Wet + Wild: The HONOR x7c Review Premium Durability made Affordable

It’s a familiar sight in the city—motorcycle taxis, couriers and delivery riders weaving through traffic with their phones wrapped in plastic, mounted on handlebars, or sometimes even tucked under tiny, quirky umbrellas. 

For these riders, their phones are just as important as their rides, helping them get bookings, navigate the city, track orders, and stay connected with customers. But during the rainy season, things can get twice as challenging. A sudden downpour can turn an ordinary delivery into a risky situation, not only for the rider but also for the phone, which has to survive the elements.

I’ve even witnessed a few times when a rider’s phone slipped out of its mount and clattering onto the road, with the rider pulling over abruptly to retrieve it—something that’s far more dangerous on busy highways. Seeing this, I couldn’t help but think that riders need is a truly tough phone, one that can withstand water, falls, and everything in between without extra gadgets or plastic covers—but those features often come at higher price points—Enter the Honor x7c. 

At the launch event for the HONOR X7c held at the Manila Ocean Park, I watched as the phone was dropped, splashed, slid and thrown into the pool—all in the name of testing its durability. Each test seemed bolder than the last, and by the end of it, I was sure the phones would be done for. But to my surprise, it survived every challenge. 

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Now, after using the HONOR X7c for a few weeks myself, here’s what I think about this entry-level warrior.

Design and Build

The HONOR X7c’s design especially the Forest Green variant, which I have, looks similar to the HONOR x8b because of its finish. I appreciate the textured back, which provides a solid grip and resists fingerprints, so it still looks fresh without a case. There are two other color options, Midnight Black, and Moonlight White—which should be enough to cater to a variety of different tastes, though it’s clear that functionality is the design priority here.

HONOR has packed serious durability into this device, which is a rare find at this price. First off, the HONOR X7c has an IP64 rating, meaning it’s resistant to dust and splashes. While it’s not a phone you’d want to fully submerge, (although we have washed it and tried it while swimming) so it definitely can survive a few surprise rain showers or accidental spills. Do note that you have to make sure the phone is really dry before plugging it for a charge.

Adding to its toughness is its SGS five-star drop resistance rating, backed by a combination of reinforced materials and cushioned architecture. HONOR has used tempered glass for the screen, and the frame feels solid without adding much extra weight. This phone is built for those who are likely to drop their device now and then. Whether you’re a courier, a student on the go, or just someone prone to accidents, the HONOR X7c’s durable build is reassuring.

DISPLAY AND AUDIO

The HONOR X7c’s display offers a few unexpected perks for a phone in its price range. With a 6.77-inch TFT LCD screen and an HD+ resolution of 1610 x 720, it delivers visuals that are crisp enough for day-to-day use. While the TFT panel may lack the deep contrasts of an AMOLED display, HONOR has tuned the colors to appear well-balanced, so they don’t look overly muted. The generous screen size also provides a good viewing experience for streaming and casual gaming, making it enjoyable for watching videos or browsing social media.

One standout feature here is the 120Hz refresh rate, which is rare at this price point and certainly adds value. Scrolling feels smooth and snappy, whether you’re reading, watching, or navigating. The high refresh rate is particularly helpful for casual gaming and social media, where the extra fluidity makes everything feel just a bit faster and more responsive. Outdoors, the display reaches up to 850 nits in brightness, which, while not the brightest, is adequate for most environments and should be visible under moderate sunlight.

Audio-wise, the HONOR X7c comes equipped with dual stereo speakers. These speakers pack a punch, capable of reaching up to 300% louder. For a phone in this range, audio clarity at high volumes is a welcome surprise. Music, calls, and video soundtracks come through clearly, and while it may not rival flagship-level audio, the HONOR X7c does an excellent job of avoiding the “tinny” sound that’s often associated with budget devices. Plus, the phone includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, a convenience that many users will appreciate in an era where wired connections are increasingly rare.

