Honor X5B Plus

Honor X5b Plus is a budget-friendly smartphone that strikes a balance between essential features and affordability. With its modern yet minimalist design, decent hardware, and long-lasting battery life, the device caters primarily to users seeking a reliable everyday smartphone without the premium price tag.

From a design standpoint, the Honor X5b Plus follows the aesthetic cues typical of budget smartphones. Measuring 163.9 x 75.8 x 8.7 mm and weighing 194 grams, the device feels comfortable in hand—lightweight yet sturdy enough for regular use. Its construction includes a glass front and a plastic back and frame, which contributes to its lightweight nature. Although it lacks the luxurious feel of premium phones, it maintains a sleek appearance, enhanced by its three stylish color options: Ocean Blue, Starry Purple, and Midnight Black. Notably, the phone features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor that not only enhances security but also offers practical ease of access for both left- and right-handed users.

The display is another standout aspect of the Honor X5b Plus. It boasts a 6.56-inch screen with a resolution of 720 x 1612 pixels. While the resolution does not reach Full HD levels, it is sufficient for casual activities such as browsing, social media, and streaming videos. What elevates the viewing experience is the inclusion of a 90Hz refresh rate, which allows for smoother scrolling and more fluid transitions between apps. Additionally, with a peak brightness of up to 530 nits in high-brightness mode (HBM), the display remains usable even under direct sunlight, ensuring good visibility outdoors.

Under the hood, the Honor X5b Plus is powered by the MediaTek Helio G36 chipset. This octa-core processor includes four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz and four additional Cortex-A53 cores running at 1.6 GHz, built on a 12nm process. While it is not designed for high-end gaming or performance-intensive tasks, the chipset handles everyday functions—such as web browsing, social media, and video playback—efficiently. Paired with 4GB of RAM, the device supports basic multitasking, and the PowerVR GE8320 GPU manages light gaming adequately, though users may experience limitations with more demanding titles.

Storage is another strong point for the Honor X5b Plus. It comes equipped with 128GB of internal storage, a generous offering for a phone in this price category. Moreover, users who require additional space can take advantage of the microSDXC card slot to expand storage, making it flexible for storing media and apps.

In terms of photography, the phone features a single 50MP rear camera with an f/1.8 aperture. Despite being a single-lens setup, the camera performs well in well-lit environments, producing detailed and vibrant images. Features such as HDR and panorama mode offer additional versatility in capturing various scenes. The wide aperture assists in low-light situations, although results may fall short compared to more premium smartphones with advanced imaging software. Video recording is supported, delivering smooth and clear footage suitable for casual use. On the front, the device houses a 5MP camera with an f/2.2 aperture, which is adequate for selfies and video calls.

One of the most impressive features of the Honor X5b Plus is its large 5200mAh non-removable battery. This capacity ensures that users can go through an entire day of moderate to heavy use without needing to recharge. Activities like video streaming, web browsing, and light gaming are well-supported by the phone’s battery life. However, the device lacks fast charging, which means recharging the battery takes longer than on some competitors. Charging is done through a USB Type-C 2.0 port, a welcome inclusion for modern connectivity.

The smartphone runs on Android 14, layered with Honor’s Magic OS 8. This user interface provides a clean and intuitive experience with added customization options, while still preserving the lightness and efficiency of stock Android. In terms of connectivity, the Honor X5b Plus supports 4G LTE, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1, and A-GPS. A 3.5mm headphone jack is also present, a feature that is increasingly rare but appreciated by users who prefer wired audio devices. The phone also supports USB OTG (On-The-Go), allowing users to connect USB accessories such as flash drives, which adds to the device’s practicality.

Additional features include essential sensors that aid usability, such as proximity and accelerometer sensors. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor not only adds security but enhances the user experience with its speed and accuracy.

In summary, the Honor X5b Plus presents a compelling package for budget-conscious consumers. It doesn’t compete with flagship models in terms of power or cutting-edge features, but it succeeds in delivering a reliable and well-rounded smartphone experience. With a smooth 90Hz display, a large battery, decent camera performance, and user-friendly software, the Honor X5b Plus stands out as a dependable choice for everyday smartphone users.