Specifications
- Screen: 5.7 inches, aspect ratio 18:9, IPS GFF, 1440×720 283 ppi, polarizing filter, 2.5D.
- Operating system: Android 8.0.0 Oreo, EMUI 8.0.0.
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 (MSM8937).
- CPU: Cortex-A53 (4 x 1.4 GHz + 4 x 1.1 GHz).
- GPU: Adreno 505.
- RAM: 3 GB.
- Built-in memory: 32 GB + microSD up to 256 GB.
- Main camera: dual 12 MP (f/2.2) + 2 MP, LED flash.
- Front camera: 8 MP (f/2.0), LED flash.
- Battery: 3000 mAh, non-removable.
- Dimensions: 152.4 x 73 x 8.05 mm.
- Weight: 152 grams.
- Slots: 2 nano-SIM + microSD, triple tray.
- Communications: LTE.Cat 4, Bluetooth: 4.2, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n 2.4 GHz, GPS (A-GPS), GLONASS, USB OTG.
- Sensors: light, proximity, accelerometer, gyroscope, fingerprint scanner, compass, step detector.
Huawei Honor 7C review
Huawei Honor 7C is a budget smartphone with a dual camera. One of the features of the device is a frameless screen with a large diagonal. The gadget was announced in March 2021.
Appearance and ergonomics
The Huawei Honor 7C smartphone has a metal body with rounded corners. On the front there is a massive display with virtual control buttons, covered with elegant 2.5D glass. This screen takes up almost all the space, so there was simply no free space for the navigation buttons. The round fingerprint scanner is located on the back side, it instantly responds to touches. In the upper corner there is a block with two modules for photography and a flash. This element protrudes forward somewhat, which was done to reduce the thickness of the entire body. There are also plastic inserts for the antennas at the bottom and top, which are disguised as metal as possible.
The device is comfortable to hold in your hand due to its elongated shape. At the bottom end there is a microUSB 2.0 connector, as well as an external speaker. The phone received a 3000 mAh battery. Available colors: red, black, blue and gold. Dimensions: height - 158.3 mm, thickness - 7.8 mm, width - 76.7 mm, weight - 164 g.
Display
Honor 7C is equipped with a 5.7-inch screen with a progressive aspect ratio of 18:9. Its resolution is 1440 by 720 pixels. The IPS matrix is covered with durable protective glass. This display cannot boast of ideal image detail, but the colors here are quite rich and bright. In the settings you can adjust the color temperature to the cold or warm side. Wide viewing angles are complemented by high-quality anti-glare properties. Since we are talking about the FullView format, you can enjoy a large amount of information that fits on the display.
Hardware and performance
The Honor 7C is equipped with an eight-core Snapdragon 450 processor from Qualcomm. These are Cortex-A53 cores operating at 1800 MHz. There is an Adreno 506 graphics accelerator. You can find two versions of the device on sale: with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of RAM, or with 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage. In both cases, there is support for memory cards up to 256 GB.
The device initially operates on the Android 8.0 operating system along with the proprietary EMUI 8 shell. In the AnTuTu test, this budget smartphone scores more than 60,000 points. In reality, programs open quite quickly, and the interface works like a clock. But even though games with advanced graphics will run at high settings, they still won’t be able to boast a stable frame rate. At the same time, relatively simple toys work without problems.
Communication and sound
The multimedia speaker in Huawei Honor 7C is expectedly located at the bottom end. It cannot boast of well-developed frequencies, and there is no bass at all. But the user is unlikely to miss an important call thanks to the very high volume. This is an extremely sonorous speaker with high-quality midranges. The interlocutor’s voice is transmitted perfectly, and he can hear you perfectly. There is no built-in radio, but there is Bluetooth 4.2, as well as support for fast LTE wireless networks. You can place two Nano-SIMs at the same time to combine mobile operators.
Camera
On the back of the Huawei Honor 7C there is a dual camera with a powerful flash. This is the main 13-megapixel module, complemented by a 2-megapixel sensor to create depth of field. This camera can create photos with background blur. It is worth noting the presence of phase detection autofocus, with which pictures are taken in a matter of moments. There is not only an automatic mode, but also some manual settings.
Video is recorded in a resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels at a speed of 30 fps. On the front there is an 8-megapixel front camera for self-portraits, with its own separate flash. Self-portraits turn out to be quite high quality and moderately detailed. In the evening, the cameras do not behave in the best way, which is quite expected for inexpensive mobile gadgets.
conclusions
The budget smartphone represented by Honor 7C turned out to be remarkable in many ways. All thanks to the FullView display, as well as a high-quality dual camera. The device has been significantly updated in software terms, receiving a fresh interface and a new version of the operating system. This is an interesting entry into the affordable mobile phone segment in 2021.
Pros:
- Dual camera with fast autofocus.
- Large frameless screen with an aspect ratio of 18:9.
- Latest software.
- Face recognition system.
- Quite high performance.
Minuses:
- NFC may be missing if you purchased the Chinese version of the device.
