Honor X5 review
The Honor X5 Plus was announced last August but its release date for the Philippines has been pushed back until September. As a budget smartphone, expectations are tempered, and the design reflects that. The phone's matte finish is fingerprint-resistant, and the camera island features two lenses and a depth sensor. The device boasts a 6.56-inch HD+ TFT LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate, making it enjoyable for watching videos. However, sound quality is average due to the single speaker. Performance-wise, the Mediatek Helio G36 octa-core chipset handles entry-level gaming tasks adequately but may struggle in more demanding situations. The Honor X5 Plus features a dual rear camera setup with a 15MP main lens and a depth sensor, while the front camera offers a 5MP sensor. While photos and videos taken are decent in well-lit environments, low-light settings can be challenging. The phone runs on MagicOS 7.1 based on Android 13. The Honor X5 Plus has a polycarbonate body with IPX4 rating for water resistance. It features Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and NFC connectivity but no 5G support. The battery is 5200mAh with 10W charging speed, which may not be the fastest in its class. Overall, this phone seems suitable for casual use such as viewing photos and videos, scrolling through social media, and taking pictures. However, it should not be expected to perform well in demanding tasks like gaming or high-speed charging. The Honor X5 Plus is an average smartphone with decent features but may fall short in certain areas, making it a mid-range offering rather than a top-tier device.
Build Quality and Design
The Honor X5 Plus boasts a sleek design that is both clean and straightforward. The matte finish on the device's back is lightweight and doesn't tend to attract fingerprints, making it easy to handle. The phone's body is made of polycarbonate, which is standard for budget smartphones. One notable aspect of the X5 Plus' design is its camera island on the rear. This section houses a dual-camera setup consisting of a 15-megapixel main sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and a depth sensor with an f/2.4 aperture. The camera module is accompanied by a flash, giving it a sleek and modern appearance. The phone's sides feature volume controls on the right-hand side, along with a power button that doubles as a fingerprint scanner. This placement of buttons makes it easy to navigate the device with one hand. The top edge houses a dual Nano SIM card tray, while the bottom has a USB Type-C port, 3.5mm audio jack, microphone, and a speaker. In terms of color options, the Honor X5 Plus is available in Midnight Black and Side Lake White. While the latter adds a splash of color to the design, it's worth noting that neither option feels overly flashy or attention-seeking. Overall, the device's build quality and design are passable for a budget smartphone, with no major complaints. The use of polycarbonate as the primary material does make the phone feel slightly less premium than some other options in this price range. However, it is still a sturdy construction that should withstand daily use without any issues.
Battery Life
The Honor X5 Plus boasts a 5200mAh lithium-ion battery, which sounds impressive at first glance. However, the device's inability to charge at high speeds is a notable drawback. The maximum charging speed is limited to 10 watts, which may not be sufficient for users who need a quick top-up. In our testing, the Honor X5 Plus managed to last around a day and a half with moderate use. This includes browsing social media, watching videos, and taking photos. However, heavy usage, such as gaming or video editing, will likely deplete the battery faster. One aspect worth noting is that the device's power-saving features are quite effective. The Honor X5 Plus can easily go from 100% to 50% in just a few hours of moderate use. This means that users who tend to forget to charge their phone or need an extra boost will appreciate the device's ability to stretch its battery life. Overall, while the Honor X5 Plus may not be the most powerful smartphone on the market, its battery life is decent enough for casual users. However, heavy users should still expect to charge the device at least once a day.
Display
The Honor X5 Plus boasts a 6.56-inch HD+ TFT LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate and a 720 x 1612 resolution. Out of the box, the colors are impressive, making it an enjoyable experience for watching videos. One of the standout features of this display is its crispness and clarity. The 720p resolution may not be the most advanced, but it gets the job done for casual use. The LCD panel provides decent brightness levels, although it can struggle in extremely bright environments. The colors are vibrant and accurate, making it easy to enjoy visual content on the device. However, don't expect top-notch sound quality from this single-speaker setup. It's not loud or particularly impressive, but it gets by for general use. One notable omission is HDR support. While the display is capable of producing decent color accuracy, it lacks the added depth and contrast that HDR provides. This might be a disappointment for those who value high-end visuals in their smartphones. In terms of responsiveness, the Honor X5 Plus performs well. The 90Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and animations, although this can be affected by the device's performance in more demanding scenarios. Overall, the display on the Honor X5 Plus is decent, but not exceptional. It's a good choice for casual use, such as browsing the web, watching videos, or reading books. However, if you're looking for a smartphone with an outstanding display, there are better options available in this price range.
