HONOR X7e review: Epic battery and an elite camera at a bargain price
· The South African
This July, global tech brand HONOR officially launched the highly anticipated HONOR X7e in South Africa.
After putting the device through three weeks of rigorous everyday testing in and around Johannesburg, I am ready to share my final verdict on whether this budget phone is truly worth your hard-earned money.
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Retailing at an accessible R5 999, this entry-level smartphone is a game-changer for working-class South Africans. I have been testing the strikingly beautiful Sunrise Orange version, which effortlessly turns heads wherever you go.
Best of all, unlike other major smartphone brands, HONOR actually includes a charging cable AND a 45W SuperCharge adapter right in the box.
Packed with an ultra-large 7 500 mAh battery, I only needed to charge it three times in six days of regular use.
And in my version of a stress test, I watched a live stream of the Madlanga Commission from 9:30 until 16:30. Amazingly, after seven hours of continuous video streaming, the battery only dropped to 43%.
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Under the hood, the MediaTek Helio G81 Ultra chipset operates at a slightly leisurely pace. While it is not a high-speed flagship, it handles daily multitasking smoothly using the very convenient roving split-screen feature. It also runs my current gaming obsession, BlockBlast – a brilliant tribute to Tetris – without a single stutter.
For the everyday user, the audio is a massive highlight. The built-in loudspeaker is exceptionally loud and clear, meaning you probably will not even need a separate Bluetooth speaker. There is also a welcome 3.5mm headphone jack, which is an absolute lifesaver when your wireless earbuds run out of power, alongside an FM radio.
An elite camera and rugged durability
The real surprise of the device is the photography. The 50MP main camera uses smart AI features to capture brilliant detail and daylight precision. Frankly, it takes better photos than my personal cellphone, which cost about R8 000 more than this device.
Selfies are handled by a modest 5MP front camera, which is perfectly fine for quick social media snaps.
On the durability front, the phone boasts an IP64 water and dust resistance rating alongside a five-star SGS Premium Drop Protection certification. Now, I am not a clumsy person, so I refused to intentionally drop this gorgeous orange phone onto the Johannesburg pavements to test its 1.8-metre drop rating, but the peace of mind is wonderful.
For everyday South Africans looking for a stylish, reliable device with world-class battery life, the HONOR X7e is an absolute bargain.