When I first got my hands on the HONOR X7c back in mid-November, I thought I knew what to expect: a budget-friendly phone with decent specs, a solid battery, and the usual compromises that come with the price tag. But after living with it for months — and putting it through some unintended stress tests — I can confidently say that the X7c is far more than just a typical entry-level smartphone. It’s tough, reliable, and surprisingly capable in ways you wouldn’t expect from a phone in this price range.
Built to survive just about anything
Let’s start with durability because, honestly, this phone has been through some things. My six-year-old nephew — who treats tech like it’s part of an extreme sports competition — spent weeks intentionally trying to break it. He threw it down the stairs. He tossed it out of a second-floor window. He slammed it onto tar, concrete, and tile. And yet, despite all of this, the screen remained intact. Not a single crack. HONOR’s decision to reinforce the build of the X7c is clearly paying off, making it an excellent choice if you’re prone to accidental drops or need a phone that can handle life’s chaos.
Everyday performance: Surprisingly smooth
For an entry-level device, the HONOR X7c holds up well in daily use. The Snapdragon 685 chipset, paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, isn’t going to break any speed records, but for web browsing, social media, and even light gaming, it gets the job done with minimal fuss. Apps open quickly enough, multitasking is manageable, and the phone doesn’t overheat even when pushed a little harder.
The 6.8-inch LCD display is bright and large, making it great for watching videos and scrolling through feeds. While it’s limited to 720p resolution, the colours are decent, and it’s perfectly fine for everyday entertainment. Plus, the 90Hz refresh rate makes interactions feel smoother than you’d expect from a budget device.
Battery life: Easily lasts all day
One of the standout features of the X7c is its battery life. With a 6000mAh battery, this phone refuses to die quickly. I regularly got through a full day of use with plenty of battery left, and lighter users could easily push it to two days before needing a recharge. The up to 35W fast charging isn’t the fastest out there, but it’s more than good enough to top up the phone quickly when needed.
Camera: Good in the right conditions
Cameras on budget phones are always a bit of a mixed bag, and the HONOR X7c is no exception. The 108MP main camera performs well in good lighting, capturing detailed and colourful shots. However, in low light, things start to get a little grainy. There’s no ultrawide lens, which is a bit of a letdown, but the 2MP depth camera does a decent job with portrait shots. For everyday use — snapping photos of pets, food, or scenery — it’s more than capable.
Software and features
Running on MagicOS 8 based on Android 14, the X7c keeps things simple with a mostly clean interface. There are a few pre-installed apps, but nothing too overwhelming. HONOR has also included some useful features like smart gestures and enhanced security settings, which add a nice touch to the experience.
Who is the HONOR X7c for?
If you need an affordable smartphone that can take a beating and still perform well, the HONOR X7c is a fantastic option. Whether you’re buying it for yourself, a teenager who isn’t the most careful with their devices, or just want a reliable backup phone, it ticks all the right boxes. It’s not trying to be a flagship killer, but it does offer solid performance, impressive durability, and a battery that won’t leave you stranded. This, like many of HONOR’s phones, is a handset that punches above its weight and gives you more than you expected for a reasonable price.