HONOR X6e Review: A Practical Budget Smartphone

HONOR’s latest budget smartphone, the HONOR X6e, takes a straightforward approach to the smartphone experience. It focuses on the features that matter most in this segment, including battery life, storage, a smooth display, a capable camera, durability, and dependable performance.

On paper, the HONOR X6e has a practical set of features for its class. But how do they translate when you actually spend time with the phone? I put the HONOR X6e through my daily routine to find out.

HONOR X6e Key Specs

OS: MagicOS 10.0 (Android 16)
Display: 6.61-inch HD+ TFT LCD display, 1604 × 720 resolution
Processor: MediaTek Helio G81 Ultra Octa-core 2.0GHz
GPU: ARM Mali-G52 MC2
RAM and Storage: 4GB + 256GB
Expandable Storage: microSD card support (hybrid SIM slot)
Rear Camera: 50MP main camera + auxiliary lens
Front Camera: 5MP selfie camera
Connectivity: 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.1, GPS, AGPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, USB Type-C
Sensors: Gravity Sensor, Ambient Light Sensor, Proximity Sensor, Fingerprint Sensor
Audio: 3.5mm headphone jack
Dimensions: 163.9 × 75.9 × 8.29 mm
Durability: IP64 dust and splash resistance
Security: Side-mounted fingerprint scanner, 2D Face Unlock
Colors: Sunrise Gold, Midnight Black
Battery: 7,500mAh, 45W HONOR SuperCharge
Weight: 207g

Design and Build Quality

The phone has a straightforward design, but the Sunrise Gold version I tested has enough character to keep it from looking overly basic. There is also a Midnight Black option for those who prefer a more understated look.

The back panel and frame are made from high-strength matte-finished polycarbonate. I like the matte finish because it does a good job of resisting fingerprints and doesn’t feel slippery. It also makes the phone easier to handle without constantly leaving fingerprints on the back.

Despite its large size, the HONOR X6e is easy enough to hold. The phone has a good balance in the hand, and although it weighs 207g, I didn’t find it uncomfortable to use for extended periods.

The back has a large, squarish camera module with metallic-looking trim that blends with the rest of the design. It houses the dual circular camera setup and LED flash. The module adds some visual interest without making the back look overly busy.

The button and port placement is straightforward. On the right side, you’ll find the fingerprint scanner integrated into the power button, along with the volume controls. At the bottom are the USB Type-C port and microphone, while the top houses the speaker, another microphone, and the 3.5mm headphone jack.

I appreciate HONOR keeping the audio jack. It’s still useful for people who use wired earphones, particularly on a budget phone where users may not want to spend extra on wireless accessories. One thing I do miss, however, is an IR blaster, which would have added the ability to control compatible appliances such as TVs and air conditioners.

This phone isn’t particularly slim or lightweight, but the matte finish and balanced weight make it comfortable enough to carry throughout the day.

Display and Sound

The HONOR X6e comes with a 6.61-inch HD+ TFT LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The 1604 × 720 resolution isn't as sharp as Full HD+, but the 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling through social media, websites, and menus noticeably smoother.

I noticed the difference when scrolling through long pages and moving between apps. The large screen is also enjoyable for watching videos, especially in landscape mode, where content has more room.

The display can reach up to 1,010 nits of peak brightness, and I was able to see the screen clearly outdoors, although direct sunlight can still make viewing any LCD more difficult. HONOR also includes Dynamic Dimming, Eye Comfort, and eBook Mode for more comfortable viewing. The screen is protected by chemically strengthened aluminosilicate glass, adding some extra protection for daily use.

For sound, it only has a single speaker with 300% High Volume Mode. The extra volume is useful when watching videos, listening to podcasts, or following navigation without headphones. It won't replace a dedicated speaker, but it gets loud enough for most situations.

The 120Hz refresh rate is the display's biggest strength. The HD+ resolution is the main compromise, but I didn't find it particularly distracting during normal browsing and video watching.

Durability

One of the phone's stronger features is its durability. HONOR has added several protections aimed at handling the occasional drop, impact, and exposure to water.

The phone has a 5-star SGS Premium Performance Certification for Drop and Crush Resistance, with HONOR stating that it can withstand drops from up to 1.8 meters under its laboratory testing conditions. It also uses a reinforced internal structure designed to help absorb and spread the impact of a drop.

