HONOR Philippines has officially launched the HONOR X9d 5G, expanding its X Series lineup with a smartphone built for real-world durability, long battery life, and reliable everyday performance, making it a good option for users looking for a smartphone designed to last.
Instead of chasing trends or flashy features, this smartphone clearly focuses on staying dependable over time, and that becomes more obvious the longer it’s used as a daily device. This review is based on everyday use of the HONOR X9d 5G, focusing on durability, battery life, gaming performance, camera quality, and overall day-to-day experience.
HONOR X9d 5G Key Specs
OS: Android 15, MagicOS 9.0Display: 6.79-inch OLED, 2640 × 1200, 120Hz refresh rate, up to 6000 nits peak brightness, 1.07B colors, 100% DCI-P3
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 4, Adreno A810 GPU
RAM and Storage: 12GB + 256GB
Rear Camera: 108MP (f/1.75) main + 5MP (f/2.2) ultra-wide
Front Camera: 16MP (f/2.45)
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax), Bluetooth 5.2, USB Type-C
SIM: Dual nano-SIM, dual standby
Mobile Data: 5G / 4G LTE / WCDMA / HSPA+
Audio: Stereo speakers, USB-C headset support
Durability: IP69K / IP68 / IP66, HONOR Ultra-Bounce Anti-Drop Technology, SGS Triple Resistant certification
Dimensions: 161.9 × 76.1 × 7.76 mm
Battery: 8300mAh silicon-carbon battery, 66W HONOR SuperCharge
Colors: Sunrise Gold, Midnight Black, Reddish Brown
Weight: 193g
Design and Build Quality
The HONOR X9d 5G features a simple and modern design that suits everyday use. It comes in Sunrise Gold, Midnight Black, and Reddish Brown, with finishes that look clean without drawing too much attention. In daily use, the phone feels slim at 7.76mm and well-balanced in the hand, even with its large battery inside. At 193g, it has a solid feel but remains comfortable to hold during long periods of use.
The phone uses a more square body, but the curved edges help make it easier to grip. Using it one-handed feels natural, and it doesn’t feel uncomfortable during extended use for browsing, messaging, or watching videos. At first, the flatter sides may feel different for users coming from curved phones, but after a few days, the shape starts to make sense, especially when using the phone without a case.
The power button and volume keys are placed on the right side, where the fingers naturally rest. Both buttons feel firm and respond well during regular use, whether adjusting volume or locking the screen.
At the bottom, the SIM tray, microphone, speaker, and USB Type-C port are neatly arranged, while the top includes an extra speaker and another microphone. This layout works well for watching videos or playing games in landscape mode, with audio coming from both sides.
On the back, the circular camera module follows a familiar HONOR design. When placed on a flat surface, the phone stays mostly stable with only minimal wobble.
However, the squared frame may not be to everyone’s taste, especially for users who prefer more rounded phones. There is also no headphone jack, which could be a drawback for those who still rely on wired earphones.
Overall, the HONOR X9d 5G feels well-built, comfortable to use, and clearly designed with daily handling in mind.
Durability: SGS Triple Resistant Premium Performance
Durability is one of the key strengths of the HONOR X9d 5G, and it shows both in daily use and in how the phone is built. It’s the first smartphone to receive the SGS Triple Resistant Premium Performance certification, offering protection against drops, dust, and water.
The phone is rated to survive drops from up to 2.5 meters, which is reassuring during everyday moments like slipping from a pocket, falling off a desk, or being dropped while walking. Using the phone feels less stressful compared to slimmer, more fragile devices.
Water resistance is another highlight. With IP69K protection, the HONOR X9d 5G is built to handle rain, splashes, and high-pressure water exposure. During testing, the phone was used in wet conditions and rinsed after getting dirty without any issues. AI Heavy Rain Touch also helped keep the screen responsive even when wet.
To push its limits further, the phone was briefly submerged in boiling water for around a minute. After taking it out, there was no visible damage, and it continued to function normally. This is far beyond normal use, but it helps put HONOR’s durability claims into perspective.
For dust protection, the phone has an IP6X rating, meaning it is fully sealed against fine particles like sand and construction dust. This made a noticeable difference when using the phone outdoors, with ports and buttons remaining clean and responsive.
