In a bold move to capture the high-performance gaming segment, Honor has officially launched two new smartphones in China: the Honor Win and the more affordable Honor Win RT. Announced on December 26, 2025, these devices are engineered from the ground up for gamers, packing extreme specifications like a colossal 10,000mAh battery, a blistering 185Hz refresh rate display, and an integrated active cooling system. This launch signals Honor's serious intent to compete in the premium gaming phone arena, challenging established players with a combination of raw power and marathon-level endurance.
A Display Built for Speed and Smoothness
Both the Honor Win and Win RT are centered around a massive, flat 6.83-inch OLED display that pushes the boundaries of mobile gaming visuals. With a 1.5K resolution (2800 x 1272 pixels), the screen offers sharp detail, but its real claim to fame is the 185Hz maximum refresh rate. This spec surpasses the 165Hz rate found on recent flagships like the OnePlus 15, promising an exceptionally fluid and responsive experience in fast-paced games where every millisecond counts. To complement this, the display features a 480Hz touch sampling rate for ultra-low latency input. Furthermore, Honor has incorporated a 5,920Hz high-frequency PWM dimming technology, a feature aimed at significantly reducing eye strain during those inevitable long gaming sessions, making it a considerate addition for dedicated users.
Performance Tiered for Different Budgets
Under the hood, the two models diverge to cater to different performance and price points. The flagship Honor Win is equipped with the latest and greatest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 system-on-chip, paired with the powerful Adreno 830 GPU. This combination is designed to handle the most demanding mobile games and applications expected in 2026. Its sibling, the Honor Win RT, utilizes the previous-generation Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. While a step behind the absolute cutting edge, this processor remains a top-tier performer capable of running all current games at high settings. Both phones are configured with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X Ultra RAM and 1TB of UFS 4.1 storage, ensuring swift multitasking and ample space for a vast game library.
Key Specifications Comparison: Honor Win vs. Honor Win RT
| Feature | Honor Win | Honor Win RT |
|---|---|---|
| SoC | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| Display | 6.83" Flat OLED, 1.5K (2800x1272), 185Hz, 5920Hz PWM | 6.83" Flat OLED, 1.5K (2800x1272), 185Hz, 5920Hz PWM |
| RAM/Storage | Up to 16GB LPDDR5X / 1TB UFS 4.1 | Up to 16GB LPDDR5X / 1TB UFS 4.1 |
| Rear Camera | Triple: 50MP Main (OIS) + 50MP Tele (3x) + 12MP Ultra-wide | Dual: 50MP Main (OIS) + 12MP Ultra-wide |
| Front Camera | 50MP | 50MP |
| Battery & Charging | 10,000mAh, 100W wired, 80W wireless | 10,000mAh, 100W wired |
| Cooling | Active cooling fan (25,000 RPM) | Active cooling fan (25,000 RPM) |
| Starting Price | CNY 3,999 (~$570) | CNY 2,699 (~$385) |
| Colors | Black, White, Blue | Black, Silver, Blue |
The Game-Changing 10,000mAh Battery and Active Cooling
Perhaps the most headline-grabbing feature of the new Win series is the enormous 10,000mAh silicon-carbon battery. This capacity is virtually unheard of in mainstream smartphones and promises to deliver gaming endurance that could last through an entire day, or even multiple days, of heavy use. Supporting this beast is 100W wired fast charging, which should replenish the massive cell in a relatively short time. The Honor Win model also adds 80W wireless charging for added convenience. To manage the heat generated by sustained peak performance, both phones integrate an innovative active cooling fan directly into the rear camera module. This fan can spin at up to 25,000 RPM, actively drawing heat away from the core components to prevent thermal throttling and maintain consistent frame rates during marathon gaming sessions.
Camera Systems and Overall Build
While gaming is the primary focus, Honor hasn't completely neglected the cameras. The Honor Win features a triple-camera array on the back, led by a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), accompanied by a 50MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and a 12MP ultra-wide shooter. The Win RT simplifies this setup to a dual-camera system, omitting the telephoto lens. Both models sport a 50MP front-facing camera for high-resolution selfies and video calls. The phones boast a premium build with an 8.3mm thick profile, a metal frame, and a glass-fiber back, achieving an IP68/IP69/IP69K rating for dust and water resistance—a rare and robust level of protection for any device, let alone a gaming phone.
Price List for Honor Win Series (China Launch)
Honor Win
- 12GB + 256GB: CNY 3,999 (approx. $570)
- 12GB + 512GB: CNY 4,499 (approx. $640)
- 16GB + 512GB: CNY 4,799 (approx. $680)
- 16GB + 1TB: CNY 5,299 (approx. $755)
Honor Win RT
- 12GB + 256GB: CNY 2,699 (approx. $385)
- 16GB + 256GB: CNY 2,999 (approx. $425)
- 12GB + 512GB: CNY 3,099 (approx. $440)
- 16GB + 512GB: CNY 3,399 (approx. $485)
- 16GB + 1TB: CNY 3,999 (approx. $570)
Pricing, Availability, and Final Thoughts
The Honor Win series is now available for purchase in China. The flagship Honor Win starts at CNY 3,999 (approx. $570) for the 12GB/256GB model, scaling up to CNY 5,299 (approx. $755) for the top-tier 16GB/1TB variant. The more accessible Honor Win RT begins at a competitive CNY 2,699 (approx. $385) for the 12GB/256GB configuration. Both are offered in Black, White (or Silver), and Blue color options. As of now, global availability has not been confirmed. With the Win and Win RT, Honor has crafted a compelling proposition for mobile gamers, blending extreme battery life, a high-refresh-rate display, and potent cooling into sleek designs. They represent a significant new challenger in a niche but demanding market.