It’s been three months since HONOR Philippines launched the HONOR X9c Smart 5G, and I’m still using it today. So how has it held up so far?
Cameras
One of the best features of the HONOR X9c Smart 5G is the camera. While it lacks the stabilization found in the regular HONOR X9c, it still delivers high-quality images that stand out. The camera setup of this phone consists of a 108MP main camera, a 5MP ultra-wide lens, and a 16MP selfie shooter.
I love how it balances the highlights and shadows even in a low-light environment. It also enhances the colors of the photos, making them vibrant and lively. Both the rear and front cameras gave decent details and sharpness.
However, for videos, the lack of stabilization is one of the deciding factors that affect our insights since most of the phones in this price range already have electronic image stabilization or optical image stabilization.
Performance
I am a heavy user and I use resource-hungry apps like photo & video editing as well as multitask frequently and it doesn’t let me down. The chipset used in the HONOR X9c Smart 5G is the 6nm MediaTek Dimensity 7025 Ultra paired with 12GB RAM and 256GB internal storage. Its performance is already decent for anyone who just needs a phone that can provide enough processing power.
For light gaming, I tried playing Mobile Legends Bang Bang, Call of Duty Mobile, and PUBG Mobile. When playing Mobile Legends Bang Bang for an hour or so, I experienced only minor frame drops, which is acceptable for its price segment. You can also play Genshin Impact in this phone but make sure to lower the graphics settings to enjoy a playable experience. I also noticed that it heats up quickly when playing games.
Moreover, the benchmark scores that I got on this phone are pretty impressive as well. In PCMark Work 3.0, it scored 12,415, while 399,482 in the AnTuTu Benchmark.
Software
For its software, it still runs MagicOS 8.0 based on Android 14 out of the box, which is good and stable. But recently, I received the new MagicOS 9.0 based on Android 15 and it comes with a very smooth user experience. The latest software version has changed the phone’s overall performance, delivering enhanced animations and transitions, and it feels very lightweight.
Display and Multimedia Experience
The HONOR X9c Smart 5G features a large 6.8-inch TFT LCD with an FHD+ resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and up to 850 nits max brightness. Using a TFT panel at this price point is also quite upsetting since others are using an AMOLED or OLED panel or IPS LCD which gives a better viewing experience.
Although, if you don’t compare it side-by-side with a phone that has a better display, you likely won’t notice its shortcomings. Its display still provides decent colors enough for entertainment and casual use.
I still enjoy watching videos on this phone since it has a large display and single-firing speakers that sound decent. However, most phones nowadays, even the affordable ones, offer dual stereo speakers.
Battery Life & Charging
The HONOR X9c Smart 5G is perfect for heavy users like me since it is powered by a large 5,800mAh battery capacity. This phone gives me a whole day of juice and sometimes it lasts me two days. However, in my benchmark test, I only got 11 hours and 44 minutes in PCMark Work 3.0 which is still decent but not the longest score I got on other phones that I have reviewed.
For charging, it supports a 35W HONOR SuperCharge that can fully charge the phone within two hours. That charging time is already good for its price, especially it has a massive battery capacity.
Final Verdict
The HONOR X9c Smart 5G may not be the best option, but it still offers valuable features that some users need. It offers durability, a long-lasting battery, decent image quality, and enough performance to help you do your tasks every day. If you’re coming from a budget device and want something with better performance, a longer battery life, and an eye-catching design, the HONOR X9c Smart 5G is worth considering, especially with its current discounted price.
Pros
- 108MP camera takes sharp, vibrant photos
- Smooth performance with 12GB RAM
- Big 5,800mAh battery lasts over a day
- Updated to MagicOS 9.0 (Android 15)
- Great value at just ₱11,999 (with voucher)
Cons
- No video stabilization
- TFT LCD instead of AMOLED
- Single speaker only
- Heats up during gaming
- 2-hour full charge time
HONOR X9c Smart 5G Specifications
- Display: 6.8-inch TFT LCD, FHD+ Resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, 850nits peak brightness
- CPU: 2.5GHz 6nm MediaTek Dimensity 7025-Ultra octa-core processor
- GPU: IMG BXM-8-256
- RAM: 12GB + 12GB HONOR RAM Turbo
- ROM: 256GB
- Rear Camera: 108MP with OIS+ 5MP ultra-wide + LED flash
- Front Camera: 16MP
- Battery: 5,800mAh, 35W HONOR SuperCharge (Type-C)
- OS: MagicOS 8.0, Android 14
- Connectivity: 2.4GHz & 5GHz WiFi, 4G LTE, 5G, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, Dual SIM (nano)
- Sensors: Accelerometer, light, orientation, proximity, gyroscope, maganetic
- Colors: Ocean Cyan, Midnight Black
- Weight: 193g
- Others: AI face unlock, USB-C, IP65M rating, dual stereo-speakers
Price and Availability
The HONOR X9c Smart 5G is available on HONOR Philippines’ official Shopee store for a regular price of PHP 13,999. As of writing, it’s currently priced at PHP 12,999, and with a Shopee voucher, you can get it for only PHP 11,999.
