Honor X7 review
The Honor X7 is a mid-range smartphone that arrived on the market in April 2022. Despite its relatively modest specs, including a 720p display and Android 11, I found it to be surprisingly good for everyday use. The phone's performance was more than sufficient for social media, camera usage, and light gaming. However, some areas of the device fell short, particularly the inconsistent focus on the main camera and lackluster selfie camera quality.
Build Quality and Design
The Honor X7 is a budget-friendly smartphone that boasts an impressive design, despite its modest price tag. The phone's build quality is decent, with a large 6.7-inch display that takes up most of the front panel. The display itself is surprisingly good, considering it only has a 720p resolution. The fast 90Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and navigation. The Honor X7's rear panel features a standard plastic back with a matte finish, which does an adequate job of hiding fingerprints. However, they can still be visible if you take a closer look. The phone's dimensions are respectable, making it easy to hold and use with one hand. In terms of design, the Honor X7 is fairly average. It lacks any distinct or attention-grabbing features that would set it apart from other budget smartphones. However, its plain design also means it won't look out of place in a crowded market. The phone's edges are rounded, and the buttons are situated on the right-hand side, along with the power button and fingerprint sensor. The Honor X7 is not particularly slim or lightweight, but its build quality feels sturdy enough to withstand daily use. Overall, while the design may not be particularly exciting, it's functional and gets the job done. Decent build quality, smooth display experience, easy to hold and use Lackluster design, fingerprint-prone rear panel
Battery Life
The battery life of the Honor X7 is an absolute standout feature. With a massive 5000mAh capacity and support for 22.5W fast charging, this phone can easily get you through a day without needing to be plugged in again. Using the phone with its relatively low-demanding 720p display further extends its battery endurance. I found myself getting over 12 hours of screen-on time, which is impressive considering the demands of modern smartphones. Powering the X7 is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G processor, which while not ideal for demanding tasks or gaming, still manages to deliver decent performance for everyday use and light gaming sessions. The battery life on the Honor X7 is so good that I found myself forgetting it was there, much like how you wouldn't notice its presence in your pocket. This level of endurance makes the phone perfect for those who want a device that can keep up with their daily needs without requiring frequent top-ups. Overall, the battery life of the Honor X7 is one of its strongest selling points, and I would recommend this feature alone to anyone looking for a reliable phone that will get them through the day.
Display
The Honor X7 boasts a large 6.7-inch display with a resolution of 720p and a fast 90Hz refresh rate. Initially, I was skeptical about the 720p resolution in 2022, but surprisingly, it performs well, especially when you're not pixel-peeping. The display is quite smooth, thanks to the 90Hz refresh rate, making it enjoyable for general use. The Honor X7 runs on Magic UI version 4.2 atop Android 11. Unfortunately, this means there's no support for the latest Android 12 update. However, I'm hopeful that an update will be released soon, and I'll make sure to add it to my comments if it happens. In terms of display quality, the Honor X7 fares well, despite its relatively low resolution. It's easy on the eyes, and you won't notice individual pixels unless you're extremely particular about image quality. The display is matte-finished on the back, which does a decent job of hiding fingerprints. While the 720p resolution might seem outdated, it's worth noting that the Honor X7's display performs well within its limitations. If you're in the market for an affordable phone with a decent display, the Honor X7 is definitely worth considering. However, if you're particular about image quality or want the latest Android experience, there may be better options available. Overall, the Honor X7's display is a pleasant surprise, and it's something that sets it apart from other budget-friendly phones in its class.
Camera
The camera system on the Honor X7 is perhaps its biggest disappointment. The 48-megapixel main sensor takes some nice photos with a reasonable amount of detail, but the focus is very inconsistent. In my tests, I found that trying to take a picture of myself using the main camera and portrait mode resulted in a blurry image - my face was completely out of focus. The 48MP main sensor is not the only culprit here; the entire camera system feels like it's holding the Honor X7 back. The five-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens is a significant step down from other phones on the market, which often feature eight-megapixel sensors that produce much better results. In comparison to my tests with the Motorola G31, for example, I found that its ultra-wide sensor performed significantly better. Video recording on the Honor X7 is also limited, with no stabilization available on any of the cameras. This results in a distinctly budget-phone quality feel - not ideal if you're looking to capture high-quality footage. While it's possible to get some decent home movie-style shots, I wouldn't recommend the Honor X7 for anyone who wants to capture more advanced video content. Perhaps most disappointing of all is the 8-megapixel selfie camera, which I found to be truly lacking in quality. The color reproduction is dull and uninspiring, making it feel like a distinctly lower-end option compared to other phones on the market. This may not be a major issue for everyone, but if you're someone who takes a lot of selfies or values high-quality front-facing cameras, then the Honor X7 will likely fall short. Overall, while the camera system on the Honor X7 is functional, it's definitely not the strongest aspect of this phone. If you're in the market for a budget phone with a good camera, there are certainly better options available - and I'd recommend checking out my comparison review with the Motorola G31 to see how they stack up.
