Can a phone be both drop-dead gorgeous and tough as nails? HONOR seems to think so. The new HONOR X9c 5G is making waves with its bold claim of being the brand’s most durable phone yet.

As our own durability test proves, we’re looking at “survived-a-boiling-test” levels of toughness. But can it back up those claims while still delivering a solid smartphone experience?

Priced at P16,990 (roughly $290) in the Philippines, the HONOR X9c 5G sits squarely in midrange territory. Let’s dive in and see if this device is truly worthy of your hard-earned pesos.

@revuphilippines #HONORX9c5G vs boiling water? Let’s see if #HONOR’s “toughest phone yet” survives! 😅 The brand is really coming in boiling hot this 2025. ☺️ Happy #NewYear, everyone. For more on this, swing by #RevuDotComDotPH. #TheToughestPhoneYet #AllAngleTripleDefense #HONORPH #HONORPhilippines @HONOR Philippines @HONOR @Alora Uy Guerrero @monch ♬ original sound – Revu Philippines

Our boiling test

Built for the apocalypse

For those familiar with HONOR’s previous model, this year’s release might trigger a case of déjà vu. At first glance, it’s practically a dead ringer for its predecessor, the HONOR X9b 5G. We’re talking identical dimensions, nearly the same weight — according to HONOR, at least — and that same towering AMOLED curved display dominating the front. Even the circular camera module on the back seems to be lifted straight from last year’s model, with only a handful of minor aesthetic changes here and there.

And while many smartphones opt for the traditional glass or metal construction, the HONOR X9c 5G takes a different approach. Its backplate is composed of a damage-resistant polycarbonate laminate, a material choice that not only flexes under pressure and improves the unit’s durability but also adds a touch of premium.

But while the X9b 5G offered a rather daring Sunrise Orange variant with a vegan leather back, its successor opts for a more subdued matte finish in Jade Cyan, Titanium Purple, and Titanium Black. Speaking of the cyan version, HONOR sent us one with a swirling, almost-marble-like pattern that’s guaranteed to turn heads. If you prefer your phone a bit more understated, the purple or black options might be more your speed. They offer a clean, minimalist aesthetic that doesn’t scream for attention quite like the cyan.

And thankfully, the brand finally ditched that awkward “wheel” design from the HONOR X9b 5G’s camera housing. Remember that weird color-matched center? Yeah, we’re glad it’s gone, too. This time, the camera island stretches across the entire upper portion of the back, giving it a much cleaner, more modern look.

Essentially, HONOR took a solid foundation and made smart tweaks. It streamlined the design, ditched the gaudy elements, and offered some fresh color options. It’s a classic case of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, but maybe give it a little polish.”

The real story here lies beneath the surface, though. The company is making some bold claims about the HONOR X9c 5G’s durability, calling it its “toughest phone to date.” And based on our experience, it might be right. This thing feels like it could survive a 500-foot drop. And though we wouldn’t recommend testing that theory, of course, HONOR Philippines showed us video proof it actually could.

Here’s us talking about the HONOR X9c 5G

We’ve already published an article detailing the secrets behind the exceptional toughness of the HONOR X9c 5G, but in case you missed it, this phone boasts double-layered tempered glass on both the display and the camera module. This stuff is tougher than your average screen protector, giving the X9c 5G 360-degree drop protection from a height of up to two meters. To prove its point, HONOR Philippines even drop-tested it on 10 different surfaces, including marble, cobblestone, gravel, and asphalt — because apparently, smooth concrete is for amateurs.

Then there’s that shock-absorbing layer the brand snuck under the screen, acting like a tiny airbag for your handset and cushioning those inevitable impacts. And if you’re prone to spilling your coffee or getting caught in a downpour, fear not; the HONOR X9c 5G boasts an IP65M rating, meaning it can survive water-jet blasts from any direction. This is thanks in part to a triple-layer water-resistant structure that seals up all the important bits.

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Here’s another durability test!

The folks at HONOR Philippines are so confident in the HONOR X9c 5G’s water and heat resistance that they dared us to do the unthinkable: boil our review unit. Yeah, you read that right. Boil. We’re talking a full-on dunk in 100-degree water. Twice, actually, because our camera decided to take an unexpected break the first time around. You absolutely have to see this to believe it, so check out the embedded video at the top of this page.

HONOR clearly went the extra mile to make the X9c 5G ridiculously durable. And it shows. This thing feels like it could survive an apocalypse. Drop-resistant? Check. Heat-resistant? Double-check. Honestly, it’s the toughest phone we’ve ever gotten our hands on.

Brightness bump

The display is another highlight. The 6.78-inch curved AMOLED screen has a 120Hz refresh rate that delivers buttery-smooth animations and transitions when interacting with the Android 14-based MagicOS software, and its performance rivals the panels found on pricier midrange contenders. Sure, the default color configuration might be a bit too vibrant for some, but thankfully, there’s a more subdued Normal setting that we found much more pleasing to the eye.

