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Key Highlights
- 2.01-inch touchscreen on the rear
- 6.78-inch HD+ LCD with up to 120Hz refresh rate
- Unisoc T610 chipset with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage
- 50MP f/1.8 rear camera with rear-screen selfie preview
- 6,000mAh battery with 15W wired charging
- Android 16 Go Edition
- IP52-rated design with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor
HONOR has officially launched the X5d s, an entry-level smartphone that brings a feature normally associated with considerably more expensive phones: a touchscreen on the back. The 2.01-inch rear display sits alongside the 50MP main camera and can be used as a viewfinder for selfies, as well as for call alerts and media controls.
Unlike Xiaomi‘s approach with the rear-screen-equipped Xiaomi 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max, HONOR is not using the technology as a flagship differentiator. Instead, the X5d s takes the concept into the budget segment, pairing it with a Unisoc T610 chipset, a 6,000mAh battery and a 6.78-inch LCD.
The HONOR X5d s brings a rear touchscreen and large battery to the entry-level segment, making an unusual dual-screen design available at a much lower price than conventional flagship phones with rear displays.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | HONOR |
| Model | X5d s |
| Launch Market | South Africa |
| Launch Date | October 2026 |
| Main Display | 6.78-inch LCD |
| Resolution | 720 × 1576 |
| Refresh Rate | Up to 120Hz |
| Rear Display | 2.01-inch touchscreen |
| Rear Display Resolution | 240 × 296 |
| Processor | Unisoc T610 |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Storage | 64GB |
| Expandable Storage | Up to 1TB via microSD |
| Rear Camera | 50MP, f/1.8 |
| Front Camera | 5MP, f/2.0 |
| Battery | 6,000mAh typical / 5,850mAh rated |
| Charging | 15W wired |
| Operating System | Android 16 Go Edition |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM |
| Dimensions | 168.3 × 78.5 × 8.72mm |
| Weight | Approx. 214g |
| Protection | IP52 |
| Colours | Forest Green, Midnight Black |
| Price | R2,499 |
| Availability | South Africa |
Design & Build
The X5d s measures 168.3 × 78.5 × 8.72mm and weighs approximately 214 grams. It comes in Forest Green and Midnight Black, with the rear camera and secondary display forming the defining part of the phone’s design.
The 2.01-inch rear touchscreen is more than a decorative panel. HONOR uses it for a one-tap selfie feature, allowing users to frame themselves with the main 50MP camera. It can also show call alerts and provide media playback controls.
The phone has an IP52 rating, which provides basic protection against dust and limited water exposure. A fingerprint sensor is integrated into the side-mounted power button.
Display
The main display measures 6.78 inches and uses an LCD panel with a 720 × 1576 resolution. HONOR lists typical brightness at 600 nits and says the screen supports up to 120Hz, although the company also markets the device around a 90Hz smooth-refresh experience.
For a budget phone, the high-refresh-rate support should make scrolling and everyday interface movement feel more responsive than a standard 60Hz panel. The trade-off is the HD+ resolution, which is less sharp than the Full HD+ screens found on many more expensive smartphones.
The rear display is much smaller at 2.01 inches, with a 240 × 296 resolution. Its value comes from its functionality rather than image quality: it gives users a way to interact with the phone without relying entirely on the main screen.
Performance
The HONOR X5d s uses the Unisoc T610, paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. The chipset has two Cortex-A75 cores running at up to 1.8GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores also reaching 1.8GHz, alongside a Mali-G52 GPU.
This is entry-level hardware designed primarily for everyday tasks such as messaging, browsing, social media and video playback. It is not a phone positioned for demanding gaming or heavy multitasking.
HONOR also uses Android 16 Go Edition, which is appropriate for a device with relatively modest hardware and storage.
Camera
The X5d s has a 50MP f/1.8 main camera on the rear and a 5MP f/2.0 front camera. The rear camera supports up to 4x digital zoom and 1080p video recording, while the front camera also supports 1080p video.
The most interesting part of the camera setup is actually the rear screen. HONOR’s one-tap selfie system lets users use the main camera to frame themselves through the secondary display. That could be useful when taking group photos or selfies where the higher-resolution rear camera is preferable to the 5MP front camera.
The 50MP resolution alone does not establish image quality, and there are no independent camera tests available yet. The camera should therefore be judged on its hardware and features rather than assumed real-world performance.