HONOR highlighted the durability of the HONOR X9d 5G during a public challenge held at WBS Studios in Pasig last January 15, 2026. The phone was subjected to extreme tests involving an all-steel Tesla Cybertruck, where it was thrown onto the vehicle, run over, and repeatedly slammed against it by participants and celebrities. Despite the severe treatment, the device remained operational.
It’s worth noting that these demonstrations go far beyond how most people would ever treat their phone. As with any smartphone that uses glass, some units did show screen damage under such extreme conditions, which puts into perspective just how intense the tests were.
In normal daily use, however, the experience feels far more reassuring. Accidental drops, exposure to dust, and use in wet environments are situations the HONOR X9d 5G is clearly built to handle. While no phone is truly unbreakable, the HONOR X9d 5G offers a level of durability that makes everyday use feel more worry-free, especially for users who are often on the move.
Display and Sound
The HONOR X9d 5G features a 6.79-inch OLED display designed for everyday viewing. This time, HONOR uses a flat screen instead of the curved display found on the previous version, making it more practical and helping reduce accidental touches during daily use.
The 1.5K resolution keeps text, photos, and videos sharp, while slim 1.3mm bezels help create an immersive viewing experience without making the phone feel bulky. Scrolling feels smooth thanks to the 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, whether browsing social media or navigating apps.
For daily viewing, the display works well for watching Netflix and YouTube. Longer viewing sessions felt comfortable, even during late-night use, without the need to constantly adjust brightness.
Brightness is a clear strength here. With up to 6000 nits peak brightness, the screen remains readable outdoors. Checking maps or watching videos under direct sunlight didn’t require extra effort.
Brightness is a clear strength here. With up to 6000 nits peak brightness, the screen remains readable outdoors. Checking maps or watching videos under direct sunlight didn’t require extra effort.
Color reproduction stays balanced, supported by the DCI-P3 color gamut and HONOR’s Super Dynamic Vivid Display tuning. Games benefit as well, with clean visuals and smooth motion, especially in fast-paced titles.
Eye comfort features like 3840Hz risk-free dimming, Dynamic Dimming, AI Circadian Night Display, hardware low blue light filtering, and AI Defocus Display help reduce strain during long viewing or gaming sessions.
Audio comes from a dual-speaker setup. Volume levels are noticeably strong, and dialogue remains clear when watching videos or playing games. Bass is limited, which is expected in this category, so earphones or a Bluetooth speaker still offer a better experience for music and movies.
Performance
Using the HONOR X9d 5G as a daily phone, performance felt consistent and reliable. Powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4, everyday tasks like messaging, browsing, emails, and app switching were handled smoothly. Even with multiple apps running in the background, the phone stayed responsive.
For productivity, tasks such as opening documents, navigation, and multitasking felt predictable and stable throughout the day. It’s the kind of performance that doesn’t draw attention to itself, which works well for daily use.
Gaming was part of regular testing. Titles like Once Human, MU Origin 3: Necromancer, Diablo Immortal, Raid: Shadow Legends, Call of Duty Mobile, and Genshin Impact were played over extended sessions. Casual and mid-range games ran smoothly, while heavier titles like Genshin Impact remained playable with adjusted graphics settings.
Heat control held up during longer sessions. The phone warmed up slightly but never became uncomfortable to hold, and performance stayed stable without sudden drops. The phone uses an advanced VC cooling system that combines 5th-generation hexagonal graphite with ultra-light stainless steel to improve heat dissipation.
In benchmarks, the HONOR X9d 5G scored around 1,011,423 on AnTuTu, which lines up well with real-world use, smooth and stable, but clearly not built for pushing everything to the limit.
OS and User Interface
The HONOR X9d 5G runs MagicOS 9.0 based on Android 15, and in daily use, the software feels clean and easy to navigate. Menus are straightforward, animations are subtle, and switching from another Android phone feels natural.
Features like Magic Portal 2.0, Circle to Search, and built-in AI tools feel more like quiet helpers than headline features. They speed up simple tasks without getting in the way.
One convenient feature of the HONOR X9d 5G is its NFC support. With Google Wallet now usable locally for cashless payments, the phone works well as a digital wallet. It makes quick payments easier, reduces the need to carry cash or physical cards, and adds practical value to everyday routines, especially when running errands or commuting.
There are a few pre-installed apps that some users may not need, but most can be removed. Overall, MagicOS 9.0 delivers a user-friendly experience that stays out of the way and works well for everyday use.
