HONOR 400 Lite vs TCL 4042 S

Our Verdict: The HONOR 400 Lite supports 5G while the TCL 4042 S tops out at 4G, and there's more battery in the 400 Lite, 5230mAh to 1500mAh, though real-world battery life depends on more than capacity. The 400 Lite has the stronger screen, bigger at 6.7" against 2.8" and sharper at 394 PPI, and the 4042 S is the lighter phone at 111g against 171g. Only pay up for the 400 Lite if you'll use what it offers; if not, the 4042 S makes more sense.

Over a full contract, the 4042 S works out around £188 all-in, about £234 less than the 400 Lite.

Screen
6.7" 2.8"
Display
AMOLED QVGA
Resolution
1080 x 2412 240 x 320
Pixels Per Inch
394 143
Rear Camera
108 Megapixels N/A
Front Camera
16 Megapixels N/A
Chipset
Mediatek Dimensity 7025 Ultra (6 nm) UMS9117-L (T107)
Battery
5,230 mAh 1,500 mAh
Storage
256GB
OS
Android Mocor (RTOS)
SIM Type
Nano SIM + Nano SIM Nano SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 4G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac -
Bluetooth
5.3 with A2DP, LE 5.0
Dimensions
161 x 74.6 x 7.3 mm 137.48 x 57.5 x 13.65 mm
Weight
171 grams 111 grams
Water Resistance
IP64 dust tight and water resistant (water splashes) Not rated
Contracts
£34.97/mo (£0.00 upfront) £7.50/mo (£0.00 upfront)
SIM-free
- -

Prices updated 11 July 2026

HONOR 400 Lite HONOR 400 Lite TCL 4042 S TCL 4042 S
Screen 6.7" 2.8"
Display AMOLED QVGA
Resolution 1080 x 2412 240 x 320
Pixels Per Inch 394 143
Rear Camera 108 Megapixels N/A
Front Camera 16 Megapixels N/A
Chipset Mediatek Dimensity 7025 Ultra (6 nm) UMS9117-L (T107)
Battery 5,230 mAh 1,500 mAh
Storage 256GB
OS Android Mocor (RTOS)
SIM Type Nano SIM + Nano SIM Nano SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 4G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac -
Bluetooth 5.3 with A2DP, LE 5.0
Dimensions 161 x 74.6 x 7.3 mm 137.48 x 57.5 x 13.65 mm
Weight 171 grams 111 grams
Water Resistance IP64 dust tight and water resistant (water splashes) Not rated
Contracts £34.97/mo
£0.00 upfront
£7.50/mo
£0.00 upfront
SIM-free - -
Prices updated 11 July 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

HONOR 400 Lite
HONOR 400 Lite

12 Months

256GB

Velvet Black

3GB

Data

£34.97 per month, with FREE phone.

TCL 4042 S
TCL 4042 S

24 Months

128MB

Dark Night Grey

0.5GB

Data

£7.50 per month, with FREE phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the HONOR 400 Lite or TCL 4042 S cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the TCL 4042 S is cheaper on contract at £188.16 over the life of the deal from £7.50 per month with £0.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the HONOR 400 Lite or TCL 4042 S?

The HONOR 400 Lite has the bigger screen at 6.7" compared to the TCL 4042 S's 2.8", the HONOR 400 Lite has the sharper display at 394 pixels per inch versus 143, and the HONOR 400 Lite uses a AMOLED panel while the TCL 4042 S has a QVGA.

Which has the better camera, the HONOR 400 Lite or TCL 4042 S?

The HONOR 400 Lite features a 108 Megapixels rear camera, while the TCL 4042 S has a N/A rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

What processors do the HONOR 400 Lite and TCL 4042 S use?

The HONOR 400 Lite is powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 7025 Ultra (6 nm), while the TCL 4042 S uses the UMS9117-L (T107).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the HONOR 400 Lite or TCL 4042 S?

The TCL 4042 S is the more portable of the two: it's 60g lighter at 111 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 137.48 x 57.5 x 13.65 mm, the HONOR 400 Lite is slimmer at 7.3mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the HONOR 400 Lite or TCL 4042 S?

The HONOR 400 Lite is rated IP64 dust tight and water resistant (water splashes), while the TCL 4042 S is rated Not rated.

What operating system do the HONOR 400 Lite and TCL 4042 S run?

The HONOR 400 Lite runs Android and the TCL 4042 S runs Mocor (RTOS). This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.