Whenever a brand claims its phone is “durable,” skepticism surely follows. Some people argue demo units are reinforced compared to retail ones, making durability stunts feel more like marketing than reality. That’s why we tested multiple HONOR X9d 5G units ourselves — in‑store, at the launch event, and with a dedicated review unit just to somehow appease the unappeasable public. And before you comment anything, I’m doing this review with no payment whatsoever so rest assured that what you’re about to read is based on what I saw and with no edits from the brand.
Jumping right into the answer for durability: From getting ran over by a Tesla Cybertruck to getting thrown from the second floor, the results were consistent: This smartphone can withstand punishment that would normally leave most devices cracked or unusable. Intentional drops, accidental smashes, even sitting on it while tucked into a back pocket? A piece of cake for the HONOR X9d 5G BUT durability is only one part of the story. What else will one be getting from purchasing this “ultra tough” model? Keep reading to find out.
DESIGN AND DISPLAY
HONOR has made the word “durability” synonymous to their brand, thanks to annual intense drop tests, and the X9d 5G continues that tradition. It features HONOR Ultra‑Bounce Anti‑Drop Technology, Ultra Tough Tempered Glass, and IP69K/IP68/IP66 water and dust‑resistance, making it tough. HONOR even added AI Heavy Rain Touch and AI Glove Touch, ensuring the screen remains responsive in case you have something on your hands.
As shared during the product talk at the recent launch, aside from the three layers of protection from breakage, there’s a thing called “Non-Newtonian Fluid Smart Protection” which is acts like an airbag when the phone collides with hard surfaces. So much science and tech inside this small device!
In front, the phone’s 6.79‑inch HONOR FullView Display delivers vibrant visuals with 1.07 billion colors, and 6000 nits peak brightness. A 120Hz refresh rate keeps scrolling smooth, while 3840Hz PWM risk‑free dimming and HONOR Eye Comfort Display reduce strain during long use. Despite its toughness, the phone maintains a sleek 7.76mm ultra‑slim design and comes in stylish colors: Reddish Brown (which we’ve used for this review), Sunrise Gold (which looks more pearl-like in color), and Midnight Black.
The Reddish Brown variant has a leather-like back finish, which I think is the prettiest and most smudge-proof out of the three colors. Its sides are in gold color, which adds to the aesthetic, too! Buttons and ports are in their usual locations – right for the volume rocker and lock/power button and bottom for the USB-C port, mic, and speakers.
STORAGE AND PERFORMANCE
While some people question the internals — Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 mobile platform with an octa‑core CPU and Adreno A810 GPU, our rodeo with the HONOR X9d 5G proved that it’s still capable of handling multitasking, streaming, and gaming smoothly. Storage options go up to 12GB RAM (expandable up to 12GB) with 256GB internal memory, ensuring plenty of space for apps, photos, and videos. It may not be the latest variant but for its price point, you’re getting what you’ve paid for.
In benchmark tests I’ve seen in our tech blogger friends, the HONOR X9d 5G scored impressively high for its category, showing that it’s not just durable on the outside but also capable of keeping up with demanding workloads. Apps open quickly, multitasking feels fluid, and even graphics‑heavy games run without major hiccups in medium graphic settings. To be honest, that’s more then enough. It’s even complemented by top and bottom-firing speakers that you can adjust up to 400% volume.
Games we’ve tried include Sky: Children of the Light, Mobile Legends, and hyper-casual games like Grill Sort, Crowd City, Punishing: Gray Raven and Hole.io. Netflix and YouTube work well, too, with Super Dynamic Display and Vivid Display enabled. These options enhance HD video brightness, contrast, clarity, and color.
This smartphone also has a lot of AI features – from its camera down to productivity features, including AI Call translate feature and AI transcribe for taking down, thanks to the HONOR MagicOS 9.0.
CAMERA
Now, let me state the obvious: The camera isn’t the main selling point of the HONOR X9d 5G but it still delivers good photos under enough lighting. The rear setup includes a 108MP ultra‑sensing main camera with OIS + EIS video stabilization, paired with a 5MP ultra‑wide lens. The front camera is 16MP, supported by AI editing tools like AI Eraser, AI Cutout, AI Outpainting, AI Upscale, AI Remove Reflection, and AI Face Tune.
As for zooming capabilities, don’t expect much either as it’s only up to 10x. I would recommend using only up to the 3x zoom (unless you’re in a well-lit area) if you want clearer captures, especially for social media posts.
Like most mid-range smartphones, it struggles in low-light scenarios, especially when the subject is moving. So no, it’s not something for your concert trips, but if you’re covering something like the recent Translacion which may involve a lot of grappling and crowds, it may be worth considering.
BATTERY
Back to another strength, battery life is one of the X9d 5G’s biggest strengths. It packs an 8300mAh silicon‑carbon battery, rated for up to 52.5 hours of music streaming and 23.8 hours of video playback. With 66W HONOR SuperCharge, you can also quickly top up when needed. The Ultra Power Saving Mode adds extra mileage, making it practical for long days without access to a charger.
PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
The HONOR X9d 5G retails for Php 18,999 but for those who will be pre‑ordering it, you can get it for only Php 17,999 from January 9-23, 2026 inclusive of freebies (an HONOR gift box and JisuLife fan) and a chance to win a Tesla Cybertruck! HONOR will be giving away a Tesla Cybertruck to one lucky winner by the end of their promo period so I would recommend that you purchase now if you’re interested in getting one. Last year, they gave away a ROLEX watch, by the way. Who knows what they have in the pipeline by 2027?
The HONOR X9d 5G proves that durability doesn’t have to be a gimmick. Yes, it can survive drops, smashes, and even a Cybertruck stunt, but it also delivers reliable performance, a massive battery, and AI‑driven features that make everyday use smoother. The camera may not be its strongest suit, but for users who value resilience (a Filipino-favorite word) and practicality, the HONOR X9d 5G is a solid choice — especially at its pre‑order price point.
So, are you getting one? Let us know in the comments section!
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