Honor X5b and X5b Plus Arrive in Nepal: A Tale of Two Budget Phones with 90Hz Displays and Massive Batteries
Honor is making a significant move in Nepal's entry-level smartphone market with the launch of its new X5b series. The Honor X5b is now officially available, with its more powerful sibling, the Honor X5b Plus, set to follow next week. Announced on January 15, 2025, this duo is built on a shared foundation of a smooth 90Hz display, a massive all-day battery, and efficient performance. However, they offer a clear choice for consumers, with the "Plus" model delivering a substantial upgrade in camera quality and storage capacity for a modest price increase.
This comprehensive guide will explore every aspect of the Honor X5b and X5b Plus, from their shared strengths and key differences to their specifications and official pricing in Nepal, helping you decide which one is the right fit for you.
Key Features at a Glance
Smooth 90Hz Display: Both models feature a large 6.56-inch display with a 90Hz refresh rate for a fluid and responsive visual experience.
Exceptional Multi-Day Endurance: A massive 5,200mAh battery promises outstanding battery life, easily lasting through a full day and beyond.
Reliable Helio G36 Performance: Powered by the MediaTek Helio G36 chipset, optimized for efficient handling of everyday tasks.
Modern Software: Comes with the latest Android 14 and Honor's feature-rich Magic OS 8 right out of the box.
Upgraded 50MP Main Camera (X5b Plus): The Plus model features a major camera upgrade to a 50MP sensor for significantly sharper and more detailed photos.
Double the Storage (X5b Plus): The Plus model offers 128GB of internal storage, providing ample space for apps, photos, and media.
Essential Connectivity: Both models include a modern USB Type-C port and the beloved 3.5mm headphone jack.
Detailed Breakdown: A Closer Look at the Honor X5b and X5b Plus
Design and Display: A Smooth Visual Experience on a Budget
Both the Honor X5b and X5b Plus are built around the exact same display and design language, ensuring a consistent user experience regardless of which model you choose. The centerpiece is a large 6.56-inch TFT LCD panel, offering ample screen real estate for watching videos, browsing social media, and playing games.
The standout feature of this display is its 90Hz refresh rate. This is a significant inclusion in the entry-level segment, providing a noticeably smoother and more fluid feel compared to standard 60Hz screens. Animations, scrolling through feeds, and navigating the user interface all feel more responsive and pleasant to the eye. The display features a 720 x 1612 (HD+) resolution, a common and smart choice for this price point as it puts less strain on the processor and battery, contributing to better overall performance and endurance. With a peak brightness of 530 nits, the screen is comfortably viewable in most indoor and outdoor conditions, though it may be a bit challenging under direct, harsh sunlight.
Aesthetically, the phones sport a modern design with flat frames and a clean look, available in three stylish colors: Ocean Blue, Starry Purple, and Midnight Black. For security, a fingerprint sensor is conveniently integrated into the side-mounted power button, offering quick and reliable access.
Performance and Software: Efficient Power for Daily Needs
Under the hood, both the X5b and X5b Plus are powered by the MediaTek Helio G36 chipset. This reliable 12nm octa-core processor is specifically designed for the entry-level market, focusing on power efficiency and dependable performance for everyday use. Its CPU configuration, with four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz and four at 1.6 GHz, is perfectly suited for handling tasks like messaging, web browsing, social media, watching YouTube, and light multitasking. The graphics are handled by the PowerVR GE8320 GPU, which is capable of running casual games smoothly.
Both phones come with 4GB of RAM and run on the latest Android 14 with Honor’s Magic OS 8 on top, ensuring a modern, secure, and feature-rich software experience.
The key performance differentiator between the two models is the internal storage. The standard Honor X5b comes with 64GB of storage, which is adequate for basic use. However, the Honor X5b Plus doubles this to 128GB, offering significantly more breathing room for users who download many apps, take lots of photos and videos, or store media on their device. Both models also support storage expansion via a microSDXC card.
Camera: The Defining Difference
The camera system is the most significant area where the two phones diverge, and it will be the primary factor in a buyer's decision.
Honor X5b: The standard model is equipped with a 13MP (f/1.8) main camera. This sensor is a capable daily shooter, perfectly fine for capturing memories in good lighting, scanning documents, and taking casual photos for social media. It gets the job done reliably for essential photography needs.
Honor X5b Plus: This is where the "Plus" truly earns its name. It features a massive upgrade to a 50MP (f/1.8) main camera. This is a game-changer for photography in this price segment. The higher megapixel count, combined with pixel-binning technology, allows the X5b Plus to capture photos that are significantly sharper, more detailed, and more vibrant than its standard sibling. It will perform better in various lighting conditions and offers much more flexibility for cropping into photos without losing quality. For anyone who values photography, the 50MP sensor on the Plus model is a compelling reason to upgrade.
