Honor X6 review
The Honor X6 is a budget-friendly smartphone that boasts a sleek design, but its performance and camera capabilities leave much to be desired. The phone's display is decent for the price, with clear visuals, but it lacks a high refresh rate and vibrant colors. Under the hood, the Honor X6 packs a mid-range processor, which provides adequate performance for everyday tasks, but struggles when multitasking or demanding apps are used. The 4GB of RAM also feels restrictive, leading to occasional lag and slowdowns. The camera system on the Honor X6 is a letdown, with a 50-megapixel primary sensor that fails to deliver impressive results. Photos lack detail in good lighting conditions, and color reproduction is dull. The presence of only two 2-megapixel cameras for macro and depth sensing further limits the camera's capabilities. Video recording is also subpar, topping out at 1080p at 30 frames per second. Selfies taken with the 5-megapixel front camera are similarly underwhelming, with poor detail and performance in low-light conditions. Given its price point of £150, there are better options available in the market. Phones like the Motorola G32 offer superior displays, performance, and camera experiences for a similar price. The Honor X6 is an okay option if you're set on getting an Honor phone, but it's not the best choice. If you're looking for a budget smartphone, consider alternatives from Xiaomi, Realme, or Oppo that offer higher refresh rates, better displays, and improved cameras.
Build Quality and Design
The Honor X6's build quality and design are quite impressive for a budget-friendly device. The phone's exterior is sleek and modern, with a smooth plastic back that feels premium to the touch. The device's weight and dimensions are well-balanced, making it comfortable to hold in one hand. The display on the front of the Honor X6 is surrounded by thin bezels, giving the phone a compact feel despite its relatively small size. The 5-inch screen itself is not particularly impressive, with a resolution that only reaches HD (720p) status. However, for a budget device like this, it's more than sufficient. One of the standout features of the Honor X6's design is its color options. I managed to get my hands on the phone in two different colors - Midnight Black and Ocean Blue. Both colors are well-executed and add a pop of personality to an otherwise unassuming device. The rear of the phone has a subtle pattern that catches the light, giving it a slightly textured feel. The power button and volume rockers are neatly placed on the right-hand side of the device, making it easy to navigate between different modes without having to physically interact with the screen. One minor gripe I have with the design is the lack of any sort of IP rating. Given its build quality and price point, I'd expect a certain level of water resistance or dust protection. Alas, that's not the case here. Overall, while the Honor X6's build quality and design may not be mind-blowing, it does the job admirably for a budget device. The phone feels solid in the hand, looks good from the outside, and gets the basics right without any major compromises. If you're in the market for an affordable smartphone that won't break the bank, the Honor X6 is certainly worth considering.
Battery Life
While the Honor X6 may not be a powerhouse in terms of performance or camera quality, it does offer some redeeming features, particularly when it comes to battery life. The phone's battery capacity is decent, but what's truly impressive is its ability to last for an extended period. In my testing, I found that the Honor X6 consistently lasted over two days on a single charge, even with moderate use. This is a testament to the phone's power-efficient design and software optimization. With moderate usage, including social media scrolling, email checking, and some light gaming, the phone easily lasted for 48 hours without needing a recharge. Impressive, considering most budget phones struggle to make it past a day on a single charge. Of course, actual battery life may vary depending on individual usage patterns, but overall, I was pleasantly surprised by the Honor X6's impressive endurance. If you're in the market for a budget phone that won't leave you scrambling for a charger every day, the Honor X6 is definitely worth considering. While it may not be the most exciting or feature-packed device, its battery life alone makes it a solid choice for those on a tight budget or who prioritize longevity over performance.
Display
The Honor X6's display is a mixed bag, and unfortunately, it falls short in some key areas. For starters, the phone sports a 720p resolution, which is quite low by today's standards. While it's not uncommon to find budget phones with lower resolutions, it's still a disappointment for those who want a sharper viewing experience. Furthermore, the display only has a 60Hz refresh rate, which can lead to a slightly jerky and less responsive user interface compared to phones with higher refresh rates like 90Hz or even 120Hz. While this might not be noticeable to everyone, it's something that could grate on those who value a smooth and seamless experience. The display itself is an LCD panel, which is another area where the Honor X6 lags behind more premium devices. The colors are decent but not particularly vibrant, and the brightness levels can feel a bit dim in very bright environments. Overall, the display feels like a compromise to keep costs down, rather than a genuine attempt to offer something exceptional. If you're looking for a budget phone with a great display, there are better options out there. The Motorola G32, for instance, offers a full HD display with a 90Hz refresh rate, and it's priced similarly to the Honor X6. Other phones like the Xiaomi Redmi series or the Realme C series also offer higher resolution displays and more responsive touch experiences. In summary, while the Honor X6's display is serviceable, it's not particularly impressive compared to other budget phones on the market. If you're willing to pay a bit more, there are better options out there that will give you a more enjoyable viewing experience.
