Highlights

• Introduces industry-first “ultra-bounce 360-degree anti-drop resistance” technology.
• Boasts a 120Hz 1.5K AMOLED display and a 108MP primary camera.
• Features a robust 5,800mAh battery supporting 30W fast charging.
• Enhanced durability with Five-Star Overall Drop Resistance certification.

The Honor X9b, priced at Rs 25,999, makes its mark with unique features and durability, targeting the mid-range 5G segment.

It’s the first smartphone to feature “ultra-bounce 360-degree anti-drop resistance” technology, earning a Five-Star Overall Drop Resistance certificate.

Besides its resilience, it showcases a 120Hz refresh rate 1.5k AMOLED display, a high-calibre 108MP primary camera, and a long-lasting 5,800mAh battery.

As Honor’s latest offering since its strategic re-entry into the Indian market, the X9b positions itself as a strong contender amidst fierce competition.

In this review let’s dive into the intricacies of the Honor X9b, exploring whether it stands up to the hype.

Honor X9b: Key Specs

• Price: Rs 25,999
• Display: 6.78-inch 120Hz 1.5K AMOLED
• Camera: 108MP main, 5MP wide-angle, 2MP macro
• Battery: 5,800mAh, 30W charging
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 SoC
• RAM: 8GB (expandable by 8GB with RAM Turbo)
• Storage: 256GB UFS3.1
• OS: Android 13 (with 2 years of updates)

Honor X9b: Pros and Cons

Honor X9b: Display and Design

I received the Midnight Black version of the Honor X9b for review, and its textured matte back caught my eye immediately.

It’s a design choice that resonates well with me and several of my colleagues who appreciated its aesthetics.

This phone is clearly different when put out in a sea of devices, many of which now sport a vegan leather back.

At 185 grams and 7.9mm thick, it feels sturdy yet sleek in hand.

What sets it apart is the ring-shaped camera setup, subtly accented with luxury watch-inspired embellishments.

This unique touch deviates from the common stadium shape seen in other devices.

Moreover, the Honor X9b’s durability is enhanced with adhesive sealing, granting it IP53-level dust-proof and water-spray resistance.

Its resilience is remarkable, credited to a cushioning technology that safeguards the phone against drops from up to 1.5 meters, a claim I found credible during my time in the demo zone.

Certified with a five-star overall drop resistance by Switzerland’s SGS, the X9b promises and delivers structural integrity, making it a reliable companion for daily use.

The Honor X9b also impressed me with its display quality, boasting a 6.78-inch AMOLED screen that stands out in the mid-range category.

Its 1.5K resolution sharpens the visuals, complemented by 1920Hz PWM dimming and a peak brightness of 1200 nits, which is quite a feat in this price range, although it’s worth noting the display isn’t the brightest I’ve seen.

Despite this, the centre punch-hole for the selfie camera hardly detracts from the viewing experience, thanks to the slim bezels that give it an expansive feel.

Navigating through the display settings, I found ample controls to adjust the display parameters to my liking, including colour mode, colour temperature, and refresh rate.

The eye comfort feature is a thoughtful addition, making prolonged use more bearable on the eyes.

The attention to detail in the display’s features adds to the X9b’s appeal, ensuring a quality viewing experience for its users.

Honor X9b: Cameras

Exploring the Honor X9b’s camera capabilities, I was initially drawn to its triple camera system, featuring a 108MP main shooter, a 5MP wide-angle, and a 2MP macro lens, alongside a 16MP front camera.

During daylight, the primary camera captured vibrant shots, although I noticed the HDR performance was lacking. 

While the colours seemed overly saturated in some cases, especially in close-ups and portraits, the detail in these close-up shots was impressive, despite the post-processing tendency to exaggerate colors.

Portraits had good edge detection, but I found that it tended to smooth over facial details and present skin tones with a bit too much contrast for my liking.

The ultra-wide camera, at 5MP, struggled to deliver crisp images, often producing faded colours and noticeable distortion around the edges.

Its 110-degree field of view felt somewhat limited compared to others. The 2MP macro sensor also left much to be desired.

