Honor X7d Review: Affordable Powerhouse with Balanced Performance

Honor X7d Review: Affordable Powerhouse with Balanced Performance

The global smartphone market is rapidly evolving, with brands constantly competing to deliver the best value to consumers. While flagship devices steal the headlines with cutting-edge innovations, it is in the budget and mid-range category that the fiercest competition takes place. Consumers here are more demanding than ever — seeking a balance of performance, design, durability, and affordability.

Honor, once a sub-brand of Huawei and now operating independently, has built a strong presence in this segment. Among its many offerings, the Honor X7d stands out as a device promising excellent performance, a sleek design, dependable cameras, and a battery life capable of lasting through the day — all at an affordable price point.

In this in-depth review, we’ll explore the Honor X7d’s design, display, performance, camera quality, software experience, battery endurance, pricing, and comparisons, and finally decide whether it is the right smartphone for you in 2025.

Honor X7d at a Glance

Before we dive deeper, let’s quickly look at the core highlights of the Honor X7d:

  • Display: 6.74-inch LCD, 90Hz refresh rate, HD+ resolution

  • Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 6020 (5G-enabled)

  • RAM & Storage: 4GB/6GB RAM, 128GB storage (expandable via microSD)

  • Rear Cameras: 50MP (main) + 2MP (depth)

  • Front Camera: 8MP selfie shooter

  • Battery: 5,000 mAh with 22.5W fast charging

  • OS: Android 13 with MagicUI skin

  • Connectivity: 5G, dual-SIM, USB-C, Bluetooth 5.1, Wi-Fi

  • Price Range: Affordable mid-range (varies by market, ~$199–$229)

With these specifications, it is clear that the Honor X7d aims to provide a solid 5G experience for budget-conscious users.

Design and Build Quality

Honor has always taken design seriously, even in its budget-friendly lineup. The Honor X7d does not feel cheap, despite being positioned as a lower mid-range device.

  • Back Panel: A glossy plastic finish with curved edges makes it comfortable to hold. It comes in multiple colors, such as Midnight Black, Ocean Blue, and Titanium Silver.

  • Camera Module: A dual-camera setup is arranged vertically inside circular cutouts, giving the phone a modern look.

  • Build Quality: Weighing around 194g and measuring 8.6mm thick, the device feels solid yet lightweight.

  • Fingerprint Scanner: Side-mounted, integrated with the power button, ensuring quick unlocking.

The design is clearly inspired by Honor’s higher-end models, and it gives users a sense of premium aesthetics without the premium price.

Display New Performance Honor X7d

The Honor X7d sports a 6.74-inch LCD panel with HD+ (1600 × 720) resolution.

Key Points:

  • Refresh Rate: 90Hz makes scrolling and animations smoother than typical 60Hz displays in the same price range.

  • Color Reproduction: Colors are vivid and accurate for an LCD panel, though not as punchy as AMOLED.

  • Color Reproduction: Colors are vivid and accurate for an LCD panel, though not as punchy as AMOLED.

  • Brightness: Sufficient for indoor and outdoor use, though direct sunlight visibility could be better.

  • Bezels: Thin side bezels, with a small waterdrop notch housing the selfie camera.

While not flagship-level, the display performs well for social media, casual gaming, and video streaming. At this price, the 90Hz refresh rate is a welcome addition.

Performance and Hardware

The MediaTek Dimensity 6020 chipset powers the Honor X7d. Built on a 7nm process, this chipset is designed for efficient 5G performance in affordable devices.

Performance in Daily Use:

  • Multitasking: Smooth with 4GB/6GB RAM. App switching is fast for light to moderate users.

  • Gaming: Titles like PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty: Mobile, and Asphalt 9 run on medium settings with decent stability. Heavy titles may require reduced graphics settings.

  • Heat Management: The phone stays relatively cool, even during long gaming sessions.

  • Storage: 128GB internal storage, expandable via microSD card, provides plenty of space for apps, photos, and videos.

Overall, the Honor X7d balances performance with efficiency, making it ideal for students, professionals, and casual gamers.

Camera System

The Honor X7d’s dual-camera setup is modest but effective for its price range.

Rear Cameras:

  • 50MP Main Sensor: Captures sharp, detailed shots in daylight with good dynamic range.

  • 2MP Depth Sensor: Used for portrait mode, providing decent background blur.

