Smartphone components have come a long way in recent years, but one constant challenge for users and manufacturers alike has been battery life. In today’s fast-paced, always-on world, consumers are increasingly seeking devices that don’t just meet their performance expectations but also keep up with their on-the-go lifestyle without constantly needing a charger. The Honor X5b Plus proudly steps into this arena, offering a large battery phone experience in a budget-friendly package that doesn’t compromise on usability or modern features.
TLDR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)
The Honor X5b Plus is an affordable smartphone with a strong focus on longevity and usability. Boasting a solid 5200mAh battery, it caters to users who prioritize extended device usage. While it doesn’t compete with flagship-level performance, it brings a reliable set of features including a large screen, clean user interface, and dependable processing power. It’s an ideal device for casual users, seniors, or as a secondary phone with heavy standby needs.
Design and Build
At first glance, the Honor X5b Plus carries a simple yet effective design. It sports a plastic body with a matte finish, perfect for grip and minimizing fingerprint smudges. The phone feels light for its battery capacity and doesn’t appear overly bulky, which is an achievement for a device with such a large power unit. The curved-edge design makes it comfortable to hold for extended periods, making it user-friendly for all age groups, especially those who want functionality over flashiness.
The front of the device houses a large 6.56-inch LCD display with a teardrop notch, while the back features a dual-camera setup encased in a squircle-shaped module that gives it a modern aesthetic.
Battery Performance
Battery performance is undoubtedly the cornerstone feature of the Honor X5b Plus. The phone comes equipped with a 5200mAh battery, which is significantly above average, especially in this price range. This capacity translates into extended screen-on time, multi-day standby performance, and sustained app usage that easily lasts through an entire workday—and more—without worry.
For moderate users, the device can comfortably offer up to two days of use between charges. Whether you’re browsing social media, watching videos, texting, or taking calls, the Honor X5b Plus ensures uninterrupted daily performance. Additionally, the device comes with a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer, a welcome feature compared to the outdated micro-USB in many budget smartphones.
Display and Viewing Experience
The Honor X5b Plus features a generous 6.56-inch TFT LCD display with HD+ resolution (1612 x 720). While it doesn’t offer AMOLED-level color saturation or the sharpest resolution, it does an admirable job for day-to-day activity. Brightness levels are satisfactory for indoor and shaded conditions, though outdoor visibility in direct sunlight can be a bit of a challenge.
That said, the display size and format make it suitable for watching videos, reading articles, or even for video calls. The tear-drop notch at the top houses a selfie camera while keeping screen real estate largely preserved. For Netflix enthusiasts or TikTok scrollers on a budget, this device doesn’t fall short.
Performance and Software
Powering the Honor X5b Plus is an octa-core MediaTek Helio G36 processor combined with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD. This hardware configuration is not designed for power users or mobile gamers, but for light to moderate everyday tasks, it works just fine. Apps launch reasonably quickly, multi-tasking is possible on a basic level, and the phone performs without significant stutters during typical functions such as messaging, browsing, and YouTube streaming.
Out of the box, the phone runs on Android 13 (Go Edition), optimized for entry-level devices. This lighter version of Android ensures smoother performance and includes several Google Go apps that are less resource-intensive. The UI is clean and accessible, especially suitable for first-time smartphone users or elder members of the family.
Camera Capabilities
Photography enthusiasts may find the dual-camera setup on the Honor X5b Plus fairly basic. The rear module consists of an 8MP main shooter accompanied by a 2MP depth sensor. The camera is serviceable for well-lit environments, offering decent shots for social media, but it understandably struggles in low-light settings due to the absence of night mode or advanced image processing features.
On the front, a 5MP selfie camera sits within the notch, delivering usable results for video calls and occasional selfies. For many casual users, this configuration suffices, though professional camera expectations should be tempered.
Additional Features
- Expandable Storage: Supports microSD cards up to 1TB, allowing users to store ample media and files without depending heavily on internal storage.
- 3.5mm Headphone Jack: Ideal for users who still prefer wired audio solutions.
- Face Unlock: Provides a convenient biometric unlocking feature, though lacks a fingerprint sensor.
- Dual SIM Support: Useful for those managing multiple phone numbers or travel needs.
Who Should Consider the Honor X5b Plus?
This phone is clearly aimed at a particular demographic. It is best suited for:
- Casual smartphone users who prioritize battery life over performance.
- Senior citizens who want a simple and long-lasting phone.
- Students looking for a secondary or backup device.
- Professionals needing a basic work phone for calls, messages, and scheduling.
It’s a utilitarian device that offers immense value for money and focuses on the essentials rather than flashy frills. Those expecting high-end gaming or photography performance might find it lacking, but for everyone else, it’s a dependable everyday companion.
Pros and Cons
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Conclusion
The Honor X5b Plus proves that a budget phone can deliver in the areas that really matter to many users: longevity, simplicity, and affordability. With its exceptionally large 5200mAh battery, easy-to-use software, and essential features, it meets the expectations of day-to-day smartphone users without burning a hole in their wallet. While it’s not a device made for power users, it delivers where needed and then some for its price bracket.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Does the Honor X5b Plus support fast charging?
- No, it supports standard charging via USB Type-C. Fast charging is not available on this model.
- Can I use two SIM cards and a microSD card at the same time?
- Yes, the phone comes with a dedicated triple card slot supporting two SIMs and one microSD simultaneously.
- Is the battery removable?
- No, the battery is non-removable, as is the case with most modern smartphones.
- Does it support 5G?
- No, the Honor X5b Plus is a 4G LTE device.
- Is the Honor X5b Plus suitable for gaming?
- The phone can handle light games, but it’s not suitable for graphically demanding or high-frame-rate gaming.
- What colors is the Honor X5b Plus available in?
- Color availability may vary by region, but it typically comes in neutral tones like Midnight Black and Ocean Blue.
