The X5b Plus is a new addition to the Chinese Smartphone brand Honor’s budget-friendly X series featuring large screens and long-lasting batteries. Hitting the Bangladesh market on January 9, 2025, it offers relatively standard features with a highly affordable price tag. Let’s dive into the key features, pros, cons, and pricing of Honor X5b Plus in Bangladesh. Key Features of Honor X5b Plus . Design The Honor X5b Plus has come with a compact and slim design with a super flat cross-textured back panel providing a good grip. Like the X5b model, its plastic-made metal frame is 163.9mm wide, 75.8mm tall, and 8.7mm thick, which gives the phone a standard shape. Catering to divisiveness, it offers three distinct color vacations– Ocean Blue, Midnight Black, and Starry Purple.  The plastic body build helps the phone to be more lightweight than its competitors. It weighs 194g, harmonizing with the overall slimness of the phone. Users will find a single stereo audio output juxtaposed with a USB Type C charging port on the bottom. Much to users’ disappointment, the phone uses a teardrop placeholder for its front lens. Either a dual stereo audio system or a punch-hole would be more appreciable, while its primary competitor, Tecno Spark Go 1, offers both. Read more: Xiaomi Redmi Turbo 4 Review: Is It a Value-for-money Midranger? Display A TFT LCD panel may not be a great display, even for an entry-level phone, when similarly priced options like Symphony Innova 30 and Tecno Spark Go 1 are offering IPS screens. Users may find the 90Hz refresh rate as a deal breaker as Tecno Spark Go 1 boasts a 120Hz rate at a lower price tag. The entire look of the front much resembles Samsung’s budget-friendly smartphones, with fairly rounded corners, a waterdrop notch, and thick bezels and chins. However, the 6.56-inch screen still feels right while watching videos or playing games regardless of being narrowed down by thick bezels. Users will get a wide resolution of 720 by 1612 pixels backed by a maximum 530 nits brightness level. Considering the quality of the screen, the device still provides a good color contrast thanks to its 269 ppi density.  However, we have seen similar features in the basic variant X5b. Read more: Honor X5b Review: Affordable Innovation or Budget Compromise? Cameras The Honor X5b Plus features a 50MP (f/1.8) lens placed within a giant square primary camera panel with rounded corners on the back. It’s a great leap compared with Honor X5B and rival Tecno Spark Go 1’s 13MP, yet a downgrade compared to Symphony Innova 30’s 108MP primary lens.  The 5MP (f/2.2) front lens of the X5b Plus is also despairing in this selfie-hyped market. An 8MP wide lens would place the camera system in a better position. Both lenses can record videos at a 30fps frame rate, keeping a 1080p clear resolution. Performance and Hardware A maximum of 256GB default storage sets a standard ground for the phone supported by 4GB RAM. Like the basic X5b, the Plus variant features a Mediatek Helio G36 12nm chipset. The phone uses a PowerVR GE8320 for graphical processing that keeps up with the processor in detailing and maneuvering different games.  Read more: ZTE Nubia Red Magic 10 Pro Review: Is It a Value-for-money Gaming Smartphone? However, in the AnTuTu Benchmark and GeekBench scores, the Honor X5b Plus performs less efficiently than the Innova 30 and Spark Go 1. For the operating system, the phone implements Android 14, ensuring the latest upgrades of Google’s stack navigational layout. On top of it, it’s customizable Magic OS 8 provides a stylish and colorful user interface. Battery and Performance Like the Honor X5b, its Plus variant comes with a strong and durable 5200mAh battery that lasts longer than those featured by most market peers. Users will get a 10W charger, which requires 5 to 7 hours to power up the phone fully. Symphony Innova 30, and Spark Go 1 offer almost similar-sized batteries (5000 mAh) with powerful chargers.  Read more: Best Air Purifiers in Bangladesh: Price Guide, Top Models, and Buying Tips Pros and Cons of the Honor X5b Plus Pros - Audio jack present- Android 14 OS with Magic OS 8 UI- Large battery capacity- Side-mounted fingerprint scanner Cons - No 4K video recording- Basic camera setup- Low brightness- Low refresh rate- Not suitable for heavy gaming or multitasking- Low-resolution display- No reverse charging- Lacks NFC and 5G support. Read more: Honor GT Review: A Power-Packed Mid-range Smartphone for Gamers Price of Honor X5b Plus in Bangladesh The Honor X5b Plus has been launched in the Bangladeshi market. Its official 4GB RAM and 128GB internal storage variation is available at BDT 12,999. Conclusion The Honor X5b Plus is a budget-friendly smartphone. With a powerful battery and an acceptable primary camera, it tries to justify its price; however, powerful competitors are ruling the market offering better performance, display, design, and selfie cameras. If you want a minimalist phone to capture good-quality images and durable usability, the Honor X5b Plus can be a good choice. Gamers and selfie lovers may opt for options like Symphony Innova 30. Read more: Top Smartphones Launching in January 2025: What to Expect

