INTRODUCTION:
If you're a fan of tech, particularly smartphones, chances are you've already seen Honor's new gimmicks on social media. Its latest release, the HONOR X9c 5G, adds to its list of ultra-tough devices that can survive being smashed onto hard objects and being dropped – intentionally and accidentally – too many times without getting even a single scratch.
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| HONOR X9c 5G |
With the HONOR X9c 5G, the brand leveled up the durability department with a mid-range device that can withstand being submerged in boiling water. This is a strong support to Honor's claims that the HONOR X9c 5G can be used in extreme weather conditions – from negative 30 degrees Celsius to 55 degrees Celsius.
(Watch our drop test and boiling test video here.)
In casual everyday usage, all of these added stamina simply translates to the HONOR X9c 5G's strength, easing away worries of damages from a menial drop.
Much has been said about the device's triple-angle defense. Let's take a closer look at some of its other strong suits.
DESIGN and BUILD:
HONOR maintains its lineup of smartphones with a circular camera module as one of the aesthetic points. Another design highlight on its rear, particularly for the Jade Cyan variant, is a smooth, ceramic-like plate with a print looking like an icy lake. Plus, one of the many secrets to its durability include a damage-resistant polycarbonate material for its back part.
The device's edges and sides are coated in a blue, metallic finish, unifying the overall appearance of the HONOR X9c 5G. On the right side is where users can access the power button and the volume rockers, while the opposite side is a clean slate. On its top part, the HONOR X9c 5G has its secondary speakers. The main speaker grill, together with the USB-C port, microphone, and the SIM card tray. Sadly, the said tray can only carry two NANO SIM cards. No slot available for external storage expansion through a microSD card.
One-hand use could be a challenge with the HONOR X9c 5G as the device is more on the taller side at 162.8 mm, but not to the point that it brings fatigue to your hands, thanks to its slim and light form which only weighs 189 grams.
A pretty device like the HONOR X9c 5G deserves to be flaunted. Thankfully, its package comes with a decent transparent silicone case. Other inclusions are a SIM ejector tool, HONOR user guide, a 66W Honor SuperCharge brick charger, and a USB-A to USB-C cable.
The HONOR X9c 5G is easy on the eyes and easy to hold. Its rounded edges and corners amount to an overall premium look.
DISPLAY:
Another thing that makes the HONOR X9c 5G an attractive device is its curved display. A 6.78-inch AMOLED screen in FHD+ resolution and with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz is sure a delight to watch high-quality content and play graphic-demanding games on. The visuals carry vivid colors and sharp details coupled with smooth screen flows and transitions.
While some users might not dwell too much on having enough brightness on their smartphone screens, this is also a no-compromise department for HONOR. The brand improved brightness levels on the HONOR X9c 5G compared to the HONOR X9b 5G with a big jump to 4,000 nits peak brightness from 1,200 nits, respectively. This is specifically beneficial when using the HONOR X9c 5G outdoors and under the sun.
HONOR maintains its Magic Capsule on the HONOR X9c 5G, ditching the common punch hole selfie camera notch – for a good reason. The Magic Capsule is the brand's own take on Apple's Dynamic Island on iPhones. The pill-shaped interactive display detail on the HONOR X9c 5G allows users to check real-time notifications and statuses and access quick operations and applications.
Related: Indestructible HONOR X9c 5G Launches for Php16,999; Pre-order and Win a Rolex
Serving as the HONOR X9c 5G's armor on its screen is an Asahi double tempered glass. This is included in the device's three-layer ultra seal which provides a 360-degree water resistance and drop-protection, supported by an IP65M rating.
HONOR compounded the multimedia mastery on the HONOR X9c 5G with a dual-speaker system that delivers decent audio, even when maximized at 300%. The device impressively offers sound with minimal audible breakage.
Underneath the HONOR X9c 5G's screen is a fingerprint sensor that promptly unlocks the device. Another option for secured device access is through facial recognition, which works as fast as the fingerprint route.
PERFORMANCE:
Out of the box, the HONOR X9c 5G greets users with a MagicOS 8.0 based on Android 14. As expected, this UI comes with a smooth and smart experience, with a plethora of features for convenience and productivity. What's also unsurprising is the presence of bloatware, with a number of pre-installed apps that most users will likely uninstall.
HONOR gives users a combination of a 24GB RAM (12GB native + 12 GB dynamic) and 256GB internal storage with the HONOR X9c 5G. An option for storage expansion through a microSD card would be a great addition, though.
The same chipset found on the HONOR X9b 5G powers the HONOR X9c 5G. While an upgrade could've been icing on the cake, the 4nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 5G processor wouldn't let users down in terms of the usual asks – lag-free multitasking and seamless switching between multiple apps.
Gaming is also a decent experience on the HONOR X9c 5G, with common mobile gaming titles like Genshin Impact, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and Call of Duty Mobile providing an immersive experience through impressive visuals and stutter-free gameplays.
CAMERAS:
Some might think that a dual rear camera setup on a 2025-released midrange device is a downgrade when most smartphones now usually have three cameras. The HONOR X9c 5G proves otherwise. Its combination of a 108-megapixel main sensor and a 5-megapixel wide lens work enough to capture ready-for-posting photos.
Images taken using the HONOR X9c 5G have the right amount of everything with bright colors and sharp details. Plus, HONOR also prioritized planting an OIS feature on the HONOR X9c 5G's cameras for clearer shots even with a moving subject. There's also a Dynamic Images feature which is similar to the iPhone's Live Photo.
See More: Here's what we love about the HONOR X9c 5G – multiple drops, smashes, and boiling time later
Selfies are decent, too, thanks to the HONOR X9c 5G's 16-megapixel front camera. Portraits look natural and the depth effect also looks seamless.
Check our camera samples here.
BATTERY:
Carrying a massive 6600mAh battery, the HONOR X9c 5G lasted for 16 hours and 22 minutes in PC Mark's Work 3.0 Battery Test with the brightness level set at 100% and volume muted.
In our team's actual usage, it took us a day and a half of moderate usage on the HONOR X9c 5G until it required another charge. Refueling the device back to 100% battery took us an hour and 18 minutes using its 66W HONOR SuperCharge charger.
CONCLUSION:
HONOR is off to a good start for another jam-packed year with the HONOR X9c 5G as its initial offer. For P16,999, the device is equally durable and capable, promising longevity not only in terms of hardware life but also when it comes to an overall decent user experience.