HONOR Philippines has recently introduced its latest mid-range smartphone, the HONOR X9c Smart 5G, following the successful launch of the HONOR X9c 5G earlier this year. Fortunately, we got our hands on a review unit provided by HONOR Philippines, and in this article, I’ll be sharing my first impressions of this new device.
Unboxing Experience
Starting off with the unboxing experience, the HONOR X9c Smart 5G comes in a minimalist white box, similar to most recent HONOR devices, with the model name and product image printed at the front.
Opening the box is pretty straightforward — the first thing you’ll see is the smartphone itself, followed by a cardboard insert that holds the documentation, SIM ejector tool, and a free silicone case. Under, you’ll find the USB-C cable and a 35W HONOR SuperCharge adapter.
Design and Build Quality
In terms of design, the HONOR X9c Smart 5G looks very similar to its predecessor, the HONOR X9c 5G, especially in the Ocean Cyan colorway, which we also have here. The device is also available in Midnight Black for those who prefer a more classic look.
The phone feels premium and durable in the hands, and it’s not just for show — according to HONOR, the X9c Smart 5G boasts 2-meter drop resistance, splash resistance, and even holds a 5-Star SGS Certification for durability. While I haven’t personally tested its durability yet, I was able to witness a demonstration during the launch event, where they hit the device with golf balls, and surprisingly, it survived without any visible damage. This already gives us a glimpse of how tough this device can be.
Moving on to the input and output, the power button/fingerprint scanner and volume rocker are placed on the right side, while the left side is clean. At the bottom, you’ll find the dual nano-SIM tray (unfortunately, there’s no microSD card slot), a microphone, a USB-C port, and a single-firing speaker. Meanwhile, the IR blaster and secondary microphone are located at the top.
At the back, you’ll notice the large circular camera island, which resembles the design of last year’s HONOR X9b 5G. This houses the 108MP main camera and a 5MP ultra-wide lens — a dual rear camera setup. For selfies, it features a 16MP front-facing camera housed in a punch-hole cutout.
Display Quality
One of the things that I found a bit underwhelming about the HONOR X9c Smart 5G is its display. It comes with a 6.8-inch FHD+ resolution screen, but it only uses a TFT panel. This means you won’t get the same vibrant and punchy colors like what you’d experience on the AMOLED panel of the HONOR X9c 5G. However, despite using a TFT panel, the display still manages to deliver decent colors and satisfactory visual quality.
Another notable feature is the device’s curved display, which adds a premium touch to the overall look of the device. The bezels are also relatively thin, giving you an immersive viewing experience.
Hardware and Performance
Under the hood, the HONOR X9c Smart 5G is powered by the 6nm MediaTek Dimensity 7025-Ultra octa-core processor paired with IMG BXM-8-256 GPU. It also comes with 12GB of RAM plus an additional 12GB HONOR RAM Turbo, making multitasking and app switching smooth. Storage-wise, it has 256GB of internal storage, which is more than enough for storing photos, videos, and other files.
Out of the box, the device runs on MagicOS 8.0 based on Android 14, and since it’s a relatively new device, we’re expecting it to receive the MagicOS 9.0 update soon.
As for my initial performance experience, the HONOR X9c Smart 5G handles most tasks with ease — from social media browsing to light gaming. However, we’ll reserve our final verdict for the full review once we’ve tested it with more demanding tasks.
Battery and Charging
One of the strong points of the HONOR X9c Smart 5G is its large 5,800mAh battery, which should easily last you a day or two of regular use. However, it only supports 35W HONOR SuperCharge, which is slightly slower compared to other mid-range devices that offer 65W or higher fast charging speeds.
HONOR X9c Smart 5G Specifications
- Display: 6.8-inch TFT LCD, FHD+ Resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, 850nits peak brightness
- CPU: 2.5GHz 6nm MediaTek Dimensity 7025-Ultra octa-core processor
- GPU: IMG BXM-8-256
- RAM:Â 12GB + 12GB HONOR RAM Turbo
- ROM:Â 256GB
- Rear Camera:Â 108MP with OIS+ 5MP ultra-wide + LED flash
- Front Camera:Â 16MPÂ
- Battery: 5,800mAh, 35W HONOR SuperCharge (Type-C)
- OS:Â MagicOS 8.0, Android 14
- Connectivity: 2.4GHz & 5GHz WiFi, 4G LTE, 5G, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, Dual SIM (nano)
- Sensors:Â Accelerometer, light, orientation, proximity, gyroscope, maganetic
- Colors:Â Ocean Cyan, Midnight Black
- Weight:Â 193g
- Others:Â AI face unlock, USB-C, IP65M rating, dual stereo-speakers
HONOR X9c Smart 5G Price and Availability
HONOR X9c Smart 5G – PHP 13,999 | Shopee link
The HONOR X9c Smart 5G is now officially available exclusively on Shopee for PHP 13,999. However, during the recent 3.3 Shopee Super Brand Marathon Sale, the device was sold for as low as PHP 10,799, and it quickly sold out — a clear indication that this device is gaining strong demand from consumers.
We’re still in the process of testing the device further, especially in terms of camera performance, gaming, and daily usage. So if you’re curious whether the HONOR X9c Smart 5G is worth your money, stay tuned for our full review coming soon.
