What struck me first wasn’t the specs or the marketing spiel about AI buttons and massive batteries. It was the simplicity of what Honor was trying to accomplish. In a market where flagship phones cost the same as a decent second-hand car, the X7d 5G positions itself as the sensible choice. It doesn’t chase benchmark records or camera wizardry. Instead, it focuses on the fundamentals: battery life that actually lasts, storage you won’t fill in a week, and build quality that can survive daily abuse.

After three months of real-world testing, I’ve got plenty to say about whether this R4999 device deserves a spot in your pocket.

Built Like a Bakkie, Looks Like a Sedan

The Honor X7d 5G won’t win any beauty contests, but that’s not really the point. This phone feels substantial in a way that budget devices rarely do. The IP65 rating means it’s survived a few accidental encounters with spilled coffee, Joburg’s infamous summer downpours, and enough dust to coat a Hilux after a weekend in the Karoo.

Honor earned Swiss SGS Premium Performance Certification for drop and crush resistance, which sounds impressive until you realise it’s still a smartphone and gravity still exists. I wasn’t brave enough to test this deliberately, but the phone did take a tumble off my kitchen counter onto tile. The result? A minor scuff on the corner, but the screen remained intact. That’s more than I can say for some far pricier devices I’ve owned.

The design itself is unremarkable. You get a 6.77-inch display with bezels that are noticeable but not offensive, a plastic back that doesn’t pretend to be glass, and a camera module that sits flush enough to avoid the wobble when you’re typing on a flat surface. It comes in Desert Gold and Velvet Black, though my unit was the latter.

At 199 grams, it’s heavier than some competitors, but the weight feels reassuring rather than cumbersome. The power button doubles as a fingerprint sensor, and it’s quick enough that I rarely noticed the authentication process. Face unlock is also available, though it struggles in low light, as you’d expect from a phone in this price bracket.

That Display: Functional, Not Flashy

Let’s address the elephant in the room. The Honor X7d 5G sports a 6.77-inch TFT LCD with HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. TFT LCD in 2026 feels like a relic, especially when you’ve been spoilt by AMOLED panels. The colours lack punch, blacks aren’t truly black, and viewing angles are average at best.

But here’s the thing: for everyday use, it’s perfectly adequate. Scrolling through social media, reading articles, and watching YouTube videos didn’t feel compromised. The 120Hz refresh rate keeps interactions smooth, which matters more for daily usability than pixel density most people won’t notice.

Brightness is the bigger issue. Outdoors under direct sunlight, the display struggles. I found myself cupping my hand over the screen more than once whilst trying to read messages in a parking lot. Indoors, it’s fine. Outside, you’ll squint.

For the price, I wasn’t expecting miracles. What I got was a screen that does the job without being remarkable. It’s the automotive equivalent of a solid set of all-season tyres. They’re not exciting, but reliable.

Performance: Steady as She Goes

The Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 processor inside the X7d 5G is essentially a rebranded Snapdragon 695 with slightly higher clock speeds. It’s not going to win any speed tests, and it’s not designed to. Paired with 8GB of RAM, the phone handles daily tasks with competence rather than flair.

Apps open quickly enough, multitasking doesn’t cause noticeable slowdowns, and light gaming is possible. I spent a fair amount of time playing “Call of Duty Mobile” and “Genshin Impact” to see how the phone coped. CoD ran smoothly on medium settings, delivering a playable experience without overheating. Genshin Impact, however, was a different story. Frame drops were frequent on anything above low settings, and extended sessions caused noticeable warmth.

This isn’t a gaming phone, and Honor doesn’t pretend it is. For casual players who stick to less demanding titles, it’ll do. For anyone serious about mobile gaming, seriously, look elsewhere.

The real strength here is stability. Over three months, I didn’t encounter app crashes, freezes, or performance degradation. The phone just keeps chugging along, day after day, without drama. That consistency is worth more than flashy benchmark scores for most people.

MagicOS: Surprisingly Thoughtful

The Honor X7d 5G ships with MagicOS 8.0, based on Android 15. Out of the box, there’s a bit of bloatware, but nothing you can’t uninstall or disable within five minutes. Once you’ve cleared the clutter, what remains is a surprisingly clean and thoughtful interface.

The standout feature is the dedicated AI button on the left edge of the phone. Press it, and you trigger Honor’s AI assistant, which can recognise objects, translate text in real-time, or help with quick searches. It’s not revolutionary because Google Lens does similar things, but having a physical button makes it more accessible. I found myself using it to identify plants during hikes and translate foreign text more often than I expected.

