The Christmas rush may still be a couple of months away, but it never hurts to start the gift-hunting early, especially for something as thoughtful and useful as a smartphone.
Every year, we search for presents that mean more than just wrapping paper and ribbons—something that can actually make everyday life a little better. HONOR seems to understand that balance perfectly with its newest budget release, the HONOR X7d, a durable, all-angle water-resistant smartphone priced at just ₱9,999.
The X7d may not aim for flashy flagship status, but it makes a strong case as one of the most reliable everyday phones in its category. It’s for the practical givers and recipients. The student who needs a dependable study companion, the parent who juggles work and home, or the rider who faces rain and heat alike.
As the holidays draw near, that idea feels like a breath of fresh air. For many Filipinos, reliability is the best kind of luxury you can give.
The HONOR X7d, in that sense, feels like a gift suggestion worth keeping on your list early. It’s practical, durable, and built for anyone who needs their phone to simply work—whether it’s for documenting memories, or getting through the everyday hustle.
A gift that can handle real life
Phones today are designed for everything from performance to photography, but not all are built for the messy, unpredictable rhythm of real life. The HONOR X7d is.
Equipped with 5-star drop resistance and IP65M all-angle water resistance, the X7d can survive drops of up to 1.5 meters, quick faucet rinses, and even short submersions up to 0.5 meters deep for a minute. That’s more than enough protection for the daily bumps and accidents that come with commuting or chasing after kids at home.
During use, it never once felt fragile. The back has a matte texture that resists fingerprints, and the build feels sturdy without being bulky. It’s the kind of durability that gives you quiet confidence—especially if you’re the type who’s dropped a phone or two before.
And it’s not just the durability that makes it giftable. The X7d looks good too. Clean lines, comfortable grip, and a design that doesn’t scream “budget.” For something under ₱10,000, that’s an impressive feat. HONOR clearly paid attention to how this phone would look and feel in daily hands-on use.
It’s easy to imagine gifting this to someone who needs a no-drama phone: a teen getting their first device or a parent who values simplicity.
The battery that keeps the party going
The holidays are coming! Andwith them, long days of errands, reunions, and late-night gatherings. The HONOR X7d is ready for that kind of energy, thanks to its massive 6500mAh battery, one of the biggest in its price range.
In actual use, the phone easily lasts up to two full days on a single charge, even with heavy social media use, Spotify, and video calls. HONOR claims it can reach three days of battery life under moderate use, and it’s not hard to believe. For those who constantly forget to plug in their phones overnight, this endurance is a blessing.
When it’s finally time to recharge, the 35W HONOR SuperCharge brings it from 0 to 100% in around 96 minutes. That’s decent, but from someone who works in media—where interviews, shoots, and coverage can happen back-to-back—96 minutes feels a bit too long. It’s not sluggish, but it’s far from the rapid refills we’ve come to appreciate in the midrange segment. A quick 30-minute boost does give enough juice for several hours of use, but you’ll want to plan your full charge ahead of busy workdays.
It’s a kind of reliability that feels increasingly rare at this price point, and that makes it an excellent pre-holiday buy. Because if there’s one thing no one wants during Christmas chaos, it’s a dead phone.
Capturing Christmas in 108MP
The HONOR X7d lets you capture scenes in your daily life with its 108MP Ultra-Clear main camera, paired with a 2MP depth sensor for portraits and an 8MP selfie camera.
Daytime photos are crisp and colorful, while indoor shots maintain clarity and warmth. HONOR’s image processing handles skin tones naturally, avoiding that overly smoothed, artificial look some budget phones struggle with. It’s a reliable point-and-shoot setup that’s perfect for capturing candid holiday moments, from messy gift unwrapping to late-night laughter.
The AI features under MagicOS 9.0 make it even more versatile. You can use AI Eraser to remove random passersby, AI Upscale to enhance old photos, and AI Translate for quick on-screen translations.
The AI Beauty tool deserves a mention too. It’s subtle, not overdone, enhancing selfies while keeping faces natural. Combined with the 120Hz display, reviewing and editing photos feels fluid and satisfying.
So, while it’s not marketed as a “camera phone,” the X7d punches above its class. It delivers photos that look festive, detailed, and ready to post—no filters needed. And as you start preparing for this year’s gatherings, that’s one more reason to keep this model in mind.
Built for smooth, smart everyday use
Beneath its durable shell, the HONOR X7d runs on a Snapdragon 685 chip, paired with up to 16GB RAM (8GB + 8GB Turbo) and 512GB of storage—a configuration rarely seen in phones under ₱10,000. The result is smooth, consistent performance across daily tasks, whether you’re editing videos, using navigation apps, or switching between multiple chats.
A standout feature is the Instant AI Button, which can launch tools like AI Translate, Circle to Search, or AI Editing with a quick press. It’s a small addition, but one that makes the phone feel genuinely modern. An affordable device that still brings bits of flagship convenience to the table.
In practice, this means you can use the X7d for work, content creation, or just everyday scrolling without worrying about slowdown. It’s efficient, energy-conscious, and practical—exactly what you’d want in a long-term phone.
Overall, it’s a gift worth planning for
With Christmas still a couple of months away, the HONOR X7d feels like one of those early finds that could save you from last-minute gift stress. It’s affordable without cutting corners, durable without feeling heavy, and smart without the steep learning curve.
It’s easy to picture the X7d as a family-friendly choice: a dependable phone for a student, a second device for a parent, or even a main driver for anyone needing something tough yet elegant. It’s practical, thoughtful, and long-lasting.
So while the holidays aren’t here just yet, it’s not too early to take note. The HONOR X7d is more than just a budget phone—it’s a reminder that the best gifts are the ones built to last beyond the season.