CAMERA QUALITY

HONOR has equipped the X7c with a capable camera system for an entry-level phone. The dual rear setup includes a 108MP primary camera, paired with a 2MP depth sensor. For a budget device, the 108MP sensor is an impressive inclusion, offering a level of detail that you wouldn’t typically expect. In good lighting, the camera captures sharp, detailed photos with accurate colors, making it a great choice for those who enjoy taking photos on the go.

In everyday use, the camera performs well, especially in daylight or well-lit settings. Images come out with a decent level of contrast, though it can struggle with high-contrast scenes where detail in shadows or highlights might get lost. When it comes to portraits, the 2MP depth sensor does a respectable job of separating the subject from the background, achieving a soft bokeh effect that’s ideal for close-up shots.

On the front, there’s an 8MP selfie camera. It’s solid for video calls and quick selfies, with decent sharpness and color reproduction in good lighting. However, as with most budget phones, low-light photography remains a challenge. Indoor or low-light shots tend to pick up a bit of grain, and photos can blur if you’re not holding the camera steady. 

The HONOR X7c’s video capabilities are pretty standard, supporting 1080p recording. While there’s no stabilization, making it tricky to capture smooth video on the go, the quality is clear enough for casual recording. You can still use apps like Google Photos for post-processing and stabilization if needed.

PERFORMANCE AND GAMING

Under the hood, the HONOR X7c is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 chipset, a competent processor that handles most tasks smoothly. This octa-core chip, paired with an Adreno 610 GPU, provides a reliable experience for day-to-day activities like browsing, social media, and messaging. Thanks to 8GB of physical RAM and an additional 8GB of virtual RAM (via HONOR’s RAM Turbo), the phone is surprisingly capable of handling multitasking with minimal lag. App switching feels responsive, and I rarely encountered slowdowns during general use.

Gaming performance is decent for a phone at this price, although it’s best suited for lighter games. Titles like Mobile Legends and Call of Duty: Mobile are playable, but for smoother gameplay, you’ll want to keep the graphics settings lower. More demanding games will run, but with noticeable frame drops and some stutter—again, not unusual for an entry-level device. For casual gamers or users who occasionally enjoy mobile gaming, the HONOR X7c is capable enough to deliver a satisfactory experience.

One thing worth noting is the absence of 5G connectivity. While this may not be a deal-breaker for many users, those looking to future-proof their device might see it as a limitation. Still, the phone’s 4G LTE connectivity is reliable, and it provides stable, quick browsing speeds in most areas.

BATTERY LIFE

Battery life is another one of the HONOR X7c’s most impressive features. With a large 6000mAh battery, this phone is built to last through extended usage, easily providing up to two days on a single charge with moderate use. In real-world terms, that means you can stream videos, browse social media, handle daily communication, and even play a few games without worrying about finding a charger at the end of the day. For people on the go—especially delivery riders or commuters who rely heavily on their phones—this long-lasting battery is a valuable asset.

To complement its capacity, HONOR has also equipped the X7c with 35W HONOR SuperCharge, which helps speed up the charging process despite the large battery. In my experience, the phone charges from 20% to full in about an hour and a half, which is reasonable considering its size. And when you’re down to just a few percent, the Ultra Power Saving Mode steps in to squeeze out some extra time, allowing for up to 75 minutes of calls on just 2% battery. This feature is especially helpful if you’re on the road and need to conserve every bit of power until you can find a charger.

CONCLUSION

HONOR has mastered the art of creating buzz around durability with their HONOR X9 series, just mentioning the brand brings to mind all those smash and drop tests that went viral on social media. 

Now that they are bringing premium durability features to the entry-level market, HONOR has made it clear that you don’t need to sacrifice toughness when opting for a budget device.

With its IP64 water resistance, drop protection, long-lasting battery, and functional design, the HONOR X7c is ideal for users looking for a reliable, durable smartphone. It’s built for people who face the elements daily, whether they’re delivery riders, students, or simply users prone to accidents. With a price tag of Php8,999, the HONOR X7c delivers exactly what it promises: a phone that’s as tough as it is practical.