Following the X9c’s launch earlier this year, HONOR has new introduced X7d 5G to South Africa, a smartphone designed to bring durability and AI-powered experiences to a broader audience, plus doing so at an affordable price point.

The 6.77” device introduces several features including 5-star Premium Drop Protection, a 6500 mAh dual-cell battery, NFC and a new Instant AI Button.

HONOR is quick to note that the X7d 5G is engineered for durability and has earned SGS Premium Performance Certification for Drop & Crush Resistance. As such, the smartphone can survive drops from heights of up to 1.8 metres thanks to its reinforced structure. However, HONOR is putting their money where their mouth is, with HONOR Care 3-month Screen Protection benefit and HONOR support which allows users to complete device maintenance without leaving their home, with free shipping to the HONOR repair centre provided.

However, our favourite feature is the large 6500 mAh battery that delivers long-lasting performance, promising up to five years of durability if HONOR is to be believed. It supports 35W HONOR SuperCharge for quick recharging, while the double-cell battery structure and temperature monitoring system help maintain safety and efficiency even in extreme temperatures.

One of the standout additions to the HONOR X7d 5G is the new Instant AI Button, which provides quick access to smart tools. We’ve seen this on the Honor 400 Lite (review), and it works well once you learn how to use it. A single click can launch custom apps or optimise background performance, while a long press activates AI-powered features such as AI Eraser, AI Translation and AI Creation.

Running MagicOS 9.0 based on Android 15, the device supports Google Gemini Assistant, Circle to Search and Magic Portal, for AI-driven interaction and searches.

Under the hood, the smartphone is powered by the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 processor, while also featuring 6 GB RAM and 256 GB of internal storage for apps, media and files.

While the specs so far are impressive, especially consider the R4 000 price point, the 6.77-inch display is where the company saved some money. With a resolution of 1610x720, this LCD screen falls short of the pixels-per-inch found on higher priced smartphones.

However, we believe this should not be too much of a deterrent as soon as the HONOR X7d 5G becomes available in Desert Gold and Velvet Black from 1 November at a recommended retail price of R3 999.