Honor X20 SE review
The Honor X20 SE is a budget-friendly smartphone that boasts a 6.6-inch punch-hole display, 64-megapixel triple cameras, and a large 4000mAh battery. The device's design takes inspiration from Huawei's Nova series, with a rounded bumper and three camera sensors on the rear panel. In terms of specifications, the Honor X20 SE features a dual-SIM setup, accepting nano SIM cards, and runs on Magic UI 4.0 based on Android 11 OS. The phone is powered by a MediaTek MT6833 Dimensity 700 chip, which provides smooth performance with up to 8GB of RAM. The camera setup includes a 64-megapixel primary sensor, an 8-megapixel depth sensor, and a 2-megapixel macro camera on the rear, while the front has a 16-megapixel selfie camera. The phone also features fast charging support (22.5W), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. Other notable features include NFC, an SD card slot, and a headphone jack. However, it's worth noting that the Honor X20 SE is not waterproof, which is typical for its price segment. The phone will be available in two storage variants: 6GB RAM + 128GB storage and 8GB RAM + 128GB storage, priced at ¥1,799 (approximately $275) and ¥1,999 (approximately $305), respectively. The Honor X20 SE is set to go on sale in China on July 9th, with no word yet on its international availability.
Build Quality and Design
The Honor X20 SE has adopted a style reminiscent of the Huawei Nova series, with a rounded bumper that houses three camera sensors. The phone's build quality is decent, weighing in at 179 grams and measuring 8.4 millimeters in thickness. The device features a dual sim GSM mobile design, accepting nano SIM cards for seamless connectivity. The Honor X20 SE's design language is clean and minimalist, with the fingerprint reader neatly integrated on the side. The phone is available in six color options: Magic Night Black, Blue Water, Emerald Titanium Silver, Cherry Pink Gold, and two additional colors. The device's overall aesthetic feels premium, despite its affordable price tag. The screen-to-body ratio of 94.2% is respectable for a budget-friendly device like the Honor X20 SE. The phone boasts a 6.6-inch IPS LCD display with full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2400 pixels), producing bright and clear visuals. Unfortunately, the phone's lack of IP rating means it's not waterproof, which is typical for devices in this segment. In terms of design, the Honor X20 SE scores well for its attractive color palette and stylish rounded bumper. However, the absence of wireless charging and IP rating might be a letdown for some users. Overall, the phone's build quality and design are decent, making it an attractive option for those seeking a budget-friendly smartphone with a premium look and feel.
Battery Life
The Honor X20 SE has been making waves in the tech world with its impressive specs and affordable price tag. One aspect that caught my attention is its battery life, which seems to be a highlight of this device. With a 4000mAh battery, the Honor X20 SE promises all-day battery life, and I'm happy to report that it delivers. During my testing period, the phone managed to last over a day with moderate usage, including social media scrolling, browsing, and some light gaming. The phone's Dimensity 700 chip, paired with up to 8GB of RAM, ensures efficient performance, which in turn helps conserve battery life. The 22.5W fast charging also allows for quick top-ups when needed. While the Honor X20 SE may not be waterproof, its battery life is surprisingly resilient. I found myself needing to charge it only once a day, even with moderate use. This makes it an excellent choice for those who want a phone that can keep up with their busy lifestyle without requiring constant recharging. Overall, the Honor X20 SE's battery life is a major selling point, and one that should not be overlooked. If you're in the market for a budget-friendly device with long-lasting power, this might just be the phone for you.
Display
The Honor X20 SE boasts a 6.6-inch IPS LCD display that offers a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. The screen is bright and clear, providing an immersive viewing experience. With a screen-to-body ratio of 94.2%, the phone's display takes up most of the front panel, making it a pleasure to watch videos or browse through content. The punch-hole design is a neat feature that houses the 16MP front camera. While some may find the notch design unappealing, it's a minor trade-off for the sleek and modern look of the phone. The display itself is quite vibrant, producing rich colors and details that are on par with other smartphones in this segment. One of the standout features of the Honor X20 SE's display is its HDR support. This means users can enjoy a wider range of colors and contrast levels when watching videos or playing games. While it's not the most advanced display technology out there, it still delivers a great viewing experience that's perfect for casual users. In terms of overall display quality, the Honor X20 SE holds its own against other budget-friendly smartphones. It may not have the same level of brightness as some high-end flagships, but it gets the job done in most lighting conditions. Overall, the display is a solid aspect of the phone that won't disappoint users looking for a good all-around experience. The Honor X20 SE's display offers a great balance of quality and price, making it a great option for those on a budget.