Launched in October 2024, the Honor X5b aims to redefine affordability in the budget smartphone market. Packed with modern features and a competitive price point, this device is poised to challenge its rivals. In this review, we explore the key specifications, standout features, drawbacks, and pricing details of the Honor X5b, with a focus on its availability in Bangladesh. Main Features of Honor X5b . Design and Build Quality The Honor X5b boasts a sleek design with 163.9 mm by 75.8 mm by 8.7 mm dimensions and a weight of 194g. Its plastic body feels sturdy and durable, complemented by modern aesthetics and color options such as Ocean Blue, Starry Purple, and Midnight Black. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor adds convenience, offering quick and secure access. Compared to the Honor X5, the X5b has a slightly more refined build, with improved ergonomics. However, in comparison to its competitors like the Walton ZENX 1 and Lava Yuva 4, the Honor X5b holds its ground in terms of design but is marginally lighter than its rivals, which might appeal to users seeking portability. Read more: Best Air Purifiers in Bangladesh: Price Guide, Top Models, and Buying Tips Display Quality The Honor X5b features a 6.56-inch TFT LCD with a 90Hz refresh rate, delivering smooth visuals and a better scrolling experience than its predecessor, the Honor X5, which lacked a high refresh rate. With 530 nits of brightness, it’s display performs decently indoors but struggles slightly under direct sunlight. The X5b offers a 720 by 1612 pixels resolution, a standard for entry-level smartphones. However, its panel falls behind the similarly priced competitors like Walton ZENX 1 and Lava Yuva 4, which feature IPS LCDs. Camera Performance The Honor X5b is equipped with a 13 MP (f/1.8) rear camera and a 5 MP (f/2.2) front camera. The rear camera produces good results in daylight, with decent sharpness and natural colors, but struggles slightly in low-light conditions. The 5 MP front camera is serviceable for selfies, though details may appear soft in challenging lighting. Read more: Honor GT Review: A Power-Packed Mid-range Smartphone for Gamers Compared to the ancestor Honor X5, the X5b provides better color reproduction and detail. However, it falls short of the Walton ZENX 1, which boasts a 52 MP primary sensor capable of capturing sharper and more vibrant images. The Lava Yuva 4’s 50 MP camera also outperforms the X5b in versatility and low-light performance. Processor Performance Under the hood, the Honor X5b is powered by the MediaTek Helio G36 12nm chipset, paired with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage. This configuration ensures smooth performance for everyday tasks such as web browsing, video streaming, and messaging. The Helio G36 is a step up from the Helio G25 in the ancestor Honor X5, offering improved performance in multitasking and light gaming. However, when pitted against competitors, the Unisoc T606 chipset in the Walton ZENX 1 and Lava Yuva 4 delivers better performance, especially for heavier apps and gaming. Read more: Top Smartphones Launching in January 2025: What to Expect Gaming Performance The Honor X5b handles casual games like Candy Crush and Subway Surfers well, providing smooth gameplay with minimal frame drops. However, resource-intensive games such as PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty: Mobile can only run on low settings, with noticeable stutters during extended sessions.  While it offers an upgrade over the Honor X5 in gaming, it lags behind the Walton ZENX 1 and Lava Yuva 4, which are better equipped to handle more demanding gaming scenarios due to their superior GPUs. Battery Life The Honor X5b packs a 5,200 mAh battery, providing excellent longevity for a full day of moderate usage. Whether streaming videos, browsing, or engaging in light gaming, the battery life is more than sufficient for most users. Read more: ZTE Nubia Z70 Ultra Review: Is It Really a Flagship Killer? This is a slight improvement over the 5,000 mAh battery in the Honor X5, which already delivered respectable endurance. However, the Honor X5b lacks fast-charging capabilities, limited to 10W charging, which can be a drawback compared to competitors like the Walton ZENX 1 and Lava Yuva 4, which offer similar battery life and charging speeds. Software and User Interface Running on Android 14 with Magic OS 8, the Honor X5b delivers a user-friendly interface with minimal bloatware. The software is responsive and provides useful customization options, making it a good fit for those seeking simplicity and functionality. This is a notable improvement over the Honor X5, which shipped with the lightweight Android 12 Go Edition. While the Honor X5b provides a smoother and richer software experience, it is on par with the Walton ZENX 1 and Lava Yuva 4, both of which run Android 14 with equally polished interfaces. Read more: Best Projectors to Create Home Theaters in Bangladesh in 2025 Storage Options The Honor X5b offers 64 GB of internal storage, expandable via microSDXC, and is paired with 4 GB of RAM. This configuration is a solid upgrade from the Honor X5, which came with 32 GB of storage and 2 GB of RAM. However, the Walton ZENX 1 outshines the X5b with its 8 GB of RAM with 64GB internal storage featuring up to 256GB expandable storage, offering significantly better multitasking capabilities. Additionally, the Lava Yuva 4 provides a 128 GB variant, making it more appealing to users with higher storage demands.  Pros and Cons of Honor X5b . Pros  - 6.56-inch TFT LCD with 90Hz refresh rate.- 64GB storage with a microSDXC slot.- Runs on Android 14 with Magic OS 8.- Large 5200mAh battery for extended use.- OTG support for external devices.- Side-mounted fingerprint scanner for quick access.- Audio jack support for wired headphones.- Smooth daily performance with MediaTek Helio G36. Read more: Vivo X200 Pro Mini Review: A Compact Flagship Smartphone with Powerful Features Cons  - Low 720p display resolution.- Basic 13MP rear and 5MP selfie cameras.- No gyro-EIS for video stabilization.- Lacks fast charging, limited to 10W.- No reverse charging or NFC support.- Single RAM and storage configuration (4GB/64GB).- Not suitable for heavy gaming or multitasking.- No 5G support, limited to 4G networks. Price of Honor X5b The Honor X5b is priced at around 12,000 BDT, making it a strong contender in the budget smartphone segment.  Final Words The Honor X5b is ideal for budget-conscious users seeking a reliable phone for daily tasks, casual gaming, and long battery life. However, this smartphone is not suitable for heavy gamers, photography enthusiasts, or users needing advanced features like 5G or high-resolution displays. Choose it if affordability and basic functionality are your priorities. Read more: ZTE Nubia Red Magic 10 Pro Review: Is It a Value-for-money Gaming Smartphone?

