HONOR X9c 5G Review: Up Close the All Angle Ultra Tough Phone of 2025

They say the strongest people always have something helping them on the sidelines. And I think that HONOR Philippines has just given us that something with their launch of  the toughest phone yet- the #HONORX9c5G  

HONOR Philippines welcomed the year with a bang by giving everyone a peek at how tough their newest smartphone is, by having lots of people test it out via drops from the second floor, boiling and pressure washing the smartphone, and smashing or slicing random items from nuts to fruits to tiles. No doubt that it became viral, as it showed that it offered users an improved toughness from its predecessor with an upgraded dust and water resistance plus an increased drop resistance rating.

Most people think that it is all gimmicks, but these tests of the HONOR X9c 5G are actually a great feat when it comes to actual real life situations. More on that at the end. For now, let's see what makes the HONOR X9c tick- inside and out with this review. 

Unboxing the X9c 

HONOR X9c 5G has all essentials that a new phone user might need. Housed in the usual white HONOR smartphone box is the unit with a clear jelly case, a user manual, a sim ejector tool, and of course, a 66W fast charger, and a USB Type-C cable. 

First Impressions and Design of the HONOR X9c 5G

The HONOR X9c 5G that we have is in Jade Cyan, and it immediately impresses with its design and build quality. The elegant form factor, with a sort of marble design makes it so gorgeous, a perfect device you'd be proud to show off. But in reality, it is polycarbonate. HONOR also incorporated a circular camera module that draws inspiration from the timeless elegance of Rolex watches, giving the device an air of sophistication. I personally love the matte feel on the design at the back, as it holds off fingerprints which is a definite win for me. 

HONOR X9c Build and Battery

The HONOR X9c features a stunning 6.78-inch 1.5K OLED display all-angle ultra-tough screen, with a 120Hz refresh rate. It gives off a peak brightness of 4,000 nits HDR content. The Triple Defense technology starts with the fact that the same double tempered glass used in the screen is also present in the back and camera module, which provides a 360-degree drop resistance even up to 10 feet. This is possible due to the discreet shock-absorbing technology embedded between the screen and the middle frame. Falls from my clumsy hands on Asphalt roads, marble tiles of our home or office or even cobblestones in our garden is handled easily with this phone. 

Why HONOR boasts of triple defense? 

Because it is not just drop resistance—this phone also has a three-layer water resistance, with an approved IP65M rating, making it weatherproof and water resistant.

Under the hood, it boasts a 6600mAh battery that can definitely bring you to more than 2 days worth of normal use, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset paired with 12GB of RAM that's expandable to 24GB and up to 512GB of storage, similar to its predecessor.  It runs on MagicOS 8 based on Android 14. For connectivity, the HONOR X9c 5G supports 5G, Wi-Fi 5 Bluetooth 5.1, and NFC. You also get an-display fingerprint scanner for unlocking.  

Check out our video of the phone tests here:

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HONORX9c 5G Display, Camera and Performance

In the photography department, the HONOR X9c offers a familiar setup of a 108MP sensor, a 5MP-wide, and a 5MP selfie snapper. The addition of Optical Image Stabilization to the main camera and the removal of the macro lens is a very wise decision for HONOR. These make it a very versatile phone to use as a content creator, vlogger, or even if you are a virtual assistant who once is a while posts different photos and videos on work. There's also a 16MP selfie camera which also takes really clear photos, but I usually turn off the beauty mode just because I find that I don't like my look with too much blur in my skin. 

You can find samples on the photos and videos below.

Selfie with the X9c on low light

low light food photography

The OIS of HONOR X9c 5G ensures sharp shots even in low-light settings or while on the go. The phone's AI-powered photography enhances images, whether you're capturing landscapes, portrait shots, or quick moments with friends. And of course, the ever lovable AI Erase feature is also present in this phone.

The 16MP camera helps as well with recording clearer videos, especially when doing the multi mode feature. 

Everyday use with a bit of gaming wise, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor, ensured that I got a smooth performance for multitasking, gaming, and other demanding applications. 

Price, Colors and Availability 

You can get the HONOR X9c in three colorways: Jade Cyan, Moonlight Purple, and Black for only 16,999 PHP . If you pre-order, you’ll have the chance to win a Rolex watch worth Php 600,000, which gives a real exciting bonus to an already impressive device.  

Overall Thoughts (AKA: The point of all the drop, durability, boiling and freezing tests of the HONOR X9c in real life situations)

This phone speaks to the present Filipino spirit of resilience. I remember when there was a flash flood that was more than a person's height in Manila and from where I lived in Laguna at the time, from the Typhoons Ondoy (2009) and Milenyo(2006), I was hoping against hope that my phone would stay alive despite being waterlogged, but my phone at the time did not have a chance. It was a miserable way to live, knowing the fact that you cannot contact people who you can ask for help, or even just having a proper flashlight to see during the blackouts. My memories, photos in my phone during those times, were gone- all I had was a brick. And I am sure that people who experienced recent flashfloods from typhoons would be empathetic when I think that "I wish I had a more durable phone at that time."

And now, having waterproof, dustproof and weather resistant qualities in a mid ranger phone is possible with the technology that HONOR brought to the market. 

It may seem like a fun, viral thing to see in social media, but if you are a traveler or someone who loves to hike, if you're a seaman, or you have clumsy hands, have kids who always drop your phone, then the HONOR X9c5G might be the perfect partner for your lifestyle.