The display is covered with chemically strengthened aluminosilicate glass, which provides additional resistance against scratches and cracks compared with regular glass typically found on budget smartphones.

It also has an IP64 rating, meaning the phone is fully protected against dust and can handle water splashes. It isn’t designed to be submerged in water, but it provides useful protection against everyday exposure to rain and accidental spills.

This is particularly useful now that we’re in the rainy season. I don’t have to worry as much when using the phone outdoors and getting caught in light to moderate rain or when the phone is exposed to water splashes during the day. Of course, I still wouldn’t intentionally expose it to heavy water or submerge it.

I would still recommend using the included case and taking the usual precautions. The SGS certification doesn’t make the phone indestructible, and the IP64 rating should not be treated as waterproofing. These features don’t make the phone indestructible, but they provide useful protection against the occasional drop or splash.

Performance and Gaming

The HONOR X6e is powered by the MediaTek Helio G81 Ultra, paired with 4GB of actual RAM and 256GB of storage. HONOR also includes 4GB of HONOR RAM Turbo, which uses part of the internal storage as virtual memory to help keep more apps running in the background.

During my daily use, this phone can handled the apps I regularly use, including Facebook, Messenger, TikTok, YouTube, Chrome, email, and Google Maps, without major problems. For basic tasks such as checking messages, browsing social media, watching videos, and navigation, the phone performs well enough for its price range. The 120Hz refresh rate also helps make the experience smoother when scrolling through social media feeds and menus.

However, the 4GB of actual RAM is something to keep in mind. The additional 4GB provided by HONOR RAM Turbo can help when handling multiple apps, but it doesn’t perform the same way as having 8GB of physical RAM. When I started pushing the phone with more apps and heavier tasks, I could notice the limitations of the hardware.

For basic tasks, the 4GB of physical RAM isn’t a major problem. The limitation becomes more noticeable when switching between several demanding apps or doing heavier tasks such as photo and video editing.

Gaming Performance
The X6e can handle casual gaming, but its hardware isn’t aimed at demanding titles. I was able to play Mobile Legends: Bang Bang with reasonable settings, and lighter games were also playable without much trouble. For more demanding games, lowering the graphics settings is necessary to get a more stable experience.

The MediaTek Helio G81 Ultra isn’t a gaming-focused processor, so I wouldn’t recommend buying the X6e specifically for demanding games. For casual Mobile Legends sessions and lighter titles, however, it is capable enough.

For benchmarking, the HONOR X6e scored around 309,921 on AnTuTu v11 in reported testing. This places it where I would expect a phone with this level of hardware to perform.

For social media, messaging, streaming, navigation, and light gaming, the X6e has enough performance. Its 4GB of physical RAM is the main limitation, particularly when multitasking.

OS and User Interface

The HONOR X6e runs Android 16 with MagicOS 10, and if you’ve used an HONOR smartphone before, the interface will be familiar. The overall layout is easy to understand, and I didn’t need much time to get used to the way the menus, settings, and apps are arranged.

MagicOS 10 keeps the interface relatively straightforward. The large app icons make applications easy to identify, and the menus are simple enough to navigate without much adjustment.

I also like that most of the settings I regularly need are easy to find. For someone coming from another Android smartphone, there isn’t much of a learning curve.

HONOR also includes several useful features, including Circle to Search and AI-powered tools such as AI Eraser, depending on the software version and region. AI Eraser is particularly useful when editing photos. If there is an unwanted person or object in the background, I can remove it directly from the Gallery without having to open another photo editing app.

There are some pre-installed apps on the phone that I don’t necessarily need. This is a little annoying, especially when setting up the phone for the first time. Fortunately, many of these apps can be uninstalled, and doing so makes the home screen look cleaner and gives me a more personalized setup.

Connectivity

The HONOR X6e is a 4G smartphone, and 4G was enough for my use throughout the review. Browsing, social media, messaging, streaming, and navigation all worked without any issues.
For wireless connectivity, it supports Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.1, while a USB Type-C port handles wired connections and charging.

This phone also supports FM radio, with the connected 3.5mm wired earphones serving as the antenna. This is a useful feature for listening to local radio without using mobile data or streaming services.

