With an 8,100mAh battery, extensive durability credentials and a starting price of AED 899, HONOR’s latest affordable smartphone focuses its attention on the essentials that matter in everyday use.

By Srijith KN, VAR

The affordable smartphone market is becoming increasingly competitive, with manufacturers having to make careful decisions about where specifications matter and where compromises can be made. The HONOR X7e Plus 5G takes a fairly straightforward approach to that challenge.

Rather than positioning itself around flagship-level performance or photography, the device concentrates on three areas: battery life, durability and everyday usability. After spending time with the phone, those priorities become immediately apparent.

A Surprisingly Solid Design

The Desert Gold review unit makes a strong first impression. Despite using a plastic rear panel, the X7e Plus 5G does not immediately look or feel like an inexpensive smartphone. Its rounded edges, restrained HONOR branding and gold finish give it a clean appearance, while the overall construction feels reassuringly solid.

It is, however, a substantial device. Users who prefer smaller or lighter smartphones will notice both its dimensions and weight. That trade-off becomes easier to understand once you consider the unusually large battery inside.

Durability is also central to the proposition. HONOR claims certified drop resistance of up to 2.5 metres, complemented by IP68, IP69 and IP69K ratings for protection against dust and water.

Those certifications should not be mistaken for indestructibility, but they provide additional reassurance for users working outdoors or regularly using their phones in more demanding environments.

Battery

If there is one feature that defines the X7e Plus 5G, it is the 8,100mAh battery.

In everyday use, the additional capacity changes the relationship users have with charging. With moderate to relatively heavy usage, getting around two days from the device is realistic, although actual endurance will naturally depend on individual usage.

That makes the phone particularly interesting for field professionals, frequent travellers and users who simply do not want to think about finding a charger every evening.

HONOR complements the battery with 45W HONOR SuperCharge, while reverse charging enables the smartphone to provide power to other compatible devices. The charger and cable are also included in the box — increasingly worth mentioning at a time when complete smartphone packages have become less common.

Display and Everyday Performance

The front is dominated by a large 6.87-inch LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Its size makes the X7e Plus 5G particularly comfortable for video consumption, reading and navigation, while 120Hz helps scrolling and general interface animations feel fluid.

This is not, however, a performance-focused smartphone.

The Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 handles browsing, messaging, streaming and routine applications adequately, but users accustomed to higher-end hardware will notice the difference in responsiveness. That distinction matters: the X7e Plus 5G makes considerably more sense as a dependable everyday device than as a smartphone for demanding gaming or performance-heavy workloads.

Camera: Functional Rather Than Exceptional

The camera system follows a similar philosophy.

The 50MP main camera can produce respectable photographs when lighting conditions are favourable, while video recording reaches 1080p. For casual photography, sharing on social media and documenting everyday moments, the results are perfectly usable.

Low-light photography exposes more of the hardware’s limitations, while the 5MP front-facing camera could deliver better light capture and detail. There is also no optical image stabilisation.

Photography enthusiasts should therefore look elsewhere. The cameras fulfil their purpose, but they are not the reason to buy this phone.

AI Gets a Dedicated Button

HONOR has also incorporated several AI-oriented features, including AI Image-to-Video 2.0, which can transform still photographs into short video content using prompts and templates.

More interesting from an everyday usability perspective is the dedicated AI Button. Separate from the power key, it can provide quick access to selected functions, while a double press can launch the camera from the lock screen. Gestures can also be customised to launch different applications and tools.

Dedicated AI and programmable hardware buttons are becoming increasingly common across smartphones, and HONOR’s implementation adds another useful shortcut rather than fundamentally changing the experience.

Audio performance is similarly straightforward. The speakers provide sufficient clarity for dialogue, calls, YouTube and casual music listening, although users seeking a richer entertainment experience will still benefit from headphones or an external speaker.

VAR Verdict

At AED 899, the HONOR X7e Plus 5G is a smartphone built around clearly defined priorities.

Performance is adequate rather than exciting, the cameras are not a standout feature, and its considerable size and weight will not suit everyone. But HONOR has compensated in areas that may matter considerably more to its intended audience.

The combination of an 8,100mAh battery, 45W charging, 120Hz display and extensive durability credentials creates an appealing proposition for users who prioritise endurance and resilience over outright performance.

For field professionals, outdoor workers, frequent travellers or simply anyone looking for a large smartphone that can comfortably handle everyday essentials without constantly reaching for a charger, the X7e Plus 5G makes considerable sense.

It isn’t trying to be the fastest or most sophisticated smartphone at AED 899. It is designed to keep working, and that clarity of purpose is arguably its greatest strength.

Price & Availability

The HONOR X7e Plus 5G is priced from AED 899 in the UAE and is available in Desert Gold, Meteor Silver and Velvet Black through HONOR’s online store and authorised retail partners.

By: Rashid Gargash – Founder of Rashtions

People often assume Rashtions started because I wanted to create a protein snack.

It didn’t.

It started with a much bigger question: could we use the ingredients already available in our region to create nutritious food capable of feeding entire countries and communities?

That question led me on a journey across the UAE, visiting farms, studying our agricultural landscape and learning more about the resources we already have. Time and again, I came back to two ingredients that have sustained this region for generations: dates and milk.

Those ingredients eventually became the foundation of Rashtions – a premium protein truffle made with dates, camel milk and A2 ghee that combines traditional Emirati ingredients with modern nutrition. But the product was never the starting point. It was the outcome of a much broader idea about food innovation.

When people talk about innovation in food, the conversation usually revolves around alternative proteins, artificial intelligence, or entirely new ingredients. Those advances are important, but I believe innovation can also come from looking at familiar ingredients through a different lens.

