The HONOR X9d 5G is the kind of phone that invites abuse and then keeps working. This phone was thrown, launched using a slingshot, and even run over by a Tesla Cybertruck. It survived all of it. That alone already tells you what kind of device this is supposed to be.
But durability is no longer the only story we have with this phone. With the HONOR X9d 5G, the X series is also making a serious push in performance, battery life, and overall usability.
Let’s be real: This is not just another phone made for drop tests and demo videos for marketing virality. It is a midrange phone that is meant to be used every day, not having to worry about your phone cracking out of the blue. Here’s our full review.
HONOR X9d 5G Specifications
- Display: 6.79-inch OLED, 2640 x 1200, 120Hz refresh rate
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 4
- RAM: 12GB
- Storage: 256GB
- Rear Cameras: 108MP main, 5MP ultra-wide
- Selfie Camera: 16MP
- Connectivity: 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, USB-C
- Other Features: In-display fingerprint scanner, stereo speakers, Ultra-Bounce anti-drop protection, IP69K/IP68/IP66 resistance
- OS: MagicOS 9.0 based on Android 15
- Battery and Fast Charge Tech: 8300mAh, 66W fast charging
- Colors: Midnight Black, Reddish Brown, Sunrise Gold
HONOR X9d 5G: Design and Construction
The HONOR X9d 5G uses a flat-edge design, and this alone already changes how the phone feels compared to older X9 models. The sides are flat, the frame feels firmer in the hand, and the phone feels easier to grip, especially during longer use or when your hands are slightly wet.
It is still a large phone, but the weight distribution is good and the flat edges make it feel more stable when holding it or placing it on a table. The back panel has a clean and simple look, and the camera module does not look out of place. Buttons feel solid, and the in-display fingerprint scanner is placed at a comfortable position.
On the surface, the HONOR X9d 5G does not look like a rugged phone. There are no thick bumpers or obvious protective elements. It looks like a normal midrange smartphone, and that is what makes its durability story more interesting.
During a previous event, we were asked to use the HONOR X9d 5G in ways that would normally be unthinkable for a personal phone. One challenge involved using it as part of a slingshot setup and launching it across the aluminum side of a Tesla Cybertruck. Another involved repeatedly throwing it onto the truck’s hard surface at the back. The final test was the most extreme. The phone was placed on the ground and driven over by that same Tesla Cybertruck.
The same unit survived all of it.
There were visible scuffs and marks, which is expected, but the screen did not shatter, the frame did not bend into an unusable shape, and the phone still turned on and worked normally. There are dents here and there, but the malleability is meant to cushion the impact and keep your phone alive. Touch response was still fine, the cameras still worked, and there were no strange display issues.
This is the result of HONOR’s reinforced internal structure, toughened glass, and its Ultra-Bounce anti-drop protection system. The phone also carries high-level water and dust resistance ratings, which means it is not just about surviving drops, but also about handling real-world conditions like rain, splashes, and dust.
In daily use, this kind of durability changes how you treat the phone. You worry less about putting it on rough surfaces or about accidental drops from your pocket or spills from liquids when you’re eating lunch. Compared to the previous generation, the HONOR X9d 5G feels more refined. It keeps the toughness, but it no longer feels like a phone that only exists to survive demo tests. It now feels like a proper everyday device that just happens to be very hard to break.
HONOR X9d 5G: Display and Audio
The HONOR X9d 5G comes with a 6.79-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, and this is one of the areas where the phone feels more modern.
The screen is large, sharp, and comfortable to use for long periods. Text is clear, videos look good, and the overall viewing experience is better than what older X9 models offered. The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations feel smoother, and once you get used to it, the difference compared to 60Hz screens is easy to notice.
Brightness is more than enough for most situations, including outdoor use. Colors look natural, and contrast is one of the strengths of the OLED panel. The phone also includes eye comfort features that make long reading or browsing sessions easier on the eyes.
For audio, the HONOR X9d 5G uses stereo speakers. Volume is loud enough for watching videos or casual gaming, and clarity is decent. It is not meant to replace external speakers or good headphones, but it is perfectly usable for everyday media consumption.