MagicOS also includes some genuinely useful features. The parallel space function lets you run two instances of apps like WhatsApp, which is handy if you’re juggling personal and work accounts. The phone also supports gesture navigation, dark mode, and customisable themes, all of which work as advertised.

One gripe: Honor’s update policy is murky at best. The company promises two years of security updates, but major Android version upgrades are less certain. For a budget phone, that’s not unusual, but it’s worth considering if you plan to keep the device for more than two years.

Camera: Solid, Not Spectacular

The camera setup on the X7d 5G includes a 50-megapixel main sensor, a 2-megapixel macro lens, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. Let’s be honest: the latter two are there to pad the spec sheet. The macro lens produces soft, uninspiring close-ups, and the depth sensor exists solely to help with portrait mode.

The main camera, though, is surprisingly capable. In good lighting, it captures sharp, detailed photos with accurate colours. Dynamic range is limited, so high-contrast scenes will blow out highlights or crush shadows, but for everyday snapshots, it’s more than adequate.

Night mode helps in low light, though you’ll need a steady hand or a surface to rest the phone on. Noise is present but not overwhelming, and the results are usable for social media. Don’t expect the clarity of a flagship camera, but you won’t be embarrassed by what the X7d 5G produces.

Video recording maxes out at 1080p 60fps. The footage is stable thanks to electronic image stabilisation, though colours can look a bit flat. For quick clips and casual recording, it’s perfectly acceptable.

The 8-megapixel front camera does what it needs to. Selfies are sharp enough, though skin tones can lean a bit too warm. Video calls on WhatsApp and Teams were clear, which matters more for daily use than selfie perfection.

The Battery That Just Won’t Quit

This is where the Honor X7d 5G truly shines. The 6,500mAh battery is enormous, and it delivers on the promise. On a typical day which includes several hours of social media, an hour of streaming, navigation, and plenty of WhatsApp messages, I’d end the day with 40-50% remaining. On lighter days, two-day battery life was easily achievable.

Even with heavier use, including extended gaming sessions and video recording, I never felt the anxiety of hunting for a charger by mid-afternoon. This phone has genuinely liberated me from the tyranny of low battery warnings.

Charging is handled by a 35W SuperCharge brick included in the box. A full charge from empty takes about 90 minutes, which isn’t lightning-fast by flagship standards but feels perfectly reasonable given the battery capacity. You also get 7.5W reverse wired charging, which I used a couple of times to top up wireless earbuds. It’s a small convenience, but appreciated.

There’s no wireless charging, which is expected at this price point. Honestly, with battery life this good, you won’t miss it.

Honor X7d 5G: Worth Your Rands?

After three months with the Honor X7d 5G, I’ve come to appreciate what it represents. This isn’t a phone trying to be something it’s not. It doesn’t chase flagship features it can’t deliver or make promises it can’t keep. Instead, it focuses on doing the basics exceptionally well.

The battery life alone makes this phone worth considering. Add in the generous storage, solid build quality, and competent performance, and you’ve got a device that punches well above its weight. The display and camera won’t wow anyone, but they’re fit for purpose.

If you’re after a reliable workhorse that won’t leave you stranded by lunchtime, the Honor X7d 5G deserves serious consideration. It’s not the most exciting phone on the market, but excitement fades. Reliability doesn’t.

For R4,999, you’re getting honest value. And in a market full of empty promises, that’s refreshing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Honor X7d 5G support wireless charging?

No, the Honor X7d 5G does not support wireless charging. However, it does include 35W wired fast charging and 7.5W reverse wired charging for accessories.

How long does the battery last on the Honor X7d 5G?

In real-world testing, the 6,500mAh battery easily delivers a full day of heavy use, with two-day battery life achievable under moderate usage. Standby time is exceptional.

Is the Honor X7d 5G good for gaming?

The Honor X7d 5G can handle casual and light gaming well, including titles like “Call of Duty Mobile” on medium settings. However, demanding games like “Genshin Impact” will struggle with frame drops on higher settings. This is not a gaming-focused device.

Does the Honor X7d 5G have a headphone jack?

Yes, the Honor X7d 5G includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is becoming increasingly rare in modern smartphones.

What is the camera quality like on the Honor X7d 5G?

The 50-megapixel main camera produces sharp, detailed photos in good lighting with accurate colours. Low-light performance is acceptable with night mode, though noise is present. The 2-megapixel macro and depth sensors are largely supplementary. Overall, the camera is solid for everyday photography but not comparable to flagship devices.

