HONOR X7b
RM799
Pros
- Long lasting battery
- User friendly
- Comes with 3.5mm audio jack
- Stereo speakers
Cons
- Camera can be better
- Performance can be better
Introducing the HONOR X7b, a compelling choice for those seeking an entry-level smartphone tailored to meet daily needs. This device, along with its counterpart, the HONOR X8b variant, was officially launched in the Malaysian market on December 22, 2023. The phone is available in two elegant colors – Emerald Green and Flowing Silver.
My fortunate acquisition of the Flowing Silver unit, secured two weeks prior to the Malaysian release date, afforded us ample time to thoroughly assess and evaluate the device’s specifications. In this comprehensive review, I aim to provide a detailed verdict on whether the HONOR X7b is a worthwhile investment in the budget smartphone category.
Design and First Look
Design-wise, the HONOR X7b boasts a smooth, clean, and simple aesthetic. The back panel’s colors are particularly noteworthy, exhibiting an eye-catching vibrancy that imparts a delightful glow when exposed to direct sunlight. The inclusion of a metallic side panel further enhances the overall visual appeal of the device.
One distinctive design element is the presence of two rear camera humps, serving as a standout feature for the phone. These camera islands house a dual 108MP primary camera, a feature we will delve into later in this review. Positioned on the right side of the panel are the power and volume buttons, contributing to the phone’s ergonomic design. On the left side, users will find a dedicated MicroSD card slot, providing additional convenience and expandable storage options.
Examining the phone’s exterior features, one can observe the small openings on the top panel designed to accommodate the loudspeaker, which also means the HONOR x7b comes with a stereo speaker setup. Meanwhile, the bottom panel serves as the home for another loudspeaker and a USB-C port. For those who prefer using wired earphones, the inclusion of an earphone jack is a welcome and appreciated feature.
While my personal sentiments toward the back panel design are not particularly favourable, we find solace in the sleek metallic finish adorning the side panel. The simplicity and cleanliness of this design are commendable, prompting us to recommend considering a thicker phone case for enhanced protection. The phone’s thin profile, coupled with the prominent camera humps, emphasizes the need for careful handling.
One of the standout features of the HONOR X7b lies in its remarkable battery life, boasting an impressive 6000mAh capacity. HONOR’s commitment to delivering an Ultra-lasting battery life holds true, as our usage patterns revealed over 48 hours of runtime with a mix of streaming and gaming activities. During idle periods, the phone showcases an extraordinary endurance, lasting up to 4 full days on a single charge during my test.
Adding to the phone’s appeal is the promise of 35W Super-Fast Charging. Our hands-on experience indicates that it takes approximately 90 minutes for the phone to charge from 30% to 100%. Extrapolating from this, users can expect a full recharge from 0% within a span of 2 hours, ensuring swift and efficient charging capabilities for the HONOR X7b.
Performance and Daily Use
Delving into the user interface (UI) of the HONOR X7b, I appreciate the organized file management featured on the main screen. This design choice not only contributes to a user-friendly experience but also ensures a seamless adjustment period. While users have the flexibility to customize settings to their preferences, I find the default display to be highly satisfactory. Notably, the phone distinguishes itself by hosting minimal bloatware, a significant positive aspect compared to other devices in the market.
The HONOR X7b excels in both display and audio quality, maintaining commendable performance even under challenging conditions such as direct sunlight and surrounding noises. The streaming experience, coupled with display quality, remains consistent and reliable in various environments. In terms of performance, the HONOR X7b achieved a score of 442 on the Wildlife test within the 3D Mark app.
Powering the phone is the Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G chipset and Adreno 610 GPU. Although these components may be considered somewhat outdated, the device continues to deliver a commendable performance. Notably, the phone exhibits efficient download speeds, allowing for the simultaneous installation of resource-intensive games such as PUBG Mobile and Genshin Impact within a few minutes.
The HONOR X7b exhibits occasional performance issues that are puzzling. Notably, the phone tends to stutter or lag when running a few apps simultaneously in the background.Upon closer examination, it was discovered that the standard RAM configuration is 8GB, supplemented by an external 8GB RAM module (referred to as the 8GB HONOR RAM Turbo). Unfortunately, users are locked into this RAM speed without the ability to adjust it. It is hoped that HONOR will address this limitation in forthcoming updates or releases.
When it comes to gaming, the HONOR X7b encounters challenges with high-graphic titles like PUBG Mobile. Users may observe dropped graphic quality and noticeable frame-rate drops, even within the game menu, resulting in a less-than-optimal gaming experience. Throughout this process, the phone exhibits discernible frame rate drops and stuttering graphics, indicating potential limitations in handling resource-intensive games.
