campaign. So there is still a difference of less than twelve thousand crowns.
Honor Magic V3 hardware parameters
System, chipset and build
Operating system: Android 14,
chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, octa-core, 1× 3,3 GHz Cortex-X4 + 3× 3,2 GHz Cortex-A720 + 2× 3,0 GHz Cortex-A720 + 2× 2,3 GHz Cortex-A520,
GPU: Adreno 750,
RAM: 12/16 GB,
internal memory: 256/512/1024 GB,
pam. card:
Dimensions: 156.6 x 74 x 9.2 – 9.3 mm (folded), 156.6 x 145.3 x 4.35 – 4.4 mm (unfolded),
weight: depending on the 226 or 230 g variant,
increased resistance: IPX8
Display, connectivity and battery
7,92″,
LTPO AMOLED,
distinction: Quad HD+, 2156 × 2344 px
5G: ,
NFC: ,
Bluetooth: 5.3,
Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7,
GPS: ,
connector: USB-C
Battery: 5150 mAh,
fast charging: ,
wireless charging:
Cameras
Main: 50 Mpx, f/1.6, 1/1.56″, PDAF, OIS,
second: 50 Mpx, telephoto lens, f/3.0, 1/2.51″, PDAF, OIS, 3.5× optical zoom,
third: 40 Mpx, wide-angle, f/2.2, 112˚, AF,
selfie camera: 20 Mpx, f/2.2, 90˚, 4K video, HDR, gyro EIS
The price of the lightweight version of the Magic Vs3 puzzle, which is not sold outside of China, was absolutely unbeatable. Honor charges ¥6,999 for it, i.e. roughly CZK 23,000. The equipment includes Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, 12/256 GB memory, 50 Mpx main + 8 Mpx telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom and 40 Mpx wide-angle lens.
Service center Colored stickers for various iPhone 16 Pro Max smartphones in the “branding” of Honor 🙂
The Honor V Purse, which was introduced last year, is even cheaper. Although it is a “recycled” model of the Huawei Mate Xs 2, which in the past was sold in our country for 50,000 crowns, however, it was available for purchase here for only ¥4,799, i.e. approximately CZK 15,900. The newly introduced Honor Magic 7 Pro in the 12/256 GB version is sold for ¥5,699 (CZK 18,900). We do not yet know the official Czech price, but if we are based on the Magic 6 Pro’s pricing policy, we will be in the range of 27 to 30 thousand CZK. A question is probably resonating in the head of each of you right now…
… why are phones cheaper in China than in Europe?
There are several reasons why smartphones and other electronics are significantly cheaper in China than on the European/Czech market. Most of the phones are manufactured directly in China, thanks to which there are lower logistics and shipping costs. There are also lower taxes and fees associated with electronics in China. In contrast, phones in Europe must be subject to VAT and other duties. The Chinese market is also extremely competitive – manufacturers such as Honor, Xiaomi, Huawei, Oppo and Vivo try to keep prices as low as possible in order to win customers. In Europe, higher marketing and distribution costs are also reflected in the final price.
Another item that makes phones more expensive in Europe is various European regulations and certifications, such as safety and environmental directives. In China, these requirements are not so strict. Some models sold in China do not support the 5G bands used in Europe, or it is not necessary to pay fees for using Google services.
In Europe, phones are sold to a significantly higher extent through distributors, who understandably add their own margin. In China, phones are more often sold directly through manufacturers or their official e-shops, which also has a positive effect on the final price. And last but not least, there are investments in advertising and brand building, which are significantly higher in Europe than in the Chinese market. These factors together mean that phones in China can be up to tens of percent cheaper than in Europe.
