Honor is back with a “new” phone for 2026, but don’t expect a dramatic upgrade. The newly announced Honor X70 Refresh Edition is essentially a relaunch of the Honor X70 that debuted in July 2025, with two headline tweaks: a fresh new color and newer out-of-the-box software.
At first glance, the Honor X70 Refresh Edition looks identical to the original X70, and that’s because it is. The hardware stays the same across the board. The real change is what’s running on it. While the earlier model shipped with MagicOS 9 based on Android 15, the Refresh Edition comes preinstalled with MagicOS 10 based on Android 16. It’s worth noting that current Honor X70 owners can also get this newer software via an update, so the “refresh” is mainly about buying the phone with the latest system already installed.
The other noticeable difference is style. Honor has added a new Sunrise Gold color option, joining the existing lineup of four colors already offered for the standard Honor X70. If you want your phone to stand out without changing the specs, this is the main reason to consider the new edition.
Beyond that, it’s the same feature-packed midrange device. The Honor X70 Refresh Edition features a large 6.79-inch AMOLED display with a 2640 x 1200 resolution, a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, and an attention-grabbing peak brightness rating of 6,000 nits. Honor also highlights its slim 1.3mm bezels, leaning into the modern edge-to-edge look.
Under the hood, it’s powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 and comes in 8GB or 12GB RAM configurations, with storage options going up to 512GB. For cameras, you get a 50MP f/1.8 rear camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), plus an 8MP f/2.0 front camera for selfies and video calls.
Battery life is another big selling point. The phone packs an 8300mAh battery and supports 80W fast wired charging. If you step up to the top-end 12GB + 512GB model, you also gain 80W fast wireless charging, giving buyers a clear perk for choosing the highest configuration.
Connectivity and extras are strong for the price segment, including Wi‑Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, dual SIM support, an IR blaster, and a fingerprint scanner. Durability is also a focus, with triple dust and water resistance ratings: IP66, IP68, and IP69K. Honor also includes practical outdoor-friendly features like glove mode, touch input support in heavy rain, and a one-click dust and water ejection function.
The Honor X70 Refresh Edition is already available in China. Pricing starts at ¥1699 (about $247/€214) for the 8GB + 128GB version. The 8GB + 256GB model costs ¥1899 (about $276/€239). For those who want more memory, the 12GB + 256GB version is ¥2099 (about $305/€265), while the top-tier 12GB + 512GB model is priced at ¥2399 (about $349/€303).
In short, the Honor X70 Refresh Edition is a light refresh in the truest sense: the same phone people already know, now with Android 16-based software preinstalled and a new Sunrise Gold finish for anyone who wants a slightly newer look without paying for a new hardware generation.
