stylish and reliable smartphones for work and more

At the beginning of 2024, HONOR introduced three new smartphone models: HONOR X7b, HONOR X8b and HONOR X9b. Despite the fact that they are similar in some characteristics, the new products are intended for different users. Thus, HONOR X7b is a reliable tool for work, HONOR X8b is a solution for bloggers, and HONOR X9b is not only a means of communication, but also a stylish accessory. The Troika also copes well with games. Let's take a closer look at the features and capabilities of these devices.

First, about the characteristics

Below is a table with detailed technical characteristics of all representatives of the new line of smartphones.

As you can see, HONOR X7b and HONOR X8b have much in common technically, but differ in design. As for the HONOR X9b, it has only a set of cameras in common with other models; its characteristics are different, and there are also several unique features, which we will discuss below.

Now – about design

Each model has its own, they are not very similar to each other. For example, despite the fact that all three phones have the same set of cameras, the units with them are still different. So, the HONOR X7b has two circles of cameras located in the left corner, the HONOR X8b has a square block with four cameras and a flash, and the HONOR X9b has a large ring of cameras right in the center, framed by a bezel with notches.

The covering of HONOR X8b in green or HONOR X9b in orange is the so-called eco-leather. The back panel of the HONOR X7b is made of silver plastic with a beautiful iridescent pattern.

The frames on the phones also vary. The HONOR X7b uses a flat frame with rounded edges, while the HONOR X8b uses flat edges that lightly touch your fingers when in use. The HONOR X9b has a very thin frame due to the rounded screen at the edges. The back cover is also rounded on the sides, bringing everything together into one style.

The power and volume buttons are, frankly speaking, small. But this does not cause any inconvenience when using them.

The USB-C connector, microphone and speaker are traditionally located at the end. In the case of HONOR X9b, there is also a SIM card tray. But the HONOR X7b also has a headphone jack, which is a rarity these days. On the top edge of the devices, the developers placed an additional microphone to suppress noise.

Screen and its capabilities

All three phones are equipped with high-quality matrices: HONOR X8b and HONOR X9b received AMOLED matrices, and HONOR X7b – TFT LCD. The HONOR X8b and HONOR X7b displays have a 90Hz refresh rate, while the HONOR X9b display supports 120Hz fps. The X9b has an image optimization feature for YouTube and Netflix, which makes the picture brighter and clearer. Regardless of brightness level, these models' screens provide crisp images with accurate colors, making them an excellent choice for gamers. Even prolonged use of the devices does not cause eye fatigue, which is confirmed by personal experience.

OS, processor, RAM and other features

All three models received Android 13 OS with the proprietary MagicOS 7.2 shell. The HONOR X7b and HONOR X8b models are equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 processor. Thanks to it, the devices are stable, there are no freezes, and games, even demanding ones, can be run with average performance.

The HONOR X9b model is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor, which has higher performance and allows you to run games in high resolution and with additional features.

It is worth noting that even during prolonged gaming, the case does not heat up very much. Throttling tests show that the frequencies of the chips of all three models remain virtually unchanged throughout the entire testing process. This is nice, because in some other devices throttling prevents you from getting all the benefits of productive hardware.

It's great that many manufacturers have started equipping their devices with 8 GB of RAM. This allows you to run multiple applications at the same time without the risk of freezing or lag. In the case of HONOR X9b, the RAM is already 12 GB. If you really need it, you can programmatically increase the memory by another 8 GB.

Now a little about the audio system of new smartphones. It would be great if all models had stereo sound, which could appeal to those who play games and watch videos without using headphones. However, only HONOR X7b can boast of this feature. Actually, the sound is not bad, I didn’t have any problems, there’s nothing more to say about it.

What about cameras?

All three models are equipped with a standard set of cameras with the same resolution. However, it seemed to me that the quality of the images was slightly higher on the HONOR X9b. The HONOR X8b and X7b support 1080p video recording at 30fps and 2x zoom, while the HONOR X9b supports 4K video recording at 3x zoom and the same frame rate. This does not mean that other models shoot worse. They are also capable of producing high-quality images in sufficient lighting conditions. For example, in photos taken with the HONOR X9b, the sky looks brighter and more saturated, while photos taken with the HONOR X8b highlight the detail of images with ducks, and photos with the HONOR X7b show the clarity and contrast of photos taken at home.

If we talk about the front camera, the situation here is somewhat different. HONOR X8b is equipped with a high-resolution 50 MP front camera and a front-facing flash.

This is what makes it a great choice for vlogging and selfie lovers. Here are some examples of selfies taken on the HONOR X8b: in normal lighting and in low light conditions.

Well, now – the battery

When it comes to battery life, the HONOR X7b takes the lead thanks to its 6,000mAh battery. The capacious battery allows you to forget about the need to charge for three days with moderate use.

The battery capacity of HONOR X9b is 5,800 mAh, and HONOR X8b is 4,500 mAh. Both of these devices can last up to two days on a single charge. All three models support fast charging, which allows you to charge the device in about an hour and a half. For example, HONOR X9b charges from 22% to 61% in just half an hour with the included 35 W adapter.

Bottom line

All three smartphones are good devices with their own characteristics. Each of the models has certain advantages that are worth paying attention to, depending on what the phone is needed for – working with media, playing games, or just communicating:

• HONOR X7b – combination of high performance, excellent autonomy and affordable price

• HONOR X8b aimed at lovers of selfies and video shooting with the front camera

• HONOR X9b — a stylish smartphone with high performance that will be an excellent addition to the image of its owner

This happens quite rarely, but all three models maintain a good price/quality balance. At the same time, the cost of HONOR brand devices is traditionally not very high, taking into account the large number of capabilities and excellent functionality of smartphones.

You can buy the models from the review in MTS stores.