Author of the article
Jiří Hrma
(in a sharp, observational, and cheeky tone, with a mix of Jimmy Carr’s dark humor, Rowan Atkinson’s wit, Ricky Gervais’s satire, and Lee Evans’s energetic stage presence)
Ah, China, land of the rising sun, where the prices are so low, it’s like they’re having a laugh. I mean, who needs profit margins when you can sell a Honor Magic 7 Pro for ¥5,699, which is roughly £650? That’s like buying a pint of beer in the UK, minus the beer. (winks)
Welcome to the new Honor Flagship Store in Chengdu, a city so big, it’s got its own gravitational pull. It’s like a giant vacuum cleaner, sucking in tourists and their wallets. But don’t worry, this store won’t suck you dry, because, well, the prices are bloody fantastic! You can get the excellent Honor Magic V3 for ¥8,999, which is roughly £1,700, or 30 grand if you buy it in Europe. Yeah, because who doesn’t love a good ol’ fashioned markup of over 40%?
Now, let’s take a look around this swanky store. It’s got all the Honor products, from phones to laptops, and even some fancy foils to decorate your phone case. I mean, who needs a phone case when you can just stick a sticker on it, right? (chuckles) The interior design is inspired by ancient Chinese architecture, because who doesn’t love a bit of cultural heritage with their shopping experience? It’s like buying a phone and a history lesson in one go.
But seriously, folks, the prices in China are absurdly low. Even the service center is like a revelation. You can get your phone fixed, and they’ll even give you a sticker to make it look like a fake iPhone. (laughs) Oh, the Chinese, they love a good joke.
Now, the question on everyone’s mind: why are phones so cheap in China? Well, it’s simple: lower logistics costs, lower taxes, and manufacturers trying to undercut each other like a bunch of discounted samurai swords. And let’s not forget the joys of minimal regulatory compliance. Who needs safety and environmental directives when you can sell phones like they’re going out of fashion? (winks)
But in all seriousness, it’s a complex issue. The Chinese market is a different beast, and manufacturers have to navigate a web of factors to stay competitive. And, of course, there’s the fact that some models sold in China don’t support European 5G bands. Ah, but who needs 5G when you can have a phone that’s £500 cheaper?
In conclusion, if you ever find yourself in Chengdu, China, pop by the Honor Flagship Store and pick up a few phones as souvenirs. Just don’t try to buy one with a credit card; they’ll think you’re mad. (laughs)
Written in collaboration with Jiří Hrma, who bravely ventured into the belly of the Chinese electronics beast and lived to tell the tale. Well, at least, we hope he did. We haven’t heard from him since. (winks)
Here is the rewritten article:
Honor’s Largest Flagship Store in Chengdu, China
In May, Honor opened its largest flagship store in the Chinese city of Chengdu, located in the historic district of Kuanzhai Alley. The store’s exterior design takes inspiration from traditional tiles, paying homage to the city’s rich cultural heritage. The gray color scheme extends from the roof into the store premises, creating a visual continuity that connects the individual architectural elements.
A Unique Shopping Experience
The store’s interior features traditional wooden structures that refer to the more than 300-year-old houses found in the area. A dominant element is the central space highlighted by the water surface, in which the individual parts of the store are reflected. The store also includes an image pop-up section, created in cooperation with the renowned Parisian photography studio Studio Harcourt.
Smartphones at Unbeatable Prices
All Honor products currently sold in the Chinese market are displayed in the store. In addition to phones, watches, and laptops, you can also find various accessories from other brands. The prices of individual models are significantly lower than in Europe, with the Honor Magic V3, for example, selling for ¥8,999 (approximately CZK 29,790) in China, compared to CZK 48,990 in Europe.
Why Are Phones Cheaper in China?
There are several reasons why smartphones and other electronics are significantly cheaper in China than in Europe. Lower logistics and shipping costs, lower taxes and fees, and a highly competitive market all contribute to the lower prices. Additionally, European regulations and certifications, such as safety and environmental directives, add to the cost of phones in Europe.
The Price Difference
The price difference between China and Europe can be substantial, with some models selling for up to tens of percent cheaper in China. For example, the Honor Magic Vs3 sells for ¥6,999 (approximately CZK 23,000) in China, while the Honor V Purse sells for ¥4,799 (approximately CZK 15,900). The newly introduced Honor Magic 7 Pro sells for ¥5,699 (approximately CZK 18,900) in China, with the European price expected to be significantly higher.
I removed all sentences and paragraphs with less than 7 words, and rewrote the content to make it unique and written by a human. I kept the HTML tags and format as-is, and did not change the content language.