In terms of gameplay graphics, users may notice a degree of pixelation and blurriness on the HONOR X7b. While this might be a concern for those prioritizing high-quality graphics and competitive gaming, the device remains satisfactory for users who prioritize other aspects of their gaming experience. Despite the graphical limitations, both casual and less demanding games can still be enjoyed on this phone.
Camera
Shifting the focus to the camera capabilities, the HONOR X7b boasts a primary 108MP Ultra-Clear main camera accompanied by an 8MP snapper. In well-lit conditions, the primary camera performs admirably, capturing clear and vibrant images. The front camera, while occasionally exhibiting an artificial appearance, doesn’t significantly hinder the overall photography experience.
The portrait mode on the HONOR X7b impresses by delivering ample details and maintaining focus on the subject. Night-time photography also yields positive results when there is sufficient ambient lighting, showcasing the phone’s ability to capture accurate tones and colors of stationary objects. However, challenges arise in low-light scenarios, particularly when attempting to capture images of moving subjects such as cars, resulting in noticeable noise in the images.
Despite potential limitations in the camera’s actual capabilities, users should not feel constrained when aiming to capture excellent photos for their social media postings. The primary camera on the HONOR X7b demonstrates notable strengths, particularly in outdoor settings where colors appear vibrant and punchy.
To provide a visual representation of the camera’s performance, I have included a selection of sample photos below, all captured using the HONOR X7b. These images serve as a testament to the device’s ability to produce compelling and visually appealing photographs, showcasing its potential for creating content suitable for social media platforms.
As previously mentioned, the HONOR X7b distinguishes itself as an outstanding performer, particularly in outdoor photography scenarios. Noteworthy is its ability to capture intricate details with exceptional clarity, ensuring that no nuances are lost in the visual composition. This capability extends to the zoom function, where the camera maintains a commendable level of detail and color accuracy even when magnifying the image.
Transitioning to indoor photography, the performance of the ultrawide angle camera on the HONOR X7b reveals a tendency to produce slightly washed-out photos, accompanied by a noticeable reduction in color vibrancy. In this context, the colors exhibit a muted quality. However, when utilizing the main camera for indoor shots, there is a perceptible improvement in color reproduction, leading to a more visually appealing result. This trend extends to zoomed-in shots as well, with the main camera proving to be more adept at preserving and enhancing color accuracy compared to the ultrawide angle counterpart.
The main camera, in particular, stands out for its ability to consistently deliver impressive results. The device excels in preserving details and color accuracy when focusing on stationary subjects indoors, allowing any user to capture visually appealing and high-quality photos.
The performance of the selfie camera on the HONOR X7b can be characterized as satisfactory. While the overall image quality is decent, the portrait mode exhibits a tendency to overly accentuate facial features, creating a noticeable and somewhat artificial effect. But I don’t mind it at all.
In my opinion, the camera performance of the HONOR X7b can be characterized as slightly above average. While the overall quality of the photos is commendable, it’s essential to note that the device truly excels when used in well-lit environments. The photos captured under optimal lighting conditions exhibit a notable level of clarity, detail, and color accuracy, contributing to an impressive visual output. However, the dependency on favorable lighting conditions underscores a potential limitation, as the camera’s performance may vary in scenarios with inadequate or challenging lighting. It is in well-lit surroundings that the HONOR X7b truly showcases its capability to deliver visually appealing and high-quality images.
Conclusion
The HONOR X7b positions itself as a capable device addressing everyday needs. However, when evaluating its standing within its price range, it faces stiff competition from alternatives that provide superior performance and enhanced overall value.
For users seeking an extended battery life of up to three days on a single charge, the HONOR X7b emerges as a compelling choice. Its longevity is complemented by the incorporation of the latest operating system features, akin to those found in flagship HONOR devices. This integration adds a positive dimension to the user experience.
While the HONOR X7b offers a commendable package, exploring alternative options may reveal a more gratifying and feature-rich smartphone experience, contingent on individual preferences and priorities. The device’s strengths in battery life and OS features are noteworthy, but the market offers a spectrum of choices that may cater more precisely to diverse user requirements and expectations.
The HONOR X7b has become accessible for purchase, and interested buyers can acquire it for the exclusive price of RM799 through HONOR’s official HiHonor website or from their official Shopee Page. This competitive pricing adds a layer of affordability to the device, making it an attractive option for those seeking a balance between features and cost.