HONOR X9d 5G: Camera
The HONOR X9d 5G uses a 108MP main camera, a 5MP ultra-wide, and a 16MP front camera. It is a simple setup, and it behaves like one. This is not a camera-focused phone, but its setup is meant to be reliable and easy to use.
In good lighting, the main camera produces sharp and detailed photos. This is easy to see in busy scenes like market stalls, souvenir shelves, and displays with many small objects. Fine details are kept well, and the 108MP sensor does a good job even in the default shooting mode.
Colors lean slightly vivid but stay natural. Reds, yellows, and greens look lively without being pushed too far. Dynamic range is decent for this class, with the camera usually keeping both bright and shaded areas usable, though highlights can still clip under strong sunlight.
Close-up shots also look good, with reliable focus and natural-looking background blur even without a dedicated macro camera.The ultra-wide camera is mainly for convenience. It works for wide scenes and group shots, but the drop in detail and sharpness compared to the main camera is obvious.
Low-light performance is acceptable but not a strength. The main camera can still produce usable shots with night mode, but noise increases and details soften.
The 16MP front camera is better than expected. In good lighting, selfies look clean and natural, with skin tones that are not overly processed. The camera handles bright backgrounds reasonably well and keeps the face properly exposed in most situations. In dimmer light, quality drops, but results are still fine for social media and video calls.
Video wise, the phone can record up to 4K resolution at 30fps, with 1080p resolution and below able to record higher frame rates at 60fps. Colors are the same as what you get with photos, and the EIS is stable enough to navigate around.
Overall, the HONOR X9d 5G’s camera is dependable rather than impressive. It is good for travel photos and everyday shots, but it is not the main reason to buy this phone.
HONOR X9d 5G: Performance
This is one of the biggest upgrades of the HONOR X9d 5G compared to the previous generations.
The phone uses the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4, and in benchmark tests, it scored over 1 million points in AnTuTu. That is a clear step up from older X9 models and puts it in a much better position among midrange phones.
In daily use, the phone feels fast and responsive. Apps open quickly, multitasking is smooth, and switching between apps does not feel slow or frustrating. With 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, there is plenty of room for apps, photos, and games.
For gaming, the HONOR X9d 5G can handle popular titles without much trouble. Games like Mobile Legends and Call of Duty Mobile run smoothly at high settings. Heavier games may need some settings adjustments, but overall performance is stable.
The phone does get warm during long gaming sessions, but not to the point where it becomes uncomfortable to hold.
MagicOS 9.0 based on Android 15 feels familiar if you have used HONOR phones before. The interface is clean, and while there are some pre-installed apps, they are not too intrusive. There are also several AI features, but in daily use, most people will probably focus more on the basics like smooth performance and stable apps.
Connectivity is reliable. 5G works where available, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are stable, and call quality is good.
HONOR X9d 5G: Battery and Charging
The HONOR X9d 5G comes with a very large 8300mAh battery, and this is one of its strongest features. In normal daily use, which includes social media, messaging, browsing, video streaming, and some gaming, the phone can easily last more than a full day. For lighter users, two days of use on a single charge is realistic. In normal standby mode, it only decreases by at least 5% per day.
Even with heavier use, it is difficult to drain this phone in one day.
The 66W fast charging helps make the large battery more manageable. You can get a significant amount of charge in a short time, and a full charge does not take unreasonably long considering the battery size.
Compared to the previous generation, both battery capacity and charging speed are clear upgrades, and they make a real difference in daily use.
The Rundown
The HONOR X9d 5G is made for people who do not want to worry about their phone. It is built to survive drops, rough handling, and everyday accidents, and that remains its main identity.
What makes it better than previous X9 models is that it is no longer just about durability. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 brings a clear performance upgrade, making daily use, multitasking, and gaming much smoother. Its improved battery life is also a competitive selling point too.
Overall, the HONOR X9d 5G is no longer just a tough phone. It is now a usable, well-rounded midrange device that also happens to be very hard to break.
The HONOR X9d 5G is priced at PHP 18,999, but you can get it with a PHP 1,000 discount at PHP 17,999 if you pre-order until January 23, 2026 with freebies in tow and a raffle ticket for a chance to win a brand new Tesla Cybertruck. More details in this post.
