The Honor X7c aims to carve out a niche in the budget smartphone market by focusing on durability and water resistance. With its IP64 rating and SGS certification for drop and crush resistance, it promises sturdiness for everyday use. But does it stand out enough to justify its price tag of almost BDT 23,000? We took the device through its paces to find out.

Design: simple yet premium touches

Honor has crafted a lightweight device with a flat frame and a faux leather back in its standout Forest Green variant. Other options, Midnight Black and Moonlight White, add either minimalistic charm or elegant flair. Despite its sturdy build, the phone feels comfortable in hand, though it doesn't break new ground in design.

Display: Lacking sharpness

The X7c sports a 6.77" TFT LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering decent outdoor usability but surprisingly not the smoothest one out there, despite the right specifications. However, its HD+ resolution (720x1610) feels outdated, leading to lacklustre multimedia experiences. Streaming content on platforms like Netflix is capped at 480p, which may frustrate binge-watchers. A 1080p panel would have been a far better choice.

Performance: dependable for everyday tasks

Under the hood, the Snapdragon 685 chipset powers the X7c. Paired with 8GB RAM (expandable by another 8GB) and UFS storage, it handles routine tasks and light gaming effectively. Multitasking is smooth, though some sluggishness is noticeable with resource-heavy apps. Casual gamers will find it serviceable but should look elsewhere for intensive gameplay.

Cameras: decent for selfies, mediocre otherwise

The dual-camera setup (108MP primary and 2MP depth) delivers vibrant shots in good lighting but struggles with sharpness and depth in portraits. Selfies, surprisingly, are a highlight, with natural tones that cater well to social media needs. Video recording is limited to 1080p at 30fps and lacks stabilisation, resulting in shaky footage.

Battery and charging: an all-day companion

The 6,000 mAh battery is the X7c's strongest suit, easily lasting two days with moderate usage. While the included 35W charger is a plus, it takes nearly 90 minutes for a full charge, which is competitive but not groundbreaking.

Water resistance and durability: good, not great

Honor's marketing around water resistance is a bit exaggerated. While the IP64 rating protects against splashes, it isn't designed for immersion. Still, the phone survived our basin test without issues. 

We had our fair share of fun with the phone when it came to drop testing. The Honor X7c's SGS certification for drop and crush resistance claims a 5-star rating, suggesting it should withstand most day-to-day mishaps. To test these claims, we dropped the phone five times from waist height onto various surfaces, including tile and wood flooring.

The results were a mix of reassurance and reality check. After five drops, the phone remained fully functional—its screen intact, and all features working as expected. However, a slightly noticeable dent formed on one corner after the third drop onto a harder surface, and minor scuff marks appeared along the edges.

This shows that while the Honor X7c is durable enough to handle accidental slips and scratches, it doesn't quite live up to the "rugged" image suggested by its marketing. Users can rest easy knowing it will survive most common mishaps like a tumble off a desk or out of a pocket, but pushing the phone beyond typical use—like dropping it repeatedly or from greater heights—may quickly reveal its vulnerabilities.

In practical terms, the Honor X7c is solidly built for its price point, but it's not indestructible. Investing in a good protective case would be wise for those prone to clumsiness.

Verdict: a mixed bag

The Honor X7c excels in durability, battery life, and affordability, but its shortcomings—particularly the display and camera performance—make it less compelling in the increasingly competitive midrange market.

Buy it if you need a durable budget phone with excellent battery life for basic tasks. Skip it if you demand crisp visuals, high, fast performance, and high-quality cameras.