The HONOR X7e made quite a bit of noise when it launched because it looked almost exactly like the iPhone 17, and it packed a huge 7,500mAh battery.
However, we noted in our first impressions that HONOR downgraded both the chipset and cameras compared to the previous X7d, so I was genuinely curious to answer the question — is it worth buying?
After using it for several weeks, I finally have my answer. In this review, I’ll share what surprised me, what disappointed me, and whether it’s actually worth its price.
If you haven’t yet, you can also check out our HONOR X7e Unboxing and First Impressions articles before diving into this review.
Design and Build Quality
One thing that hasn’t changed since my first impressions is how eye-catching the HONOR X7e looks. At first glance, you could easily mistake it for the latest iPhone 17, especially in the Sunrise Orange colorway. So although I tested the Black variant, I still think the Orange is the best-looking option.
Of course, it only resembles the iPhone in terms of design, but if you like that kind of aesthetic without spending too much, I think the HONOR X7e does a good job.
Another thing I appreciate is that HONOR kept the durability features from the X7d. I mentioned in my first impressions that I’d probably end up testing them, and I actually did, unintentionally. The phone survived several drops, slides, and even a couple of splashes, yet it still looks as good as new. Its 5-Star SGS Premium Drop Resistance and IP64 dust and splash resistance definitely came in handy.
The only downside is the size. With a huge 7,500mAh battery inside, the X7e is thicker and heavier than some phones in its price range. Personally, though, I’d take the extra weight if it means getting much better battery life.
Display and Multimedia Experience
The HONOR X7e features a 6.61-inch HD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate.
Although I would’ve preferred a Full HD+ panel, I honestly didn’t find the lower resolution to be a dealbreaker during daily use. For scrolling through Facebook, watching YouTube videos, browsing TikTok, or even casual gaming, the display was still sharp enough for me.
But I would like to note that the colors aren’t as vibrant as what you’ll find on AMOLED displays, and the bezels are noticeably thicker, making the screen feel slightly smaller than it actually is.
Although, considering its price category, I think the display is perfectly acceptable for casual use. One thing I did appreciate is the smoothness of the 120Hz refresh rate. After weeks of using it, I rarely encountered noticeable lags or frame drops while switching between apps.
Audio, however, is a bit more average. HONOR advertises up to 400% volume, and while the speakers do get loud, I noticed that the audio starts to sound slightly distorted at maximum volume. It’s still usable for watching videos or listening to music, but I wouldn’t consider it one of the phone’s strongest features.
Performance and Gaming
One of my biggest concerns during my first impressions was the processor. On paper, the switch from the Snapdragon 685 found on the HONOR X7d to the MediaTek Helio G81 Ultra felt like a downgrade, so I wasn’t expecting much.
Interestingly, my first experience showed the downgrade clearly. Right after setting up the phone, TikTok and Facebook kept lagging and even froze a couple of times. At first, I honestly thought this would be the overall experience throughout my usage.
But after installing all available software updates and using the phone for a while, the lag completely disappeared. Since then, everyday tasks have been surprisingly smooth. I had no problems using social media apps, YouTube, Google apps, and other common apps. I could even switch between several of them without experiencing major slowdowns.
Gaming was another pleasant surprise. Since I already lowered my expectations, I genuinely didn’t expect the HONOR X7e to handle Call of Duty: Mobile as well as it did. To my surprise, gameplay remained smooth even with the highest graphics settings enabled, and I didn’t encounter any major lag or frame drops while playing.
Of course, this isn’t a gaming phone, so I still wouldn’t recommend pushing it too hard with several heavy apps running all at once. But for casual users, students, and even light gamers, I think the overall performance is more than enough.
HONOR also continues to include its dedicated AI Button, which provides quick access to AI-powered features such as AI Mobile Assistant, AI Memories, Quick Services, and AI Screen Suggestions. I initially thought I’d rarely use it, but after a few weeks, I found myself trying to use it more. It’s a nice addition.
