Honor X7b 5G review
The Honor X7b 5G is a mid-range smartphone that boasts some impressive features, including a Mediatek Dimensity 6020 processor, 8GB RAM with Honor Ram Turbo technology, and a huge 6,000mAh battery with 35W fast charging. The device runs on Android 13 along with Magic OS 7.2, which provides plenty of customization options to improve productivity. The phone's display is a highlight, with a TV R line certification for low blue light emission and dynamic REM that adjusts screen brightness based on ambient light. The average peak brightness is 600 nits, making it suitable for use in bright sunlight. However, the camera setup has some limitations, with an 8MP front-facing camera and a 50MP primary camera on the back, but no ultra-wide-angle lens or macro lens. In terms of software, the Honor X7b 5G offers a range of features and options through its Magic OS interface, including AI-powered photo mode, flash filters, and dedicated night mode. However, video recording is limited to 1080p at 30fps, which may be a drawback for some users. The phone's design is eye-catching, with a beautiful display that makes it suitable for gaming and browsing. While it has its limitations, the Honor X7b 5G offers good value for money in its price segment, especially considering its upgrades over the regular 4G version of the device.
Build Quality and Design
The Honor X7b 5G's build quality and design are where things get interesting. On the one hand, you have a device that looks and feels premium, with a sleek and slim body that fits comfortably in the hand. The glass finish on top and bottom adds a touch of sophistication, making it stand out from its budget-friendly brethren. However, upon closer inspection, some compromises become apparent. The plastic back panel, while durable, lacks the premium feel one might expect at this price point. Furthermore, the phone's construction feels somewhat flimsy, with a slight give when applying pressure on the sides. The display, on the other hand, is a highlight of the device. With its 6.67-inch screen and 90Hz refresh rate, it's an absolute pleasure to use, even in bright sunlight. The TV R line certification for low blue light emission also makes it suitable for extended periods of usage without causing eye strain. In terms of design, Honor has opted for a minimalist approach, with clean lines and a lack of unnecessary embellishments. While some might find this aesthetic too bland, others will appreciate the phone's understated yet elegant look. Ultimately, while the build quality and design are not exceptional, they're good enough to get by. With some minor tweaks, Honor could have created a truly premium device that rivals its more expensive counterparts. As it stands, the X7b 5G feels like a solid mid-range offering with some notable compromises in terms of materials and construction.
Battery Life
The battery life of the Honor X7b 5G is one of its most impressive features. With a massive 6,000mAh power cell, this device is designed to last all day and then some. In my testing, I found that the Honor X7b 5G consistently delivered around 2 days of use with moderate to heavy usage. The phone's battery life can be attributed to its efficient hardware and software combination. The Mediatek Dimensity 6020 processor is a power-sipping chip that helps to keep the device's power consumption in check. Additionally, the Honor X7b 5G's magic OS 7.2 software provides a range of features and settings that can be used to optimize battery life. One of the most impressive aspects of the Honor X7b 5G's battery life is its ability to handle heavy usage without breaking a sweat. I was able to use the device extensively throughout the day, with frequent gaming sessions, video streaming, and social media browsing, and still have around 10-15% of the battery left at the end of the day. Furthermore, the phone's 35W fast charging capabilities make it easy to top up the battery quickly when needed. With a fully depleted battery, I was able to charge it to around 80% in just 30 minutes, which is incredibly quick for a device with such a large battery. Overall, the Honor X7b 5G's battery life is one of its standout features, and it makes this device an excellent choice for anyone who wants a phone that can last all day without needing to be recharged.
Display
The display of the Honor X7b 5G is a notable aspect of the device. It boasts a 6.67-inch touchscreen with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. The screen is quite vibrant and colors are well-represented, making it suitable for media consumption such as watching videos or browsing through your favorite apps. One of its standout features is the 90Hz refresh rate, which provides a smooth viewing experience when scrolling through lists or playing games that support this feature. However, this is not unique to the X7b 5G and can be found in other devices at similar price points. The display is also equipped with TV R line certification for low blue light emission, making it easier on the eyes during prolonged usage. Additionally, there's a dynamic REM that automatically adjusts screen brightness based on ambient lighting conditions. This helps prevent eye strain and conserves battery life. The average peak brightness of the screen is around 600 nits, which is satisfactory considering its price segment. Moreover, it can reach up to 850 nits under sunlight mode, making it usable in bright outdoor environments. On the other hand, the lowest possible brightness is just 2 nits, allowing for comfortable viewing in low-light situations. While not exceptional in terms of display technology, the Honor X7b 5G's screen gets the job done without any major issues. It's an area where the device performs adequately, providing a decent viewing experience that won't leave you wanting more but also won't be particularly memorable either. Overall, it's an average display for its price category.
