Nowadays, finding the right smartphone can rely on a myriad of factors such as one’s work or personal life and situation, social media engagement, entertainment and gaming preferences, and of course, one’s budget.
HONOR has just released its latest entry-level offering for the new year, the HONOR X5c Plus.
This comes packed with tech and features you should expect out of a modern-day smartphone at a budget-friendly price.
So, how does the HONOR X5c Plus perform relative to its price and competition?
Let’s find out.
Design and build
Starting off with the design and build, the HONOR X5c Plus features a 7.9mm build design, typical of modern smartphones. The body is slim and sleek despite its dimensions, without being bulky or cumbersome to handle. It features a dual SIM tray on the left side. On the right, it has your usual up-and-down volume rockers, and a power button in the middle which also acts as a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. At the bottom, it has a 3.5mm audio jack, Type-C charging port, and lastly, a built-in speakers.
The package also includes a Type-C charger and cable, as well as a silicone case.
There are three color options to choose from: Ocean Cyan, Meteor Silver, and Midnight Black. The color that I got in for testing is the Meteor Silver, and I can say that it looks and feels premium with a modern, stylish aesthetic.
Display
When it comes to the display, the HONOR X5c Plus definitely packs a punch. Featuring a 6.74-inch TFT LCD, 720 x 1600 resolution, and with a 90Hz HD+ display. This is great for those urban commuters or frequent flyers for your always-on-the-go lifestyle. I could see and feel the immersion when I was streaming my favorite horror flicks like The Walking Dead, and getting caught up in the adrenaline in racing games like Need for Speed.
Camera
The HONOR X5c Plus’ camera features are also a standout. It has a 50MP AI dual main rear camera, and a 5MP front selfie cam. Thanks to the superb camera, I was able to capture in high-definition the beauty of nature and outdoors as well as little glimpse of the urban cityscape since I live in a metropolitan city like Makati. There are also a bevy of editing features you can choose from, so for the photography lovers and social media content creators out there, the HONOR X5c Plus has you covered.
Performance
When talking about performance, the HONOR X5c Plus’ features are no slouch either. It has a MediaTek Helio G81 Octa-core chipset processor, 4GB RAM + 4GB RAM TURBO (virtual) RAM, 128GB internal storage, and lastly, it also features an OS of MagicOS 9.0 (based on Android 15).
Keeping multiple apps open simultaneously with the WiFi and Bluetooth on can be done without any hiccups and/or lags, which made for a fluid and seamless experience. There are also a bunch of AI features that make the HONOR X5c Plus that much more convenient and essential for both remote workers and content creators alike.
One aspect that might get lost in the shuffle is the audio quality and fidelity. The HONOR Sound tech, one which I’ve already experienced before on a different HONOR smartphone, can simulate the depth of a 3D sound field for immersive listening.
Battery and charging
Furthermore, with the brand’s official tagline being “3-Day Battery: The Most Affordable Phone of 2026”, you can see why with the specs that the HONOR X5c Plus offers. Those being a large 5,260mAh battery with 15W wired charging, the HONOR X5c Plus never let me down even after extended periods of use. And whenever I needed a quick boost, in just a mere 10 to 15 minutes of charging, I was good to go again.
Verdict
So coming in at an SRP of ₱4,999, the HONOR X5c Plus is a more than worth it entry-level smartphone that delivers for today’s fast-paced lifestyle. Its battery and longevity, camera, and performance are its top selling-points. The HONOR X5c Plus is perfect for students, fresh grads, entry-level workers, and urban commuters who want a do-it-all smartphone without breaking the bank.