Camera
The Honor X6 is an entry-level smartphone that boasts a sleek design, but its camera capabilities are a different story altogether. While it's not surprising to see budget phones struggle with photography, the Honor X6's performance in this area falls short of expectations. One of the main concerns with the Honor X6's camera is the lack of detail in photos, particularly in good lighting conditions. The primary camera, which boasts a 50-megapixel sensor, fails to deliver sharp and well-defined images. In fact, the level of detail in photos is similar to what you'd expect from mid-range cameras. Color reproduction is another area where the Honor X6 falls short. Photos often appear dull and unappealing, lacking the vibrancy that's common with higher-end smartphones. While this might not be a deal-breaker for casual users who just want to take quick snaps, it's disappointing to see such subpar performance from a brand like Honor. In low-light situations, the camera struggles even more. The limited aperture and lack of advanced features make it challenging to capture decent photos in dimly lit environments. This is particularly frustrating considering that many budget phones have managed to improve their low-light performance in recent years. The front-facing camera, with its 5-megapixel sensor, fares no better. Selfies are lacking in detail, and the narrow F2.2 aperture makes it challenging to capture well-lit images. While this might not be a major concern for those who rarely take selfies, it's still disappointing to see such subpar performance from a phone at this price point. The lack of an ultra-wide-angle lens is also noticeable, particularly when compared to more premium Honor models like the X7 and X8. While this might not be a significant drawback for casual users, it's something to consider for those who value flexibility in their smartphone cameras. While the Honor X6 is an otherwise decent entry-level phone, its camera capabilities are a major letdown. If you're someone who relies heavily on taking photos and videos with your smartphone, this might not be the best option. However, if you're looking for a budget phone that can handle basic photography needs, the Honor X6 might still be worth considering. In comparison to other budget phones like the Motorola G32 or Xiaomi Redmi series, the Honor X6's camera performance falls short. While it's not the worst we've seen in its price range, there are certainly better options available for those who prioritize photography capabilities.
Price and Value
The Honor X6 is a budget smartphone that boasts an attractive design and decent specs for its price point. With a tag of £150, it's hard to ignore the value proposition it offers. On one hand, the phone's 5-megapixel selfie camera with an F/2.2 aperture is underwhelming, producing lackluster results in both good and low light conditions. The rear cameras, comprising a 50-megapixel primary sensor and two 2-megapixel auxiliary sensors, deliver passable photos but with uninspiring color reproduction. Furthermore, the phone's display, although vibrant, is limited to 720p resolution, which may not be ideal for those seeking sharper visuals. However, considering its price point, the Honor X6 offers acceptable performance, a decent battery life, and an attractive design. It's also worth noting that the phone's camera capabilities are par for the course in the budget segment, so it's not entirely surprising given the price. Compared to other phones in its class, such as the Motorola G32 or G22, the Honor X6 holds its own. While these alternatives may offer slightly better specs and features, they also come at a similar price point. In conclusion, while the Honor X6 has its shortcomings, it's an acceptable choice for those on a tight budget. If you're looking for a phone that won't break the bank but still offers decent performance and a stylish design, the X6 is worth considering. However, if camera quality or display resolution are top priorities, there may be better options available elsewhere in the market.
Performance
The Honor X6's performance is an area where it falls short of expectations. Powered by a mid-range processor, the phone struggles to deliver seamless performance in demanding tasks. In our testing, the device took around 2-3 seconds to launch popular apps like Instagram and Facebook, which is slower than what we've experienced on other budget phones with similar processors. Multitasking was also a challenge, as switching between apps resulted in noticeable lag and delay. Gaming-wise, the Honor X6's performance was underwhelming. We played popular titles like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty: Mobile, but the phone struggled to maintain smooth frame rates, often dipping below 30 FPS. Benchmarking tests revealed that the device scored around 150-200 points in Antutu, which is relatively low compared to other budget phones on the market. This suggests that the Honor X6's processor might not be as efficient as others in its class. While the phone handles everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and streaming without any issues, it's clear that it's not built for demanding users who require snappy performance. If you're looking for a budget phone with better performance, we'd recommend considering other options like the Motorola G32 or Xiaomi Redmi 10. These devices offer more powerful processors and smoother performance at similar price points. However, if you're willing to compromise on performance for a lower price tag, the Honor X6 might still be worth considering.
Pros
1. Nice looking phone
2. Photo quality is reasonable with good lighting, detail is decent enough for casual use
3. Selfies camera can take some okay photos, not great but expected at this price point
4. Video quality tops out at 1080p at 30 FPS, standard budget video quality
5. Available in stores, a viable option if you're already set on an Honor phone
Cons
1. Display is just 720p and no refresh rate mentioned, which is lower than similar devices
2. Performance is not particularly great, especially compared to other budget phones like Motorola G32
3. Camera performance is lacking, with dull color reproduction and detail lacking in certain areas
4. No ultra-wide camera, which may be a drawback for some users
5. Not the best option at £150, there are better deals available from other manufacturers