HONOR X7b Review with Pros and Cons, Unboxing, Actual Unit Photos

As the Philippine smartphone market becomes increasingly saturated with so many options, finding a device that strikes the perfect balance between affordability and functionality becomes paramount, especially for young professionals and students.

Enter the HONOR X7b, a budget-friendly smartphone that packs a punch in terms of features and performance. In this review, we'll take a closer look at what makes the HONOR X7b a standout choice in our crowded smartphone landscape.

Price and Availability in the Philippines

The HONOR X7b made its official debut in the Philippines with an enticing price tag of PHP 8,999. Quietly launched on March 9, 2024, this device disrupts the market by offering premium features at an affordable price point, making it accessible to a wide range of consumers across the country.

Quick Unboxing and Package Contents

Upon unboxing the HONOR X7b, users are greeted with a minimalist yet elegant white box, featuring the model name and an image of the handset on the top. 

 Inside, users will find the handset itself, along with essential accessories including the HONOR SuperCharge Travel Charger, USB Type-C Charger, a metal pin for ejecting the SIM card tray, a quick start guide, and a soft silicone case. 

The inclusion of these accessories ensures users can start using their device immediately, without the need for additional purchases.

Design

The HONOR X7b boasts a sleek and modern design, with dimensions of 166.7 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm and a weight of just 199 grams. 

What I have here is the HONOR X7b Flowing Silver colorway. Look at those iridescent hues!

Available in three eye-catching color options - Flowing Silver, Emerald Green, and Midnight Black - this device exudes sophistication and style. 

The mid-frame of the handset has a metallic finish, adding to its luxurious aura. On the right side, you will find the volume rocker and the power button with an integrated the Fingerprint Scanner.

On the left side, you will find the tray for the Dual nanoSIM cards and the hybrid microSD card slot

On the top panel, you'll see a microphone pinhole and what I believe to be an ambient light sensor

At the rear, we have the 3.5mm audio jack - which has become a rarity on handsets these days, another microphone pinhole, the USB Type C charging port, and a row of holes for the loudspeaker. I think that the presence of the 3.5mm audio jack should delight many consumers who still use their wired earphones and headsets listen to music or for calls.

The slim form factor and premium build quality make it comfortable to hold and visually appealing, setting it apart from other smartphones in its price range.

Display

Equipped with a stunning 6.8-inch HONOR FullView Display, the X7b offers an immersive visual experience. 

With a resolution of 1080 x 2412 pixels and an impressive screen-to-body ratio of approximately 87.3%, users can enjoy crisp and vibrant visuals with excellent color accuracy. The phone's IPS LCD technology also ensures wide viewing angles, while the 90Hz refresh rate delivers smooth and responsive navigation, making it ideal for gaming and multimedia consumption.

The 90Hz Refresh Rate of the display delivers smoothness and fluidity when navigating the interface with finger swipes.

Cameras

The HONOR X7b excels in the photography department, thanks to its impressive camera setup. At the rear, it features a versatile triple camera array, including a 108 MP main sensor with an aperture of f/1.8, a 5 MP ultrawide lens, and a 2 MP depth sensor. 

Personally, I think that the most impressive feature of the HONOR X7b would have to be the 1/1.67-inch sensor of its main camera, which is usually found on handsets that cost twice as much. This large sensor enables stellar low-light imaging prowess for both stills and videos and delivers sharp details along with brilliant colors.

These cameras work in tandem to deliver stunning images with exceptional clarity and detail, even in challenging lighting conditions. Additionally, features such as LED flash, HDR, and panorama mode enhance the overall photography experience.

Here are some sample portraits and photos and I took using the main camera of the HONOR X7b. Kindly tap for a larger view. I'll add more shots soon:

That's my little nephew, Jalenn Cam who recently celebrated his 5th birthday!

On the front, the device sports an 8 MP front-facing camera that you can use for capturing groufies and selfies. As someone who loves to take self-portraits, I wish that the front-can had higher resolution but I guess it's one of the things that had to be "tuned down" to keep the price of the handset accessible.

Here are some sample selfies that I took using the HONOR X7b. Kindly tap for larger view. I'll add more soon:

Video Recording

When it comes to video recording, the HONOR X7b is a reliable tool. It supports 1080p video recording at 30 frames per second both using the main camera at the back as well as the front cam, ensuring detailed footage. Whether capturing memorable moments or creating content for social media, users can rely on the device to deliver excellent video quality.

Here's a sample FullHD video recorded using the HONOR X7b:

Honestly, I do wish that the device could capture 4K videos and that there was Electronic Image Stabilization even if it's just at FullHD. However, I do understand the absence of these features given the price of the device.

 

Internal Hardware

Under the hood, the HONOR X7b is powered by the Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G chipset, coupled with an octa-core CPU and Adreno 610 GPU. It offers 8GB of RAM, with an additional 8GB of RAM expansion, providing seamless multitasking and smooth performance. 

With 256GB of internal storage and support for microSDXC card memory expansion, users have ample space to store their apps, media, and files, without worrying about running out of storage.

Overall, this is a remarkable combination of internal hardware for a 2024 phone priced at PHP 8,999.

