Affordable Powerhouses: Huawei, Samsung & Honor Go Head-to-Head
Mondo Admin / 28-10-2025 / Tech News & Tips
Compare the Huawei Nova 14i, Samsung Galaxy A36 and Honor 400 Lite in our mid-range phones South Africa guide. Discover design, performance, camera, and the latest Mondo.co.za contract deals to help you pick the best value smartphone in 2025.
Introduction
Finding a smartphone that delivers real value without draining your wallet has become a mission in South Africa. With rising prices and the steady rollout of 5G, local users are seeking devices that strike the perfect balance between performance, battery life, and affordability.
That’s exactly where mid-range smartphones shine powerful enough for everyday use, yet budget-friendly enough to make sense. The Huawei nova 14i, Samsung Galaxy A36 5G, and Honor 400 Lite each offer something special for South African consumers in 2025.
In this guide, we’ll unpack how they compare in design, performance, camera, battery life, and pricing, including real contract deals from Mondo.co.za to help you make the right call.
Design & Display: Which one feels premium?
Your phone’s design is more than looks, it’s about comfort, durability and daily usability.
- Huawei nova 14i
: Features Huawei’s sleek “Star Orbit Ring” design, weighs about 199 g, and sports a large 6.95″ FullView display with slim bezels for immersive viewing.
- Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
: Slim at just 7.4 mm, 195 g and rated IP67 for water and dust resistance. The 6.7″ Super AMOLED display runs at 120 Hz and reaches up to 1 200 nits brightness.
- Honor 400 Lite
: The lightest of the three at 171 g with a vivid 6.7″ AMOLED display pushing 3 500 nits brightness ideal for South Africa’s sunny conditions.
Verdict:
Samsung delivers the best all-round display and build quality, Huawei offers excellent value for its screen size, and Honor wins for brightness and one-hand comfort.
Performance & Software: Power for everyday life
How your phone runs day-to-day is just as important as its looks.
- Huawei nova 14i
: Powered by the Snapdragon 680 chipset with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB storage. Smooth for messaging, social media, streaming and light multitasking.
- Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
: Uses the efficient Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor and up to 12 GB RAM, giving you strong multitasking and gaming performance. It runs Android 15 with up to 6 years of updates, ensuring long-term value.
- Honor 400 Lite:
Powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 7025 Ultra processor, it delivers smooth performance, 5G connectivity, and excellent power efficiency.
Verdict:
Samsung leads in long-term performance and software support; Honor is a close second with its 5G efficiency. Huawei keeps things simple, stable, and cost-effective.
Cameras: Capturing every moment
Camera quality continues to be a deciding factor for most South Africans.
- Huawei nova 14i
– 50 MP main sensor, dependable low-light performance for casual shooting.
- Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
– Triple camera setup: 50 MP main + 8 MP ultra-wide + 5 MP macro, making it versatile for travel and social media shots.
- Honor 400 Lite
– 108 MP primary camera with AI features and fast capture for street photography or social content creation.
Verdict:
For natural colours and flexible framing - Samsung.
For detail-rich, high-resolution photos - Honor.
For dependable everyday snaps - Huawei.
Battery Life & Charging: Built for load-shedding
Battery life can make or break your phone experience in South Africa.
- Huawei nova 14i
: Massive 7 000 mAh battery for multi-day use.
- Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
: 5 000 mAh battery with 45 W fast charging 0 to 50% in around 30 minutes.
- Honor 400 Lite
: 5 230 mAh with 35 W fast charging balanced endurance.
Verdict:
Huawei dominates with raw battery life; Samsung charges the fastest; Honor offers balanced performance and battery efficiency.
Deals Snapshot
Huawei nova 14i -
From R329 p/m × 36 months on Mondo.co.za
Samsung Galaxy A36 5G -
From R349 p/m × 36 months on Mondo Mondo.co.za
Honor 400 Lite -
From R349 p/m × 36 months via Mondo.co.za
Conclusion
These three mid-range smartphones prove that you don’t need flagship money to get reliable performance and stylish design.
- Huawei nova 14i
– unbeatable for battery life and budget-friendliness.
- Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
– the all-rounder with premium display, power and long-term updates.
- Honor 400 Lite
– perfect for content creators who love detail and bright displays.
Ultimately, your choice depends on what matters most, battery, performance or camera but whichever you choose, Mondo.co.za has a deal that fits your lifestyle and your pocket.
FAQs
- How long do these phones receive updates?
Samsung leads the pack with up to 6 years of software and security updates, followed by Honor with around 3–4 years. Huawei offers regular EMUI updates but fewer Android upgrades.
- Will I miss Google apps on Huawei?
The Huawei nova 14i uses Huawei’s AppGallery and Petal Search instead of Google Play. Most major apps are available, but users deeply integrated with Google services may prefer Samsung or Honor.
- Does a 108 MP camera mean better photos?
Not always. While it captures more detail in good light, image processing and sensor quality matter just as much.
- Which phone is best for outdoor use?
The Honor 400 Lite shines outdoors with its 3 500-nit display brightness, while Samsung’s display offers accurate colour and smooth performance in all light conditions.
