Highlights
- Sleek 7.98mm profile and lightweight design with a 6.78-inch 120Hz AMOLED display.
- 108MP primary camera with lossless 3X zoom and comprehensive camera system.
- Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 SoC with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage.
- 5,800mAh battery supporting 35W fast charging without charger included.
The Honor X9b marks its entry into the competitive budget smartphone segment with a design philosophy that mirrors the premium aesthetics of its sibling, the Honor 90, yet it distinguishes itself with a more refined and slimmer profile.
Priced at Rs 25,999, the X9b is positioned to appeal to tech enthusiasts and budget-conscious consumers alike.
In this first impressions piece, I will take a sneak peek into what the Honor X9b brings to the table, from its sleek design and impressive display to its robust camera setup and efficient performance.
Design and Display: Familiar but Better
At just 7.98mm in thickness and weighing a mere 185 grams, the X9b looks to have doubled down on its commitment to sleekness and portability.
It comes in two distinct finishes: the vibrant Sunrise Orange featuring a vegan leather back, and the sophisticated Midnight Black, which we had the pleasure of reviewing.
Its design is further complemented by a 6.78-inch 3D curved-edge AMOLED display, boasting thin bezels and a 120Hz refresh rate for a visually immersive experience.
The inclusion of Honor’s Ultra-Bounce technology promises enhanced durability, absorbing impacts from falls up to 1.5 meters.
I did test out this functionality and was impressed to say the least.
Stay tuned for my in-depth review where we’ll delve deeper into the design nuances and display performance.
Cameras: Something Different?
The Honor X9b’s camera setup is pretty intriguing.
The device is equipped with a 108MP primary sensor that promises lossless 3X zoom capabilities, potentially negating the need for a separate telephoto lens.
Complementing the main camera are a 5MP ultra-wide sensor and a 2MP macro shooter, offering versatility in shooting scenarios.
For selfies, a 16MP front camera is poised to capture detailed portraits.
This comprehensive camera system hints at the X9b’s potential to rival more expensive models in image quality.
My upcoming full review will offer a closer examination of its photographic prowess across various conditions.
Performance and Features: Power Packed
Under the hood, the Honor X9b is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 SoC, a chip designed for mid-range devices but built using an efficient 4nm process.
This, coupled with a generous 8GB RAM and 256GB storage configuration, suggests smooth performance across daily tasks and moderate gaming.
The phone’s large 5,800mAh battery supports 35W fast charging, promising long hours of usage on a single charge.
However, it’s noteworthy that the charging adapter is not included in the box.
More on that in the full review.
Software: An Older Version
Running on Magic OS 7.2, based on Android 13, the Honor X9b offers a user interface that shares visual similarities with Huawei’s HarmonyOS.
While it launches with Android 13, Honor assures two years of Android updates and three years of security patches.
This commitment is crucial for users seeking longevity from their devices, though the smartphone’s lack of Android 14 at launch is going to be scrutinized in my detailed review, especially considering the competition is launching with the latest OS.
Battery: A Robust Setup
The Honor X9b’s battery capacity and charging capabilities are among its standout features.
With a 5,800mAh battery and support for 35W fast charging, the device aims to meet the demands of heavy users and multitaskers.
Although the absence of a charger in the box might be a point of contention for some, the phone’s rather slim profile while packing in such a high-capacity cell is something I will look forward to exploring further in my review.
Closing Thoughts
As the Honor X9b positions itself within the fiercely competitive Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 25,000 price bracket, it brings to the table an array of features that are both promising and deserving of a closer look.
From its design and display to the camera capabilities and battery life, there’s a lot that the X9b seems to offer.
However, the true test will be in its ability to differentiate itself in a market crowded with high-value offerings.
Our comprehensive review is on the horizon, where we will dive deep into each aspect of the Honor X9b, assessing whether it indeed offers a compelling value proposition to its potential users.
