HONOR X7e Hands-on: Slim Battery Monster

HONOR is continuing its push in the budget smartphone segment with the HONOR X7e, a device that prioritizes one feature above everything else: battery life. Packing a massive 7,500mAh battery inside a body that remains relatively slim, the X7e aims to appeal to students, professionals, and everyday users who simply want a phone that lasts.

While it doesn’t chase flagship-level specifications, the HONOR X7e combines practical hardware with a smooth 120Hz display, generous storage, and fast charging, making it an interesting option for buyers looking for reliability over raw performance.

Why it matters: Many smartphones in the budget segment focus on offering faster processors or higher-resolution displays. The HONOR X7e instead takes a different approach by emphasizing endurance. A larger battery means fewer charging sessions, which can make a noticeable difference for users who rely on their phones throughout the day.

Combined with 45W HONOR SuperCharge, stereo speakers, and a 120Hz display, the X7e offers a package that appears well-balanced for everyday use.

HONOR X7e Specifications

• Display: 6.77-inch HD+ TFT LCD, 120Hz refresh rate, up to 1,000 nits peak brightness
• Processor: MediaTek Helio G81 Ultra
• Memory: 8GB RAM
• Storage: 256GB
• Rear Camera: 50MP Main Camera + Auxiliary Camera
• Front Camera: 5MP
• Battery: 7,500mAh
• Charging: 45W HONOR SuperCharge
• Operating System: MagicOS
• Connectivity: 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB Type-C
• Audio: Stereo speakers, 3.5mm headphone jack
• Security: Side-mounted fingerprint scanner

Its biggest talking point is the massive 7,500mAh battery, one of the largest you’ll find in a smartphone in this price range. Despite packing such a large battery, the HONOR X7e doesn’t feel as bulky as we initially expected. The rounded edges and curved back help make the phone comfortable to grip, while the overall weight feels well balanced. It’s certainly not the lightest budget phone around, but it doesn’t feel unwieldy either.

HONOR has also given the X7e a cleaner, more modern look than previous X Series devices. The large circular camera module adds a bit of visual character, and while the phone uses plastic for its frame and rear panel, it doesn’t immediately come across as cheap. The IP64 rating is another welcome addition, offering a bit of extra peace of mind against dust and accidental splashes during daily use.

One of the more interesting additions to the HONOR X7e is the dedicated AI Instant Button, which gives users quick access to AI-powered features without navigating through multiple menus. Positioned along the side of the device, the button is designed to make commonly used tools easier to reach, whether you’re looking to search for information, interact with AI functions, or launch supported shortcuts.

Beyond serving as a shortcut, the AI Instant Button reflects HONOR’s effort to bring AI features to its budget smartphone lineup rather than limiting them to premium devices. For users who are curious about incorporating AI into their daily routines, having a dedicated hardware button could make those features more accessible and encourage regular use. We’ll be interested to see how well it integrates into the overall MagicOS experience and whether it becomes a genuinely useful addition during extended use.

Turning on the display reveals a large 6.77-inch screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. The smoother animations are immediately noticeable while navigating through the interface, scrolling through social media, or switching between apps.

Although the display only uses an HD+ TFT LCD panel instead of an AMOLED screen, the higher refresh rate helps the experience feel responsive enough for everyday use. The claimed peak brightness of up to 1,000 nits should also make the display easier to read outdoors.

Under the hood is the MediaTek Helio G81 Ultra paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. On paper, this combination isn’t designed to compete with gaming-focused smartphones, but it appears well suited for the audience HONOR is targeting. Messaging, video streaming, web browsing, online classes, and social media should all be well within its comfort zone. The generous storage is particularly nice to see at this price point, giving users plenty of room for apps, photos, videos, and downloaded content.

Photography is handled by a 50MP main camera alongside an auxiliary sensor, while selfies rely on a 5MP front camera. The camera setup isn’t particularly ambitious, but that’s understandable considering the phone’s positioning. It appears to focus on delivering a straightforward photography experience for casual snapshots, social media uploads, and video calls rather than trying to compete with camera-centric devices.

Of course, the biggest question surrounding the HONOR X7e is how much of a difference that 7,500mAh battery will make in everyday use. While we’ll need more time with the phone to evaluate its real-world endurance, the combination of a large battery, an HD+ display, and the power-efficient Helio G81 Ultra suggests that battery life could become one of its strongest selling points. The inclusion of 45W HONOR SuperCharge should also help reduce waiting time whenever it eventually needs to be plugged in.

There’s still plenty we’d like to explore, particularly how the cameras perform across different lighting conditions, how MagicOS feels during extended use, and whether the battery can live up to its promise. But based on our initial impressions, the HONOR X7e appears to offer a sensible mix of features for buyers who value endurance above everything else.

We’ll reserve our final verdict until we’ve had the opportunity to spend more time with the device, but based on its hardware and feature set, the HONOR X7e is off to a promising start.

The HONOR X7e is now available in the Philippines with a suggested retail price of PHP 14,999. As part of the 7.7 sale, customers can get it for as low as PHP 9,999 exclusively through HONOR’s official stores on Lazada, Shopee (BUY HERE), and TikTok Shop.