The Honor X series has been the brand’s entry-level and mid-range line of smartphones. The X series has always brought a compelling price-performance balance that has aided in its huge popularity. Honor launched X5 Plus in Bangladesh on 16th August 2023. Apart from the large screen, the Honor X5 Plus brings some exciting features. Let’s check them out.  Key Specifications of Honor X5 Plus  Design and Build Quality  The X5 Plus is sort of a semi-update to the X5 released earlier this year. As a result, the X5 Plus carries a lot of the design elements forward with several internal updates. There are subtle changes in the design on the X5 Plus with the back having a frosted glass hue. However, the back is still plastic which just looks like glass. The camera housing now has a refractive glossy finish which stands out in direct light. As for colors, users will be getting a choice of Cyan Lake or Midnight Black. Dimension-wise the devices come in at around 163.32 mm by 75.07 mm by 8.35 mm with 188g of effective weight. The lightweight design and the rounded edges give an impressive hand feel to the device. The device has all the ports and buttons in their usual place. Except for the sim slot which is placed at the top of the device. Apart from the two stand-by nano sims, there is a dedicated micro SDXC slot as well. It’s a useful addition considering the internal storage is only 64 GB.  Read more: Xiaomi 14 Pro Review: What’s special about it? The power button on the right also doubles as the fingerprint scanner on the X5 Plus. There is also the usual bottom-firing speaker, Type C port, and the ever-disappearing 3.5 mm headphone jack at the bottom of the device. Being an entry-level smartphone, there is a noticeable chin at the bottom of the smartphone. Other than that, the X5 Plus is a well-built solid device that will withstand heavy and rough usage.  The Display  The display on the X5 Plus is a 6.56-inch TFT LCD panel with HD+ configuration. The resolution stands at 720 by 1612 pixels with a 20:9 aspect ratio and 269 ppi density. The slightly larger display on the X5 Plus allows for the screen-to-body ratio to be bumped up to 84.3%.  As mentioned before, the front chin stands out as an eyesore in 2023. But given the ultra-budget positioning of the X5 Plus, it only makes sense that Honor had to cut corners.  Read more: Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 Review: Flagship Phone with Slim Foldable Design However, it's not all gloomy with the display. Even as a TFT panel, the screen showed good contrast and balance. The blacks weren’t completely washed out and there wasn’t also any noticeable blue tint. What’s even better is that users will be getting a 90 Hz refresh rate on the X5 Plus.  It’s not a great display by any means. But for its price, it doesn’t get any better than this.  The Camera  There is a dual camera module on the X5 Plus. The main camera is a 50 MP f/1.8 wide-angle shooter with PDAF. There is no OIS and EIS for stabilization. Pictures during the daytime came out pretty well. There were good details in the images with post-processing color pop. The boosted colors rendered a better result as the color reproduction was almost always on point. However, the camera failed to replicate the same in shades or under artificial lights. The dynamic range was also average with passable details.  Read more: vivo V29e 5G Review: Is this mid-range phone rightly priced? The story continues the same in low light conditions as well. There were noticeable noises in the pictures and most shots came out softer than one would like. The shutter speed on the night mode is pretty slow. But if one can keep a steady hand, the images would come out far better than they usually do.  There is an additional 2 MP f/2.4 depth sensor. It aids a bit in the portrait shot but nothing other than that.  The front-facing 5 MP shooter can be considered generic at best.  Videography is rated at 1080P at 30 fps.  But without any form of stabilization, the results aren’t really passable per se.  Read more: Top 10 Smartphones Coming to Bangladesh in November 2023