Honor X9b In Hand Video
Honor X9b Key Specs
GENERAL
| Sim Type | Dual Sim, GSM+GSM |
| Dual Sim | Yes |
| Sim Size | Nano SIM |
| Device Type | Smartphone |
| Release Date | October 18, 2023 |
DESIGN
| Dimensions | 75.5 x 163.6 x 8 mm |
| Weight | 185 g |
| Colors | Sunrise Orange, Midnight Black, Emerald Green |
DISPLAY
| Type | Color AMOLED Screen (1B Colors) |
| Touch | Yes |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 1220 x 2652 pixels, 120 Hz |
| Aspect Ratio | 19.9:9 |
| PPI | ~ 431 PPI |
| Screen to Body Ratio | ~ 91.2% |
| Features | 12000 nits, Curved Display |
| Notch | Yes, Punch Hole |
MEMORY
| RAM | 12 GB |
| Storage | 256 GB |
| Card Slot | No |
CONNECTIVITY
| GPRS | Yes |
| EDGE | Yes |
| 3G | Yes |
| 4G | Yes |
| 5G | Yes |
| VoLTE | Yes, Dual Stand-By |
| Wifi | Yes, with wifi-hotspot |
| Wifi Version | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| Bluetooth | Yes, v5.1 |
| USB | Yes, USB-C v2.0 |
| USB Features | USB on-the-go, USB Charging |
| IR Blaster | Yes |
EXTRA
| GPS | with A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Yes, In Display |
| Face Unlock | Yes |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyro, Proximity, Compass |
| 3.5mm Headphone Jack | No |
| Extra | NFC |
CAMERA
| Rear Camera | 108 MP 1/1.67″, PDAF f/1.8 (Wide Angle) 5 MP f/2.2 (Ultra Wide) 2 MP f/2.4 (Macro) with autofocus |
| Features | Aperture, Night, Portrait(including beauty mode), Pro, Panorama, HDR, Filter,time-lapse photography,Super macro,High-res,Capture smile,Slow-motion |
| Video Recording | 4K @ 30 fps UHD, 1080p @ 30 fps FHD |
| Flash | Yes, LED |
| Front Camera | Punch Hole 16 MP f/2.5 (Wide Angle) |
| Front Video Recording | 1080p @ 30 fps FHD |
TECHNICAL
| OS | Android v13 |
| Custom UI | MagicOS 7.2 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen1 |
| CPU | 2.2 GHz, Octa Core Processor |
| Core Details | 4xCortex-A78@2.2 GHz & 4xCortex-A55@1.8 GHz |
| GPU | Adreno GPU |
| Java | No |
| Browser | Yes |
MULTIMEDIA
| Yes | |
| Music | Yes |
| Video | Yes |
| FM Radio | No |
| Document Reader | Yes |
BATTERY
| Type | Non-Removable Battery |
| Size | 5800 mAh, Li-Po Battery |
| Fast Charging | Yes, 35W SuperCharge Charger |
FAQs
What makes the Honor X9b stand out in the budget smartphone segment?
The Honor X9b distinguishes itself with a sleek design, a high-refresh-rate AMOLED display, and a high-resolution 108MP camera, positioned as a high-value option for tech enthusiasts on a budget.
How does the Honor X9b’s camera setup compare to more expensive models?
With a 108MP primary sensor offering lossless zoom and versatile shooting options, the Honor X9b’s camera system is designed to rival the image quality of more premium smartphones.
What are the key performance features of the Honor X9b?
The device features the efficient Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset, ample RAM and storage, suggesting smooth performance for everyday tasks and gaming, supported by a large battery and fast charging.
Is the Honor X9b’s software up to date?
Running Magic OS 7.2 based on Android 13, the Honor X9b promises two years of Android updates and three years of security patches, despite not launching with Android 14.
What are the potential drawbacks of the Honor X9b?
The absence of a charging adapter in the box and the device’s initial launch with Android 13, not the latest Android 14, might be seen as downsides by some users.
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