HONOR X9c 5G Review: Toughest Smartphone Built for Filipino Workers and Professionals

For many of us, a smartphone isn't just a gadget, it's a tool that gets us through the day and enables us to perform well in our jobs. Hence, finding a smartphone that can endure the wear and tear of daily life isn’t just a luxury – it’s a necessity. 

Whether you're a corporate professional managing meetings on the go, a delivery rider racing against time, or an engineer working on-site, you need a device that can keep up with your demanding lifestyle.

The all-new HONOR X9c 5G, which is the successor to the wildly popular HONOR X8b, aims to do just that with its robust design, impressive specs, and game-changing durability. However, does it really live up to the promise of being an ultra-tough, everyday companion? I recently put this smartphone to the test, and here's my take on its performance.

Price and Availability in the Philippines

The HONOR X9c 5G offers a premium experience without the sky-high price tag. Available in select stores across the Philippines, it is competitively priced for those seeking a powerful yet durable smartphone. At just PHP 16,999 for the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage variant, the HONOR X9c is an attractive option for professionals who want something that works hard without breaking the bank.

On top of the very attractive SRP of the HONOR X9c 5G, HONOR Philippines is offering an exciting promo where pre-order customers from January 10 to 24, 2025, stand a chance to win a sleek Rolex Datejust watch, making this handset's launch one of the most talked-about events of the year.

With its release, HONOR also brings an exciting new level of availability, ensuring that Filipinos nationwide can access this powerhouse of a smartphone.

Quick Unboxing and Package Contents

Unboxing the HONOR X9c is an experience in itself. The phone comes neatly packaged with all the essentials. It ships in this plain white box with the image of the handset as well as the model name printed prominently on the cover.

I like the minimalistic, no nonsense design of the packaging of HONOR smartphones.

Inside, you will find the following items:

HONOR X9c 5G unit

66W SuperCharge adapter

USB Type-C cable

SIM ejector tool

Protective case (which is always a nice touch, especially for a phone that’s built for tough environments)

Quick start guide

The moment you hold HONOR X9c 5G straight out of the box, you can feel the quality. There's something reassuring about the way the phone feels in your hand, indicating it’s built for durability right from the start.

Watch my quick unboxing of the HONOR X9c 5G along with my exclusive interview with Mr. Eason de Guzman, Digital Marketing Manager of HONOR Philippines, and the official PH price reveal of this smartphone here:

Design: Sleek Yet Built for Toughness

At first glance, the HONOR X9c 5G might look like a standard flagship phone with its sleek Titanium finish. However, it’s more than just a pretty face.

Weighing 189 grams and measuring 7.98mm thick, it strikes a balance between being robust yet comfortable to hold. The three available color options—Titanium Purple, Titanium Black, and Jade Cyan—add a touch of elegance to its tough exterior.

What I have here is the HONOR X9c 5G in Titanium Black Colorway. I like this variant because it's the only one with Gold Metal rim around its circular camera module at the back. For me, that detail gives it understated elegance and sophistication.

The Power Button and Volume Rocker are found on the right side of the handset.

The left side is totally clean, allowing you to appreciate the sleek mid-frame and metallic lining.

HONOR X9c 5G has two loudspeakers, found at the top and rear of the device, delivering stellar audio experience. This is one of its many upgrades from the HONOR X9b that has only one.

At the rear, you will find the Dual nanoSIM card tray that can be ejected using the provided pin, a microphone pinhole, the USB Type C port, and a row of holes for the other loudspeaker.

If you’re a delivery rider or a construction professional who spends hours outside, this phone fits seamlessly into your life. It's light enough to carry in your pocket but sturdy enough to survive a fall or a splash of rain.

Ultra-Tough Triple Defense (Drop, Water, Extreme Temperature) Protection

Here’s where things get really interesting. On January 6, 2025, at Shooting Gallery Studios in Makati City, HONOR Philippines set a Guinness World Record for the Most People Performing a Mobile Phone Drop Test Simultaneously, with 246 official participants! The phone that made history? The HONOR X9c 5G. With such a robust test, it’s clear that this device is built to withstand whatever life throws its way.

The X9c features a triple defense system that offers drop, water, and extreme temperature protection. The phone is drop-resistant up to 2 meters, so if you happen to drop it from a desk or while out on a job, no need to worry. It’s also IP65M-rated for water and dust resistance, so whether you’re caught in a sudden downpour or working in dusty environments, it won’t let you down. Also, aside from being protected against watersprays, this handset can survive being exposed to temperatures ranging from -30 up to 70 degrees Celsius, which one might call extremes.

For engineers, delivery riders, or construction professionals, having a phone that can handle falls, rain, extreme cold, or simmering heat is essential to keeping your workday running smoothly.