How much storage does the Honor X7d 5G have?

The Honor X7d 5G comes with 256GB of internal storage, which is expandable via microSD card up to 1TB. This is significantly more generous than many competitors in this price range.

Is the Honor X7d 5G waterproof?

The Honor X7d 5G has an IP65 rating, making it splash-proof, water-resistant, and dust-proof under normal use. It is not designed for submersion in water but can handle rain and accidental spills.

Will the Honor X7d 5G receive Android updates?

Honor promises two years of security updates for the X7d 5G. Major Android version upgrades are less certain, which is typical for budget devices. The phone currently ships with Android 15 and MagicOS 8.0.

What is the screen quality like on the Honor X7d 5G?

The 6.77-inch TFT LCD display offers HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. Whilst it provides smooth scrolling, the colour reproduction and brightness levels are not as strong as AMOLED panels. Outdoor visibility can be challenging in direct sunlight.

Does the Honor X7d 5G support dual SIM cards?

Yes, the Honor X7d 5G supports dual nano-SIM cards with dual standby functionality, allowing you to use two numbers simultaneously. The SIM tray also includes a dedicated microSD card slot.

The HONOR Magic V2 sets a new industry standard for foldable phones. Measuring a mere 9.9mm and weighing just 231g, it’s remarkably thin and light compared to competitors such as Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 5, Oppo’s Find N2 Flip and Huawei’s Mate X3. This feat is achieved through HONOR’s innovative Super-light Titanium Hinge, made with proprietary steel and rigorously tested to withstand over 400,000 folds, translating to a lifespan of up to ten years. Durability meets cutting-edge design in this impressive device.

In addition, it boasts a 5,000mAh Dual Silicon-carbon Battery, perfect for busy professionals who need their phone to last all day on a single charge. And for photography enthusiasts, the Magic V2 comes equipped with a stellar 5-camera system to capture stunning visuals.

The HONOR Magic6 Pro takes a different approach, focusing on camera tech powered by next-generation AI. According to HONOR, the Magic6 Pro has achieved a Gold DXOMARK score of 158 points, placing it among the top camera phones in 2024. It also reportedly leads the pack in battery, selfie, and display categories. However, independent testing will be crucial to verify these claims.

The Magic6 Pro’s AI focus extends beyond the camera. The phone introduces the Magic Portal feature, allowing users to streamline tasks by dragging and dropping text, pictures, or files to designated screen edges. This feature promises one-click access to various services like navigation and social sharing.

Consumers looking to experience the HONOR Magic Series can find the Magic V2 (Black with vegan leather back) and Magic6 Pro (Epi Green and Black variants) at selected network providers. The Magic V2 retails for R39,999, while the Magic6 Pro starts at R27,999.

The camera hardware on the Honor 70 looks impressive for a mid-range device. It consists of a 54MP primary camera and a 50MP secondary camera that doubles up as an ultrawide camera and a macro camera. The front-facing camera gets a 32MP sensor. Powering the Honor 70 is Qualcomm’s fairly powerful mid-range chipset — the Snapdragon 778G Plus 5G. The international variant of the Honor 70 packs a 4800 mAh battery which supports 65W fast charging using Honor’s proprietary charger. The phone runs Honor’s Magic UI 6.1 interface that is based on Android 12. The color options on offer include Midnight Black, Crystal Silver, and Emerald Green.

The Honor 70 goes on sale starting today across Mzansi. It’ll be priced at R749 with 24 months of installments, or at R579 with 36 months of installments at Vodacom.

The device is also available through MTN in the hero color the Crystal Silver and comes with Mega Talk/Gigs XS at a price of R799 with 24 months of installments, or R549 with 36 months of installments.

The Honor 8S features a distinctive on-board memory advantage over competitors in the segment, equipped with 2GB +32GB memory. The device features a 13MP camera with an exceptionally large F/1.8 aperture; making images more vivid, while on the front 5MP selfie camera with a fixed focus lens at F/2.2 aperture takes centre stage on top the 5.71-inch dewdrop full-view display.

Equipped with Honor’s latest EMUI 9.0 OS on the Android 9.0, the Honor 8S features a 3020mAh battery capacity, meaning it will undoubtedly last the entire day with ease. The equipped face unlock function elevates the Honor 8S functionality with convenience elements associated with phones in a higher segment and price point. With the specifications and price of the Honor, the brand continues to provide great smartphone experiences to the users, and premium features with an affordable price to the South African market.

Set to retail at at R1999, the device is available through Vodacom and the retail partners from 19 July 2019.