It will soon be the yuletide holiday—the season of gift-giving and showing appreciation. With that in mind, a new smartphone sits somewhere on people’s wishlists or gift ideas. But what if you wanted a new smartphone without breaking the bank?
There are plenty of entry-level smartphones on the market that still offer diverse tech such as high-def cameras, durability features, and integrated AI. But what if I told you there’s a budget smartphone out there that outperforms the rest?
HONOR has just released its latest entry-level offering, the HONOR X7d, packed with tech features for your always-on-the-go lifestyle.
So how well does the HONOR X7d fare against the competition? Let’s find out.
Design and build
The HONOR X7d comes in a slim, lightweight, and ergonomically sleek body, typical of modern-day smartphones. It features micro-nano textures on the body for a silky smooth feel. It comes in three color options, namely, Desert Gold, Velvet Black, and Ocean Cyan. The color that I got for testing is the Desert Gold option, and I’ve got to say it looks stylish yet minimalist at the same time.
It features four buttons: an up-and-down volume rocker on the top right, a power button in the middle right side, and an adjacent instant AI button on the left. At the bottom, it has a Type-C charging port, internal speakers, and a SIM slot. Inside the box is a Type-C charger and cable, as well as a silicone case.
The main star of the show is the 5-star all-around drop protection feature. If you need/want ultra-durability out of your smartphone, the HONOR X7d has you covered. It has a 360 drop-proof reliability, which can withstand up to a 2-meter drop. As well as Super Water Resistance, built to handle splashes and spills. Not to mention a full-level dust resistance, unaffected by sand, dust, or everyday grit. Last but not least, it also features Wet-Hand Touch Enhancement, so you can use it and make calls effortlessly, even with wet or soapy hands.
I conducted a drop and water splash test at home to see the features in action and if they live up to the hype. First, I dropped the X7d from an old and dusty bookshelf that is a few inches from the ceiling, and there was not a gash, scratch, or dent that could be found after. Then I placed the X7d under a running kitchen faucet for a few seconds while swirling it around, and the smartphone was completely fine and functional. Needless to say, the results speak for themselves. I even captured it on TikTok for reference.
Display
The HONOR X7d’s display package features a TFT LCD that comes in at a 6.77-inch screen size with a 720*1610 high resolution, so you can make the most of your entertainment and gaming experience. I was able to stream my favorite Netflix horror flicks like Stranger Things and play exciting games like Street Racing 3D with full immersion and in high definition.
It also has standard features like a 120Hz refresh rate, auto-brightness, dynamic dimming, low-blue light mode, and sunlight enhancement display.
Camera
When it comes to photography, the features of the X7d are also a standout amongst the competition. It has a 108MP ultra-clear main AI-camera and a 2MP depth camera in the rear. The front features an 8MP selfie cam.
Its AI features include AI Eraser, AI Outpainting, AI Eyes-open, AI Night Mode, and so much more. Thanks to the X7d, I was able to capture the beauty and zen of nature and outdoors, as well as my beloved furballs, to steal the show.
Performance
In terms of performance, the X7d runs on an Android MagicOS 9.0, which is also the latest version of HONOR’s OS based on Android 15. It offers AI-powered tools like Magic Portal, Magic Capsule, AI Translation, AI-powered editing, as well as Phantom Engine and Parallel Animation for gaming. Lastly, one important AI feature is the Deepfake Detection, which enhances the security of video calls by attempting to detect deepfakes.
Furthermore, it also has memory features such as 16GB+256GB of RAM, and a higher-level option of 16GB+512GB. HONOR RAM Turbo Technology can reach a 16GB memory experience that runs smoothly even after extended use.
There’s also the aforementioned instant AI button on the left side of the X7d. I found this to be a useful tool as it offers an AI Mobile Assistant feature that you allows you to select apps and do specific actions in just a click. There’s also a built-in NFC feature so you can enjoy smooth cashless transactions from your phone as well.
One aspect that really got me hooked is the music and audio experience. When using my headphones, I was amazed at the HONOR Sound, which is a world-class audio enhancement technology. Or more specifically, the 3D audio setting, which simulates the depth of a 3D sound field for immersive listening. This made each instrument and sound more balanced, so you can hear more clearly and in high-fidelity.
There are built-in dual speakers, which can achieve up to 400% Volume. High-volume mode adjusts for outdoor environments. It amplifies music, videos, and navigation sounds while providing a clear, loud quality for calls. I was actually pleasantly surprised when they said 400%, because the last smartphone I tested had a similar feature, albeit from a different brand.
In the end, the volume amplification is more significant than any other I’ve tested to date. It works well whether I’m taking a shower, having a get-together, or even just in the dining area when I’m watching YouTube while eating, because when you live behind a major thoroughfare intersection like I do (Buendia/Gil Puyat Ave. corner Paseo de Roxas), you tend to hear car engines, sirens, horns, and traffic-jams a whole lot more than in other places.
Overall, the performance of the X7d is satisfactory and smooth. I never experienced any hiccups, lags, or delays even while multitasking, which made the testing that much easier.
Battery and charging
Lastly, when talking about battery and charging, the X7d features a 6500mAh Double-Cell Battery to keep up with the festive holiday rush. It is said to be built for efficiency and designed for safety. Its double-cell battery lasts longer than single-cell batteries.
I found the battery performance to be great, even as I kept the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings for extended periods. The charging is also quick and can be adjusted to a super-charge mode if you want it to charge even faster.
Verdict
So coming in at an SRP of PHP 7,299 for 16GB+256GB RAM, and the aforementioned higher-tier PHP 9,999 for 16GB+512GB RAM, the HONOR X7d is definitely a budget-friendly yet ultra-durable, jack-of-all-trades entry-level smartphone from HONOR. I’d put it in my wishlist now that I’ve tested it.
It’s got something for everyone, while also being on the more practical side with its durability and longevity features, so you have fewer things on your plate to worry about. Like what happened before — when you’d swim with your phone in your pocket and have to submerge it in a glass full of bigas to fix it, thanks to that myth that became popular a decade or so ago.
Anyway, now that I’m showing my age, I just want to say that the HONOR X7d is more than worth it when compared to similar smartphones, especially given the fact that you can go with the more wallet-friendly option and still get the same standout features.