Watch this exclusive TechPinas vide to see how well HONOR X9c 5G handles being dropped from a height of around 2 meters:

Display: Vivid, Smooth, and Easy on the Eyes

The HONOR X9c 5G boasts a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, and it’s a beauty to look at. The 4000 nits peak brightness ensures that even under the harsh Philippine sun, you can still enjoy a clear, crisp view. Whether you’re scrolling through reports, chatting with colleagues, or watching videos during a lunch break, the screen is always vibrant and easy on the eyes.

The high refresh rate provides smooth scrolling and transitions, making multitasking between apps a breeze. Whether you're checking in on work emails or hopping between maps for your deliveries, everything runs seamlessly.

Cameras: Capturing the Moment, No Matter Where You Are

The HONOR X9c 5G features a 108MP main camera, capable of capturing sharp, detailed images in a variety of settings.

HONOR X9c 5G's camera application interface is familiar and easy to use.

Whether you're taking a quick snap of an important document for work, documenting your day, or snapping photos during your weekend hikes, the camera delivers exceptional quality with its f/1.8 aperture and OIS (Optical Image Stabilization). It also comes with a 5MP ultrawide lens to capture more of your surroundings in a single frame.

For delivery riders, engineers, or construction professionals, this camera setup is perfect for taking high-quality photos of delivery receipts, project progress, or job site conditions. You can trust the HONOR X9c to deliver clear, sharp shots when you need them.

However, even for daily use like like snapping portraits of family and friends as well as taking photos of random subjects, HONOR X9c can be relied on to deliver to clear and crisp images with stellar dynamic range. Here are some sample shots that I took using the main camera of this smartphone, just tap on the images for larger view:

My younger brother Val took this portrait of me

My little nephew Jalenn with his favorite Ultraman Schoolbag

Our neighbor's plant

Everyone in our barangay seems to be a plant lover

I like this random shot of lovers on a motorcycle that I snapped using the HONOR X9c 5G

You can certainly rely on both the main camera and the ultra-wide angle shooter of the HONOR X9c 5G to capture interesting landscape images like this one.

HONOR X9c 5G in Titanium Purple

HONOR X9c 5G in Jade Cyan

HONOR X9c 5G in Titanium Black

Look at the details!

Ultra-Wide Angle Version of the Christmas Tree Shot

Check out the colors!

If you love taking selfies, you will appreciate HONOR X9c 5G 16MP front-facing camera that also supports Portrait Mode.

This is not the best selfie smartphone in HONOR Philippines' line-up but it gets the job done and delivers detailed self-portraits that you can easily edit to get the best image before sharing on social media. Here's my sample selfie with background blur. Tap for larger view.

I just tweaked this a bit using the built-in editor to remove a pimple on my nose.

My brother Val Marvin Macanas' selfie with Betong during the official launch event of HONOR X9c 5G at The Grand Ballroom of Solaire North on January 10, 2025

Val Marvin with Jugs Jugueta of Itchyworms at the Official Launch of HONOR X9c 5G in the Philippines

Video Recording Using The Main Camera Finally Benefits from OIS

One of the standout features of the HONOR X9c 5G is its Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) capability for the main camera, a significant improvement coming from HONOR X9a and X9b that vloggers and content creators will surely appreciate. With support for up to 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 30fps or 60fps, the main camera delivers a fairly smoother videos, even when you're recording them on the move. Whether you're walking through a busy street or capturing dynamic scenes, OIS helps minimize shakes and jitters, even if not as fluid or stable as steady as what you can get from the more expensive HONOR 200, 200 Pro, or HONOR Magic 6 Pro.

The added stability is a game-changer for vlogging, where consistent motion often challenges smartphones without stabilization. The HONOR X9c 5G handles transitions and pans smoothly, enhancing the overall video experience. Colors and details are well-preserved, thanks to the camera's capability to capture sharp footage under various lighting conditions. While it might not rival flagship devices in terms of dynamic range, its performance in handheld shooting is impressive for a mid-range device.

Although the front-facing camera does not benefit from OIS, it is capable of delivering clear and detailed FullHD talking head or TikTok videos that are instantly ready for sharing online, especially when you turn on Beauty Mode that's available even on 1080p.

Watch this Youtube video to see sample clips taken using the front-facing camera, main shooter, and ultra-wide angle cam of the HONOR X9c 5G:

Internal Hardware: Speed and Efficiency for the Busy Professional

Under the hood, the HONOR X9c 5G runs on the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset paired with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. For those who need more memory, the phone also has HONOR RAM Turbo to enhance performance and multitasking with an additional 12GB of RAM.

Unless you shoot long 4K videos, I guess you won’t have to worry about running out of storage space for work files, photos, or videos, and the phone’s speed is ideal for anyone who frequently switches between apps or works in demanding environments.

Whether you're managing multiple work projects, editing photos, or handling complex documents, the HONOR X9c ensures you won’t experience any slowdown.

I ran AnTutu Benchmark Test on the HONOR X9c 5G and it got a score of 547,990 with 175,111 from its Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor.