Across the UAE, we already have ingredients that are naturally nutritious, deeply connected to our heritage and well suited to our environment. Yet they are often overlooked in modern food products in favor of imported alternatives.

That represents an opportunity – not just for entrepreneurs, but for the wider food and hospitality industry.

My earliest prototypes were built in my own kitchen in attempts to create something filling, nutritious and practical. Without access to expensive equipment, I improvised, even modifying a washing machine to perform a task that would normally require laboratory equipment. It was far from perfect, but it allowed me to continue experimenting, learning and improving.

The first product looked nothing like the one consumers know today. It was larger, provided substantial nourishment, and was designed to be handed directly to people who were already holding pots, so it did not have packaging. It could even be heated and eaten as a meal, and it did not taste like emergency food or something heavily preserved.

Later, I refinined the concept through humanitarian nutrition initiatives for children in Africa. When the children ate it, they felt full and this was important to me because the product was not only meant to look nutritious on paper – I wanted it to actually feel like a proper meal.

Eventually, limited funding meant I could no longer produce and distribute the product for free. Rather than abandon the idea, I transformed it into a commercial business so the mission could continue and adapted the product into smaller, easier-to-eat portions that were better suited to different consumers.

That evolution became Rashtions.

Today, the product has become a premium protein truffle, but the original philosophy remains unchanged: use regional ingredients to create practical, nutritious food that fits modern lifestyles.

For me, dates and camel milk were never chosen simply because they are traditional. They are also remarkably functional.

The Khalas Dates we use provide natural carbohydrates for sustained energy, along with fiber and essential minerals. Camel milk offers high-quality protein and naturally contains vitamins and minerals that have made it a valued part of diets across the region for centuries. Combined with wholesome ingredients such as A2 ghee, they create a nutrient-dense snack that delivers natural energy without relying on added sugar, preservatives or artificial sweeteners.

As consumers become increasingly health conscious, they are looking beyond calorie counts. They want recognizable ingredients, clean labels and products that fit into busy lives without compromising on nutrition or taste.

That shift presents an exciting opportunity for the F&B and hospitality industries.

Hotels, cafés and restaurants have always celebrated local flavors through their menus, but there is growing potential to take those same ingredients beyond traditional recipes. Regional ingredients can inspire healthier grab-and-go concepts, functional snacks, premium gifting and contemporary dining experiences that feel both authentic and relevant.

Consumers increasingly value products with a genuine story behind them. They want to understand where ingredients come from, why they were chosen and how they reflect the communities in which they were created.

Hospitality businesses are uniquely positioned to tell those stories.

Using local ingredients is no longer simply about supporting domestic agriculture. It is about creating memorable guest experiences while contributing to more resilient food systems and celebrating the region’s culinary identity.

As the UAE continues positioning itself as a global hub for food innovation, I believe our greatest competitive advantage may already exist within our own agricultural heritage.

Innovation doesn’t always require discovering the next superfood or inventing a revolutionary technology. Sometimes, it begins by recognising the value of what has always been around us and asking a simple question:

How can we make these ingredients relevant for the way people eat today?

For me, that question became Rashtions. But more importantly, it reinforced a belief that extends far beyond one product: the future of food innovation will belong to those who can bridge heritage with modern nutrition, creating food that is not only healthier and more sustainable, but also deeply connected to the places and people it represents.

A new platform is entering the UAE’s growing creator economy with a clear focus on structure, reliability, and end-to-end execution. Founded by Rosie Gunn and Chris Primett, Endless Creators positions itself as a full-service talent, creator, and production platform designed to simplify how brands and creative professionals collaborate.

Bridging Gaps in a Fragmented Industry

The platform is built on firsthand industry experience. Having worked across campaigns as on-set talent, the founders identified persistent challenges within the region’s creative ecosystem, including inconsistent standards, fragmented workflows, and delays in payment and coordination.

Endless Creators is designed to address these inefficiencies by creating a more structured and transparent environment for both brands and talent. The focus is on bringing consistency to an industry that often operates across multiple disconnected layers.

A Curated Talent Ecosystem

Unlike open marketplaces, Endless Creators operates as a curated network. Talent is vetted and selected to ensure reliability and quality across projects. The platform brings together a wide range of creative professionals, including content creators, models, actors, videographers, stylists, and production specialists.

This approach enables brands to access a more controlled and dependable talent pool, while also offering creators a more organised and supportive working environment.

Beyond Talent: Full-Service Production

The platform extends beyond talent sourcing into full-scale production support. Services include creative direction, concept development, location management, and production execution. By integrating these functions, Endless Creators aims to reduce the complexity typically associated with managing creative projects across multiple vendors.

Operational tools are also built into the platform to improve efficiency, including structured call sheets, influencer licensing support, and systems designed to streamline communication between stakeholders.

Raising Standards Across the Ecosystem

A key focus for the platform is improving the overall experience for talent. This includes more transparent processes, reliable payment structures, and better on-set organisation. By addressing these foundational issues, Endless Creators is positioning itself as part of a broader shift towards professionalising the region’s creator economy.

Positioning the UAE as a Creative Hub

With roots in both the UAE and the UK, the founders are bringing a global perspective to a rapidly evolving local market. The platform is not only aimed at improving collaboration within the region but also at supporting the UAE’s positioning as a hub for high-quality production and creative output.

Editorial Perspective

The launch of Endless Creators reflects a wider transition in the creator economy, where scale alone is no longer enough. As brands demand higher quality, faster execution, and more accountability, platforms that combine talent access with operational structure are becoming increasingly relevant.

In this context, Endless Creators is not just another talent marketplace. It represents a move towards integrated, production-led ecosystems that align creative output with business outcomes—an approach that is likely to shape the next phase of growth in the region’s content and media landscape.