- Slightly lower screen resolution.
Appearance
Honor 7C is equipped with a display with an aspect ratio of 18:9. The design of the device looks harmonious; the cutouts in the screen and the vertical placement of the main cameras were left to the flagships.
Around the display there are frames proportional in thickness. Above the screen there is a place for the LED indicator, sensors, front camera, earpiece and LED flash. The latter is disguised and is not noticeable during everyday use. Below the display is the brand logo, placed in the spirit of previous Honor smartphones. The glass is rounded and your finger glides smoothly.
On the Russian market, Honor 7C is presented in blue, black and gold colors. The lid is made of smooth plastic, the blue color shimmers purple in the light, it looks very interesting. Among the elements, a dual camera with a single flash, an additional microphone, a fingerprint scanner. The service information is painted in blue, the shade goes well with the main color.
For metal lovers, Honor 7C Pro is a larger version of our hero.
The fingerprint scanner is lightning fast, works quickly and accurately. The appearance of the interface is also not late; Honor 7C pleases with its responsiveness. The smartphone also supports facial recognition; the function works accurately, but slowly. It’s much easier to put your finger on the fingerprint sensor or enter a password.
The side frame is made of plastic and covered with a thick layer of glossy varnish. After a week of use without a cover, no chips appeared, the paint resists wear well. Ports and buttons are located at the ends, at the bottom: microphone, microUSB and multimedia speaker. On top there is only a headphone jack.
On the left side there is a triple tray for two nanoSIM and microSD cards. On the right is the volume rocker and the power key. The buttons require an unusual amount of force to operate.
The smartphone is ergonomic, the sloping body fits perfectly in the hand and does not slip out. Weighing 152 grams, the device feels light. I don’t want to put the Honor 7C in a case, since the plastic is practical and resists deep scratches well.
Design and build
Ahead, Honor 7C is almost no different from Honor 7A and 7X. All the differences are on the back and inside.
The Honor 7C has a non-slip metal finish on the back and a simple dual camera array, fingerprint scanner and antenna strips. There are black and blue color options. Both of them are quite attractive, although quite simple. The metal body feels good in the hand and gives the smartphone a more expensive feel.
At the bottom there is a headphone jack and a speaker, and there is also a microUSB port. The latter shows that this is an inexpensive device. Most Android smartphones this year have already switched to the more modern USB-C.
The Honor logo is on the bottom edge, with the flash and ear cup at the top. The 5.99-inch 18:9 screen attracts attention. Almost 6 inches in a budget smartphone is an advantage over its competitors.
The design is quite elegant, which is usual for Honor devices. Smartphones from this manufacturer do not try to stand out, which can be called an advantage. It's thin and simple, with a sturdy metal body and a low price.
Display
Honor 7C is equipped with a widescreen display with a diagonal of 5.7 inches and an aspect ratio of 18:9. The matrix is made using IPS technology, a resolution of 1440 x 720 pixels gives a density of 283 ppi. The front panel is covered with 2.5D glass, and a film is applied to the screen from the box. The brand of glass is unknown, minor scratches are inevitable. An oleophobic coating is provided, the finger glides perfectly and is easily wiped off from traces of use.
The sandwich is assembled using GFF technology without an air gap. The viewing angles around the perimeter are maximum. When viewed from the corners, an inversion of colors is noticeable: black turns into purple. The screen does not go blind in the sun. The minimum level is comfortable even at night.
The following options are available in the settings: color temperature adjustment and reading mode with automatic activation. To save energy, it is proposed to automatically reduce the display resolution depending on the task being performed. The touchpad supports up to 10 touches.
Cameras
The main camera is represented by two modules, the first is 13 megapixels with an f/2.2 aperture for shooting, the second is 2 megapixels for determining the depth of the frame. The camera is simple, but the daytime shots surprised me with good dynamic range and detail. The HDR mode works faster than in smartphones based on MediaTek chips, but is inferior to flagships. Works correctly, lacks automatic activation.
At dusk, the simplicity of the module is revealed; the pictures are noisy, although the long shots look good.
The wide aperture mode is based on data from the second 2 MP module. The blur is correct and the hairline is defined correctly. But some objects from the foreground fall into the blurred area, so it’s worth taking several frames at once. As with other Honor smartphones, the focus point and degree of blur can be adjusted after shooting.
The video capabilities of the smartphone are limited to 1080P resolution at 30 frames per second. Sound is recorded in stereo.
The front camera also corresponds to the class of the device; an 8 megapixel module with an f/2.0 aperture gives good pictures during the day. In the evening and at night, the front LED comes into play, operating in flashlight mode. The brightness of the glow is adjusted depending on the surrounding lighting. Among the software options, facial decoration is available with several degrees of intensity for the main and front cameras.
The camera interface is typical for Huawei/Honor smartphones. There are a minimum of additional functions, but all available ones work with a bang. For example, turning on the camera and quickly shooting by double pressing the volume down.
