Full review: HONOR X5 Plus

The HONOR X5 Plus is the brand’s newest inclusion in its renowned lineup of X series smartphones. It’s an entry-level package that provides a significant boost in terms of the expandable storage and its impressive battery life.These features, accompanied with the usual sus-specs seen in budget-friendly smartphones, provides a bit more convenience for its users. Let’s delve deeper into the inner workings of the HONOR X5 Plus. 

Design and build

HONOR does have a knack for vibrant designs. The unit I had a chance to test came in the Cyan Lake colorway which added a bit of flair without sacrificing sophistication. The X5 Plus is also available in the more classic and minimalist Midnight Black. Both designs are then topped off with a fashionable metallic finish that is sure to please the eye. 

Just like some of its various contemporaries in the market, it adopts a boxy frame. I, for one, am more drawn to this shape and form. But that’s just a personal preference. The X5 Plus is also quite light which makes it effortless to carry around despite its stature (188g, 8.35mm). 

Display 

The HONOR X5 Plus is equipped with a 6.56-inch LFT LCD Smooth Eye-Comfort display with a 720 x 1612 resolution. Personally, I would’ve liked to see a slightly larger display size and a higher resolution. However, it still provides an enjoyable viewing experience whether I’m on YouTube or Netflix. 

The 90Hz refresh rate does allow for smoother and crisper interaction with the phone. The Smooth Eye-Comfort display also provides a level of safety for the user’s eyes. Overall, the display is quite decent without any major drawbacks. 

Camera

The rear camera features a 50MP dual camera system (50MP Main Camera, 2MP Depth Camera), while the selfie camera is at 5MP. Admittedly, the camera is as simple as it gets. But this is something we’ve come to expect from entry-level smartphones. 

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It’s important to remember that not everyone is after expert-level photography and videography. Sometimes, all we’re really after is a camera that can help us capture memories clearly. And even on a simpler level, some are just after a camera that can capture clear and post-worthy content to share with our friends and family on social media. 

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Needless to say, the HONOR X5 Plus’ camera system will do just that. It is clear and crisp enough for you to never miss and never forget a moment captured on camera. 

Performance

The HONOR X5 Plus is powered by the MediaTek Helio G36 (12nm) and is equipped with 4GB of memory and 64GB of storage. You can opt for more storage through a microSD card expansion up to 1TB – excellent for those who forget to delete their 10,000+ photos. 

All the previously listed specs provide an overall smooth user experience. I was easily able to carry out everyday tasks for both work and leisure. Answering emails and taking video calls was seamless while my viewing experience on streaming apps was hitch-free. 

It did struggle however with some of the more demanding tasks – an example being playing mobile games. I found playing Asphalt 9 slightly difficult especially when I turned up the graphics quality. The same can be said for Call of Duty: Mobile. On the higher graphics settings, I found myself struggling due to dropping frame rates. Both games are slightly more playable on lower settings. 

Battery and Charging

The smartphone comes with a 10W charger. While it may not be equipped with fast charging, it does boast an impressive battery life. The X5 Plus is powered by a 5200mAh battery. 

HONOR advertises that the battery life can last an impressive two days. On a full charge, I found myself barely making a dent after one full day of moderate usage which included a few gaming sessions to test the performance here and there. And it did end up lasting me two days on moderate usage. Expect it to be shorter if you are constantly glued to your phone.

Either way, the HONOR X5 Plus’ battery life is impressive and dependable. You can probably go a full day or so on heavy usage. You can definitely depend on this smartphone to last long. 

Verdict

Overall, the HONOR X5 Plus is a dependable device that can get you through your entire day filled with work and relaxation. It is a well-rounded smartphone that offers some modern features with a sleek design and a lightweight form factor. Carrying out more demanding tasks might not be its strongest asset, but I can’t deny the convenience and smooth user experience it offers as an everyday smartphone, especially for its price (PHP5,990).