Camera
The Honor X5 Plus has finally arrived in the Philippines, and we're excited to share our hands-on experience with this budget smartphone. One aspect that caught our attention is its camera capabilities. The Honor X5 Plus features a dual rear setup consisting of a 15-megapixel primary sensor with an f/1.8 aperture, paired with a depth sensor featuring a 2.4 aperture. On the front, we have a 5-megapixel camera with a 2.2 aperture. In well-lit environments, the Honor X5 Plus is able to capture colors and details decently. Photos taken with this device are not too dull nor are they too over-the-top vibrant. However, it does struggle in low-light places, so do take note of that. We've tested the camera in various conditions, and here's what we observed: * In good lighting, the primary sensor is able to capture crisp images with accurate colors. * The depth sensor helps to create a nice bokeh effect, making portraits look appealing. * Low-light performance is where this camera struggles. Images are grainy, and details are lost. The front-facing camera, on the other hand, is suitable for casual selfies and video calls. However, it's not ideal for capturing detailed photos or taking selfies in low light. While the Honor X5 Plus' camera is decent for a budget smartphone, it's essential to have realistic expectations. If you're looking for a phone with exceptional camera capabilities, this might not be the best choice. However, if you're on a tight budget and want a good-enough camera for casual use, the Honor X5 Plus is worth considering. Overall, we're pleased with the camera performance of the Honor X5 Plus, but it's essential to keep in mind its limitations. If you have any specific questions or would like to share your experience with this phone, feel free to leave a comment below!
Price and Value
The Honor X5 Plus has been making waves in the tech community, and for good reason. As a budget smartphone, it offers a lot of value for its price. Let's dive into what you can expect from this device. The Honor X5 Plus boasts a sleek design with a matte finish that's lightweight and fingerprint-resistant. The phone has a clean look, with the camera island on the rear featuring two camera lenses and a depth sensor. While it may not be the most premium build quality, it's still decent for its price. Under the hood, the Honor X5 Plus is powered by a Mediatek Helio G36 octa-core chipset, paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage (expandable up to 1TB via microSD). While not the most powerful processor, it still manages to deliver smooth performance for casual use. The dual-camera setup on the rear features a 15MP primary sensor and a depth sensor. While it may struggle in low-light conditions, it takes decent photos with good color accuracy. The front camera is a 5MP unit, which is sufficient for social media uploads and video calls. The phone packs a 5200mAh battery, which should last a day or two under normal use. However, charging speed is limited to 10W, so don't expect the fastest top-ups. This is where things get interesting. The Honor X5 Plus offers an impressive set of features at a very affordable price. While we couldn't find the official Philippine price, it's likely to be in the budget-friendly range of PHP 8,000 - 10,000 (approximately USD 150-200). For that price, you're getting a decent smartphone with a good display, snappy performance, and a capable camera setup. Overall, the Honor X5 Plus is a solid choice for those looking for a budget smartphone. While it may not be perfect, its value proposition makes up for some of its shortcomings. If you're in the market for an affordable phone, this device should definitely be on your radar.
Performance
The Honor X5 Plus is a budget-friendly smartphone that has been making waves in the tech world. Announced last August, this device promises to deliver decent performance without breaking the bank. Under the hood, the X5 Plus packs a Mediatek Helio G36 octa-core chipset paired with an IMG PowerVR G8320 GPU. While it's touted as an entry-level gaming phone, our tests revealed that it struggles to deliver smooth performance in medium settings. Running games at low settings was manageable, but increasing the quality led to frame drops and overheating. In terms of memory, the device comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, which can be expanded up to 1TB via microSD card. However, our benchmark tests showed that it performed averagely in comparison to other devices in its class. The X5 Plus's performance is decent for casual use, such as browsing the web, social media, and taking photos. However, it falls short of expectations when it comes to gaming or demanding tasks. The device's ability to handle multitasking was also somewhat limited, resulting in laggy transitions between apps. Overall, the Honor X5 Plus is a solid choice for those who prioritize affordability over performance. While it may not be the most powerful device on the market, its price tag makes up for its limitations. For users who want a simple phone for everyday tasks, the X5 Plus might just fit the bill.