Smartphone is life…or at least, that’s how it feels for most of us. As a busy, always-on-the-go digital content creator and news blog correspondent, that’s literally my truth. Coordinating with brand representatives and covering one event after another is all part of the package, and I couldn’t do it efficiently and effectively without my smartphone.
On a more personal note, I paint as a hobby, so I take plenty of snapshots to use as references for future artworks. I’m also the designated photographer and videographer in my family, especially during special moments worth capturing, both for social media and for posterity.
With that said, when choosing a smartphone, I make sure it’s durable, practical, fits seamlessly into my lifestyle, and capable of handling everything from taking decent photos and videos to editing them on the spot, and more.
Not every smartphone, though, is created equal, and this is especially true for entry-level, budget-friendly ones. Aside from its attractive slim and sleek design, I was pleasantly surprised by the ‘premium’ features of the HONOR X6c that HONOR lent me to review. Read on to discover five standout features that make it worth the spend, at least for me. But first, let’s dive into the unboxing.
In The Box
Despite HONOR X6c’s friendly price tag, the packaging and presentation have a premium feel. Inside the box you’ll find an HONOR X6c unit, I got the Midnight Black, with the battery included, a Quick Start Guide, HONOR SuperCharge adapter, Type-C cable, eject pin, warranty card, and a TPU protective case. The phone also comes with a TPU protective film pre-applied.
5 STANDOUT FEATURES
In a saturated smartphone market, the question I ask is: what would make me want this phone more than the others? After using the HONOR X6c for a couple of days, here are the features that impressed me the most.
1. A Dedicated AI Button
As if AI itself wasn’t enough to simplify our lives, the HONOR X6c makes it even easier with its physical AI side button. Now, all it takes is just a quick or long press ‘to launch commands and frequently used apps’ or ‘to unlock smart visual features and get instant information’, respectively. Other entry-level budget phones may have AI, sure, but it’s often buried in the phone’s crowded menu and apps.
This feature definitely comes in handy when I need to quickly translate words, phrases and sentences, find images or identify an object. I can also enable functions like Cleanup and Calculator with a simple press. For someone like me, who uses a phone not just for communication but also as a productivity tool, a small AI button makes a big difference in my daily life as it streamlines my phone app interactions and lessens complex steps.
2. A Surprising 50MP AI Imaging
Even with a lower price tag, the HONOR X6c doesn’t compromise the function or quality of its camera like most budget phones do. It’s packed with photography and video modes and tools that let you create masterpieces in just a few clicks.
Honor X6c’s 50MP AI-powered camera delivers pro-quality shots, day or night, both editorial- and social media-worthy. It’s great for capturing any subject at any moment in time, from food, artsy and lifestyle snaps to events and special occasions, and basically, anything you can think of. Plus, the phone is equipped with an AI Eraser, which is great for removing photobombers and unwanted elements in your shots.
I took this gem of a smartphone out for a walk, capturing whatever is in front of me – street traffic, trees, and more. When I took a break, I even took a snapshot of my afternoon merienda – a chocolate muffin and iced coffee. In all instances, the colors came out vibrant, and the details were sharp. No matter what mode I used – Portrait, Photo, Pro, Video, Timelapse, and the rest. I need to experiment some more with the PRO.
Normally, I’d run photos and videos through editing and filtering apps before sharing them. With the HONOR X6c, I could see that I didn’t have to. Still, available tools like the AI Eraser, which is great for removing photobombers and unwanted elements in photos, and the AI Outpainting are so addictive. I could create different scenes in seconds, all without relying on external editing apps or advanced design skills.
Sure, other smartphones have AI camera features, but with the Honor X6c’s introductory price of less than Php 7,000 in the Philippines, it’s a steal.
3. Excellent Craftsmanship
Do you sometimes have jelly fingers like me? Worry no more, HONOR X6c is made for everyday life. With full-body 360° protection and the brand’s Ultra-Bounce Anti-Drop technology, it is built to withstand bumps and accidental drops from 1.5 meters. In fact, it has earned the Swiss SGS Premium 5-Star Performance Certification of Drop & Crush Resistance, and its internal horn-shaped supporting structure also helps prevent cracks and bends. Of course, as HONOR themselves note, there’s still risk of damage when it falls.
The front screen is made of protective glass, while the back and frame use plastic to keep the HONOR X6c lightweight and affordable. Yet despite its materials, the phone feels anything but cheap and fragile. Crafted with care, it has a sleek modern design and it feels solid in my hands.
4. Ready For The Elements
If I had my doubts about the HONOR X6c, they all went away once I found out that, while it isn’t professionally water-resistant, it is splash-proof, water-resistant, and dust-proof, perfect for everyday use in any weather or situation.
HONOR notes that the X6c has been ‘tested under controlled laboratory conditions and reached IP64 level under GB/T 4208-2017 (China) / IEC 60529 (international) standards.’ That means I can relax without worrying about a little spill, splash, or drop. Just like any other gadget or device, however, resistance to splash, water, and dust may decrease over time due to normal wear and tear.
5. Premium Features, Budget Price
On top of the five reasons I totally dig about the sleek and stylish HONOR X6c, it also offers RAM options of 6 to 8 GB, storage capacities of 128 or 256 GB, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a large 5,300 mAh battery with 35W SuperCharge, premium features enough to give mid-range and higher-end units a run for their money.