7,500mAh Battery
If there’s one area where the HONOR X7e truly stands out, it’s battery life.
Its massive 7,500mAh battery easily lasted me an entire 2 days, even with heavy social media use, streaming, messaging, and occasional gaming.
For lighter users, I can easily see this phone lasting anywhere between three to four days before needing another charge. Charging is also noticeably faster than its predecessor because of its upgraded 45W HONOR SuperCharge support.
Camera
This was probably the area I was most skeptical about.
As I mentioned in my first impressions, HONOR downgraded the rear camera from 108MP on the HONOR X7d to 50MP on the X7e. Naturally, my expectations weren’t very high. So again, to my surprise, the actual results were kinda better than I expected.
For an entry-level smartphone, the rear camera performs well. Photos captured during daylight have decent detail, good colors, and enough dynamic range for social media uploads. It processed well.
What’s even more surprising was its low-light performance. I expected nighttime photos to struggle, but the X7e actually managed to capture brighter images than I anticipated without introducing excessive noise.
It’s obviously not flagship-level photography, but I can confidently say it performs better than several entry-level phones I’ve tested that cost even more.
The front camera, however, is a different story. With only a 5MP sensor, selfie quality is noticeably softer and lacks detail compared to many competitors today. It’s perfectly usable for video calls and the occasional selfie, but if taking selfies is one of your priorities, you’ll probably find yourself wanting more.
Overall, while the camera specs look like a downgrade on paper, the rear camera still manages to give respectable results.
Verdict
After using the HONOR X7e for several weeks, I can say it’s a dependable entry-level smartphone that prioritizes battery life, durability, and everyday usability over raw performance.
Its biggest strengths are its massive 7,500mAh battery, durable build, and attractive design.
While the processor may look like a downgrade on paper, my day-to-day experience was smoother than expected after the initial software updates.
Of course, there are compromises. The HD+ display, average speaker quality, and especially the 5MP selfie camera remind you that this is still a budget device. As for the camera, it’s somewhere in the middle. It’s decent and capable; it’s just enough.
My biggest concern, however, is the pricing. If you can buy it for PHP 10,000 or less, it is absolutely worth the price. But as for the SRP of PHP 14,999, I’d say wait for a sale. Because for just a little more, HONOR already offers phones with noticeably better performance, displays, and cameras.
Should You Buy It?
If you really need a phone with long battery life, dependable durability, and decent performance for social media, streaming, online classes, and casual gaming, the HONOR X7e is a solid choice.
However, if you can stretch your budget a little, I’d recommend checking out HONOR’s higher-end models, as they offer significantly better overall value. Otherwise, for users who simply need a reliable daily phone, the HONOR X7e performs well where it matters most.
HONOR X7e Specifications
- Display: 6.61-inch TFT LCD, 1604 x 720 pixels, 120Hz refresh rate, 1,010nits peak brightness
- CPU: MediaTek Helio G81 Ultra octa-core processor
- GPU: Mali-G52 MC2
- RAM: 6+6GB
- ROM: 128GB
- Rear Camera: 50MP Main Camera (F1.8)
- Front Camera: 5MP (F2.2)
- Battery: 7,500mAh, 45W HONOR SuperCharge
- OS: MagicOS 10.0
- Connectivity: 2.4GHz & 5GHz WiFi, 4G LTE, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, NFC, Dual SIM (nano)
- Sensors: Gravity, Fingerprint, Ambient Light, Proximity
- Colors: Muse Purple, Urban Silver, Ocean Blue
- Weight: 207g
- Others: PC Data Sync, OTG, USB Type-C, USB 2.0, 3.5mm earjack, 5-Star SGS Premium Drop Resistance, IP64 dust and splash resistance, 2D face recognition
Price and Availability
HONOR X7e is available on HONOR Philippines’ authorized retailers and official online stores, with an SRP of PHP 14,999.
But with certain promos and discounts, you can purchase one for as low as PHP 10,000 to PHP 13,000.
