Honor X7c 5G Review: Attractive design, average experience

Launched in August, the Honor X7c 5G has been under review for a few months, and it presents an intriguing option in the mid-range smartphone market. Sporting a vegan leather back with a distinctive criss-cross design, the device is available in various colors, including Forest Green, Midnight Black, and Moonlight White. The rear of the phone features a square camera module and Honor branding, while the right side houses the volume controls and a fingerprint scanner that doubles as the power button. At the bottom, users will find a speaker, a secondary microphone, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Display-wise, the X7c boasts a 6.8-inch Full HD+ LCD screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 850 nits, making it quite impressive for its price point. Outdoor visibility is satisfactory, although the speakers, while loud, lack clarity, prompting a recommendation for True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earbuds for a better multimedia experience. On the software front, the device runs on MagicOS 8.0 based on Android 14. Despite receiving a few updates, it has yet to see an upgrade to a more recent Android version, which is underwhelming given that competitors are already offering devices with Android 16. Pre-installed apps include popular platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Amazon, along with several first-party applications. While the user interface is largely ad-free, users may find the frequent permission requests to be a hassle, such as needing multiple permissions just to take a three-finger screenshot. Powered by the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 processor and an Adreno 613 GPU, the X7c is adequate for everyday tasks but struggles with gaming due to its dated chipset. The 5,200 mAh battery is likely to last most users a full day, though heavy usage might necessitate a mid-day charge. Notably, the device does not come with a charger, which means users will need to purchase one separately. In terms of photography, the X7c features a 50MP primary camera and a 2MP depth sensor, along with a 5MP selfie camera. While the primary camera performs decently in daylight, it quickly loses quality in low-light conditions, resulting in grainy images. Priced around ₹15,000, the X7c's display stands out as its primary strength, but its performance in camera quality, battery life, and software support may deter potential buyers.