While most of the spotlight around Honor right now is firmly pointed at its upcoming 2026 Magic flagship, something arguably more interesting is happening quietly in the background. The company is preparing a new entry-level smartphone, likely called Honor 600 Lite, and early certification documents suggest it could become one of the most affordable phones on the market with full eSIM support.

That alone makes this device worth paying attention to.

The Honor 600 Lite has recently appeared in multiple international certification databases, confirming not just its existence, but also some surprisingly advanced connectivity features for a budget phone. Even more telling, these listings often show up only weeks or months before a commercial launch.

A familiar pattern: China first, global later

According to certification data, the device is currently being tested under the model number LNA-NX1. In China, it may debut under a different name, most likely X80i, following Honor’s usual regional naming strategy. If history is any indication, a Chinese launch would be followed by a broader international rollout shortly after.

This testing phase strongly suggests the phone is past the concept stage and already deep into pre-launch validation. Brands rarely push devices through global certification bodies unless commercial release is imminent.

What GCF certification really tells us

One of the key confirmations comes from the Global Certification Forum (GCF), a body responsible for validating whether mobile devices can reliably operate across global networks and standards.

The GCF listing reveals that the Honor 600 Lite supports 5G connectivity, including both Standalone and Non-Standalone modes. That matters, because many budget phones still rely on partial 5G implementations or region-locked network features.

The certification also references MMS video support using the H.264 format under 3GPP Release 12 standards. While this might sound niche, it confirms modern network compliance and hints at better multimedia interoperability across carriers.

In short, this is not a “checkbox 5G” device. It appears built to function properly across multiple markets without compromises.

eSIM and dual SIM, finally, without a premium tax

The most notable detail, however, is eSIM support. Certification documents confirm that the Honor 600 Lite will offer dual SIM functionality, combining one physical SIM slot with one embedded eSIM.

Until recently, eSIM was mostly reserved for flagships and upper-midrange phones. Apple pushed it hard, Samsung followed, and Google normalized it in the Pixel lineup. Budget phones, especially below the €300 mark, have been late to the party.

If Honor prices this phone aggressively, it could become one of the cheapest globally available smartphones to support eSIM alongside a physical SIM. For travelers, digital nomads, and frequent cross-border users, that is a meaningful shift.

It also aligns neatly with broader industry trends. Operators are actively pushing eSIM adoption to reduce logistics costs, while travel eSIM providers are expanding coverage faster than ever. Hardware is finally starting to catch up.

EMVCo adds another important layer

The second major confirmation comes from EMVCo, the global authority responsible for secure and interoperable payment technologies.

The EMVCo certification confirms NFC support for contactless payments, including both Type A and Type B communication protocols. This means compatibility with major mobile payment ecosystems, transport cards, and retail terminals worldwide.

Again, this is not a given in the budget segment. Plenty of low-cost Android phones still skip NFC entirely or limit it to specific regions. Honor clearly wants this phone to function as a fully capable daily driver, not a stripped-down secondary device.

What Honor is not saying yet

Despite the growing list of certifications, Honor itself has remained silent. There are no official specifications, no pricing hints, and no confirmed launch dates for either China or global markets.

That silence is normal at this stage, but it also suggests Honor is still fine-tuning market positioning. Pricing will be critical. If the Honor 600 Lite lands too close to midrange models, it risks being overshadowed. If it comes in aggressively, it could seriously disrupt the entry-level Android space.

Why this phone matters more than it seems

Budget smartphones have become surprisingly stagnant. Incremental camera bumps, marginally faster chips, and marketing-heavy “AI features” dominate announcements. Connectivity innovation, especially eSIM, has mostly skipped this tier.

That is starting to change.

Samsung has introduced limited eSIM support in select Galaxy A models. Xiaomi has tested the waters in a few regions. Motorola has flirted with it inconsistently. But none have fully committed to making eSIM a standard feature in truly affordable phones.

Honor appears ready to take that step.

By combining 5G, NFC payments, dual SIM, and eSIM in a cost-focused device, the company is signaling that advanced connectivity should not be a luxury feature anymore. That aligns with where the market is heading, especially as roaming costs remain unpredictable and users increasingly expect instant connectivity when crossing borders.

Conclusion: a small phone with big implications

The Honor 600 Lite is not trying to be flashy, and that is precisely why it matters. If the certifications translate into a competitively priced global release, this device could quietly set a new baseline for what “budget smartphone” really means in 2026.

From an industry perspective, it reflects a broader shift. eSIM is moving downmarket. NFC is becoming non-negotiable. 5G is no longer a differentiator, but an expectation. Brands that adapt early will shape consumer habits, and those that do not will look outdated fast.

Based on certification data from GCF and EMVCo, and consistent reporting patterns seen in previous Honor launches, this phone is very real and very close. Now the question is not whether Honor can deliver the hardware, but whether it has the confidence to price it boldly.

If it does, competitors will have little choice but to follow.