However, for those looking to share scenic shots on social media without zooming in on every detail, the 108MP main camera suffices.

It captures decent daylight images, but there’s room for improvement in HDR processing.

As the day turns to night, the photo quality dips, although the night mode tries its best to maintain colour accuracy and detail while reducing noise.

Still, compared to others in the same segment, the X9b’s low-light performance could use some enhancement.

Despite its shortcomings, the camera system on the Honor X9b shines in certain aspects, especially in good lighting conditions.

Honor X9b Day Camera Samples

Honor X9b Night Camera Samples

Honor X9b Videos

Honor X9b Day Videos

Honor X9b Night Videos

Honor X9b In Hand Video

Honor X9b: Performance and Features

The Honor X9b is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 SoC, making it one of the first few phones to harness the SoC’s capabilities.

While it may not be the fastest in the Rs 30,000 segment, it has shown itself to be a competent performer.

Daily tasks are handled with ease, and casual gaming? Games like Subway Surfers and Candy Crush run without a hitch, as expected.

In my experience, the X9b does well on synthetic benchmarks, although it doesn’t break any records in its price bracket.

When it comes to more demanding games like Call of Duty and PUBG, they run smoothly on moderate settings.

My advice?

Keep the fps settings on the lower side for an optimal gaming experience.

The device packs 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM, with the option to expand by an additional 8GB using RAM Turbo, effectively boosting it with virtual RAM expansion.

With 256GB of UFS3.1 storage, space was hardly a concern.

However, the audio quality did leave something to be desired, given its mono speaker setup lacked depth.

The in-display fingerprint sensor, on the other hand, met my expectations, offering quick and reliable access every time.

Honor X9b: Software and Battery Life

The Honor X9b arrived running Android 13, a step behind the latest Android 14, but Honor has committed to two years of major Android OS upgrades and three years of security updates.

The interface is heavily customized, featuring a mix of Honor’s own apps, like the Honor App Market, Game Centre, and Honor’s Email app, alongside the standard Google app suite. 

Despite the heavy customization, I found the software surprisingly intuitive and easy to navigate.

The notification panel’s resemblance to iOS didn’t go unnoticed, but its convenience was what stood out most to me.

The AI suggestions widget on the home screen, offering app recommendations based on my activities for quick access, was a clever touch.

A standout feature for me was the Honor X9b’s 5,800mAh battery, a rarity in today’s market where few phones boast a battery exceeding 5,000mAh.

Although the box lacked a charger, Honor’s introductory offer of a complimentary 30W adapter was a nice gesture, though buying it separately later on might be a consideration for some.

The battery life impressed me, providing around 8 hours of screen-on time, but the charging speed was a bit of a let-down.

Even with the 30W charger, filling the battery from 0 to 100% took about two and a half hours.

Final Verdict

The Honor X9b carves out its niche in the competitive mid-range segment with a robust mix of durability, impressive display, and commendable camera performance for its price point.

While it navigates smoothly through daily tasks and casual gaming, it falls short in the audio department and charging speed.

Honor’s commitment to software updates is promising, but the device’s current lack of the latest Android OS is noticeable.

Overall, it offers good value for those prioritizing battery life, display quality, and camera functionality without breaking the bank.

5 Reasons to Buy

• Durability: The Honor X9b’s ultra-bounce technology and IP53 rating ensure it can withstand drops and resist dust and water spray.
• Display Quality: Its 120Hz refresh rate and 1.5K resolution offer a sharp, immersive viewing experience.
• Camera Capabilities: The 108MP main camera captures vibrant shots in daylight, supported by unique features like good edge detection in portraits.
• Battery Life: With a 5,800mAh battery, the device ensures prolonged usage, making it ideal for heavy users.
• Software Updates: Honor promises two years of major OS updates and three years of security patches, ensuring longevity.

3 Reasons Not to Buy

• Audio Quality: The mono speaker system delivers underwhelming sound quality, lacking depth and richness.
• Charging Speed: Despite the large battery, the slow charging speed can be inconvenient for users on the go.
• Software Customization: The heavily customized interface and pre-installed apps may not appeal to everyone, especially those preferring a stock Android experience.

