HONOR X7d Review; Durability Meets Affordability

HONOR X7d Review Philippines

INTRODUCTION:

For budget-conscious Filipino tech users, a device’s longevity is just as important as its performance. That’s why water-resistant smartphones are more than just marketing gimmicks—they cater to a market that values durability when deciding where to spend their hard-earned money.

HONOR X7d

A new contender under this category comes in the form of the HONOR X7d. For under P10,000, it's built tough enough to handle everyday spills and drops without compromising on performance. Here's what makes it stand out.

DESIGN:

The HONOR X7d appeals to users who prefer a modest look. It steers away from the flashy, patterned design and settles with subtle and simple elegance. Its Desert Gold variant has a clean, silky slate with only the HONOR branding and the camera module on top. Other color options include Ocean Cyan and Velvet Black.

HONOR X7d back design

Although the HONOR X7d has a plastic build, it doesn't feel cheap. Weighing 208 grams, it has a reassuring heft, attributed to its big battery. With a height of 166.89mm, the HONOR X7d is on the taller end of mainstream smartphones, so one-hand use could be challenging.

HONOR markets the X7d as an all-angle water resistant smartphone, backed by its IP65 rating. This means that the device can withstand dust and low-pressure water jets from all directions. It’s a practical feature that adds real value, especially for an affordable smartphone like the HONOR X7d.

The HONOR X7d is an all-angle water resistant smartphone.

This extends to another practical benefit – the HONOR X7d comes with a wet-hand touch enhancement feature. So even if your hands are damp or soapy, the screen remains responsive, letting you use your phone just as smoothly as you would with dry hands.

Accidental drops aren't a problem with the HONOR X7d as well, as it can survive slips from up to 2M, thanks to its 360-degree durability.

Read: HONOR Magic V5; The World's Slimmest Foldable Is Now Available Nationwide

HONOR brings the AI button similar to the HONOR X6c on the HONOR X7d. This brings instant access to AI Mobile Assistant where frequently used apps and functions are found. Its power button, on the other hand, doubles as a fingerprint scanner that instantly unlocks the device.

AI Button on the HONOR X7d

AI Mobile Assistant

DISPLAY:

A 6.77-inch screen shines on the HONOR X7d with an HD+ 1610 x 720 resolution. For a budget smartphone, it's got a bright display that's good enough for daily use. Plus, a 120Hz refresh rate is a nice addition for its price.

HONOR X7d display

Eye comfort features also add ease to everyday usage with the HONOR X7d, particularly its dynamic dimming function. This is an adaptive smart feature that adjusts the screen depending on ambient lighting, minimizing eye strain. An e-book mode is available as well. When activated, it turns the screen black and white.

Eye Comfort features on the HONOR X7d

The bezels on the HONOR X7d aren't that disturbingly thick, but remain noticeable, especially on its chin.

PERFORMANCE:

Running with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 chipset, the HONOR X7d handles multitasking like a walk in the park. Even with multiple background apps, the device didn't stutter when we used it as our main daily driver.

HONOR equipped the X7d with a generous 512GB internal storage, one of the device's selling points. This provides ample room to keep photos, videos, and install a number of apps without the HONOR X7d struggling and lagging.

It's understandable that high graphics settings would push an entry-level device like the HONOR X7d to its limits. However, playing on lower settings offers a smooth, lag-free gaming experience that still keeps gameplay enjoyable.

Check out the benchmark results of HONOR X7d below.

HONOR X7d benchmark results

Instead of the usual bloatware, the HONOR X7d comes with a "Popular Apps" folder where commonly used applications can be instantly installed.

The HONOR X7d offers a modest lineup of AI features, but for an entry-level smartphone, the inclusion of the HONOR AI Suite is impressive. It comes equipped with useful tools like Magic Portal, AI Subtitles, AI Translate, and AI Writing, enhancing convenience and productivity in everyday use.

Popular Apps folder on the HONOR X7d

CAMERA:

Carrying a dual-rear camera setup with a 108-megapixel main sensor and a 2-megapixel depth sensor, the HONOR X7d didn't disappoint in delivering decent photographs. Images taken under good lighting appeared ready for social media posting. Just like other entry-level devices, the HONOR X7d struggled in night photography.

HONOR X7d cameras

There are added shooting modes that level up the photography experience with the HONOR X7d, including Dual View which simultaneously uses the front and back camera in one frame and Story where users can challenge their creativity with pre-made templates.

Camera modes on the HONOR X7d

Selfies are handled by an 8-megapixel front camera, while both the front and rear cameras support video recording of up to 1080p resolution.

Check out HONOR X7d camera samples posted on TeknoGadyet's Facebook page.

BATTERY:

Powering the HONOR X7d’s reliability is a 6,500mAh battery, which easily lasted a day and a half of moderate to heavy use on a single charge.

HONOR X7d SuperCharge mode

HONOR X7d 35W charger

Using the 35W HONOR SuperCharge adapter, the HONOR X7d recharged to 100% in about an hour and a half. Here are our charging logs:

15 minutes — 0% to 19%
30 minutes — 36%
45 minutes — 54%
1 hour — 74%
1 hour 15 minutes — 91%
1 hour 30 minutes — 100%

Meanwhile, the HONOR X7d ran for 22 hours and three minutes on PC Marks' Work 3.0 battery life test.

HONOR X7d battery benchmark result

CONCLUSION:

If you’re after a budget-friendly smartphone that’s durable in both battery life and build quality, the HONOR X7d is a solid choice. It delivers all the essentials, complemented by thoughtful extras like its built-in AI features.

HONOR fans can pre-order the HONOR X7d until October 24, 2025 for P9,999 with a free HONOR Camping Light Speaker priced at P4,999.