Recently, we wrote about a new Guinness World Record being set for “the most number of people performing a mobile phone drop test simultaneously”. The star of that record-setting event? The HONOR X9c.
READ: HONOR X9c technical specifications
This latest mid-range Android smartphone from HONOR is turning heads for one major reason: durability. While it delivers a sleek design and solid performance, the real standout is how much punishment this phone can take. But does the HONOR X9c truly live up to the hype? Let’s dive into the details.
Display
The HONOR X9c features a 6.78-inch AMOLED curved display that’s visually stunning and practical. It delivers vibrant colors, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate for seamless scrolling and gaming. With a resolution of 2700×1224 and a pixel density of 429 PPI, everything on this screen looks crisp and sharp.
While the display is gorgeous, it’s also incredibly tough. HONOR uses Dragon Trail 2.0 glass to protect it, which is even more durable than its predecessor. In fact, during our tests, this glass held up against accidental drops and scratches without breaking a sweat.
One minor drawback is its brightness level. While it supposedly peaks at a high of 4000 nits, we feel that it still struggles under direct sunlight. Still, for everyday use indoors or in moderate lighting, the AMOLED display performs well.
Its vibrant colors make consuming content and watching your favorite Netflix shows very enjoyable.
Build Quality, Design, and Durability
The HONOR X9c takes durability to a whole new level with its triple-layer defense system. Here’s what makes it stand out:
- Dragon Trail 2.0 Glass Front and Back: This isn’t just protecting the display—HONOR also uses the same ultra-tough glass on the camera module for 360-degree durability.
- Reinforced Metallic Frame: Inside, the phone is built with a metallic honeycomb pattern for added strength. This design not only prevents bending but also absorbs shock during drops.
- Shock-Absorbing Silicon Linings: These line the edges and entry points, reducing the impact of drops and providing water resistance.
During our drop tests, the X9c survived hits to marble, cobblestone, and even gravel. HONOR claims it can withstand drops from up to two meters, and after testing, we’re inclined to agree. It even passed extreme durability tests like being submerged in boiling water for over a minute—a feat no other phone in its class has matched.
It was the scariest durability test that we’ve done to date. We were legitimatelly worried as we submered the phone in above 90-degrees (Celsius) boiling water for over a minute. For reference, HONOR recommended a maximum of 20 seconds but we went well above that. We did this several times, and even cooked noodles with it.
In one test, we started from room temperature and went all the way up to 75 degrees before the phone issued a warning and shortly shut itself down to protect its components from further damage. We evena video from HONOR Philippines where the phone was cooked for 5 minutes at 80 degrees Celsius.
Design-wise, the X9c doesn’t sacrifice looks for toughness. Its curved edges, slim profile, and attractive back design make it a sleek and modern choice. The phone feels premium in the hand, despite its mid-range price point. The Jade Green hero color looks and feels good, but we kind of miss the organic feel of vegan leather from the HONOR X9b.
WATCH: HONOR X9c heat resistance test (boiling) video
Performance
Under the hood, the HONOR X9c runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset, paired with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. While it’s not designed to compete with flagship processors, this combination handles everyday tasks, multitasking, and gaming smoothly.
It runs Android 14 out of the box with Magic OS 8 out of the box which comes with nifty little features that enhance the user experience. Our favorite is HONOR’s Magic Ring, which seamlessly connects with other HONOR devices. We use this to quickly transferand share large photos and videos – something that normally requires multiple steps on other devices.
Gaming
HONOR X9c delivers a mixed gaming experience, catering primarily to casual gamers.
The device runs on the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset, paired with 12GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 256GB of UFS storage, ensuring decent performance for most mainstream games. The MagicOS Game Manager is a standout feature, enabling users to optimize gameplay by toggling performance modes, enabling Do Not Disturb, and managing in-game overlays for multitasking.
We tested various popular titles from Genshin Impact to CarX street Racing – hit play to watch the video, or read on for the results.