Camera
The Honor X20 SE has been making waves in the tech world with its affordable price tag and impressive specs. However, one aspect that deserves special attention is the phone's camera system. In this review, we'll take a closer look at the triple-camera setup and see how it performs. The rear camera setup on the Honor X20 SE comprises a 64-megapixel Sony IMX 682 sensor as the main camera. This is accompanied by a 2-megapixel depth sensor and a 2-megapixel macro camera. The main camera has an f/1.9 aperture, which should allow for decent low-light performance. The Honor X20 SE's rear camera supports a range of features, including AI photography, dual scene recording, filters, HDR, professional photography, ice mode, and more. While this is not as extensive as some other smartphones on the market, it still offers a good selection for users who want to experiment with different styles. In our tests, the Honor X20 SE's rear camera produced decent images with good detail and color accuracy. However, we did notice that low-light performance was somewhat lacking, and noise crept in when using the flash. Still, this is a relatively minor issue considering the phone's price point. The front camera on the Honor X20 SE is a 16-megapixel sensor with an f/2.0 aperture. This should be sufficient for casual selfies and video calls, but may not offer the same level of detail as some other smartphones in this class. While the Honor X20 SE's camera system may not be the most impressive on the market, it still offers a good balance of features and image quality at an affordable price. The 64-megapixel main sensor is a highlight, producing decent images with good detail and color accuracy. However, low-light performance could be improved, and the front camera may not offer the same level of detail as some other smartphones in this class. Overall, the Honor X20 SE's camera system is a solid effort for a budget-friendly smartphone. While it may not compete with the likes of flagship devices from Samsung or Google, it still offers a good selection of features and decent image quality at an affordable price point.
Price and Value
The Honor X20 SE has recently been unveiled in China, and as expected, the phone is making waves with its impressive features at an affordable price point. Priced at 1,799 yuan (approximately $275 USD) for the base model with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, this device seems to be a great value for money. The Honor X20 SE boasts a large 6.6-inch display, a quad-camera setup featuring a 64MP primary sensor, a 16MP front camera, and a massive 4000mAh battery with fast charging support. The phone also features a dual-SIM slot, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS, USB-C, and NFC. One of the standout features of the Honor X20 SE is its value for money. With a price tag that's lower than many other devices on the market, this phone seems to be offering an awful lot for just $275. The camera setup, display, and battery life are all impressive features that would normally command a higher price. In terms of price and value, the Honor X20 SE is certainly a winner. While it may not have the same level of prestige as some other devices on the market, this phone seems to be offering an awful lot for its asking price. If you're in the market for a budget-friendly device with impressive features, then the Honor X20 SE is definitely worth considering. Overall, the Honor X20 SE is a solid choice for anyone looking for a budget-friendly smartphone that won't break the bank.
Performance
The Honor X20 SE is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 700 chip, a mid-range processor designed to deliver smooth performance in everyday tasks and demanding applications. With options for 6GB or 8GB of RAM, users can expect seamless multitasking and efficient app handling. In our hands-on experience with the device, we found the Honor X20 SE to perform admirably in various scenarios. The Dimensity 700 chip handled demanding apps like video streaming and gaming without any noticeable lag or slowdowns. The phone's UI was snappy and responsive, making it a joy to use. One of the standout features of the Honor X20 SE is its support for fast charging. With a 22.5W charger, users can quickly top up their battery, which boasts a respectable 4,000mAh capacity. While there's no wireless charging available, the absence of this feature in the budget segment isn't a major concern. In terms of performance metrics, the Honor X20 SE delivered impressive results. In our benchmarking tests, the device achieved high scores in synthetic benchmarks like Geekbench and AnTuTu. These results indicate that the Dimensity 700 chip is capable of handling demanding tasks with ease. Overall, the Honor X20 SE's performance is a highlight of this budget-friendly smartphone. With its efficient processor, generous RAM options, and fast charging capabilities, users can expect a seamless and enjoyable experience from this device. Whether you're looking for an everyday phone or want to upgrade your existing device, the Honor X20 SE is definitely worth considering.
Pros
1. The device offers a 6.6 inch punch hole display, which is bright and clear.
2. The phone has a powerful Mediatek MT6833 Dimensity 705G processor, with options for 6GB or 8GB of RAM, ensuring smooth performance even with memory-intensive applications.
3. The rear camera setup comprises a 64 megapixel Sony IMX682 sensor, an 8 megapixel depth sensor, and a 2 megapixel macro camera, offering features like AI photography and dual scene recording.
4. The phone has a large 4000mAh battery that supports 22.5W fast charging, ensuring the device stays powered throughout the day.
5. The Honor X20 SE has an NFC chip for mobile payments and support for 5G connectivity, providing fast internet speeds.
6. The price of the device is very cheap, making it a great choice for people who are used to the Android 11 OS.
Cons
1. The phone's design may not be far-reaching in terms of style, with some users finding it similar to Huawei's Nova series.
2. The Honor X20 SE has no wireless charging support, which is typical for this price segment but still a drawback for some users.
3. The device is not waterproof, which may be a concern for users who plan to use their phone in wet conditions or while showering.
4. The phone's availability is limited to the Chinese market, with unclear plans for international release.