Honor X50: a budget-friendly handset from China with a bright OLED screen and large battery
The Honor X50 steps into the market as a value-oriented option from the Chinese brand, offering a sizable display, capable cameras, and a substantial battery. It is designed to balance performance and affordability for everyday use, appealing to users who want modern features without a premium price tag.
Display technology plays a central role in the X50 experience. The device features a 6.78-inch OLED panel that delivers sharp detail and vivid color. Its resolution sits at 1.5K, specifically 2652 by 1200 pixels, which provides a crisp and immersive viewing experience for videos, gaming, and web browsing. The screen supports a 120 Hz refresh rate, enabling smoother scrolling and more fluid animations, while peak brightness reaches around 1200 nits for better visibility in bright outdoor conditions. The OLED panel also emphasizes deep blacks and high contrast, contributing to a more cinematic feel when watching content. The design includes curved edges that soften the hand feel and contribute to a more premium look and feel, even on a budget device.
At the core of the Honor X50 is a capable imaging setup. The rear camera array centers on a 108‑megapixel Samsung HM6 sensor, complemented by a 2‑megapixel depth sensor that assists with portrait shots and subject separation. The front camera is an 8‑megapixel module suitable for everyday selfies and video calls. While this configuration focuses on delivering detail and versatility in typical lighting, it is not designed as a flagship photography solution. It aims to satisfy casual photographers who value convenience and quality in a mid-range device.
Performance is driven by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset, paired with flexible memory options that include 8 GB or 16 GB of RAM and storage configurations ranging from 128 GB to 512 GB. This setup supports smooth multitasking, everyday apps, and most mobile games at reasonable settings, while leaving room for future software updates and increased storage as needed. The choice of RAM and storage options gives buyers a spectrum of performance and price points to match their use case and budget.
Powering the X50 is a substantial 5800 mAh battery, which supports 35W fast charging. This combination is intended to provide reliable endurance for a full day of mixed usage and quicker top-ups when needed. The design choices reflect a priority on long battery life and practical charging speed, minimizing downtime and maximizing time spent on screen tasks. However, the device does not include an NFC module, which means it lacks contactless payments and some proximity features that rely on NFC. Additionally, it does not offer stereo speakers, which is a trade-off common to many budget devices where space and cost considerations influence the audio design.
Software on the Honor X50 is a key factor in the overall experience. It runs MagicOS 7.1.1, built on Android 13. This combination provides a modern user interface with familiar Android features, alongside Honor’s own customization and optimizations. The software aims to deliver efficient performance, improved battery management, and a smooth user experience, with regular security updates and feature refinements that suit everyday use. The blend of Android 13 and MagicOS enhancements helps the X50 feel contemporary while maintaining a budget-friendly footprint.
Availability is focused on the Chinese market at launch. The X50 entered shelves at a suggested price of 1.4 thousand yuan, approximately 17.3 thousand rubles at current exchange rates. At the time of introduction, there were no announcements about international availability or sales outside China. The approach aligns with many mid-range devices that first expand in their home market before considering broader distribution, depending on production capacity, regulatory clearances, and strategic priorities for the brand.
In broader terms, the X50 reflects Honor’s strategy to offer compelling hardware with a balanced software experience at a price point accessible to more buyers. The model showcases ongoing efforts to combine a visually strong display, practical imaging capabilities, solid battery life, and a modern Android-based environment into a package that competes effectively in crowded segments. For observers and potential buyers, the X50 stands as an example of how brands are positioning affordable, feature-rich smartphones in today’s market while navigating the realities of global distribution and regional availability.
Note: The product line and announcements from Honor related to new devices often signal the company’s intent to push innovation in the mid-range space. Observers may anticipate future introductions that expand on these themes, offering improved cameras, faster charging, or enhanced software experiences as the brand continues to evolve.