WATCH: HONOR X9c gaming review video
Genshin Impact: At highest graphics settings and 60 FPS, the game exhibited noticeable stuttering and frame drops, even after enabling Performance Mode. Lowering settings to high graphics provided marginal improvements, but smooth gameplay was only achieved at the lowest settings, maintaining 60 FPS with fewer interruptions. Extended play sessions caused the phone to heat up significantly, with surface temperatures reaching 47°C on the front and 44°C on the back.
Mobile Legends: Optimized for mid-range devices, the HONOR X9c handled ultra graphics settings and ultra frame rate seamlessly, offering a smooth and enjoyable experience. The dual stereo speakers enhanced immersion, and their ability to amplify sound up to 300% was useful in noisy environments.
PUBG Mobile: While HDR graphics and Ultra frame rates were supported, the experience wasn’t flawless. Frame skipping and occasional jitters were noticeable, particularly in high-action scenes. The gyroscope feature worked well, adding precision to gameplay, though the curved screen sometimes caused unintended touches.
CarX Street Racing: This graphically intense racing game pushed the HONOR X9c to its limits, resulting in inconsistent frame rates and audio issues even at the lowest graphics settings. The game eventually crashed after prolonged play, likely due to thermal throttling and resource limitations.
Camera
The HONOR X9c steps up its camera game with a 108MP main sensor, complete with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). This is a significant upgrade from its predecessor and a welcome addition for anyone who loves photography.
Main Camera: The 108MP main camera captures detailed, sharp images in good lighting conditions. Colors are vibrant but not overly saturated, and the OIS helps keep shots steady, even in challenging scenarios. Low-light performance is decent, with the phone managing to preserve detail and reduce noise.
Ultra-Wide and Macro Lenses: The 5MP ultra-wide lens produces decent results, though it’s not as sharp as the main sensor. It’s great for capturing landscapes or group shots. The 2MP macro lens is functional but feels more like a bonus feature rather than a necessity.
Selfie Camera: The 16MP front camera does a good job of capturing natural-looking selfies. It also supports AI beautification features, which can be subtle or dramatic depending on your preferences.
For video, the HONOR X9c supports 1080p recording with solid stabilization. While it doesn’t compete with flagship phones in terms of cinematic quality, it’s more than capable for everyday vlogging or social media use. Hit play to watch the sample video, which we took during the successful Guinness World Records attempt.
WATCH: HONOR X9c camera test video
Battery and charging
Speaking of the battery, the 6,600mAh battery capacity is higher than its predecessors, which topped out at 5,000mAh. We were expecting to get more battery life, but for some reason, our battery life benchmarks for the HONOR X9c were roughly the same, giving us 12-13 hours on Wi-Fi.
Still, we are happy with all-day battery life, and the fact that it also supports 66W wired fast charging is icing on the cake. You can go from 0 to 50% in just 20-25 minutes, and a full charge takes under an hour. This helps sustain longer gaming sessions, and the lower operating temperature ensures more stable frame rates, especially with HFR (high frame rate) on.
Verdict
The HONOR X9c isn’t just another mid-range phone; it’s a durability powerhouse. From its Dragontrail 2.0 glass and reinforced build to its long-lasting battery and strong performance, this phone is built to handle the rough and tumble of everyday life—and then some.
While its Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset isn’t a flagship performer, it delivers solid results for gaming, multitasking, and everyday tasks. The camera system, especially the 108MP main sensor, is a highlight, making it a versatile choice for photography enthusiasts.
Priced at ₱16,999, the HONOR X9c offers incredible value for those prioritizing durability and reliability. Whether you’re clumsy, have kids, or need a phone that can keep up with an active lifestyle, the HONOR X9c is worth the investment.
If you’re in the market for a mid-range phone that breaks the mold—quite literally—this could be the one for you.
Hit the play button to watch our HONOR X9c review video or visit TechKuya on YouTube for more tech reviews!
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