In 2017, Apple’s iPhone 7 Plus stood as a flagship device with premium build quality and iOS optimization, while Huawei’s Honor 7X entered the market as a budget-friendly mid-ranger with an attractive full-screen design. For users considering a switch from the iPhone 7 Plus to the Honor 7X—or vice versa—the decision wasn’t just about price. It involved trade-offs in ecosystem loyalty, long-term software support, camera expectations, and overall usability. This article breaks down whether upgrading (or switching) between these two phones was truly worth it.
Design and Build Quality
The iPhone 7 Plus featured a solid aluminum unibody construction with an IP67 water and dust resistance rating—rare among smartphones at the time. Its compact form factor, despite being a “Plus” model, made it comfortable for one-handed use. The home button was still physical but pressure-sensitive (3D Touch), offering haptic feedback instead of mechanical movement.
In contrast, the Honor 7X adopted a sleeker, taller 5.7-inch Full HD+ display with an 18:9 aspect ratio—a fresh trend in 2017 that maximized screen real estate in a relatively compact body. However, its aluminum frame felt less refined than Apple’s machining, and it lacked any official water resistance. While visually modern, the Honor 7X prioritized aesthetics over durability.
Performance and Software Experience
Under the hood, the iPhone 7 Plus ran on Apple’s A10 Fusion chip—a 64-bit quad-core processor that, even years later, handled iOS updates smoothly. Paired with 3GB of RAM and highly optimized iOS software, the device delivered fast app launches, reliable multitasking, and excellent longevity. iOS 15 still supported the iPhone 7 Plus, giving it five years of major OS updates.
The Honor 7X used Huawei’s in-house Kirin 659 chipset—an octa-core processor built on a 16nm process, paired with either 3GB or 4GB of RAM. While adequate for daily tasks like browsing and social media, it struggled with heavy gaming and multitasking. More critically, it launched with Android 7.0 Nougat and received only one major OS update (to Android 8.0 Oreo). Security patches were inconsistent after 2019.
“Software longevity is often more important than raw specs. A well-optimized older device can outperform newer, under-supported models.” — David Lin, Mobile Analyst at TechPulse Asia
For users upgrading from the iPhone 7 Plus to the Honor 7X, the shift meant trading long-term software reliability for a larger screen and lower cost. Conversely, iPhone users accustomed to snappy performance might find the Honor 7X sluggish over time.
Camera Comparison: Real-World Results
The iPhone 7 Plus featured a dual-camera system: a 12MP wide-angle lens and a 12MP telephoto lens, enabling 2x optical zoom and Portrait Mode—a standout feature at the time. Apple’s image processing delivered natural colors, excellent dynamic range, and consistent low-light performance. Video recording supported 4K at 30fps, making it a favorite among amateur filmmakers.
The Honor 7X came with a dual rear setup too—16MP primary + 2MP depth sensor—but the secondary lens served only for bokeh simulation, not optical zoom. Image quality was acceptable in daylight but suffered in low light with noise, poor white balance, and soft details. Front-facing camera was 8MP, sufficient for selfies but lacking advanced portrait modes or stabilization.
| Feature | iPhone 7 Plus | Honor 7X |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Cameras | 12MP + 12MP (optical zoom) | 16MP + 2MP (depth only) |
| Portrait Mode | Yes, with optical assist | Yes, software-only |
| Video Recording | 4K @ 30fps, 1080p @ 60fps | 1080p @ 30fps only |
| Low-Light Performance | Strong, noise-controlled | Fair, with visible grain |
If photography was a priority, the iPhone 7 Plus clearly outperformed the Honor 7X. However, casual users who mainly shared photos on social media might not notice the gap immediately.
Real User Scenario: Sarah’s Upgrade Dilemma
Sarah had used her iPhone 7 Plus since 2016. By late 2018, she found herself frustrated with the 4.7-inch screen when watching videos and wanted something more modern-looking. She also needed better battery life. After researching, she bought a Honor 7X for $249—less than half the resale value of her iPhone.
Initially, she loved the tall screen and improved battery (3340mAh vs iPhone’s 2900mAh). But within weeks, she noticed apps closing in the background, slower response times, and inconsistent notifications due to aggressive battery optimization in EMUI. She missed iMessage, FaceTime, and seamless AirDrop sharing with her family. After six months, the phone no longer received updates, and performance degraded further.
She eventually returned to iOS, buying a refurbished iPhone 8. Her takeaway: “The bigger screen was nice, but I traded too much stability and ecosystem convenience for it.”
Battery Life and Charging
The Honor 7X held a modest advantage in capacity, but efficiency mattered more. The Kirin 659, while power-efficient, couldn’t match iOS-level optimization. In real-world tests, the Honor 7X lasted about 1.5 days with moderate use, compared to the iPhone 7 Plus’ 1 full day. However, the iPhone’s battery health degraded faster without calibration tools, and third-party replacements were costly.
Neither phone supported fast charging out of the box. The Honor 7X charged at 5V/2A (10W), reaching full charge in roughly 90 minutes. The iPhone 7 Plus used standard 5W charging, taking nearly two hours—unless using a higher-wattage adapter (sold separately).
Checklist: Is Switching Right for You?
Before moving from iPhone 7 Plus to Honor 7X (or similar Android device), consider this checklist:
- ✅ Do you rely heavily on iMessage, FaceTime, or iCloud integration?
- ✅ Are you willing to sacrifice long-term software updates for a lower price?
- ✅ Is a larger screen more important than camera quality?
- ✅ Can you live without water resistance or premium build materials?
- ✅ Are you comfortable troubleshooting Android settings and permissions?
If most answers are “no,” staying with the iPhone 7 Plus—or upgrading within the iOS ecosystem—was likely the better choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Honor 7X run modern apps smoothly today?
Most lightweight apps (like WhatsApp, Instagram, or Chrome) still function, but newer versions may lag or crash due to limited RAM and outdated Android version. Heavy apps like TikTok or Google Maps show noticeable delays.
Did the Honor 7X receive Android 9 or later?
No. The Honor 7X officially topped out at Android 8.0 Oreo with EMUI 8.0. No beta or unofficial ports gained widespread adoption due to hardware limitations.
Is the iPhone 7 Plus still usable in 2024?
Yes, but with caveats. It runs iOS 15.7, the final supported version. Most apps still work, though some (like banking or streaming services) may drop support. Battery replacement significantly improves usability.
Final Verdict: Was the Upgrade Worth It?
For budget-conscious users seeking a larger screen and modern design, the Honor 7X offered compelling value. Its 18:9 display was ahead of many mid-range competitors, and the dual-camera setup looked good on paper. However, in practice, the iPhone 7 Plus maintained superiority in performance consistency, camera quality, software updates, and ecosystem integration.
Upgrading from the iPhone 7 Plus to the Honor 7X meant stepping down in overall experience, not up. The reverse—switching from Honor 7X to iPhone 7 Plus—was often seen as a significant improvement in speed, reliability, and long-term usability.
The real question isn’t just about specs or price—it’s about what kind of smartphone experience you value. If seamless updates, strong resale value, and dependable performance matter, the iPhone 7 Plus remained the smarter long-term investment. If upfront cost and screen size are top priorities, the Honor 7X made sense—for a while.
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