Both phones share the same 5MP front-facing camera for selfies and video calls, which is capable of recording video at 1080p, making it perfectly adequate for video conferencing and social media updates.
Battery and Connectivity: Built for Endurance and Convenience
One of the strongest selling points for both the Honor X5b and X5b Plus is their exceptional battery life. Both are equipped with a massive 5,200mAh Li-Po battery. This large capacity, combined with the power-efficient Helio G36 chipset and HD+ display, translates to outstanding endurance. Users can confidently expect the phones to last well beyond a single day of heavy use, with lighter users potentially stretching it to two or even three days on a single charge.
When it's time to recharge, both devices support standard 10W wired charging via a modern USB Type-C 2.0 port. While not fast, it’s a reliable overnight charging solution.
In terms of connectivity, Honor has covered all the essential bases. Both phones support dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1, and GPS. Crucially for many users, they both retain the 3.5mm headphone jack, allowing you to use your favorite wired headphones without needing an adapter.
Honor X5b and X5b Plus: Full Specifications
Display | 6.56-inch TFT LCD, 90Hz Refresh Rate, 720 x 1612 (HD+) Resolution, 530 nits | 6.56-inch TFT LCD, 90Hz Refresh Rate, 720 x 1612 (HD+) Resolution, 530 nits |
Processor | MediaTek Helio G36 (12nm) | MediaTek Helio G36 (12nm) |
GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
RAM | 4GB | 4GB |
Storage | 64GB eMMC 5.1 | 128GB eMMC 5.1 |
Expandable Storage | Yes, via microSDXC card | Yes, via microSDXC card |
Software | Android 14 with Magic OS 8 | Android 14 with Magic OS 8 |
Main Camera | 13 MP, f/1.8 (wide), AF | 50 MP, f/1.8 (wide), AF |
Front Camera | 5 MP, f/2.2 (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2 (wide) |
Video Recording | 1080p@30fps (Front & Rear) | 1080p@30fps (Front & Rear) |
Battery | 5,200mAh Li-Po | 5,200mAh Li-Po |
Charging | 10W Wired | 10W Wired |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS, USB Type-C 2.0 | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS, USB Type-C 2.0 |
Security | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor |
Audio | Loudspeaker, 3.5mm Headphone Jack | Loudspeaker, 3.5mm Headphone Jack |
Colors | Ocean Blue, Starry Purple, Midnight Black | Ocean Blue, Starry Purple, Midnight Black |
Honor X5b and X5b Plus Price in Nepal and Availability
The Honor X5b is now available for purchase in Nepal, while the Honor X5b Plus is scheduled to arrive next week. They can be purchased from authorized Honor retailers and online platforms like the Hukut Store.
Honor X5b (4GB + 64GB) | NPR 12,999 |
Honor X5b Plus (4GB + 128GB) | NPR 14,499 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the main difference between the Honor X5b and the X5b Plus?
There are two key differences:
Main Camera: The X5b has a 13MP main camera, while the X5b Plus has a significantly better 50MP main camera.
Storage: The X5b has 64GB of storage, while the X5b Plus has double the storage at 128GB.
All other specifications, including the display, processor, RAM, and battery, are identical.
2. Is the Honor X5b Plus worth the extra NPR 1,500?
For the vast majority of users, yes, it is absolutely worth it. The jump from a 13MP to a 50MP camera will result in a dramatic improvement in photo quality. Additionally, doubling the storage from 64GB to 128GB provides much-needed space for modern apps and media, preventing the phone from feeling full too quickly. The small price increase offers a massive upgrade in value.
3. Are these phones good for heavy gaming?
No, these phones are not designed for heavy gaming. The MediaTek Helio G36 chipset is suitable for casual and light games like Candy Crush, Subway Surfers, or Clash of Clans. They will struggle with graphically demanding titles like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty: Mobile at high settings.
4. Do the phones support fast charging?
No, they do not. Both models support standard 10W charging. Given the large 5,200mAh battery, a full charge will take a considerable amount of time, making them best suited for overnight charging.
5. What comes inside the box?
The retail box is expected to contain the Honor X5b or X5b Plus handset, a 10W charging adapter, a USB Type-C cable, a SIM ejector tool, a protective case, and user documentation.
6. Do these phones have a fingerprint sensor?
Yes, both models feature a fingerprint sensor conveniently located on the side, integrated into the power button, for quick and secure unlocking.
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