HONOR X9c Smart 5G Impressions | A New Ultra Tough Device

Just a month after the X9c’s release, HONOR launched its new X9c Smart 5G in the Philippines, another ultra-tough smartphone. This phone was launched in the PH just last week and was subsequently released on Shopee for only PHP 10,799.

Given that the X9c Smart shares the same model name as the base X9c 5G, you might be wondering what exactly makes this new model “Smart.” Typically, having the word “Smart” in a device means it’s AI-powered, or at least has AI features. That would make sense given that AI has become the main focus of many smartphone brands over the past year or so.

Interestingly, it’s not AI that’s at the center of the X9c Smart 5G. Instead, what sets it apart from the previous model is that it’s a more affordable variant that still promises excellent durability.

The highlight of this phone is its durability. As is the case with the previous X9c model, this Smart version has a 2M drop resistance, along with splash resistance and a 5-star SGS rating for durability. Thanks to this, the Smart version should also be able to handle accidental drops even without a case.

Of course, the phone comes with a case for extra protection. We recommend still using this as it should protect the phone even more when it comes to drops on the floor. Combining the case with the phone’s durability, you should get a phone that’s built like a tank – great if you’re someone who’s a bit of a klutz with a phone. Better yet, this should also be a great partner for someone who needs a phone for navigation while on a motorcycle as it should withstand the elements along with drops and smashes.

It is worth noting that HONOR isn’t promoting the phone with an IP rating for dust and water resistance, though the X9c Smart is said to have a “triple-layer waterproof design” and a “360° full-body rinse protection.” This should mean it isn’t susceptible to water damage, though it’s probably not a good idea to submerge it in water for extended periods.

While the durability should remain the same as the previous X9c, there are some changes here to make the Smart model more affordable. One of these is the display. While the earlier model packed an AMOLED screen, this new X9c Smart has an LCD screen. The display is also slightly bigger at 6.8-inches, though its resolution is 1080 x 2412 which is slightly lower.

The change from AMOLED to LCD is fairly noticeable, though from our initial impressions, the X9c Smart’s display is still bright and fairly vibrant for LCD. We’ll have to test the phone a bit more to see if it’s also a good binge-watching partner.

Display aside, another change is the processor. This time, HONOR went with a Mediatek Dimensity 7025 Ultra SoC that thankfully still comes with 5G connectivity. Much like with the display, we still need more time with the phone to see how well this chipset holds up for everyday use and gaming.

There’s also another internal change, and that’s the battery. The X9c Smart packs a 5800 mAh batter with 35W wired fast charging. This is smaller than the X9c’s but it’s still bigger than the 5,000mAh batteries that are often found in most other phones. Thanks to this, the phone should still last for a day of use with no issues, but again, we’ll have to test it out some more.

Interestingly, HONOR didn’t change the camera setup. Sure, the camera module looks quite a bit different, but the X9c Smart 5G still has a 108MP main camera that’s complemented by a 5MP ultrawide shooter. Then, at the front, there’s also a 16MP selfie camera.

As the Smart version has the exact same camera setup (on paper), we expect the photos to have the same quality and level of detail, though we do need to test that out as well. After all, the different processor may produce slightly different results.

We’ve only had the phone for a couple of days, so we’re still in the middle of trying out as a daily driver, but based on the specs sheet along with our initial impressions, there’s a lot to like with the HONOR X9c Smart 5G.

As we mentioned above, the X9c Smart is essentially a more affordable version of the base X9c. Because of this, it packs an LCD screen, a different processor, and a smaller battery. Despite these, the Smart variant still a similar camera setup, and more importantly, the same promise of great durability, at least when it comes to accidental drops.

The HONOR X9c Smart 5G is priced in the Philippines at PHP 13,999. Its initial Shopee-exclusive offer dropped the price to PHP 10,799, though there’s no word on if HONOR will bring it back. In case it does get a price drop again, the X9c Smart should be quite a great deal.

As for if it’s worth the current SRP, we’ll share our final verdict in our full review we’ll share soon.