HONOR X5 Plus Review: In-Depth Look at Its Giant Battery Life, Vivid Display and Stylish Design
When it comes to smartphones that prioritize value without compromising quality, HONOR consistently delivers. Their latest release, the HONOR X5 Plus, looks promising on paper – but does this newcomer have what it takes to satisfy budget-minded buyers?
I went hands-on with the HONOR X5 Plus to put it through its paces. From examining its sleek design to thoroughly testing its powerful internals, I aimed to see whether this phone lived up to HONOR’s reputation for excellence at a competitive cost.
In this extensive review, I’ll share my experiences with the HONOR X5 Plus’ display, performance, cameras and more to judge whether it truly excels in a crowded market. Let’s dive deep with an in-depth look at what this enticing option has to offer.
Table of Contents
HONOR X5 Plus Specifications
| OS: | MagicOS 7.1, based on Android 13 |
|---|---|
| Processor: | MediaTek Helio G36 (12nm) |
| Display: | 6.56-inches 90Hz LFT LCD |
| Wi-Fi: | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4G/5G |
| Memory: | 4GB + 64GB |
| Connectors: | USB Type-C |
| Cameras: | Rear Camera: 50MP (f/1.8) Main Camera, 2MP (f/2.4) Depth Camera Front Camera: 5MP Camera (f/2.2) |
| SIM Card Slots: | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Battery: | 5200mAh Battery 10W HONOR Charge |
| Price: | Php 5,490 |
The Unboxing Experience
The Honor X5 Plus package caught my eye with its simple white box. In big letters was the model name framing a window to the phone inside. I was eager to see this Cyan Lake color in person. Opening the box revealed the phone nestled snugly along with everything needed for setup. A clear silicone case will keep the attractive back safe from scratches and smudges. Also included were the SIM ejector, charging cable, charging brick and a quick start guide. Everything was neatly organized so nothing would get lost. As much as I wanted to start exploring the phone, I took a moment to appreciate the elegant Cyan hue. It’s captivating in different lighting and really drew me in. While the Midnight Black also looks sleek, I’m pleased with opting for this vibrant option.
The Aesthetics and Visual Experience
The HONOR X5 Plus sports a sizable 6.56-inch LFT LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1612. The generous screen provides an enjoyable viewing experience for media, games, and web browsing. What’s more, its 90Hz refresh rate ensures silky-smooth scrolling and swiping.
Dynamic dimming technology optimizes brightness and contrast based on ambient lighting. This makes the screen easy on the eyes in various settings. The phone also features handy face unlock for expedited access without needing to reach for fingerprints.
The HONOR the X5 Plus cuts a sleek figure in its beautiful Cyan Lake hue. This vibrant shade gleams with a mesmerizing effect – it truly sparkles and twinkles as light catches its multidimensional surface. The color alone catches eyes. Its non-unibody build balances both durability and ergonomics, allowing for secure, comfortable gripping. Volume and power keys are within easy reach along the right edge. Integrated fingerprint scanning in the power button adds convenient security.
In a quirky twist, the SIM card tray sits above rather than beside the display. Otherwise, the sides are sparsely arranged while the bottom holds speakers, USB-C charging, and – helpfully for wired users – a 3.5mm headphone jack. Clean aesthetics paired with useful features make for an appealing overall package. The HONOR X5 Plus’ design gets the job done in attractive, user-friendly fashion.
The Photography Features and Image Quality
The HONOR X5 Plus boasts a capable camera setup that captures impressive photos. The main camera is a 50MP lens, delivering sharp and detailed images. It is accompanied by a 2MP depth camera, which helps in creating appealing bokeh effects and adding depth to your shots. On the front, there’s a 5MP camera for capturing selfies.
The camera on the HONOR X5 Plus offers a range of features and shooting modes. It includes aperture control, pro mode, HDR, high-res mode, panorama, time-lapse, portrait mode, beauty filters, and bokeh options. These features allow you to experiment and enhance your photography experience.
While the HONOR X5 Plus doesn’t have a dedicated night mode, you can still capture good low-light photos by using the pro mode, HDR, and high-resolution settings. These settings help in balancing the brightness and contrast, resulting in satisfying images even in challenging lighting conditions.
During daytime photography, the HONOR X5 Plus produces impressive results. The balance between brightness and contrast is well-maintained, resulting in clear and vibrant photos, even without using HDR.
The front camera of the HONOR X5 Plus offers various options and features, making it enjoyable to capture selfies. The front flash is particularly effective in low-light conditions, although its impact might not be noticeable in well-lit settings. The beauty and bokeh features further enhance the front camera’s capabilities, allowing you to create stunning self-portraits.
The Speed, Responsiveness, and User Experience
The HONOR X5 Plus is equipped with the MediaTek Helio G36 processor, built on the 12nm manufacturing process. It features a 2.2GHz Cortex-A53 CPU and a PowerVR GE8320 GPU, providing a decent level of performance for everyday tasks.
With 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, the HONOR X5 Plus offers a sufficient amount of memory and storage capacity. You can download and install multiple apps without experiencing significant lag or slowdowns in general usage.
When it comes to gaming performance, the HONOR X5 Plus may face some challenges with heavy games like Mobile Legends, as the Helio G36 is more suited for casual gaming like Scrabble, rather than demanding titles. However, for lighter games and casual gaming sessions, the device performs adequately.
Streaming media also flows seamlessly through apps like Netflix, YouTube and Spotify thanks to solid memory management backing the display. Binges and video calls proceed without interruptions.
Here are the benchmark results for the HONOR X5 Plus:
The Endurance and Power Management
Based on my personal experience, the battery performance of the HONOR X5 Plus exceeded my expectations. The device is equipped with a substantial 5200mAh battery, and it lived up to its promise of providing a two-day battery life, and even more in my case. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the phone lasted for a straight three days on a single charge.
During those three days, I engaged in my regular and typical phone usage, which included activities like scrolling through social media, watching videos on platforms like TikTok and Netflix, playing a couple of games of Mobile Legends, and even watching my usual tarot readings during the night. Despite these activities, the battery of the HONOR X5 Plus held up remarkably well, allowing me to go through three consecutive days without needing to recharge.
This outstanding battery performance provided me with a reliable and long-lasting power supply, giving me the freedom to enjoy my phone without constantly worrying about running out of battery. It enhanced my overall user experience by providing extended usage time and convenience.
The Verdict
In conclusion, the HONOR X5 Plus is a solid choice, particularly for work and movie streaming. Its fast interface, impressive battery life, and eye-friendly display make it well-suited for these activities.
Considering its affordability and functionality, I would recommend the HONOR X5 Plus to individuals seeking a budget-friendly phone that meets their needs. Whether as a primary or secondary phone, it proves to be a handy device suitable for various tasks.
The HONOR X5 Plus officially launches tonight, September 26, 2023 at a reasonable price of 5490 pesos.