Iron
Honor 7C is based on the old Qualcomm Snapdragon 430. Eight ARM Cortex-A53 cores are divided into two clusters of four and operate at frequencies up to 1.4 GHz and up to 1.1 GHz, respectively, Adreno 505 graphics core, 28 nm process technology.
The platform is served by 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal memory. A little less than 24 GB is free out of the box; you can additionally install a memory card up to 256 GB.
The smartphone handles everyday tasks without any complaints, Internet surfing, social networks and instant messengers do not slow down. Problems only arise when several applications are running in the background at once. But in general, the platform is inferior in the speed of processing photos when enlarging, launching applications, scrolling complex pages and other little things. In games, you should only rely on low and medium-low settings.
Snapdragon 430 in combination with a plastic body is subject to throttling. After 5-10 minutes, the frequency dropped to 1.1 GHz and 0.9 GHz for the two clusters, respectively, which is equivalent to a 20% decrease in performance. After 30 minutes, the minimum level was reached for the first time - 0.96 GHz and 0.76 GHz. After which the frequency increased and decreased at short intervals.
Honor 7A, Honor 7A Pro — buy, price, reviews
These smartphones are quite cheap and their price ranges around 8-9 thousand rubles. But all the same, we do not recommend buying them, since they are very weak for 2021 and have little RAM.
Pros:
- Low price
- Good screen quality
- Metal body
Minuses:
- Poor performance
- Small amount of RAM
- Very bad cameras
Software
Honor 7C runs EMUI 8.0.0 based on Android 8.0.0 Oreo. Out of the box, Google services, Yandex search, Sberbank application, 2GIS maps and many other applications are preinstalled.
The pre-installed pack of games from Gameloft deserves special mention. The total number of third-party applications is more than 10 - too many, but all of them are removed by standard means.
The smartphone supports OTA updates, one of which arrived during testing. After installation, Honor 7C really became faster, it’s good that the company also supports inexpensive devices.
Along with the update, a party mode was added, which allows you to connect several smartphones via Wi-Fi to play music synchronously.
The shell is flexible; in particular, the desktop can be with or without a separate application menu. The launcher supports grid changes and scrolling animations. I was especially pleased with the built-in Google Feed, which in the past was exclusive to the search giant’s proprietary launcher. It also supports a simple mode with large application shortcuts grouped across the entire screen.
The appearance is customizable using themes. The brand store is available after adding a Huawei account, and themes can also be found in the Google Play store. The wallpaper, set of icons and appearance of the lock screen are changed. Each theme component can be applied individually.
The navigation bar buttons can be swapped. A floating key is also available, which can replace the navigation bar. Despite the small diagonal, Huawei programmers have equipped the smartphone with one-handed control functions.
There are few software bells and whistles, but everything you need is in place. Gestures: double tap to unlock, as well as reject calls and alarms by turning the smartphone over. Turn on and off according to a schedule.
Connection
The smartphone is dual-SIM, but there is only one radio module and operates in Dual SIM Dual Standby mode. Communication standard LTE.Cat 4, maximum speed up to 150 Mbit/s, the list of supported frequencies includes LTE Band 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20. Wi-Fi networks are only 2.4 GHz and this is a drawback.
The Bluetooth 4.2 module works with any device, including headphones and speakers. The only complaint is that the volume levels of the smartphone and the connected device are separate, which is typical for all modern Huawei devices.
For navigation, the smartphone uses two global satellite systems: GPS with A-GPS support, GLONASS and BeiDou. Traditionally for Qualcomm, cold starts are fast and navigation is accurate. There is no electronic magnetic compass and this is a huge drawback; walking around the city with the Honor 7C is inconvenient.
NFC is full-fledged, including Mifare cards. There are no problems with the Google Pay payment system and Troika transport cards. Surprisingly, the older Honor 7C Pro did not have an NFC chip.
Interface and features
The device runs on the latest version of Android 8.0 Oreo and the manufacturer’s proprietary interface EMUI 8.0, which we described in detail in the review of Honor View 10. Once again, we praise the Chinese developers for a fast, customizable and convenient shell that is perfectly optimized and works quickly. We are also pleased with the large number of additional settings and functions.
One of the main advantages of Honor 7C is the presence of an NFC module. What can I say, in 2021 contactless payments have become necessary for all modern users, and it is almost impossible to find NFC technology in the budget segment. In our case, contactless payments are set up using simple instructions via Google Pay (formerly Android Pay).
The second strong feature of the smartphone is unlocking by the owner’s face. It must be admitted that this functionality is still crude and does not work very quickly. If you put on glasses or cover your face with your hand, don’t wait for it to unlock. The same applies in low light and on the move.
In parallel with this unlocking method, you can use a fingerprint scanner. It works more stable and reliably, but we can’t talk about instant response speed. After more expensive devices, the difference is noticeable.
As for support for 4G networks, Honor 7C has support for all bands required in the Russian Federation: 1/3/5/7/8/20. The GPS works correctly and a cold start usually only takes a few seconds.