More important than benchmark scores, though, the actual performance of HONOR X9c 5G when running multiple apps or fairly resource intensive games is pretty impressive with no lags or hiccups. For me, what's truly great about it is that it doesn't become way too hot even when stressed.

Gaming Performance for Work-Life Balance

For those moments when you need to unwind after a long day, the HONOR X9c doesn’t disappoint. Powered by the Adreno 710 GPU, this phone handles graphics-intensive games like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang with ease, delivering smooth and lag-free gameplay.

After a long day of work, whether you're driving deliveries, working on a construction site, or managing a project, you can relax with your favorite mobile games—without compromising on performance.

Watch my full Classic Mobile Legends Bang Bang Game Experiece on the HONOR X9c 5G with Ultra High Frame Rate and Ultra Graphics Settings.

Privacy and Security Features: Keeping Your Data Safe

The HONOR X9c 5G comes with multiple security features, including an under-display fingerprint scanner and facial recognition, so you can unlock your phone quickly and securely. These features, combined with the phone’s pattern and passcode unlock, ensure that your data stays safe, even when you're juggling multiple tasks or commuting.

HONOR X9c 5G's Optical Under-Display Fingerprint Scanner is reliable and snappy. It's not a hassle to use.

For professionals handling sensitive work data, security is a priority. Whether you're in the office or on the go, the HONOR X9c makes it easy to access your phone securely, protecting your personal and professional information from unauthorized access.

Battery and Charging Speed: Power Through Your Day

The HONOR X9c 5G is equipped with a 6600mAh battery, which offers impressive endurance for a full day of use. Whether you're attending meetings, checking emails, or catching up on your favorite shows, the battery won’t let you down. 

When it’s time to recharge, the 66W SuperCharge gets you up and running in no time.

For those working long hours, from delivery riders to engineers managing a hectic day, the battery life is built to keep pace. And with fast charging, you can top it up during short breaks, ensuring you're always ready to go.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Ultra-tough, military-grade durability

Impressive display with 120Hz refresh rate

Powerful camera setup, perfect for work and play

Fast performance with ample RAM and storage

Long-lasting battery with rapid charging

Cons:

No microSD card slot for additional storage

Verdict and Recommendation

Having reviewed this new release, I can confidently say that the HONOR X9c 5G is a great choice for Filipino workers and professionals who need a reliable, ultra-durable device that can handle the demands of both work and play, especially if your work exposes you to extreme conditions.

Whether you’re navigating the hustle and bustle of city life, working on-site in construction, or making deliveries across town, this phone’s toughness, performance, and features make it a standout option in its price range. If you’re after a phone that can keep up with your busy lifestyle, the HONOR X9c 5G may just be the device you need. I highly recommend it.

HONOR X9a 5G Specs

BODY

Dimensions: 162.8 x 75.5 x 8 mm (6.41 x 2.97 x 0.31 in)

Weight: 189 grams

IP65M Water and Dust Resistant

Drop Resistant Up to 2 Meters

Protection Against 80-Degrees Celsius Water

Colorways: Titanium Purple, Titanium Black, Jade Cyan

DISPLAY

Size: 6.78 inches, 111.5 cm² (~90.7% screen-to-body ratio)

Resolution: 1224 x 2700 pixels (~437 ppi)

Type: AMOLED, 1B Colors

Refresh Rate: 120Hz

Peak Brightness: 4000 nits

PLATFORM

OS: Android 14, Magic OS 8

Chipset: Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm)

CPU: Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)

GPU: Adreno 710

MEMORY

RAM: 12GB + 12GB HONOR RAM Turbo

Internal Storage: 256GB

Card Slot: No

MAIN CAMERA

Primary: 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", PDAF, OIS

Secondary: 5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)

Features: LED Flash, Panorama, HDR

Video: 4K 30fps, 1080p 30fps

SELFIE CAMERA

Front: 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)

Video: 1080p 30fps

SOUND

Loudspeaker: Yes, with Stereo Speakers

3.5mm Jack: No

COMMUNICATIONS

SIM: nanoSIM + nanoSIM

WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Dual-Band, Wi-Fi Direct

Bluetooth: 5.1, A2DP, LE

Positioning: GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS

NFC: Yes (Market/Region Dependent)

Infrared Port: Yes

Radio: No

USB: USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

SENSORS

Accelerometer: Yes

Gyro: Yes

Proximity: Yes

Compass: Yes

PRIVACY AND SECURITY

Fingerprint Scanner: Under Display, Optical

Facial Recognition: Yes

Pattern and Passcode Unlock: Yes

BATTERY

Type: Si/C 6,600 mAh

Charging: 66W Wired, Reverse Wired

HONOR X9c 5G Price in the Philippines

Official SRP: PHP 16,999

Launch Date: January 10, 2026, Solaire North, Ballroom 1, Quezon City, 6PM

Pre-Order Period:  January 10 to 24, 2025, Promo - Stand a chance to win a Rolex Datejust Watch