Honor X5d review
The X5d is a realistic buy for someone in an emerging market who needs a light, big-screened phone that lasts a full day without fuss. Skip it if you care about sharp text, responsive apps, or a capable camera—budget rivals now cover those better.
This review is written with AI assistance from Honor’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Honor X5d, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The Honor X5d is a light, thin budget phone with a big screen and decent battery, but a low-resolution display and aging processor that struggle with modern apps. At 90 EUR it is honest value for markets that prioritize screen size and battery life over smoothness, though it feels a generation behind for the money.
Design & Build
At 7.9mm thick and 186g, the X5d is genuinely slim and light, a real strength when so many budget phones feel chunky by comparison. The 6.74-inch screen dominates the front with 85.3% screen-to-body ratio, leaving thin bezels. The dual nano-SIM setup keeps things simple, and the side-mounted fingerprint sensor is a sensible choice here. There is nothing flashy about the design, but it feels assured and practical for its price.
Display
The 6.74-inch TFT LCD is where the X5d makes its pitch, and size-wise it delivers. But 720 x 1600 resolution on that diagonal yields 260 ppi, which is noticeably soft compared to what rivals are shipping at this price now. Text feels slightly fuzzy, and video detail does not pop the way it should. The 90Hz refresh is a welcome addition and does make scrolling feel smoother, but it cannot hide the resolution shortfall. For someone who prioritizes screen real estate for reading or video, the tradeoff lands; for anyone else, the low ppi is a constant small frustration.
Performance
The Mediatek Helio G81 is a mainstream midrange chip that was already aging by early 2026. It handles everyday tasks—messaging, social media, light browsing—without drama, but it shows its limits under load. Gaming and app switching reveal stutters, and anything demanding will throttle quickly. The 4GB RAM compounds this; modern apps eat through that overhead fast. For someone doing light tasks in a cost-conscious market, it is functional. For anything beyond that, expect frustration within six months.
Software
Android 15 with MagicOS 9 arrives current and should receive updates, though Honor's track record on budget devices is spotty. The OS layer is light enough to not worsen the performance story, and the interface is straightforward. Nothing here stands out or drags the experience down.
Camera
A single 13MP f/2.2 sensor with basic LED flash and HDR is bare-bones even by budget standards in 2026. No ultrawide, no macro, no dedicated low-light mode means you are shooting everything on one focal length with modest detail. The 5MP selfie rounds out a minimal setup. Video tops out at 1080p/30fps, which is acceptable but not impressive. The camera works in daylight but feels like a corner cut rather than a deliberate choice.
Battery & Charging
The 5260 mAh battery should deliver about 1.5 to 2 days of light use, or a full day of moderate screen-on time, which is solid. The 15W charging is slow by today's standard but appropriate for the size and price. There is no wireless charging, which is normal here, and no rush to full capacity, but the raw capacity means the phone can sit longer between charges than its thin frame might suggest.
Value & Verdict
At 90 EUR, the X5d targets buyers who care most about screen size and all-day battery, and it delivers on both. The lightweight design is a genuine bonus. But the low resolution, aging processor, and minimal camera setup are real downsides that will compound over time. Rivals in this price range now offer better clarity and faster chips, making the X5d feel like last year's compromise repackaged. It makes sense in markets where the combination of thinness, screen size, and price cannot be beaten elsewhere, but in most regions there are smarter choices at this money.
Verdict
The X5d is a realistic buy for someone in an emerging market who needs a light, big-screened phone that lasts a full day without fuss. Skip it if you care about sharp text, responsive apps, or a capable camera—budget rivals now cover those better.
- Large 6.74-inch screen with 85.3% screen-to-body ratio means genuine usable real estate in a thin chassis
- 5260 mAh battery should deliver solid all-day stamina even with modest power efficiency
- Compact and light at 186g with 7.9mm thickness makes it genuinely pocket-friendly
- 90Hz refresh, dual SIM, and microSD slot cover the basics that matter in emerging markets
- 260 ppi on a 6.74-inch screen is noticeably grainy, especially compared to rivals at this price hitting 300+ ppi
- Helio G81 is entry-level for 2026 and struggles with sustained gaming or multitasking without slowdowns
- 13MP main camera with basic features (no ultrawide, no macro, no night mode) falls short of what budget competitors now offer
Honor X5d Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2026, April 09 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio), TFT LCD, 90Hz |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G81 (12 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 128GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| Main camera | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF Auxiliary lens |
| Selfie camera | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Battery | 5260 mAh |
| Software | Android 15, MagicOS 9 |
| Dimensions | 167 x 77 x 7.9 mm (6.57 x 3.03 x 0.31 in) |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| NFC | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
Honor X5d FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the X5d support 5G?
No. The X5d tops out at GSM / HSPA / LTE, without 5G.
What chipset does the X5d use?
The X5d runs on the Mediatek Helio G81 (12 nm).
What display does the X5d have?
A 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio) TFT LCD, 90Hz, 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density).
How big is the X5d battery?
The X5d has a 5260 mAh battery.
Does the X5d have NFC?
No, the X5d does not list NFC support.
Does the X5d support a microSD card?
Yes, the X5d supports expandable storage (microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)).
Alternatives to consider
If the X5d isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
X5d Plus
X6d
Play20A
Play 70C
N6x