Connectivity
Connectivity remained stable throughout daily use. Mobile data stayed consistent on 5G where available and switched smoothly to 4G in other areas. Short commutes and location changes didn’t result in noticeable signal drops.
Wi-Fi performance was solid on both home and public networks, while Bluetooth 5.2 paired quickly with accessories and stayed stable during longer sessions. Dual nano-SIM support also made it easy to manage work and personal numbers on one device.
Cameras
The HONOR X9d 5G is equipped with a 108MP main camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and delivers consistent, dependable results. The camera app opens quickly, which helps when capturing moments without delay.
In daylight, photos come out sharp with good detail and natural colors. Outdoor shots look clean and well-exposed, especially for casual photos like street scenes, food shots, and quick snaps. One feature that adds extra flexibility is the 4K HD Moving Photo Collage. With a single tap, the phone creates short moving photo clips that can be edited and shared right away.
Low-light performance is good for its class. OIS helps keep shots steady, and night mode brightens scenes without making photos look overly processed. The ultra-wide camera struggles in low light, and users who want advanced manual controls may find the setup basic.
Sample Photos here:
AI tools like AI StarEraser, AI StarEyes Open, AI StarRemove Reflection, and AI StarUpscale add practical value and are easy to use. The camera also features Underwater Photo Mode, which works well alongside its strong water resistance, allowing photos to be taken near pools or beaches with added confidence.
The 16MP front camera performs reliably for selfies and video calls, producing natural skin tones and clear details in good lighting.
For video, the HONOR X9d 5G supports recording up to 4K at 30fps on the main camera, while the front camera records up to 1080p at 30fps. A nice addition to video recording is the Noise Reduction feature. It helps reduce background noise and makes voices sound clearer, which is especially noticeable when recording outdoors or in busy areas. While it’s not perfect, it works well enough to improve audio quality without needing a third-party app, making it useful for quick videos and casual recordings.
However, the ultra-wide camera struggles in low-light situations, and users who want advanced manual controls may find the camera setup a bit basic. Still, based on regular camera use, the HONOR X9d 5G offers a camera experience that’s practical, flexible, and reliable for both photos and videos.
Battery and Charging
Battery life is one of its main highlights on the HONOR X9d 5G. The phone packs an exceptionally large battery capacity compared to most smartphones, including many flagship models. This results in long and predictable battery performance, often lasting more than a full day.
Long viewing sessions on YouTube and Netflix feel worry-free, and gaming does not cause sudden battery drops. Even with frequent switching between mobile data and Wi-Fi, battery drain remains steady, making the phone easy to rely on during long hours away from a charger.
The silicon-carbon battery is designed for long-term use, with HONOR stating up to 6 years of reliable performance. Charging is handled by 66W HONOR SuperCharge, which delivers a quick and practical boost despite the battery’s size. Ultra Power Saving Mode helps extend usage when battery levels get low.
However, the large battery does add some weight compared to slimmer phones. Still, for users who value long battery life, fewer charging breaks, and long-term reliability, the HONOR X9d 5G delivers a battery experience that feels practical.
Pros
Extremely durable build with strong drop, water, and dust resistance
Exceptionally large 8300mAh battery
Bright and smooth OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate
Clean and easy-to-use MagicOS 9.0
Reliable performance for daily use and casual to moderate gaming
Useful AI camera tools
NFC support with Google Wallet
Exceptionally large 8300mAh battery
Bright and smooth OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate
Clean and easy-to-use MagicOS 9.0
Reliable performance for daily use and casual to moderate gaming
Useful AI camera tools
NFC support with Google Wallet
Cons
Ultra-wide camera struggles in low light
Not designed for heavy gaming at max settings
Added weight may bother users coming from slimmer phones
No headphone jack for wired audio users
Not designed for heavy gaming at max settings
Added weight may bother users coming from slimmer phones
No headphone jack for wired audio users
Verdict
The HONOR X9d 5G is a smartphone built with a clear focus on durability, battery life, and reliability. It delivers a stable experience that works well for everyday needs. It's a smartphone made for users who want fewer worries about drops, charging, or long days away from a power outlet. Performance is stable, the display is comfortable, and the camera system offers practical features without unnecessary complexity.Priced at ₱17,999 during the January 9–23 pre-order period, with a chance to win a Tesla Cybertruck, and ₱18,999 afterward, the HONOR X9d 5G stands out as a sensible choice for users who value long-term reliability over flashy upgrades.
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