Honor X9c Review: A Tough Mid-Ranger That Packs a Punch

Tech news 13 February 2025

With a price tag of R11,000, the Honor X9c finds itself squarely in the mid-range segment. But instead of simply blending in, it attempts to stand out with durability as its key selling point.

Honor claims this device is built to survive serious knocks—an enticing prospect for anyone prone to accidental drops. But does it deliver enough elsewhere to justify the spend? Let's take a closer look.

Design and Durability

At first glance, the Honor X9c presents a sleek and modern aesthetic, with elegantly curved edges flowing seamlessly into a sturdy frame. The Jade Cyan variant in our hands resembles veined marble—albeit in a mint-green hue—which, despite being plastic, offers a refined and premium feel.

Honor has prioritised durability, earning an SGS 5-star reliability certification to support its claims of superior drop resistance. The phone is designed to withstand falls from up to two metres onto various surfaces, thanks to an impact-dispersing internal structure and reinforced display protection.

The Honor X9c’s IP65 rating means it offers solid protection against dust and low-pressure water jets from any direction.

While it's not designed for full submersion like higher-rated devices, it can handle more than just the occasional splash. If caught in the rain or exposed to accidental spills, the phone will continue to function without issue.

I have seen the device get fully submerged in water as seen in the picture below and it still functioned fine afterwards, though prolonged exposure to water isn't recommended.

Display

The 6.78-inch AMOLED display is a standout feature of the Honor X9c, delivering crisp details and smooth animations with its 120Hz refresh rate. For its price range, the device offers solid performance, though the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset can occasionally show its limits during more demanding tasks.

Performance and Battery Life

The Honor X9c is equipped with a Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor, 12GB of RAM, and 256GB of internal storage. While that sounds impressive on paper, real-world performance is a mixed bag.

App switching and general navigation are mostly smooth, but heavier tasks—such as gaming—expose some limitations. Battery life, however, is a standout feature. The 6,600mAh battery is significantly larger than most competitors in this segment, and Honor claims up to three days of use on a single charge.

While real-world usage is unlikely to stretch that far, moderate users can easily expect two days between charges. The included 66W fast charger also ensures quick top-ups, taking around 70 minutes to go from empty to full.

Camera Performance

The camera setup on the Honor X9c is serviceable, with a 108MP main sensor leading the pack. It captures detailed images in good lighting, but there’s a noticeable delay between pressing the shutter and processing completion. The 5MP ultrawide lens is fine for occasional use, though it doesn’t match the main sensor in clarity. A 16MP front camera rounds out the setup, delivering decent selfies but struggling with video quality.

One of the more intriguing features is Multi-View video mode, allowing simultaneous recording with the main and front cameras. While fun to experiment with, it remains more of a novelty than a must-have function. The AI-powered object removal tool is another addition that works well in some cases but can produce unnatural results.

Software and User Experience

Honor’s MagicOS 8 overlay is a bit of a letdown, mainly due to the presence of bloatware. Pre-installed apps and folders linking to more downloads clutter the UI, and some can’t be removed. While not a deal-breaker, it does detract from an otherwise smooth experience.

Verdict: Should You Buy the Honor X9c?

The Honor X9c excels in durability, battery life, and general usability, making it a solid mid-range option—particularly for those who tend to be hard on their devices. The display and camera performance are good for the price, but the chipset occasionally struggles, and the software experience could use refinement.

For R11,000, you’re getting a phone that does most things well, with standout toughness and battery longevity. If those factors matter most to you, the Honor X9c is an easy recommendation. Just don’t expect flagship-level performance, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

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