HONOR Philippines is back with another impressive release, the HONOR X9c 5G. If you haven’t watched our durability test video, I highly recommend you do so later to witness the extreme challenges we put this phone through. Today, let’s dive into our detailed review and find out if it lives up to the hype.
First Impressions and Design
The moment I unboxed the HONOR X9c 5G, I was instantly drawn to its sleek and classy design. The unit I got is in the Jade Cyan colorway, which is the most eye-catching and sophisticated among the available options. The color resembles a marble finish, exuding elegance and modernity. Other colorways include Titanium Purple and Titanium Black, which are also visually appealing, but the Jade Cyan truly stands out.
The phone’s back has a matte finish, effectively minimizing fingerprints and smudges, while its aluminum frame adds a premium feel. Despite packing a massive battery, it’s impressively lightweight at approximately 189g, ensuring comfortable use.
Durability is one of the X9c’s standout features. Its robust build quality is evident, and the durability tests we performed showcased its resilience. From drop tests and smash tests to a 10-second boil test, the phone survived it all. However, remember that performing such tests can void your warranty, so handle the device with care. While the phone is tough, it’s not indestructible.
Thanks to HONOR Ultra-Bounce Anti-Drop Technology 2.0 and an IP65M water resistance rating, the X9c offers substantial protection against drops and splashes. These features add peace of mind but don’t forget to exercise caution for long-term use.
In terms of its physical layout, the left side of the phone is clean, while the right houses the volume rockers and power button. The bottom features a dual-nano SIM tray, microphone, USB-C port, and main stereo speaker, while the top holds the secondary speaker.
Display and Multimedia Experience
The HONOR X9c 5G takes viewing experiences to the next level. Equipped with a 6.78-inch AMOLED display, it delivers vibrant visuals that are a pleasure to look at. The improvement from its predecessors, particularly the X9b and X9a, is evident, with the X9c now supporting up to 4,000 nits of peak brightness. This ensures excellent screen visibility even under direct sunlight.
The FHD+ resolution provides sharp and detailed imagery, while the 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and transitions. Throughout my usage, the display’s responsiveness and clarity stood out, making it perfect for watching videos, browsing, and gaming.
The dual stereo speakers enhance the multimedia experience with decent audio quality. Whether watching movies or playing games, the sound output is immersive.
HONOR also emphasizes eye comfort with features like 3840Hz risk-free dimming, dynamic dimming, and circadian night mode. These additions reduce eye strain, making the phone suitable for prolonged use.
Performance and Gaming
If there’s one aspect where the HONOR X9c slightly falls short, it’s the chipset. The device is powered by the 4nm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, the same processor used in the X9b. While it delivers good performance for everyday tasks and light gaming, a more powerful chipset would have been a welcome upgrade.
That said, the phone performs well for multitasking, thanks to its 12GB RAM paired with 12GB HONOR RAM Turbo. Apps open quickly, and the overall experience is smooth. The software, MagicOS 8.0 based on Android 14, further complements the hardware with an intuitive and bug-free interface.
My unit comes with 256GB of internal storage, which is adequate for most users. However, it would’ve been great to see the 512GB variant available locally, especially since the storage isn’t expandable.
Benchmark scores of 568K on AnTuTu and 12,219 on PCMark Work 3.0 indicate decent performance, though performance isn’t the phone’s primary focus.
Gaming on the HONOR X9c was enjoyable, with popular titles like Mobile Legends, Honor of Kings, Call of Duty: Mobile, and even the more demanding Genshin Impact running smoothly. While there were occasional frame drops in Genshin Impact, lowering the graphics settings resolved the issue.
Camera Performance
The HONOR X9c features a solid camera setup that performs well for its price range. Its 108MP main sensor with OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) delivers detailed and vibrant photos, while the 5MP ultra-wide lens provides versatility. For selfies, the 16MP front camera does a great job.
Compared to its predecessors, the X9c’s camera includes noticeable improvements, particularly in stability and processing. Photos are generally sharp, with good color reproduction. However, the camera occasionally struggles with contrast, producing darker shadows in some shots, especially with the ultra-wide lens.
Low-light photography is decent, but in very dim scenarios, the auto-focus sometimes fails to process shadows and highlights accurately. Manually tapping to focus usually resolves this issue, and HONOR could potentially address it in future updates.
For video enthusiasts, the X9c supports up to 4K@30fps recording on the rear camera and 1080p@30fps on the front. The inclusion of both OIS and EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization) ensures smooth and stable footage, even in challenging conditions.
Battery and Charging
Battery life is one of the HONOR X9c’s strongest features, thanks to its 6,600mAh Silicon-Carbon battery. It boasts a 39% improvement in battery performance compared to the X9b, which had a 5,800mAh Lithium-Polymer battery.
In real-world usage, the X9c lasted up to two days with casual use and about a full day with mixed activities like gaming and social media. Charging is equally impressive, with support for 66W HONOR SuperCharge, a significant upgrade from the X9b’s 35W.
Verdict
The HONOR X9c 5G is a fantastic choice for users seeking a durable, stylish, and feature-packed smartphone under PHP 20,000. Its standout features include a stunning AMOLED display, reliable performance, impressive battery life, and solid camera capabilities.
While the chipset could use an upgrade, the overall package makes the X9c a compelling option, especially for users who value durability and design. Just remember to avoid replicating extreme durability tests at home to keep your warranty intact!
Whether you’re a multitasker, a photography enthusiast, or simply looking for a dependable daily driver, the HONOR X9c delivers exceptional value.
HONOR X9c 5G Specifications
- Display: 6.78-inch AMOLED, 1.5K Resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, 4,000nits peak brightness, 3,840Hz PWM Dimming, Ultra-Bounce Anti-Drop 2.0, In-display fingerprint scanner
- CPU: 2.2GHz 4nm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 octa-core processor
- GPU: Adreno 710
- RAM: 12GB + 12GB HONOR RAM Turbo
- ROM: 256GB
- Rear Camera: 108MP with OIS+ 5MP ultra-wide + LED flash
- Front Camera: 16MP
- Battery: 6,600mAh, 66W HONOR SuperCharge (Type-C)
- OS: MagicOS 8.0, Android 14
- Connectivity: 2.4GHz & 5GHz WiFi, 4G LTE, 5G, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, Dual SIM (nano)
- Sensors: Accelerometer, light, orientation, proximity, gyroscope, maganetic
- Colors: Titanium Purple, Titanium Black, Jade Cyan
- Weight: 189g
- Others: AI face unlock, USB-C, IP65M rating, dual stereo-speakers,
Price and availability
HONOR X9c 5G – PHP 16,999 | Shopee link | Lazada link | TikTok Shop
Pre-order the HONOR X9c 5G now for only PHP 16,999 and get a chance to win a brand-new Rolex Datejust watch worth PHP 600,000—exclusive to the pre-order period until January 24. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity—secure your unit today!
