After the success of its predecessor, it makes sense for HONOR to follow up with another release. Following the viral HONOR X9c 5G, known for its durability, the brand now introduces the HONOR X9c Smart 5G. It's a more affordable and slightly scaled-down version of the first but is still said to be very durable. Let’s see if it can still live up to the reputation the bigger variant has set—mind you, the bar is very high.
What we like:
- Close performance to the X9c 5G
- Durability
- AI Eraser
- Affordable price
- Decent camera quality
What needs to be improved:
- TFT Display
- Only 35W Charging
- Slow switching between cameras
Design
The design is probably the easiest way to spot where HONOR made some cost cuts compared to the X9c. The X9c Smart 5G dials down the flashiness of the main variant, featuring a more basic, plain back. The Midnight Black color variant we got adds to this basic-ness but the Ocean Cyan does level up a notch. Despite this, the phone retains a solid feel and has a curved footprint that sits comfortably in the hand.
The signature camera design of the series is kept, but there’s less of the bold, eye-catching flair that the original X9c had. The overall look is simple but functional. While HONOR didn’t emphasize the durability as much with this model, it’s clear the X9c Smart 5G can handle its fair share of drops and bumps.
True to HONOR's reputation for durability, the X9c Smart 5G offers similar drop and water resistance to its sibling. We put it to the test with a few drops, and the phone showed no signs of damage.
For reference, I dropped the X9c Smart from about shoulder height, standing at five foot eight.
Display
Up front, the HONOR X9c Smart 5G has a large 6.8-inch, TFT LCD display with a resolution of 1080x2412 pixels. It’s clearly visible and relatively sharp but lacks the vibrance and richness of an AMOLED screen. Thankfully, it still gets bright enough and is easily viewable under different conditions. A TFT LCD is not totally a deal-breaker, especially if it helps lower the price so as long as the resolution remains decent. So we appreciate that compromise.
It is 120Hz and it's very smooth to navigate which is obviously a plus when paired with its gaming capabilities.
Performance
The HONOR X9c Smart 5G is powered by the powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7025 Ultra chipset. While we didn’t expect it to be an absolute powerhouse, the performance didn't disappoint.
It handles everyday tasks with ease, including multitasking and casual gaming. It's not a flagship-level device, but at this price, it offers solid value and is more than enough for regular use. The only area where I've noticed a slight slowdown is with the camera, which I’ll address later in the review.
For gamers, the HONOR X9c Smart performs well. In Call of Duty: Mobile, the game defaults to medium graphics and runs smoothly, with enough power to bump the settings up to high without major issues.
It is running the latest version of MagicOS (8.0), which means we're getting the best experience we can get from HONOR's software in terms of smoothness and features.
Cameras
Using the cameras on the X9c Smart can feel a bit slow at times, especially when switching between lenses. However, once you get past that, the camera setup—featuring a 108MP main sensor and a 5MP ultrawide—proves to be quite capable, delivering solid performance in most shooting conditions.
The colors it produces are pleasant, and I appreciate that it doesn't overly flatten the image with its HDR modes. It strikes a good balance, maintaining shadows where needed and brightness where appropriate. I believe the AI mode plays a key role here, as it intelligently detects the shooting style and adjusts accordingly.
Low light performance is actually very respectable for a phone at this level. Sure, there are room for improvements, but I'm still pleasantly surprised at the quality. Noise levels are kept well managed that I wouldn't be ashamed to post on social media.
The ultrawide camera might not be the primary choice for most users, but it's a handy inclusion nonetheless. It performs well in well-lit conditions, though it struggles in low-light scenarios. Despite this, we're pleased that the phone even managed to include it.
Complementing its cameras, the X9c Smart also features the AI Eraser, a fan-favorite from the HONOR X9c. It’s just as enjoyable here as it was on the larger model. In my opinion, the series has one of the best AI erasers available on mobile phones today. It used think of it to be a party trick, but I've actually had practical uses for this so yes, it's a win to see it here.
We also weren't expecting much from its front camera, but once again, we were surprised by the results. The X9c Smart manages to snap decent selfies even in dimly lit conditions. In brighter situations, the photos turned out even better. I'd say it's comparable to the HONOR X8b, which we were also very happy with.
Overall camera array isn’t as advanced as the X9c 5G, but not it's not too far off and the AI Eraser, is still as enjoyable as ever.
Battery and Charging
The HONOR X9c Smart packs a huge 5800mAh battery that provides solid battery life. Lasting through a day under more extreme usage, this phone can easily get two days under managed conditions.
However, the 35W charging contrasts what the X9c packs. For users like me who are accustomed to faster charging speeds, myself included, this might be a deal-breaker. No more plugging in the phone before hopping in the shower and returning to find it almost fully charged.
Verdict
The HONOR X9c Smart 5G retails for PhP 11,799 but often goes on promo, dropping the price to PhP 10,799.
While it cuts down on a few features from the series, it still offers solid performance, good battery life, and a durable build. From what I know, this is also the most affordable way to experience HONOR's AI Eraser feature.
The display might be its weakest point, and the slower charging speed could be a downside for some. However, if you're not too concerned about these aspects, this phone offers great value.
It's a perfectly decent performer with excellent durability that can withstand a few drops. And with its relatively lower price tag, it won’t hurt your wallet too much. If you can live with a few compromises, the X9c Smart 5G is a solid choice for anyone looking for a dependable, affordable smartphone.
Specs:
- Display: 6.8-inch FHD+ TFT LCD, 1080 x 2412 pixels, 120Hz refresh rate
- Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7025 Ultra (6 nm)
- RAM: 8GB or 12GB
- Storage: 256GB, no card slot
- Rear Cameras: Dual - 108MP (wide) + 5MP (ultrawide)
- Front Camera: 16MP (wide)
- Battery: 5800mAh, 35W wired fast charging
- Operating System: Android 14 with MagicOS 8.0
- Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC
- Other Features: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, face recognition, dual SIM
- Colors: Ocean Cyan, Midnight Black