Front Camera:

  • 8MP Selfie Shooter: Produces decent selfies with natural skin tones. Portrait mode is available but not flawless.

Camera Performance:

  • Daylight Photography: Excellent considering the budget; colors are vibrant and details are sharp.

  • Low-Light Photography: Struggles without Night Mode; photos appear grainy but usable.

  • Video Recording: 1080p at 30fps with decent stabilization.

For casual users who mainly shoot in daylight or indoors with good lighting, the Honor X7d’s camera system is more than satisfactory.

Software Experience

The Honor X7d runs on Android 13 with MagicUI 7.1.

Pros of the Software:

  • Clean UI: Less bloatware compared to older Honor devices.

  • Customization: Themes, wallpapers, and home screen layouts can be easily personalized.

  • Google Services: Unlike Huawei devices, Honor now includes full access to Google Play Store and services.

Software Updates:

Honor promises regular security updates, but major Android upgrades may be slower compared to premium devices.

The overall experience is smooth, intuitive, and beginner-friendly.

Battery Life

One of the biggest strengths of the Honor X7d is its 5,000 mAh battery.

Key Features:

  • Endurance: Easily lasts 1.5 to 2 days with moderate use.

  • Screen-On Time: Around 7–8 hours of continuous use.

  • Fast Charging: 22.5W charger included in the box, charges 50% in about 45 minutes and a full charge in ~2 hours.

The combination of Dimensity 6020’s efficiency and Honor’s software optimizations ensures excellent battery backup, a must-have feature for budget users.

Connectivity and Extra Features

  • 5G Support: Works with most global 5G bands.

  • Dual-SIM: Yes, with hybrid SIM/microSD tray.

  • Audio: Single bottom-firing speaker, loud but lacks depth. No stereo setup.

  • Headphone Jack: Thankfully present, a rarity in 2025’s mid-range phones.

  • Fingerprint Sensor: Side-mounted, fast and reliable.

  • Face Unlock: Works well in daylight but less reliable in low light.

Honor X7d Price and Availability

The Honor X7d is priced between $199–$229 internationally, depending on RAM/storage configuration and market.

  • In India: Expected around ₹15,000 – ₹17,000.

  • In Europe: Around €199.

  • In Middle East/Africa: Around $200 equivalent.

This pricing makes it a strong competitor against Redmi Note 12, Realme Narzo 60x, and Samsung Galaxy M14.

Competitor Comparison

Honor X7d vs Redmi Note 12

  • Redmi offers AMOLED display (better visuals).

  • Honor provides longer battery backup.

  • Performance is comparable, though Redmi’s Snapdragon chipset is slightly better for gaming

Honor X7d vs Samsung Galaxy M14

  • Samsung has better software update policies.

  • Honor offers faster charging and lighter design.

  • Camera performance is similar, but Honor’s shots are slightly sharper in daylight.

 

Honor X7d vs Realme Narzo 60x

  • Realme offers faster charging speeds (33W vs 22.5W).

  • Honor provides a more refined design and MagicUI experience.

  • Both are neck-and-neck in pricing.

Pros and Cons

✅ Pros:

  • Affordable 5G connectivity

  • Solid build with stylish design

  • Large 6.74-inch display with 90Hz refresh rate

  • Dependable 5,000 mAh battery

  • Clean Android experience with Google services

  • Good daylight photography with 50MP main camera

❌ Cons:

  • HD+ resolution (competitors offer FHD+)

  • Average low-light camera performance

  • No ultra-wide or macro lens

  • Software updates may be slower than Samsung or Xiaomi

  • Charging speed capped at 22.5W

Who Should Buy the Honor X7d?

The Honor X7d is ideal for:

  • Students who need a reliable 5G phone at an affordable price.

  • Budget-conscious professionals wanting good performance and long battery life.

  • First-time smartphone buyers who value simplicity and design.

  • Casual gamers who don’t need ultra graphics but want stable gameplay.

Final Verdict

The Honor X7d successfully strikes a balance between affordability and functionality. It may not boast the flagship-level specs of Honor’s premium devices, but for under $230, it offers a modern design, smooth 90Hz display, solid battery life, and dependable performance.

Yes, the HD+ display and average low-light photography are compromises. But considering the price, it is hard to complain. The Honor X7d is a solid recommendation for anyone seeking a budget-friendly 5G smartphone in 2025.