Battery & Charging
A 6,000mAh typical battery is one of the X5d s’s strongest conventional specifications. HONOR lists the rated capacity at 5,850mAh and supports 15W wired charging. A 15W charger is included in the South African package.
The large capacity should suit users who prioritise battery endurance, particularly for social media, video playback and general daily use. The limitation is charging speed: 15W is modest by current smartphone standards, so topping up the large battery will not be particularly quick.
Software & AI
The X5d s runs Android 16 Go Edition, Google’s lighter Android configuration for entry-level hardware.
HONOR’s main software-focused feature is the rear-screen experience. In addition to the camera preview, the company supports call alerts and media playback controls on the secondary display. HONOR also promotes interactive rear-screen themes, including a virtual pet that reacts to touch.
There is no need to treat the phone as an AI-focused device simply because HONOR uses AI terminology around its camera. The company’s confirmed selling point here is the dual-screen interaction rather than a large suite of generative AI features.
Connectivity & Special Features
The X5d s is a 4G-only smartphone with dual Nano SIM support. It supports dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou and Galileo. A USB-C 2.0 port and 3.5mm headphone jack are also included.
The rear touchscreen is the standout feature. Its ability to act as a camera viewfinder gives the 50MP main camera a practical role in selfies, while notifications and media controls provide additional uses.
Price & Availability
The HONOR X5d s is officially launching in South Africa at R2,499.
4GB + 64GB – R2,499 (Approx. Rs.14,555)
HONOR says the phone will be available nationwide from October 7, 2026, in Forest Green and Midnight Black.
Competition & Alternatives
The X5d s does not have many direct competitors because very few conventional smartphones offer a rear touchscreen at this price.
| Alternative | Why Consider It? | Why Choose X5d s Instead? |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy A07 | Conventional budget phone with established software ecosystem | Rear touchscreen and 50MP camera |
| Redmi budget models | Competitive hardware and broad availability | Unique dual-screen design |
| Tecno Spark-series phones | Larger focus on budget features and cameras | Rear display and 6,000mAh battery |
The more relevant comparison is therefore not simply which phone has the fastest processor. Buyers should decide whether the X5d s’s rear-screen functionality is useful enough to justify choosing it over a more conventional budget phone.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Rear touchscreen at an entry-level price
- Useful rear-camera selfie preview
- 6,000mAh battery
- 50MP main camera
- Up to 120Hz display support
- Expandable storage up to 1TB
- IP52 rating
- 3.5mm headphone jack
Cons
- Only 4G connectivity
- 15W charging is slow for a 6,000mAh battery
- HD+ main display
- Unisoc T610 is entry-level hardware
- 64GB internal storage is limited without a microSD card
- Availability currently appears limited to selected markets
Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?
The HONOR X5d s is interesting because it takes an idea that has mostly been associated with premium smartphones and puts it into the entry-level price segment.
Its biggest strengths are the 2.01-inch rear touchscreen, 50MP main camera and 6,000mAh battery. The rear screen is not simply there for aesthetics either: it can function as a viewfinder for selfies and provide quick access to alerts and media controls.
However, the compromises are equally clear. The T610 is entry-level hardware, the main display is only HD+, charging is limited to 15W and there is no 5G. Buyers who simply want the strongest performance or fastest charging for their money may find conventional alternatives more practical.
Best for: Budget buyers who want an unusual phone, large battery and rear-camera selfie functionality.
Consider alternatives if: You prioritise performance, 5G, faster charging or a higher-resolution display.
Bottom line: At R2,499, the HONOR X5d s is less about pushing smartphone specifications and more about making a previously expensive design idea accessible. If the rear touchscreen is genuinely useful to you, it gives the phone a distinctive reason to exist in a crowded budget market.
FAQ
What is the HONOR X5d s price?
The HONOR X5d s costs R2,499 in South Africa.
Does the HONOR X5d s have a rear display?
Yes. It has a 2.01-inch touchscreen with a 240 × 296 resolution.
What is the HONOR X5d s battery capacity?
The phone has a 6,000mAh typical battery with 15W wired charging.
What processor does the HONOR X5d s use?
The X5d s is powered by the Unisoc T610 chipset with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage.
Is the HONOR X5d s coming to India?
HONOR has not announced India pricing or availability for the X5d s yet.
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