Honor X7 review
The Honor X7 is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers an impressive battery life, smooth display, and decent performance. It features a large 6.7-inch display with a 720p resolution and a fast 90Hz refresh rate, which surprisingly works well despite the relatively low screen quality. Powering the device is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G processor, which handles day-to-day tasks, social media, and light gaming without issues. The phone also boasts a large 5,000mAh battery with support for 22.5W fast charging, making it last throughout the day. The camera system on the Honor X7 is a mixed bag. The 48MP main sensor takes decent photos with reasonable detail, but focus can be inconsistent. The five MP ultra-wide lens falls short compared to other phones in its class. Video recording also lacks stabilization, resulting in budget phone-quality footage. The selfie camera, however, is a disappointment, with dull color reproduction and poor overall quality. In comparison, the Motorola G31 offers better options at a similar price point, with a superior camera system and more stock Android experience. Overall, the Honor X7 feels like a mid-range device masquerading as a budget phone. While it has its strengths, such as battery life and display smoothness, its camera system and selfie camera are major drawbacks. For those on a tight budget or seeking a no-frills smartphone, the Honor X7 might suffice. However, for others, there are better options available at similar price points that offer more comprehensive features and better performance. 3.5/5
Build Quality and Design
The Honor X7's build quality is a mixed bag. The phone's plastic back does a reasonable job at hiding fingerprints, but they can still be visible to the naked eye. The matte finish gives it a decent feel in hand, but it lacks the premium touch of other phones in its price range. Flipping the phone over reveals a 48-megapixel quad-camera setup, accompanied by a five-megapixel ultrawide and two two-megapixel macro and depth cameras. This design choice is typical for budget phones, where camera real estate is prioritized over aesthetics. The phone's frame is sturdy, but not particularly impressive in terms of build quality. The plastic back creaks slightly when applying pressure, a sign that it may not be the most durable material used in its construction. One thing worth noting is the Honor X7's display, which features a 6.7-inch screen with a 720p resolution and a fast 90Hz refresh rate. While some might find the pixel density to be lacking, the display itself is surprisingly good, making it easy on the eyes during extended use. The phone's design is nothing special, but it gets the job done. If you're looking for a reliable device that won't break the bank, the Honor X7's build quality and design might suffice. However, if you're particular about premium materials and sleek aesthetics, there are likely better options available in the market. Ultimately, the Honor X7's build quality is average at best, with some minor trade-offs for a lower price point. While it won't win any awards for design, it still manages to deliver an adequate experience for those on a budget.
Battery Life
In my experience with the Honor X7, I was pleasantly surprised by its exceptional battery life. The large 5,000mAh battery easily gets me through a day without any issues, and the low demand of the 720p display also contributes to its impressive endurance. The combination of these two factors results in a phone that can last all day, making it perfect for those who don't want to worry about charging their device during the day. The Honor X7's battery life is undoubtedly one of its standout features, and it's a major plus point in its favor. I've found myself using the phone extensively without having to recharge it, and even after heavy usage, the battery still has enough juice left to get me through another day. The inclusion of 22.5W fast charging also means that when you do need to top up, the process is quick and efficient. Overall, I'm thoroughly impressed with the Honor X7's battery life, which makes it an excellent choice for those who value a phone that can keep going all day without needing to be recharged. Whether you're a casual user or someone who uses their phone extensively, the Honor X7's battery performance is sure to please.
Display
The Honor X7 boasts a large 6.7-inch display with a resolution of 720p, which may seem outdated in today's smartphone market. However, despite the relatively low pixel density, my experience using the device was surprisingly good. Unless you're a pixel peeper, you won't notice any individual pixels on this screen. The display is smooth and responsive, thanks to its 90Hz refresh rate running Honor's Magic UI version 4.2 on top of Android 11. I was pleased with how well the display performed in everyday use, handling everything from social media scrolling to video streaming. While a 720p resolution may not be ideal for those who demand the best visuals, the Honor X7's display still gets the job done. The screen is crisp and clear, making it perfect for casual users who don't need to worry about minute details. For anyone who's not particularly fussy about pixel density, this display should suffice. It's worth noting that running an older version of Android (11) might be a drawback for some enthusiasts. However, as long as the phone is updated regularly, this shouldn't have any significant impact on performance. Overall, I was impressed with how well the Honor X7's display handled day-to-day tasks. While it may not be the most impressive screen on the market, its smoothness and responsiveness make up for its relatively low resolution. If you're in the market for a budget phone with a good display, the Honor X7 is definitely worth considering. While there are certainly more advanced displays available on higher-end devices, the Honor X7's screen holds its own against other budget-friendly options. It's a solid choice for anyone who wants a reliable, everyday-use device without breaking the bank.
