Honor X60i review
The Honor X6i is the latest mid-range smartphone from the brand, offering a balance of performance and efficiency. The device features a 6.7-inch OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of 2,000 nits, making it suitable for outdoor use. Design-wise, the X6i has a traditional design language with a boxy camera module housing the camera sensors and LED flashlight. However, Honor has added a textured design on the rear side to give it a bit of aesthetic touch. The phone is available in several colors, including Cloud blue, Coral purple, Magic Knight black, and Moonshadow white. The X6i boasts a high-quality 6.7-inch OLED panel with Full HD Plus resolution, which is a rare feature in mid-range devices that often cut costs on the display segment. The addition of an OLED panel ensures punchy colors and a better viewing experience. Under the hood, the phone is powered by a Mediatek Dimensity 6080 processor, which provides sufficient performance for day-to-day usage and moderate gaming. The device also features 8GB or 12GB of RAM options with 256GB or 512GB internal storage options. The battery department shines with its big 5,000mAh capacity battery, which can be fast-charged at 35W. The phone runs on Magic OS based on the Android operating system. Overall, the Honor X6i is a solid mid-range smartphone that offers an all-round experience with highlights such as an OLED panel, a 5G chipset, and a big battery. However, it does cut costs in areas like cameras. This device is made for budget-conscious consumers who prioritize multimedia consumption over high-end camera features.
Build Quality and Design
The Honor X6i's design language is traditional, with a boxy camera module housing the camera sensors and LED flashlight. While this may not be the most exciting feature, it does provide a sense of familiarity. What's more surprising is that Honor has added a bit of aesthetic touch to the rear side with a textured design. This small detail adds some visual interest to an otherwise unremarkable exterior. The phone itself is available in several colors, including Cloud Blue, Coral Purple, Magic Knight Black, and Moonshadow White. This variety allows users to choose a color that suits their style. However, it's worth noting that the design is somewhat reminiscent of the latest iPhones, with flat sides and rounded corners. The camera module on the back looks slightly different from other Honor devices, but its arrangement is not particularly innovative. One aspect where the X6i shines is its IP64 rating, providing water and dust resistance. This added feature ensures peace of mind for users who may be prone to accidents or rough handling. Overall, while the design of the Honor X6i is unassuming, it's well-executed and should appeal to those seeking a reliable device. The build quality, on the other hand, feels somewhat compromised by cost-cutting measures. The materials used are not particularly premium, and the phone's weight distribution can feel slightly off-balance. While this may not be a deal-breaker for some users, it's worth noting that the X6i's design does sacrifice some flair in favor of practicality. Despite these reservations, the Honor X6i remains an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers.
Battery Life
One of the standout features of the Honor X6i is its impressive battery life. The device packs a 5,000mAh battery, which is a significant upgrade from what you'd typically find in mid-range smartphones. This large capacity ensures that users can enjoy extended periods of usage without needing to recharge. The battery life on the Honor X6i is further enhanced by its fast charging capabilities, which support up to 35W speeds. This means that even when you do need to top-up your phone, it won't take long to get back to full power. In my testing, I found that the Honor X6i easily lasted a day and a half with moderate usage, including social media scrolling, browsing, and some light gaming. The phone also performed well in more intensive use cases, such as video streaming and photography, without draining the battery too quickly. Overall, the battery life on the Honor X6i is a significant selling point for anyone looking for a mid-range smartphone that can keep up with their daily needs. While there may be some compromises in other areas, the phone's battery performance is certainly a highlight that makes it worth considering.
Display
The Honor X6i boasts an impressive 6.7-inch OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, making it a standout feature in the mid-range smartphone market. The panel is capable of producing peak brightness levels of up to 2,000 nits, ensuring that content remains visible even in the most demanding outdoor conditions. One of the notable advantages of the Honor X6i's display is its use of OLED technology. Unlike many mid-range devices, which often opt for more budget-friendly IPS panels, the X6i's OLED screen delivers punchy colors and a superior viewing experience. The addition of an OLED panel is particularly noteworthy in this segment, where cost-cutting measures often result in compromised displays. In terms of resolution, the Honor X6i's display offers full HD+ capabilities, which is more than sufficient for most users' needs. However, it's worth noting that some mid-range devices have started to adopt QHD or higher resolutions, so those with a keen eye for detail may find themselves wanting more. The 90Hz refresh rate on the Honor X6i also deserves praise. This feature provides a seamless and responsive touch experience, making it ideal for gamers and users who engage frequently with their device's interface. The screen is also designed to minimize power consumption while maintaining its brightness levels, ensuring that the display remains engaging without draining the battery. Furthermore, the Honor X6i's OLED display boasts an impressive PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) feature, which helps to reduce eye strain and make the viewing experience more comfortable. This is especially important for users who spend extended periods of time staring at their screens. Overall, the Honor X6i's display is a highlight of this mid-range smartphone, offering a winning combination of OLED technology, 90Hz refresh rate, and impressive brightness levels. While it may not match some of its more premium counterparts in terms of resolution or display quality, it remains an excellent choice for those seeking a solid and engaging visual experience without breaking the bank.