Price and Value
The Honor X7 is a new smartphone that has piqued my interest, but its value proposition is a mixed bag. Priced at around $300, this device offers a 6.7-inch display with a 720p resolution and a fast 90Hz refresh rate, which is surprisingly good. However, the display's relatively low resolution may not be ideal for those who want to see individual pixels or enjoy crisp visuals. Additionally, the phone runs on Android 11, which is an older version of the operating system compared to what other devices are running. The Honor X7 has a quad-camera setup with a 48MP primary sensor, but its performance is inconsistent, and it struggles to focus in certain situations. The 5MP ultra-wide camera is also a letdown, paling in comparison to more advanced devices like the Motorola G31. Video recording capabilities are similarly unimpressive, lacking stabilization on all cameras. In terms of price and value, I think there are better options available for around $300 or less. The Motorola G31, for example, offers improved camera performance, a more up-to-date Android experience, and generally superior overall performance. Considering the Honor X7's mixed bag of strengths and weaknesses, I would say that it's not the best value proposition in its class. While it has some positive features, such as long battery life and smooth performance, its flaws make it difficult to recommend wholeheartedly. Ultimately, whether or not you should buy the Honor X7 depends on your specific needs and priorities. If camera quality is a top priority for you, then this phone may not be the best choice. However, if you're in the market for an affordable smartphone with a decent display and good battery life, then the Honor X7 might be worth considering – but only if it meets your specific requirements.
Performance
The Honor X7 is a budget-friendly smartphone that boasts impressive performance, making it a great option for those who want a device that can handle everyday tasks with ease. Under the hood, you'll find a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G processor, which delivers smooth performance even with demanding tasks such as gaming. The phone's 90Hz refresh rate also ensures seamless scrolling and navigation, making it a joy to use. In terms of multitasking, the Honor X7 performs admirably, handling multiple apps simultaneously without any hiccups. With 4GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, you'll have plenty of space for your favorite games, apps, and media. While the phone's processor is not particularly powerful, it does its job well, and I've found that it can handle light gaming and social media with ease. However, more demanding tasks like video editing or heavy gaming might require some compromises on settings to achieve optimal performance. One area where the Honor X7 excels is battery life. With a massive 5,000mAh battery, you'll have plenty of juice to last throughout the day, even with moderate usage. The phone also supports fast charging at up to 22.5W, making it easy to top up your battery when needed. In conclusion, while the Honor X7's performance is not exceptional, it is more than capable of handling everyday tasks with ease. Its smooth 90Hz refresh rate and decent processor make it a great option for those who want a reliable and affordable smartphone that won't let you down. Just be aware that more demanding users might find themselves wanting more power and better multitasking capabilities.
Pros
1. Using the Honor X7 with its 720p display is surprisingly good unless you're really pixel peeping
2. The display is actually really nice and it's very smooth thanks to that 90 hertz refresh rate
3. Battery life is absolutely amazing, easily getting through a day
4. The large five thousand milliamp hour battery supports 22.5 watt fast charging
5. General everyday performance has been absolutely fine on the Honor X7 for multitasking and light gaming
6. The camera system takes some nice photos with a reasonable amount of detail
7. The Honor X7 is packing four gigabytes of ram with 128 gigabytes of internal storage, which should be enough for most users
8. The phone has a single bottom firing speaker, usb c charging port, microphone and 3.5 millimeter headphone jack
Cons
1. The display is only 720p, which may not be ideal in 2022
2. There's no 5g support on the Honor X7, with a qualcomm snapdragon 680 4g processor
3. The camera system has inconsistent focus and poor quality video without stabilization
4. The five megapixel ultrawide camera is a big step down compared to other phones with eight megapixel ultrawides
5. The selfie camera on the Honor X7 is trash, with dull color reproduction and low photo quality
6. There's no stabilization on any of the cameras, resulting in budget phone quality video
7. The phone runs Magic UI version 4.2 on top of Android 11, which may not be ideal for some users
8. Compared to other phones like the Motorola G31, the Honor X7 has a worse camera system and less stock Android experience