Camera
The Honor X7's camera system is its biggest disappointment. The 48-megapixel main sensor takes some nice photos with reasonable detail, but the focus is inconsistent. Trying to take a picture of myself using the main camera in portrait mode resulted in a blurry image. This was not an isolated incident, as I found the focus to be unreliable throughout my testing. The 48MP quad-camera setup also includes a five-megapixel ultrawide lens, which is a significant step down compared to other phones that offer eight-megapixel or even higher-resolution ultrawide cameras. The difference is noticeable in everyday shots, and it's clear that the Honor X7's ultrawide camera struggles to match the quality of its competitors. Video recording on the Honor X7 is also unimpressive, with no stabilization available on any of the cameras. This results in shaky footage that's typical of budget phone cameras. While it might be sufficient for casual home movies or the occasional YouTube video, it's not going to impress anyone who demands high-quality video content. The eight-megapixel selfie camera is perhaps the most disappointing aspect of the Honor X7's camera system. The image quality is dull and unimpressive, with poor color reproduction that makes subjects look washed out. This camera will struggle to take decent selfies in bright lighting conditions, let alone low-light environments where most modern smartphones excel. Overall, the Honor X7's camera system is a mixed bag. While it's capable of taking some nice photos in ideal conditions, its inconsistent focus, lackluster ultrawide camera, and subpar video recording capabilities hold it back from being a truly competitive smartphone camera experience. In comparison to other budget phones like the Motorola G31, which offers better camera performance across the board, the Honor X7's camera system feels like a compromise. While it might be sufficient for casual users who don't demand much from their phone's camera, those who want high-quality images and video will find themselves wanting more. In conclusion, the Honor X7's camera system is its biggest weakness, holding back what could have been an excellent budget smartphone experience.
Price and Value
The Honor X7 is a mid-range smartphone that attempts to offer a compelling package at an affordable price point. With a retail price of around £200-£250, it's clear that Honor is targeting the budget-conscious buyer. In terms of value for money, the X7 fares well. The device boasts a 6.7-inch display with a 90Hz refresh rate, which provides a smooth viewing experience. The large 5000mAh battery also ensures that the phone lasts all day, even with heavy usage. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 processor is sufficient for everyday tasks and light gaming, but it's not exactly a powerhouse. The 4GB RAM and 128GB storage combination will suffice for most users, although multitasking enthusiasts may find it wanting. One of the major letdowns, however, is the camera system. The 48MP primary sensor struggles with inconsistent focus, while the 8MP selfie camera produces dull and uninspired results. In comparison to other phones in this price range, the Honor X7 offers a competitive package. However, there are better options available that offer more impressive cameras and user experiences. For instance, the Motorola G31 is another phone that can be picked up for around £10 less than the X7, with better camera performance and a stock Android experience. Overall, the Honor X7 feels like a good but not great option in its price category. While it offers some compelling features, such as an impressive battery life and a smooth display, the cameras and overall user experience fall short of expectations. As a result, buyers may want to consider other options before committing to the X7. 6/10
Performance
The Honor X7 is a mid-range smartphone that packs a punch when it comes to performance. Under the hood lies a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G processor, which handles everyday tasks with ease, including social media browsing, camera use, and some light gaming. In my experience, the phone's general performance has been excellent, with smooth transitions between apps and no notable lag or stuttering. The inclusion of four gigabytes of RAM is sufficient for multitasking, although it may not be as seamless as higher-end devices with more RAM. One area where the Honor X7 excels is battery life. With a large 5000mAh battery, I found that the phone easily lasts a full day, even with moderate use. The inclusion of fast charging (22.5W) also means that you can quickly top up your battery when needed. However, it's worth noting that the Honor X7 is a 4G-only device, which may be a drawback for those who are used to faster data speeds. Additionally, the phone runs on Magic UI version 4.2, based on Android 11, which may not be the most up-to-date software. In terms of gaming performance, I found that the Honor X7 handled some light gaming with ease, although it's not designed for heavy-duty gaming. The processor and RAM combination should be sufficient for casual gamers who want to enjoy a few hours of mobile gaming on their phone. Overall, the performance of the Honor X7 is one of its strongest features, making it a solid choice for those who prioritize everyday use over top-end specs.
Pros
1. The Honor X7 has a large 6.7-inch display with a fast 90Hz refresh rate, which is surprisingly good despite its 720p resolution.
2. The phone's battery life is amazing and can easily get through a day.
3. The Honor X7 has a great performance for general day-to-day tasks, including social media, camera use, and light gaming.
4. The phone has a large 5000mAh battery with support for 22.5W fast charging.
5. Magic UI version 4.2 is running smoothly on top of Android 11.
6. The Honor X7 has a quad-camera setup with a 48MP main sensor, which takes some nice photos with reasonable detail.
Cons
1. The phone's display resolution is only 720p, which may not be ideal for those who want the latest tech.
2. The camera system, especially the main camera, has inconsistent focus and underwhelming performance in certain situations.
3. There's no 5G support on the Honor X7, sticking with 4G connectivity.
4. The phone's selfie camera is of poor quality, with dull color reproduction and low resolution (8MP).
5. The camera system lacks stabilization, leading to subpar video quality.