HONOR X5 Plus Specs, Price, Unboxing, Actual Photos, Initial Review

Are you currently planning to upgrade your aging entry level smartphone but your budget for a new handset is only around PHP 5,000 to PHP 6,000?

Donning an official price of only PHP 5,490, the HONOR X5 Plus is a great option for budget-conscious consumers in the Philippines who are looking for a new device to be their companion for work or school. 

With its sleek design, impressive display, reliable performance, and wallet-friendly price, this smartphone has the potential to redefine your expectations. Join me as I take an in-depth look at the HONOR X5 Plus, examining its design, display, performance, camera capabilities, and more.

Unboxing and Package Contents

HONOR X5 Plus ships in this plain white box with the image of the handset printed on the cover. I believe this reflects HONOR very straight-forward approach in crafting this smartphone, making sure that it only comes with features that consumers actually need to keep its price affordable.

The official retail package includes the unit itself, the USB Type C charging cable, the travel charger, the metal pin for ejecting the SIM card tray, the user manual, and the free soft silicone case.

Design and Build

The HONOR X5 Plus arrives with a design that effortlessly blends style and practicality. With dimensions of 163.32 x 75.07 x 8.35 mm and a weight of just 188 grams, it offers a comfortable grip and easy portability. 

The smartphone is available in two striking color options: Cyan Lake and Midnight Black. Whether you prefer a splash of color or a classic look, the HONOR X5 Plus has you covered.

Here are actual unit photos of the HONOR X5 Plus:

What I have here it is the Cyan Lake colorway and its back panel has a beautiful iridescent finish that changes shade depending on how light hits it. I think this detail makes the handset in this particular color, which I recommend, look more expensive than it actually is.

Display

The HONOR X5 Plus boasts a 6.56-inch TFT LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate. While it may not reach the heights of OLED screens, this display offers vibrant colors and smooth visuals, making it a treat for multimedia consumption and gaming. The 720 x 1612-pixel resolution may not compete with flagship devices, but it provides sharp visuals with an approximate pixel density of 269 ppi. The 20:9 aspect ratio ensures an immersive viewing experience, and the 84.3% screen-to-body ratio minimizes bezels, resulting in a larger usable screen area.

Camera Capabilities

The HONOR X5 Plus pleasantly surprises with its camera capabilities, especially considering its budget-friendly price. The rear camera setup comprises a 50 MP wide lens with an f/1.8 aperture for capturing detailed and sharp photos. It's accompanied by a 2 MP depth sensor, adding versatility to your photography. Features like LED flash, HDR, and panorama mode enhance your photography experience.

In front, you'll find a 5 MP selfie camera with an f/2.2 aperture, capable of producing decent self-portraits and video calls. While it may not compete with flagship devices in the selfie department, it gets the job done admirably.

Performance

Under the hood, the HONOR X5 Plus is powered by the 12nm Mediatek Helio G36 chipset. This octa-core processor, consisting of 4 Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz and 4 Cortex-A53 cores at 1.7 GHz, delivers commendable performance for everyday tasks and even some light gaming. Paired with the PowerVR GE8320 GPU, you can expect a smooth and responsive user experience.

With 4GB of RAM and the option to expand it further via HONOR RAM Turbo, multitasking is a breeze, ensuring you can switch between apps without any noticeable lag. The internal storage of 64GB provides ample space for your apps, photos, and videos, and the microSDXC card slot allows for storage expansion when needed.

Software and User Experience

The HONOR X5 Plus runs on Android 13 with the Magic UI 7.1 skin. This interface brings a host of customization options and features, allowing users to tailor their smartphone experience to their preferences. The device offers a smooth and intuitive user interface, making it accessible to both tech enthusiasts and casual users alike.

Connectivity

One minor drawback of the HONOR X5 Plus is its lack of 5G support. However, it does offer 4G LTE-A connectivity, ensuring you can still enjoy fast data speeds for streaming and browsing. The device also supports dual SIM cards, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.1, and NFC for versatile connectivity options. Unfortunately, there's no FM radio feature, but that's becoming increasingly common in modern smartphones.

Privacy and Security

One of the standout features of this smartphone is its side-mounted fingerprint scanner, offering both convenience and security for unlocking your device. Additionally, facial recognition technology is available for those who prefer an alternative method of access.

Battery Life

The smartphone houses a respectable 5200 mAh non-removable Li-Po battery. While it doesn't offer the fastest charging speeds at 10W, the generous battery capacity should provide all-day usage without any concerns of running out of power prematurely.

Price and Availability

HONOR has made an appealing move by introducing the X5 Plus at an attractive price point of PHP 5,490. This budget-friendly offering ensures that essential features are accessible to a wider audience in the Philippines. The official launch in the country on September 26, 2023, is expected to generate significant interest among consumers looking for an affordable yet feature-packed smartphone.

Recommendation

The HONOR X5 Plus impresses with its sleek design, vibrant display, commendable performance, and capable camera setup, all at a remarkably affordable price point. While it lacks 5G support, it compensates with strong 4G connectivity and a generous battery. The device's software customization options and security features make it a well-rounded choice for users of all levels of expertise. If you're in the market for a budget-friendly smartphone that doesn't compromise on essential features, the HONOR X5 Plus is undoubtedly worth considering, especially as it brings affordability to the forefront in the Philippines.

HONOR X5 Plus Specs

Dimensions: 163.32 x 75.07 x 8.35 mm

Weight: 188 grams

Colorways: Cyan Lake, Midnight Black

Model Number: WOD-LX2

DISPLAY:

Size: 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio)

Resolution: 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)

Type: TFT LCD, 90Hz

PLATFORM:

OS: Android 13, Magic UI 7.1

Chipset: 12nm Mediatek Helio G36

CPU: Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53, 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53)

GPU: PowerVR GE8320

MEMORY:

Card slot: microSDXC

RAM: 4GB RAM + RAM Expansion

Internal: 64GB

MAIN CAMERA:

Triple:

50 MP, f/1.8, Wide, PDAF

2 MP, f/2.4, Depth Sensor

Features: LED flash, HDR, panorama

Video: 1080p 30fps

SELFIE CAMERA:

Single: 5 MP, f/2.2, Wide

Video: 1080p 30fps

SOUND:

Loudspeaker: Yes

3.5mm jack: Yes

SECURITY:

Fingerprint Scanner: Yes, Side-Mounted

Facial Recognition: Yes

COMMUNICATIONS:

5G: No

4G LTE-A: Yes

SIM: Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)

WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Bluetooth: 5.1, A2DP, LE

NFC: Yes

Radio: No

USB: USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

BATTERY:

Type: Li-Po 5200 mAh, Non-Removable

Charging: 10W

HONOR X5 Plus Price

Launch Promo Price in the Philippines - PHP 5,490

Official Launch in PH - September 26, 2023