Honor X5d Full Review: Does This Budget Phone Deliver?
SmartphonesHonor X5d at a Glance
Category scores based on our full analysis
Good
Overall Score
Recommended for Value BuyersDesign and Build Quality
At 186 grams spread across a 167mm tall frame that is just under 8mm thick, the Honor X5d sits in a comfortable middle ground — substantial enough to feel like a proper phone in hand, but not so heavy that extended use becomes tiring. The slim profile is a genuine achievement at this price tier, where chunky builds are common.
The phone does not carry a rugged designation, nor does it offer any form of water or dust resistance. This is a meaningful limitation: a splash from a sink or light rain could pose a real risk. Buyers who frequently work outdoors or in damp environments should factor this in carefully. For typical indoor everyday use, the lack of ingress protection matters less, but it is worth knowing upfront.
The 77mm width places it in wide-phone territory. Smaller hands may find one-handed use awkward, particularly when reaching across the full 6.74-inch screen. This form factor is optimized for media consumption and comfortable reading — not one-handed convenience.
There is no branded damage-resistant glass protecting the display. At this price, that is expected — but it means a screen protector is a worthwhile first purchase alongside this phone.
Physical Specifications
- Weight
- 186 g
- Height
- 167 mm
- Width
- 77 mm
- Thickness
- 7.9 mm
- Water Resistance
- None
- Screen Protection
- No Branded Glass
Display: Big and Smooth, Not Sharp
Screen Size and Everyday Usability
The 6.74-inch screen dominates this phone's appeal. At that size, reading articles, watching videos, scrolling social feeds, and navigating maps all feel generous and comfortable. Text is easy to read, content fills your view, and the experience never feels cramped.
Resolution and Sharpness
The panel resolves at HD+ quality — 720 x 1600 pixels. At the screen's size, this translates to approximately 260 pixels per inch. That figure falls below the 300+ ppi benchmark associated with noticeably sharp displays, meaning text and fine detail will carry a slight softness when viewed up close. For everyday use — messaging, browsing, video calls — this is rarely bothersome. For reading small print or appreciating fine graphic detail, the limitations become more apparent.
The display does not support HDR10 or Dolby Vision, so premium streaming content will not render with the expanded contrast and color range those formats offer. You will still watch video comfortably, but the visual ceiling is lower than on mid-range competitors.
Refresh Rate: Where the Display Earns Its Keep
The panel refreshes at 90 times per second — a step above the standard 60Hz found on many budget phones. This makes scrolling and general navigation feel noticeably smoother, and it is genuinely perceptible in daily use. It is one of the X5d's most user-friendly concessions to modern standards.
Display at a Glance
- 6.74-inch IPS LCD touchscreen
- 90Hz smooth refresh rate
- 720 x 1600 px HD+ resolution
- No HDR10 or Dolby Vision
- No Always-On Display
- 260 ppi — below sharp-screen threshold
Key Takeaway
The 90Hz refresh rate is the display's standout quality — it makes everyday navigation feel more premium than the price suggests. The resolution is acceptable for the size but not exceptional.
Performance: Reliable for Everyday Tasks
The MediaTek Helio G81 Ultra handles communication, browsing, social media, and light gaming comfortably — and predictably shows its limits when pushed harder.
The Chipset Explained
The Helio G81 Ultra uses two faster cores for demanding tasks and six efficiency cores for lighter workloads — a structure that balances performance with battery longevity. Its thermal output is low, which means the phone stays cool during normal use.
This is an entry-level chip suited to messaging, browsing, social apps, music, and navigation. Graphically intensive games require lowered settings and will deliver occasional frame drops.
RAM and Multitasking
Four gigabytes of RAM is the practical minimum for a smooth Android 15 experience. Daily use is handled adequately, but heavy multitaskers will notice apps reloading from scratch after sitting in the background.
The system supports up to 8GB of total memory, suggesting a software-based RAM expansion feature may be available — a useful buffer for heavier usage sessions.
Storage Reality
The 64GB base storage fills faster than most buyers expect. A moderate app library, a year's worth of photos and videos, and a music collection can push this to capacity.