The display’s 2,700 x 1,224 resolution also surpasses the industry-standard 1080p, delivering crisp visuals with good clarity, along with 3,240Hz high-frequency PWM dimming to reduce eye strain and headaches when using the screen at lower brightness levels. And with slim bezels all around, you get a lot of screen real estate. Oh, and did we mention it can get much brighter than the HONOR X9b 5G’s panel? We’re talking a peak brightness of 4,000 nits (versus the previous model’s 1,200 nits), making it easily viewable even in direct sunlight. That alone can make a huge difference in day-to-day use.

Eagle-eyed users will likewise notice the shift from a punch-hole camera to a pill-shaped cutout for the HONOR X9c 5G’s 16-megapixel selfie camera. And for those who love their streaming content, the handset comes with Widevine L1 certification out of the box, ensuring you can enjoy your favorite shows and movies in decent HD.

No camera fillers this time

In the camera department, the HONOR X9c 5G keeps things surprisingly simple for a midranger. You get two rear cameras that actually do something: a 108-megapixel main image sensor and a 5-megapixel ultrawide. Thankfully, HONOR ditched the pointless 2-megapixel filler sensor found on the X9b 5G. We’re all for decluttering those camera bumps, anyway.

That 108-megapixel main sensor is definitely the star of the show, capturing detailed 12-megapixel binned images by default. In daylight, it produces decent results with good detail, though it does have a tendency to overexpose shots.

Sample shots

The ultrawide, on the other hand, is a bit of a letdown. Images often appear overexposed with noticeable purple fringing, and textures have an almost-oil-painting-like quality that lacks definition.

But hey, at least the selfie game is strong. The 16-megapixel front-facing camera captures decent detail and maintains good dynamic range, ensuring both you and your background look their best.

Overall, the HONOR X9c 5G’s camera system is a bit of a mixed bag. Don’t expect a major upgrade from previous models, but it’s certainly capable of capturing decent shots, especially in well-lit conditions.

Speed isn’t always a priority

Under the hood, you’ll find the same 4nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 5G chipset that powered last year’s X9b 5G. Paired with 12GB of physical RAM and 256GB of internal storage, the HONOR X9c 5G is virtually identical to its predecessor in terms of CPU and GPU power.

Then again, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 isn’t a slouch. Everyday tasks like browsing and streaming are handled with ease, and even demanding games like Genshin Impact run reasonably well at medium settings. Our benchmark results were in line with expectations for this chip — nothing spectacular, but certainly respectable. More importantly, the HONOR X9c 5G managed to keep its cool under pressure, with internal temperatures consistently below 40 degrees Celsius and no signs of thermal throttling, with the CPU throttling to only 79% of its peak performance according to the CPU Throttling Test app.

The day-to-day battery life is where the newly launched smartphone truly shines. Both its battery capacity and charging speed represent significant improvements over the previous model.

Thanks to a massive 6,600mAh silicon-carbon battery, our unit clocked in at 13 hours and 3 minutes in PCMark’s battery test. While that puts it squarely in the middle of the pack for its price point, you can squeeze out even more juice by dialing down the refresh rate to 60Hz and sticking with 4G connectivity. And when you do need to recharge, the HONOR X9c 5G’s 66-watt wired charging capabilities will get you back to 100% in around 75 minutes. Considering the sheer size of the battery, that’s pretty impressive.

Final thoughts

The HONOR X9c 5G is a testament to the fact that sequels don’t always need a speed boost to be a worthy upgrade. While it might not be the fastest phone in its class, it delivers significant improvements where it counts. The brand focused on refining the hardware, enhancing the design, and boosting the display performance, resulting in a device that feels like a genuine step forward.

In fact, the HONOR X9c 5G might just be the most durable smartphone we’ve ever tested. This thing feels like it could survive our worst phone-ownership nightmares. It inspires a level of confidence that lets you ditch the bulky case and enjoy the handset’s sleek design without worry.

Beyond its ruggedness, the HONOR X9c 5G offers a decent display and camera setup, along with a battery that easily powers through a day or two of heavy use. If you’re not a hardcore mobile gamer, this phone deserves a spot on your midrange shortlist.

HONOR X9b 5G specs

• 6.78-inch curved AMOLED display, 1.2K resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, 4,000 nits brightness
• 4nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset
• Adreno GPU
• 12GB RAM
• 256GB storage
• Dual 108-megapixel main, 5-megapixel ultrawide rear cameras
• 16-megapixel front camera
• Under-display fingerprint reader
• 6,600mAh silicon-carbon battery with 66-watt fast wired charging
• MagicOS 8.0 based on Android 14
• All-angle triple defense + IP65M rating
• Colors: Jade Cyan, Titanium Black, Titanium Purple

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