Software

Running on Android 13 with MagicOS 7.2, the HONOR X7b offers a smooth and intuitive user experience. The custom MagicOS adds useful features and optimizations, enhancing performance and functionality. With regular software updates and security patches, users can rest assured that their device is secure and up-to-date.

HONOR MagicOS is neat, easy to navigate, and customizable. I don't think anyone, regardless of age, would have issues using it on a daily basis.

Gaming Performance

The HONOR X7b delivers a relatively good gaming performance for non-resource-intensive titles, thanks to its decent hardware and optimized software. The Adreno 610 GPU delivers smooth graphics rendering, allowing users to enjoy popular titles, like Mobile Legends Bang Bang, with ease. With its large and vibrant display, the device provides an immersive gaming experience, whether playing casual games or more intense ones. The device offers smooth gameplay and responsive controls, enhancing the overall gaming experience.

Privacy and Security Features

Privacy and security are top priorities for smartphone users, and the HONOR X7b offers a range of features to safeguard user data. 

The side-mounted Fingerprint Scanner lets you turn on the display and unlock the interface in just one action. I find this to be the most practical placement for this sensor.

From the side-mounted fingerprint sensor to facial recognition technology, users have multiple options for convenient and secure authentication. Additionally, passcode and pattern unlock options provide added security, ensuring that personal information remains protected at all times.

Battery and Charging Speed

One of the standout features of the HONOR X7b is its massive 6000mAh battery, which holds the DXOMARK Battery Gold Label. This ultra-large battery ensures long-lasting usage, promising up to three days of usage on a single charge. 

I'm impressed that HONOR X7b is only 8.2 millimeters thin despite having a very large 6,000 mAh battery for extended uptime.

With innovative battery technologies, the device maintains over 80% of its health even after three years of usage. Furthermore, the inclusion of 35W fast wired charging ensures quick and hassle-free recharging, keeping users connected and productive throughout the day.

Verdict

Having played with the device, I'd say that the HONOR X7b is a testament to HONOR's commitment to delivering exceptional value to consumers. With its impressive features, including a stunning display, powerful cameras, and long-lasting battery life, this device offers a great user experience at an affordable price point. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of flagship smartphones, the HONOR X7b more than makes up for it with its solid performance and reliability. Whether you're a photography enthusiast, a mobile gamer, or simply looking for a reliable everyday smartphone, the HONOR X7b is a worthy contender that punches well above its weight class.

Pros:

Long-lasting battery life

Impressive camera performance

Large and vibrant display

Powerful internal hardware for the phone's price

Budget-friendly price point

Cons:

Lack of 5G connectivity

No 4K video recording

No EIS for video

Selfie camera could be improved

Recommendation

For students and young professionals who are seeking a new and budget-friendly smartphone without compromising on features and performance, the HONOR X7b is an excellent choice. With its long battery life, stunning design, great main camera, immersive display, and powerful internals, it offers a compelling package that rivals even more expensive devices in the market. Whether for photography, gaming, or everyday use, the HONOR X7b delivers an exceptional user experience that exceeds expectations.

Oh, let me add this: HONOR X7b is easily one of the most beautiful handsets currently that are priced below PHP 9,000. I particularly find the Flowing Silver coloway absolutely gorgeous with its changing hues, depending on how light hits the back panel.

HONOR X7b Specs

Dimensions: 166.7 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm

Weight: 199 grams

Colorways: Flowing Silver, Emerald Green, Midnight Black

DISPLAY

Size: 6.8 inches, 111.3 cm2 (~87.3% screen-to-body ratio)

Resolution: 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~389 ppi density)

Type: IPS LCD, 90Hz, 850 nits (peak)

PLATFORM

OS: Android 13, MagicOS 7.2

Chipset: Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)

CPU: Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver)

GPU: Adreno 610

MEMORY

RAM: 8GB + 8GB RAM Expansion

Internal Storage: 256GB

Card slot: microSDXC, Hybrid, shared with Secondary nanoSIM Slot

MAIN CAMERA

Triple:

108 MP, f/1.8, 24mm, Main, Wide, 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF

5 MP, f/2.2, Ultrawide

2 MP, f/2.4, Depth Sensor

Features: LED flash, HDR, panorama

Video: 1080p 30fps

SELFIE CAMERA

Single:

8 MP, f/2.0, Wide

Video: 1080p 30fps

SOUND

Loudspeaker: Yes, with stereo speakers

3.5mm jack: Yes

24-bit/192kHz Hi-Res audio

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: 5.0, A2DP, LE

Positioning: GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS

NFC: Yes (CLK-LX1 only)

Radio: No

USB: USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

PRIVACY AND SECURITY

Fingerprint Sensor: Yes, Side-Mounted

Facial Recognition: Yes

Passcode and Pattern Unlock: Yes

SENSORS:

Accelerometer

Virtual Proximity Sensing

BATTERY

6000 mAh Li-Po, Non-Removable

Charging: 35W Fast Wired Charging

HONOR X7b Packaging and Inclusions

Packaging - White Box with Model Name and Image of the Handset Printed on Top

Contents - Handset Itself, HONOR SuperCharge Travel Charger, USB Type C Charger, Metal Pin for Ejecting SIM Card Tray, Quick Start Guide, Soft Silicone Case

HONOR Xb Price in the Philippines

Official SRP - PHP 8,999

Official Announcement - March 9, 2024