The microSD card slot is a practical necessity here — not a bonus. Using it from day one is strongly recommended, and the phone handles everyday file transfers at consistent speeds.
420
Geekbench 6 Single-Core
1,391
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
64GB
Base Internal Storage
4GB
RAM (up to 8GB virtual)
Benchmark scores place the Helio G81 Ultra in the entry-level performance tier. These figures are appropriate for everyday tasks and are based on standard industry test methodology.
Camera System: Functional, Not Impressive
The Honor X5d's camera covers everyday photography without venturing into professional territory. In good daylight, results are acceptable. In anything less, limitations surface quickly.
Main Camera
13 MP · f/2.2 · Phase-Detection AFThe 13-megapixel rear camera covers the basics of everyday photography. In good daylight, images are acceptable for social sharing, capturing memories, and documenting receipts or notes. Phase-detection autofocus keeps focus acquisition reasonably fast for still subjects.
The camera lacks optical image stabilization, so handheld shots in lower light will show more blur. Night photography is not a strength. The sensor does not use back-illuminated architecture, which limits light gathering in challenging conditions.
- Phase-detection autofocus
- HDR mode, burst shooting, panorama
- Manual exposure, ISO, white balance & focus
- No optical image stabilization
- No back-illuminated (BSI) sensor
- No slow motion, no 4K video
Front Camera
5 MP · f/1.8The 5-megapixel front camera handles video calls and selfies at a basic level. The brighter aperture helps in lower-light selfie situations, though the resolution is modest. No front-facing flash is included.
Video Recording
1080p at 30 fpsVideo recording caps at 1080p at 30 frames per second — adequate for standard social media clips and casual video. Continuous autofocus during recording is supported.
- 1080p Full HD recording
- Continuous autofocus while filming
- No 4K recording capability
- No slow-motion mode
Camera Verdict
The Honor X5d camera is a documentation and communication tool, not a creative instrument. It will satisfy buyers who rarely think about their camera beyond sharing to messaging apps or social media. It will frustrate buyers who care about image quality, night photography, or versatile shooting.
Battery Life: The Strongest Argument for This Phone
5,260
mAh Battery
Significantly above average for the price tier
15W Fast Charging
Charger included in the box
What This Battery Means in Real Life
The X5d carries one of the larger batteries available at its price point. For most users with moderate screen time and typical app usage, a full day on a single charge is a realistic expectation — and many users will reach the end of a second day before needing to plug in. This is where the phone genuinely earns its place in the market.
Battery anxiety — the persistent low-grade worry about running out of charge — is something users of smaller-battery devices know well. The X5d largely eliminates that feeling for everyday usage patterns.
Charging via the included USB-C charger at 15 watts means going from empty to full in approximately two hours. A charger in the box is no longer a given industry-wide, so its inclusion here is a genuine plus.
- Charger included — no separate purchase needed
- Battery health monitoring — track capacity degradation over time
- No wireless charging support
- Battery is non-removable
Software: Android 15 with a Thoughtful Feature Set
The X5d ships with Android 15, giving it one of the more current software foundations available at this price level. Honor's interface layer adds a meaningful range of customization options and practical tools on top.
Privacy Controls
- Per-app tracking controls
- Location privacy options
- Camera and microphone permission management
- Clipboard access warnings
- Device location tracking support
Customization
- Dynamic theming system
- Dark mode support
- Widget support
- Customizable notifications
- Extra dim display mode
Multitasking
- Split-screen multitasking
- Picture-in-picture mode
- Full-page scrolling screenshots
- Offline voice recognition
- Multi-user system support
Software Update Caveat
The Honor X5d does not receive direct OS updates from Google. Major Android version upgrades depend entirely on Honor's own update schedule and commitment for this specific model. Buyers prioritizing long-term software support should research Honor's update track record in their region before purchasing.
Audio and Connectivity
Audio
A 3.5mm headphone jack is present — a decision that matters to anyone who uses wired headphones and does not want the inconvenience of adapters. The inclusion of aptX HD Bluetooth audio support means compatible wireless headphones receive higher-quality audio, a feature that punches above the phone's price point.