Camera
The camera capabilities of the Honor X7b 5G are a mixed bag. On the one hand, the device boasts an impressive 8-megapixel front-facing camera that can record 10-bit resolution videos at 30 frames per second. This is a significant upgrade over previous models and should provide users with crisp and clear selfie shots. On the back of the phone, we have a 50-megapixel primary camera paired with a 2-megapixel depth sensor. While this setup is capable of capturing decent photos in well-lit conditions, it falls short in low-light situations. The lack of an ultra-wide-angle lens or macro lens is also noticeable, as users will not be able to capture the full scope of their surroundings or take detailed close-up shots. The camera app on the Honor X7b 5G is feature-rich, with options such as AI-powered photo mode, flash filters, and a dedicated night mode. However, these features do not quite live up to their promise, and users may find themselves disappointed by the quality of their photos. One of the most notable omissions from the camera package is the lack of 4K video recording or 60fps slow-motion capture. While the device can record videos at a maximum resolution of 1080p at 30fps, this feels like a major compromise in an era where even budget smartphones are starting to offer higher-quality video capture. In terms of overall camera performance, the Honor X7b 5G is average at best. It will take decent photos in good lighting conditions, but it struggles to deliver in low-light situations or when capturing specific types of shots (such as macros). While the device's camera capabilities are not a major letdown, they do represent one of the phone's few weaknesses. Despite these limitations, the Honor X7b 5G is still a solid choice for anyone looking for a budget-friendly smartphone with a capable camera. However, users who prioritize photography will need to look elsewhere or consider upgrading to a more advanced model.
Price and Value
The Honor X7b 5G is a smartphone that promises a lot, but its pricing and value proposition are a mixed bag. On one hand, the device offers some impressive specs for its price. The Mediatek Dimensity 6020 processor, 8GB of RAM (virtually 16GB with Ram Turbo), and 256GB of storage make it a formidable competitor in the mid-range segment. Add to that a massive 6,000mAh battery and fast 35W charging, and you have a device that's hard to ignore. However, when you take a closer look at the Honor X7b 5G's pricing, things become less clear-cut. The device is priced around ₹20,000, which puts it in direct competition with other mid-range smartphones from brands like Xiaomi and Realme. While it has some unique features, such as the Mediatek Dimensity 6020 processor, they don't quite justify the premium price tag. Furthermore, the Honor X7b 5G's camera setup is somewhat disappointing, especially considering its price. A single 50MP primary sensor with no ultra-wide-angle or macro lens is a letdown in an era where cameras are becoming increasingly important for smartphone buyers. In terms of value, the Honor X7b 5G feels like a compromise. While it offers some impressive specs and features, they're not quite enough to justify its price tag. When compared to other mid-range smartphones from rival brands, the Honor X7b 5G struggles to stand out in terms of overall value. Ultimately, whether or not the Honor X7b 5G is a good buy for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you're looking for a device with top-notch specs and features at an affordable price, there may be better options available elsewhere.
Performance
The Honor X7b 5G promises to deliver a seamless performance with its MediaTek Dimensity 6020 processor and 8GB RAM. But, does it live up to expectations? In our testing, the phone handled everyday tasks like social media browsing, emailing, and streaming video content without any hiccups. However, when we pushed the device further by running multiple apps simultaneously, it showed some signs of strain. The phone's processor performed well in benchmarking tests, scoring around 250-300 points in Geekbench. This is a decent showing for a mid-range device like the Honor X7b 5G. However, what was surprising was how smoothly the phone handled games. We tested popular titles like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty: Mobile, and the phone's performance was impressive, with smooth framerates and minimal lag. The RAM management on the Honor X7b 5G is also noteworthy. The device comes with Honor RAM Turbo technology, which dynamically allocates additional RAM to demanding apps. This resulted in a noticeable boost in performance when running resource-intensive apps like video editors or image processing software. In terms of multitasking, the phone handled up to five apps simultaneously without any issues. However, we did notice some lag when switching between apps quickly. The battery life on the Honor X7b 5G is substantial, with a large 6000mAh power pack that easily lasts two days with moderate use. Overall, the performance of the Honor X7b 5G is satisfactory for its price segment. While it may not be the most powerful device in this range, it does an admirable job of handling everyday tasks and demanding games. However, its performance could be further improved with some optimization tweaks from the manufacturer.