This phone doesn't have 5G or NFC, which are the two features some users may look for at this price. If you don't need either one, there isn't much else to complain about here.

Camera

The HONOR X6e comes with a 50MP main camera on the rear and a 5MP selfie camera. The 50MP main camera is at its best outdoors and in good lighting. Photos have enough detail for social media, while colors are generally pleasant without requiring much editing.

In my experience, the main camera takes good photos during the day, especially when there is plenty of light. Outdoor shots have decent detail, colors look pleasant, and the images are good enough for sharing on Facebook, Instagram, or Messenger without needing much editing.

I also found the camera useful for everyday subjects such as food, people, pets, products, and places. The 50MP High-Res mode can capture more detail when there is enough light, although it isn’t something I needed to use for every shot.

HONOR also includes several AI-powered camera and editing features. AI Scene Recognition can automatically adjust the image depending on what you’re shooting, while AI Star Eraser can remove unwanted objects or people from the background directly from the Gallery. These are useful additions for casual users who want to make quick edits without using another app.

Sample Camera Shots

The camera’s limitations become more noticeable once the lighting gets worse. Low-light and night shots can show noticeable noise and lose some detail, particularly in darker areas. Night Mode helps brighten the image and recover some details, but it doesn’t completely remove the noise.

The 5MP front camera is fine for video calls and casual selfies, but it isn’t a camera I’d choose for detailed portrait shots. In good lighting, the results are decent, but low-light selfies aren’t its strongest point.

For video, both the front and rear cameras can record at 1080p at 30fps, which is enough for basic video clips and social media content.

Daylight photography is where the HONOR X6e performs best, producing good-looking images for everyday sharing. Just don’t expect the same results in low light, where noise and reduced detail become more noticeable.

Battery and Charging
The HONOR X6e packs a 7,500mAh battery, a significant jump from the 5,260mAh battery of the HONOR X6d 5G. In my use, the X6e lasted around two days on a single charge. HONOR rates it for up to 29.6 hours of continuous online video playback, which gives an idea of the endurance the large battery is designed to provide.

Charging is handled by 45W HONOR SuperCharge, with a full charge taking roughly 60 to 80 minutes depending on conditions. It isn't the fastest charging system, but given the battery's size, the charging time is reasonable. HONOR also includes smart charging features to help maintain battery health.

The large battery also supports reverse charging, allowing the X6e to share some of its battery with another device. The output is capped at 7.5W, so it isn't intended to replace a proper charger, but it can be handy for giving accessories such as wireless earbuds or a smartwatch some extra power when needed.

What I like about the battery is that I don't have to think about charging the phone every night. For normal use, getting through the first day is easy, and there is still enough battery left for the following day. This is particularly useful when traveling, commuting, or spending long hours away from a power outlet.

Battery life is one of the phone’s biggest strengths, especially for users who spend long hours using their phone throughout the day.

Pros

Excellent Battery Life: 7,500mAh battery
Durable Build: 5-star SGS Premium Drop Protection
Smooth Large Display: 6.61-inch 120Hz display with good outdoor visibility
Loud Speaker: 300% High Volume Mode
Good Daylight Camera: 50MP main camera
Generous Storage: 256GB
3.5mm Headphone Jack

Cons

HD+ Resolution: 720p resolution isn’t as sharp as Full HD+
Basic TFT LCD Panel
Entry-Level Performance: MediaTek Helio G81 Ultra
Limited Physical RAM: 4GB RAM
No 5G: 4G connectivity only
Basic Selfie Camera: 5MP front camera
No NFC

Final Thoughts

The HONOR X6e makes the most sense for people who put battery life, storage, durability, and basic day-to-day performance ahead of features such as 5G, NFC, high-end gaming, or advanced camera performance.

That makes it particularly suitable for students, commuters, delivery riders, field workers, parents, or anyone looking for a secondary phone that doesn’t need to be charged every night. Its large battery, plenty of storage, durable construction, and smooth display are its biggest strengths.

Priced at ₱15,999, the HONOR X6e remains a reasonable option in the current market, particularly as rising demand for RAM and storage continues to put pressure on smartphone prices. However, users who prioritize 5G, NFC, stronger gaming performance, or better low-light photography may want to consider other options.

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