The phone outputs mono audio through a single speaker. Stereo sound is absent, making media feel noticeably thin without headphones. For any serious media consumption, headphones are the better path.
An FM radio tuner is included and functions independently of internet connectivity.
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- aptX HD Bluetooth audio support
- FM radio (no internet required)
- Mono speaker only — no stereo
Connectivity
Wi-Fi coverage spans both the older 802.11n standard and the faster 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) standard. Wi-Fi 6 is not supported. Bluetooth 5.1 handles peripheral connections reliably. The USB-C port uses USB 2.0 speeds — adequate for charging and basic file transfers, not for fast data offloading.
The phone connects on 4G LTE networks — no 5G support is included. For everyday mobile use, 4G is entirely sufficient in most markets, but buyers in regions where 5G is now dominant should factor ownership lifespan into this decision.
- Wi-Fi 4 & Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
- Bluetooth 5.1
- Dual SIM support
- USB-C connector
- Side-mounted fingerprint scanner
- GPS + Galileo satellite positioning
- 4G LTE — up to 300 Mbps download
- No 5G support
- No NFC — contactless payments unavailable
- No gyroscope or compass sensor
How the Honor X5d Compares to Budget Rivals
The X5d's clear advantages are its large battery, smooth 90Hz display, current software version, and slim build. Where it concedes ground is NFC, camera quality, and 5G connectivity.
| Feature | Honor X5d | Typical Budget Rival A | Typical Budget Rival B |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display Size | 6.74" | 6.5–6.7" | 6.6–6.8" |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 60–90Hz | 60Hz |
| Battery Capacity | 5,260 mAh | 4,000–5,000 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| Fast Charging | 15W + Charger Included | 10–18W | 10W |
| Base Storage | 64GB + microSD | 64–128GB + microSD | 64GB + microSD |
| NFC | No | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| 5G | No | Sometimes | No |
| Headphone Jack | Yes | Varies | Yes |
| Android Version | Android 15 | Android 13–14 | Android 13–14 |
Honest Assessment: Strengths and Weaknesses
Where It Delivers
The Honor X5d makes a clear, coherent value argument. These are the areas where it genuinely over-delivers for its price.
- Battery endurance — the 5,260mAh capacity is the single specification that most consistently improves quality of life at this price point
- 90Hz display — smoother than what many competitors offer at the same cost
- Slim 7.9mm profile — a genuine build achievement at this price tier
- Android 15 out of the box — current software foundation beats most budget competitors
- 3.5mm jack + aptX HD — a rare, valuable combination at this price
- Charger included in the box — not guaranteed across all budget rivals
- microSD expansion offsets the tight base storage effectively
Where It Falls Short
These limitations deserve equal honesty. Whether they matter depends entirely on your usage patterns.
- No water resistance — requires more careful handling than some users will want
- HD+ display only — soft-looking resolution is the trade-off for the large screen size
- No NFC — cuts off contactless payment functionality for urban users
- No 5G — relevant in markets where 5G is now the dominant network standard
- Mono speaker only — media sounds thin without headphones
- Basic camera system — no OIS, limited low-light performance
- Performance ceiling — the chipset's older manufacturing process may limit longevity under heavy use
Questions Real Buyers Ask Before Purchasing
Answers to the most common pre-purchase questions about the Honor X5d.
Recommended — For the Right Buyer
The Honor X5d earns its place in the market for a specific, clearly defined buyer. If your needs center on reliable communication, long battery life, comfortable media consumption on a large screen, and core Android features at a low cost — and if NFC, premium cameras, and 5G are not priorities — this phone delivers genuinely good value. Buy it for what it is, and it will not disappoint.
Buy This Phone If You Are:
- A parent buying a child's first device
- Looking for a dependable backup handset
- A traveler needing a local SIM phone
- Upgrading from an aging device on a budget
Consider Alternatives If You:
- Care about photography quality
- Use contactless NFC payments regularly
- Are a heavy multitasker or gamer
- Want hardware longevity over many years
Our Verdict Score
7.0
Good
