The Honor X5b, announced in October 2024, is an entry-level smartphone designed to offer a smooth and dependable user experience with a focus on basic performance and affordability. Expected to be released in October 2024, the X5b is an attractive choice for users who prioritize battery life, a decent display, and essential functionality.
Design and Build
The Honor X5b measures 163.9 x 75.8 x 8.7 mm and weighs 194 grams, giving it a solid feel in hand. Its design includes a dual SIM slot (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by), allowing users to manage two phone numbers or separate work and personal lines. The phone is available in three appealing colors: Ocean Blue, Starry Purple, and Midnight Black, catering to different style preferences.
Display
The device features a 6.56-inch TFT LCD display, offering a decent screen-to-body ratio of 83.2%. With a resolution of 720 x 1612 pixels and a 269 ppi pixel density, the display delivers adequate clarity for everyday tasks such as browsing, streaming, and light gaming. It also supports a 90Hz refresh rate for smoother transitions and a 530 nits (HBM) brightness for better visibility outdoors.
Performance and Software
The Honor X5b runs on Android 14, with Magic OS 8 layered on top, providing a clean, user-friendly interface. Powered by the MediaTek Helio G36 chipset built on a 12nm process, the device is equipped with an octa-core CPU (4×2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4×1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) and a PowerVR GE8320 GPU. While this setup won’t rival flagship phones, it is more than capable of handling everyday tasks such as social media, light multitasking, and casual gaming. The 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage are complemented by a microSDXC card slot for storage expansion.
Cameras
The Honor X5b offers a basic camera setup that focuses on simplicity. The 13 MP main camera with an f/1.8 aperture takes decent photos in well-lit conditions and can record videos at 1080p@30fps. The phone also has a 5 MP front camera for selfies and video calls, which also supports 1080p@30fps video recording.
Battery and Charging
One of the highlights of the Honor X5b is its 5200 mAh battery, which promises long-lasting usage. Although charging is capped at 10W wired, the large battery size ensures users can go through a full day of usage without needing frequent recharges.
Additional Features
The side-mounted fingerprint sensor provides quick and easy access, and the phone supports essential connectivity options such as Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.1, USB Type-C 2.0, and GPS. However, it lacks NFC, which might be a consideration for those who use mobile payments.
The Honor X5b is a well-rounded entry-level smartphone, ideal for users seeking essential features, a durable battery, and reliable performance without breaking the bank.
Conclusion
Overall, the Honor X5b is a well-rounded smartphone that caters to users looking for a balance of performance, display quality, and camera features without breaking the bank. With its robust battery life, modern design, and the latest Android OS, it offers great value for money in the competitive mid-range market.
