Honor X70i : Sometimes the most exciting smartphones aren’t the ones making headlines for their thousand-dollar price tags. The Honor X70i quietly launched in April 2025, and it’s doing something that should make other manufacturers nervous—delivering genuinely premium features at a price that won’t require selling a kidney.
When Budget Phones Stop Feeling Like Compromises
The first thing that hits you about the X70i is how little it feels like a “budget” device. At just 7.3mm thick and weighing 178.5 grams, this phone manages to feel substantial without being bulky. The 6.7-inch AMOLED display immediately grabs your attention with its vibrant colors and impressive brightness levels.
But here’s where things get interesting: this display peaks at 3,500 nits of brightness. For context, many flagship phones struggle to hit 2,000 nits. The 120Hz refresh rate makes everything feel smooth and responsive, while the 1080×2412 resolution ensures crisp text and sharp images. This isn’t the kind of display you’d expect to find on a phone that starts at roughly $191.
The bezels are minimal, the colors are available in stylish options including Purple, Black, White, and Blue, and the overall design feels modern and premium. Honor has clearly learned that people want their phones to look good, regardless of price point.
Photography That Punches Above Its Weight Class
The camera setup on the X70i takes a refreshingly straightforward approach. Instead of cramming multiple mediocre sensors into the phone, Honor focused on making one really good camera. The single 108MP rear camera features an f/1.75 aperture and a large 1/1.67-inch sensor with phase-detection autofocus.
This approach actually makes sense. Most people primarily use the main camera anyway, so why not make it excellent rather than offering three or four cameras where only one takes decent photos? Initial samples suggest this strategy is paying off, with the camera producing detailed shots with good color reproduction and decent low-light performance.
The 8MP front camera handles selfies and video calls adequately, though it’s clearly not the star of the show. For social media and everyday photography, the camera system delivers results that would have been impressive on phones costing twice as much just a few years ago.
Performance That Actually Delivers
Under the hood, the MediaTek Dimensity 7025 Ultra chipset provides solid performance for daily tasks. This isn’t flagship-level silicon, but it’s perfectly adequate for social media, streaming, light gaming, and all the things most people actually do with their phones.
The choice between 8GB and 12GB of RAM configurations ensures smooth multitasking, while the 256GB or 512GB storage options provide plenty of space without the need for expandable storage. Android 15 with MagicOS 9 offers a clean, intuitive interface that doesn’t feel cluttered or overwhelming.
5G connectivity means you’re future-proofed for faster networks, while features like NFC, Bluetooth 5.3, and Wi-Fi 802.11ac ensure compatibility with modern accessories and services.
Battery Life That Changes Everything
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the X70i is its massive 6,000mAh battery. This isn’t just big—it’s genuinely enormous for a phone this slim. We’re talking about legitimate two-day usage for most people, which fundamentally changes how you think about your smartphone.
The 35W fast charging might seem modest compared to the 120W+ speeds we see on some flagships, but when your battery lasts two days, you’re not constantly looking for charging opportunities. When you do need to charge, the 35W speed is perfectly adequate for topping up during breaks.
This battery capacity puts the X70i in rare company, competing with devices designed specifically for maximum endurance while maintaining a sleek, pocketable form factor.
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Durability and Practical Features
The IP65 rating provides dust-tight protection and resistance against water jets, making this phone ready for real-world usage. The in-display fingerprint sensor works reliably, while dual SIM support offers flexibility for travelers or those managing work and personal numbers.
The inclusion of stereo speakers enhances the multimedia experience, though the absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack might disappoint some users.
Honor X70i Market Position That Makes Sense
Starting at CNY 1,399 (approximately $191) for the 8GB/256GB model, the X70i represents exceptional value in the mid-range segment. The 12GB/256GB variant costs CNY 1,699 ($233), while the top-tier 12GB/512GB model reaches CNY 1,899 ($260).
At these prices, the X70i isn’t competing with budget phones—it’s challenging devices costing significantly more. The combination of premium display technology, solid camera performance, massive battery capacity, and clean software experience creates a package that’s hard to ignore.
The Honor X70i proves that innovation doesn’t always require premium pricing. Sometimes the best technology is the kind that makes advanced features accessible to everyone, rather than exclusive to those willing to pay flagship prices.