HONOR X9c Smart 5G Review

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HONOR has launched another device following the successful debut of the HONOR X9c 5G.

This new model, the HONOR X9c Smart, is priced under PHP20,000 and offers a more accessible alternative.

While it may not be as durable as its predecessor, it still packs a solid set of features at a lower price. So, what changes did HONOR make to cut costs? Let’s find out!

Design and Build

Starting with the design, when placed side by side with the X9c 5G, the HONOR X9c Smart looks almost identical, featuring the same rounded camera module but with a slightly different finish.

The back panel is made of plastic and weighs 193g, making it a bit heavier than the X9c 5G. Despite this, it still feels comfortable in hand. After using it for a few days, we found it to be an enjoyable device.

As for the frame, the power and volume buttons are on the right side, while the top houses an IR blaster and a microphone. At the bottom, you’ll find the SIM tray, USB-C port, another microphone, and the speaker grille.

In terms of design, I personally prefer this device over the HONOR X9c 5G. It has a simple yet appealing design with a more attractive camera module. Even though it is slightly heavier, the comfort remains nearly the same.

Display

Flipping to the front, the HONOR X9c Smart sports a 6.8-inch TFT LCD panel with an FHD+ resolution. Like the HONOR X9c 5G, it also features a 120Hz refresh rate.

However, outdoor visibility isn’t ideal due to its peak brightness of only 850 nits. Another key difference is that this model features a flat display instead of a curved one. While curved screens look premium, some users prefer flat panels to avoid accidental touches.

As for display quality, it looks decent. Multimedia consumption is enjoyable, offering good colors, visible details, and decent viewing angles with no noticeable color shifts.

Cameras

Moving on to the cameras, the HONOR X9c Smart comes with a dual-camera setup featuring a 108MP main sensor and a 5MP ultrawide lens.

These are the same cameras as those on the HONOR X9c 5G but without Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). For selfies, it has a 16MP front-facing camera.

Rear Camera Samples

In well-lit conditions, the rear cameras capture good-quality shots with impressive detail and sharpness. Colors appear vibrant, but sometimes, images have deep blacks and shadows. In low-light settings, the camera brightens images but introduces noticeable noise.

Selfie Camera Samples

For selfies, the camera delivers true-to-life skin tones with impressive detail, though highlights and exposure can be inconsistent. Video recording is capped at 1080p@30fps for both the front and rear cameras, with no stabilization.

Performance

Now, let’s talk about performance. Under the hood, the HONOR X9c Smart is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7025 Ultra, paired with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. This mid-range 5G-ready chipset offers decent performance for daily use and multitasking.

For gaming, we tested Mobile Legends, and the experience was smooth, with no stutters or frame drops.

Here are some of its benchmark results:

Battery

When it comes to battery life, the HONOR X9c Smart doesn’t match the capacity of the Vanilla variant but still packs a sizable 5800mAh battery. It supports 35W wired charging.

In our video loop test, it lasted approximately 14 hours and 12 minutes, about two hours less than the Vanilla version. Charging from 0 to 100% took around two hours.

Price and Verdict

Finally, let’s talk about pricing. The HONOR X9c Smart 5G is priced at PHP13,999, which is 3,000 pesos cheaper than the HONOR X9c 5G.

If you’re on a tight budget but want a similar experience, this device is a good choice. While some corners were cut to make it more affordable, key features like its cameras and battery remain. However, if you can stretch your budget, the HONOR X9c 5G is still the better option.