HONOR Philippines just launched the HONOR X7e today, adding another device to its growing entry-level smartphone lineup. The first two things that caught my attention were its appearance and battery.
Appearance-wise, the phone bears a striking resemblance to the latest iPhone 17, while performance-wise, it packs a massive battery for a smartphone that can be bought for less than PHP 10,000.
We’re currently testing the device, but for now, here are our initial impressions of the HONOR X7e.
First Look at the HONOR X7e
The HONOR X7e comes in the brand’s usual packaging. Inside the white box, you’ll find the phone itself, documentation, a clear protective case, a SIM ejector tool, and a 45W charger with a cable.
At first glance, the HONOR X7e immediately looks familiar. It’s one of the smartphones that has adopted the trending orange color shade popularized by the iPhone 17 series. As I mentioned earlier, it basically looks like the standard iPhone 17.
While the device is also available in Black and Light Blue, I think the Orange variant is easily the most eye-catching option and the one that makes the phone stand out the most.
Bigger Battery, Familiar Durability
Another feature HONOR is highlighting on the X7e is its larger battery.
Its predecessor, the HONOR X7d, came with a 6,500mAh battery and 35W charging. This year, HONOR has increased the capacity to 7,500mAh and upgraded charging to 45W, which is a notable improvement for users who prioritize battery life when buying an entry-level smartphone.
We’re currently putting the battery to the test, so stay tuned for our full review to see how it performs in regular use.
Speaking of the predecessor, one of the features heavily marketed on the HONOR X7d was its durability, thanks to its drop and crush resistance, as well as its dedicated AI Button. HONOR has carried those features over to the newest X7e.
The phone still comes with 5-Star SGS Premium Drop Resistance and now includes expanded AI Button features such as AI Mobile Assistant, Quick Services, AI Memories, AI Screen Suggestions, and more.
As someone who frequently drops phones, I’m glad HONOR decided to keep these durability-focused features. Given my track record, I’m pretty sure this feature will end up being tested more often than I’d like.
Display, Performance, and Camera
The HONOR X7e features a slightly smaller 6.61-inch display compared to its predecessor, and its compact size makes it a bit easier to hold and use with one hand. Although the display isn’t a Full HD+ panel, I believe that it’s enough for everyday tasks.
The phone runs MagicOS 10 based on Android 16. However, it is powered by a 12nm MediaTek Helio G81 Ultra processor, which, on paper, appears to be a downgrade from the Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 found in the HONOR X7d. We’ll need more time with the device before making any conclusions about its actual performance, so stay tuned.
The camera is another area where HONOR made some changes. Based on the specifications alone, the X7e moves from a 108MP rear camera and 8MP selfie camera on the X7d to a 50MP rear camera and 5MP front camera.
I’m actually curious about the reasoning behind this decision. We’ve already captured some sample photos and will be comparing them closely as part of our full review to see whether the differences are noticeable in daily use.
Initial Thoughts
So far, the HONOR X7e appears to focus on three key areas: battery life, AI-powered features, and durability.
I’m particularly interested in seeing how these additions affect the overall user experience since both battery life and AI tools are becoming increasingly important for students and everyday users.
Beyond that, I’m also curious to find out whether the overall specs are worth it for its price. For now, we’ll continue testing the HONOR X7e as our daily device and share our full review once we’ve spent more time with it.
The HONOR X7e will be available for purchase on July 14, 2026.