Top 5 Alternatives to the Honor X9b

Poco X6 Pro (Rs. 25,999)

• Display: 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz
• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 8300 Ultra
• RAM/Storage: 8GB/256GB
• Cameras: 64MP+8MP+2MP rear, 16MP front
• Battery: 5000mAh, Turbo Charging
• Other: USB Type-C Port​ 

Realme 11 Pro+ (Rs. 27,999)

• Display: 6.70-inch 2400×1080 pixels
• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7050
• RAM/Storage: 12GB/256GB
• Cameras: 200MP+8MP+2MP rear, 32MP front
• Battery: 5000mAh
• Other: USB Type-C Port

Tecno Camon 20 Premier 5G (Rs. 25,999)

• Display: 6.67-inch 1080×2400 pixels
• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 8050
• RAM/Storage: 8GB/512GB
• Cameras: 50MP+108MP+2MP rear, 32MP front
• Battery: 5000mAh
• Other: USB Type-C Port

Poco F5 5G (Rs. 29,999)

• Display: 6.67-inch 2400×1080 pixels FHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz
• Processor: Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2
• RAM/Storage: 12GB/256GB
• Cameras: 64MP+8MP+2MP rear, 16MP front
• Battery: 5000mAh, Flash Charging
• Other: USB Type-C Port​

iQOO Neo 7 (Rs. 29,990)

• Display: 6.78-inch FHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate
• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 8200
• RAM/Storage: 8GB/128GB
• Cameras: 64MP main + 2MP + 2MP triple rear, 16MP front camera
• Battery: 5000mAh, Flash Charging
• Other: USB Type-C Port

Honor X9b Key Specs

GENERAL

DESIGN

DISPLAY

MEMORY

CONNECTIVITY

EXTRA

CAMERA

TECHNICAL

FAQs

What makes the Honor X9b stand out in the mid-range smartphone market?

The Honor X9b distinguishes itself with its unique ultra-bounce 360-degree anti-drop resistance technology, making it the first smartphone to feature such advanced durability.

Coupled with a Five-Star Overall Drop Resistance certificate, it’s designed to withstand drops better than most smartphones, ensuring longevity and reliability for users who prioritize durability.

How does the Honor X9b’s display compare to its competitors?

The Honor X9b’s 6.78-inch 120Hz 1.5K AMOLED display sets a high standard in the mid-range segment, offering vibrant colours and sharp visuals.

Its high refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and a better viewing experience, making it competitive against other smartphones in its price range.

The addition of 1920Hz PWM dimming and peak brightness of 1200 nits further enhances its display quality.

Can the Honor X9b’s camera system meet the needs of photography enthusiasts?

Equipped with a 108MP primary camera, the Honor X9b captures vibrant and detailed photos in good lighting conditions.

However, its HDR performance and low-light capabilities may not satisfy all photography enthusiasts.

The ultra-wide and macro lenses offer added versatility but have limitations in image quality. Despite these drawbacks, the main camera remains a strong feature for standard social media use and general photography.

Is the Honor X9b a good choice for gamers and power users?

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 SoC and equipped with 8GB of RAM (expandable by an additional 8GB), the Honor X9b handles daily tasks and casual gaming with ease.

While it may not lead in high-performance gaming, it provides a satisfactory experience for most games on moderate settings.

The ample storage and option for virtual RAM expansion make it a competent choice for power users on a budget.

What are the pros and cons of the Honor X9b’s software and battery life?

The Honor X9b runs on Android 13 and promises two years of OS updates, offering a current but heavily customized software experience.

Its 5,800mAh battery stands out for its longevity, providing extended use between charges. However, the charging speed may disappoint some users, as it takes about two and a half hours to fully charge with a 30W charger.

Also Read: Honor X9b Ready to Debut in India After Being Teased by HTech’s Madhav Sheth

Also Read: Honor X9b 5G Indian Launch Date Revealed, To Come with Innovative Ultra Bounce Display

Also Read: Honor X9b Confirmed to Launch in India With Ultra-Bounce Display Technology and More