The Bottom Line
We all want our smartphones to have high-quality specs, ideally at a fraction of the price of high-end brands. For students, first-time smartphone users, anyone who needs a capable secondary device, or those wanting to change phones but is on a budget, the HONOR X6c is a great contender. Practical and packed with amped-up features, it may be entry-level, yet it is comparable to some mid-range and even high-end models in the market today.
Official HONOR X6c Specs
Dimensions and Weight |
Height: 163.95 mmWidth: 75.6 mmDepth: 8.39 mmWeight: Approx. 199 g (including the battery)*Product size, weight may vary with its configuration, manufacturing process and measurement methods. All specifications are subject to the actual product. |
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Display |
Size: 6.61 inches*With rounded corners design applying on the display, the diagonal length of screen is 6.61 inches, when measured according to the standard rectangle (the actual viewable area is slightly smaller). Color: 16.7M colorsType: TFTLCDResolution: 1604*720*The resolution measured as a standard rectangle, thus the effective pixels are slightly less. Gestures: Multi-touch gestures, up to 10 touch points supported |
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Processor |
CPU Model: MediaTek Helio G81 UltraCPU Type: Octa-coreCPU Dominant Frequency: 2xA75 *2.0Ghz + 6xA55*1.7Ghz*The actual frequency may adjust by application load intelligently. GPU: ARM Mail G52 MC2 Keyboard Type: Gestures,Three keys, Navigation dockFeatures: Device Clone/Multi-Window/App Twin/Backup and Restore/Magazine Unlock/Flashlight/Calendar/Gallery/Calculator/AI Translate/Magic Lock Screen/Magic Capsule |
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System |
Operating System: MagicOS 9.0 (based on Android 15)User Interface: MagicOS 9.0 |
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Memory |
6GB+128GB
6GB+256GB 8GB+256GB |
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Rear Camera |
Rear Camera50MP Main Camera (F1.8)+Auxiliary lens *The pixels may vary with different photo and video modes. Please refer to the actual situations. Video Shooting: Support 1080P video shooting Zoom Mode: Up to 10x digital zoom*There are slight differences between various modes. Please refer to actual sitautions.Image Resolution: Support up to 8160*6112 pixels*The actual image resolution may vary depending on the shooting mode. Video Resolution: Support up to 1920*1080 pixels *The actual video resolution may vary depending on the shooting mode. Rear Flashlight SupportCapture Mode: Portrait(including beauty mode and bokeh),Time-lapse,Night,Video,Slow-Mo,High-Res,Stickers,Panorama,PRO,Photo,etc. |
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Front Camera |
Front Camera: 5MP (F2.2)*The pixels may vary with different photo and video modes. Please refer to the actual situations. Image Resolution: Support up to 2592*1936 pixels*The pixels may vary with different photo modes. Please refer to the actual situations. Video Resolution: Support up to 1920*1080 pixels*The pixels may vary with different video modes. Please refer to the actual situations. Video Shooting: Support 1080P video shootingCapture Mode: Portrait(including beauty mode and bokeh), Photo,Video,Stickers,etc.Face Recognition: Support 2D Face Recognition |
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Battery |
Capacity: 5300mAh (typical value)*The rated capacity is 5200 mAh. (Non-removable Battery) Type: Li-ion Polymer BatteryWired Charging: Support up to 35W (11V/3.2A) super charge*The actual charging power will change intelligently with different scenarios, please refer to the actual situation. Standard Charger: 35W HONOR SuperCharge |
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Water and Dust Resistance |
IP64
*The phone is not professionally water resistant. It is splash-proof, water-resistant and dust-proof under normal use. It has been tested under controlled laboratory conditions and reaches the IP64 level in accordance with GB/T 4208-2017 (China) / IEC 60529 (international) standards. Splash, water, and dust resistances are not permanently effective, and the protective performance may decrease due to daily wear and tear. |
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Cellular Network |
Network StandardNIC-LX1 4G (LTE FDD) 3G (WCDMA) 2G (GSM) NIC-LX2&NIC-LX3 4G (LTE TDD/LTE FDD) 3G (WCDMA) 2G (GSM) *Functions available on the live network depend on the situations of the carrier’s network and related services deployment. SIM CardSIM Card 1 Nano SIM card SIM Card 2 nano-SIM card or microSD card |
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Connectivity and Location |
WLANSupport 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WLAN Hotspot Wi-Fi Direct Bluetooth: BT5.1Others: Support OTGUSB: USB Type-C, USB 2.0 Earjack: 3.5 mm Support (operators and third-party software) *This function may vary with operators in different countries or regions.Please consult local network operator. Positioning:GPS/AGPS/GLONASS/BeiDou/GalileoNetwork-Based Positioning WLAN-Based Positioning |
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Sensors |
SensorsGravity Sensor Fingerprint Sensor Ambient Light Sensor Proximity Sensor NFC: Only NIC-LX1&NIC-LX2(Nick-L52D/Nick-L52E) Support |
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Media and Audio |
Video : *.3gp,*.mp4,*.webm,*.mkvAudio:*.mp3,*.mid,*.amr,*.awb,*.3gp,*.mp4,*.m4a,*.aac,*.wav,*.ogg,*.flac,*.mkv |

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