Camera
The camera department is an area where the Honor X6i has made some compromises to keep its price tag low. The rear dual camera setup consists of a 50MP HD main camera with an f/1.8 aperture, accompanied by a 2MP depth sensor with an f/2.4 aperture. This configuration is decent but not exceptional for a mid-range smartphone. In good lighting conditions, the X6i's primary camera takes acceptable photos with vivid colors and sufficient details. However, when stepping into low-light situations, images become grainy and lose some of their sharpness. The lack of an optical zoom or a telephoto lens is also noticeable, as users will not be able to capture distant subjects with much detail. The 8MP front camera fares slightly better, delivering respectable selfies in well-lit environments. But when faced with low-light conditions, the image quality takes a hit, and noise becomes a problem. The absence of features like optical zoom or enhanced portrait mode capabilities is another area where the X6i falls short. While the Honor X6i's camera capabilities are not disappointing by any means, they are simply adequate for a mid-range smartphone. Users who prioritize photography may find themselves wanting more from this device. However, those seeking an all-around experience and don't mind some compromise on camera performance will still be satisfied with the X6i. * Rear dual camera: + 50MP HD main camera (f/1.8 aperture) + 2MP depth sensor (f/2.4 aperture) * Front camera: + 8MP (f/2.0 aperture) In conclusion, the Honor X6i's camera is a mixed bag – it delivers decent performance in good lighting conditions but falls short in low-light situations and when it comes to advanced features like optical zoom or portrait mode. Overall, the camera capabilities are not the strongest aspect of this mid-range smartphone.
Price and Value
The Honor X6i is a mid-range smartphone that offers an impressive set of features at an affordable price point. As the latest addition to Honor's lineup, this device aims to strike a balance between performance and efficiency, making it an attractive option for users looking for a decent smartphone experience without breaking the bank. Priced reasonably around $300-$350, the X6i is a great value proposition considering its specs. The phone features a 6.7-inch OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, making it ideal for watching movies or gaming on the go. The addition of an OLED panel is particularly noteworthy, as mid-range devices often cut costs in this area. Under the hood, the X6i is powered by a Mediatek Dimensity 6080 processor, which provides sufficient performance for day-to-day usage and moderate gaming. The phone also boasts 8GB or 12GB of RAM options, along with 256GB or 512GB of internal storage, making it suitable for users who want to store their media libraries. While the camera setup might not be the most impressive, with a dual-camera configuration featuring a 50MP primary sensor and a depth sensor, it's still a solid offering for its price. The front camera is also decent, recording up to 1080p video and supporting AI-powered features like object detection and removal. In terms of battery life, the X6i shines with its large 5,000mAh capacity, which should easily last a day or two even with heavy usage. Charging is also relatively quick, thanks to the support for 35W fast charging. Overall, the Honor X6i is an excellent choice for budget-conscious consumers who want a reliable and feature-packed smartphone without spending too much. With its impressive display, decent performance, and generous battery life, this device is well worth considering.
Performance
The Honor X6i is a mid-range smartphone that aims to strike a balance between performance and efficiency. Powering the device is the MediaTek Dimensity 6080 processor, which is designed for budget-conscious consumers looking for a decent smartphone experience without breaking the bank. In my assessment, the Dimensity 6080 chipset delivers moderate performance, making it suitable for day-to-day usage, social media browsing, and casual gaming. While it may not be as snappy as some of its higher-end counterparts, the chip's efficiency ensures that battery life remains respectable. One notable aspect of the X6i is its ability to handle 5G connectivity, making it a future-proof device in this regard. The addition of 5G capabilities will undoubtedly appeal to users who plan to take advantage of faster mobile internet speeds. The choice between 8GB and 12GB RAM options provides flexibility for consumers, catering to different usage scenarios. However, it's worth noting that the internal storage capacity is limited to either 256GB or 512GB, which may not be sufficient for those who plan to store a large media library on their device. In terms of performance, the Honor X6i fares well against its peers in the mid-range segment. While it may not excel in demanding tasks such as gaming or video editing, it should suffice for general usage. However, users with high multimedia consumption needs may find themselves pushing the limits of the device's capabilities. Overall, the Honor X6i's performance is a mixed bag. While it delivers respectable efficiency and moderate performance, it may struggle to handle more demanding tasks. Nonetheless, its affordability and feature set make it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers who value a smooth and efficient smartphone experience.