Let’s be real: if you saw the Honor Watch X5i on someone’s wrist, you’d probably assume it was an Apple Watch. Same silhouette, same vibe. But while Apple’s version will set you back $329, Honor’s take costs just 229 yuan — around $33. And somehow, it still brings a lot to the table.
Watch X5i design and display
The similarities to Apple’s wearable are obvious, and Honor clearly wasn’t shy about the inspiration. The casing is plastic, which helps keep the weight down to a barely-there 28.1 grams (41.4 with the strap). The AMOLED display is sharp at 450 x 390 pixels, smooth at 60 Hz, and backed by over 180 watch faces if you like switching things up.
Battery life stretches to three weeks under normal use — genuinely impressive at any price. Flip on always-on display and that drops to around six days, which is still perfectly respectable.
Features and health tracking
Don’t expect Apple Watch levels of performance. The X5i runs a modest processor with an RTOS, so the app ecosystem is limited and raw speed isn’t its strong suit. But for everyday use, it covers the basics well — heart rate, SpO2, stress, sleep, and cycle tracking are all here, alongside 109 sport modes ranging from cycling to, yes, darts.
You can also take calls directly from your wrist through your phone, and it works with both Android and iPhone.
Durability
One area where corners were clearly cut: water resistance sits at just 1 ATM. That’s fine for rain and a shower, but don’t think about taking it swimming. IP68 certification covers the dust and splash protection side of things.
Price and availability
Right now the X5i is only confirmed for China at 229 yuan (~$33). No word yet on international release dates or pricing.
