HONOR Philippines is starting 2026 with a bang, launching its most durable phone yet — the HONOR X9d 5G. Like its predecessors, the handset features improved protection, including an All-Angle Ultra Defense design, drop resistance up to 2.5 meters, and IP69K rating for dust and water protection.
Aside from its durable design, the phone packs impressive hardware, including a 120Hz AMOLED display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 4, and a massive 8300mAh battery.
Priced at PHP 18,999, it offers value-packed features without breaking the bank. It all looks good on paper, but can it deliver? Let’s find out.
Design & Display
The HONOR X9d 5G comes with a familiar design and a flat display. Our review unit, in Reddish Brown, features a vegan leather back and a sleek circular camera module. There are four cutouts at the back, but only three are functional with two sensors and an LED flash. It is also available in Midnight Black and Sunrise Gold.
Like previous X9 series, this handset takes durability and toughness up notch. It has an All-Angle Ultra Defense design with a metal frame, tempered glass, and multi-layer cushioning with a ballistic-grade damping layer for enhanced shock protection.
This allows it to survive drops from up to 2.5 meters, being thrown from second-floor heights, and being run over by a Tesla Cybertruck. This was tested several times (you can watch it here and here), and the X9d 5G survived with minor dents and scratches.
@technobaboy First post of the year! HONOR is launching the X9d 5G in the Philippines and its tougher than its predecessors! Pre-orders run from January 9 to 23, 2026. Early buyers get a raffle entry for a Tesla Cybertruck, plus freebies! Details on Technobaboy.com. Disclaimer: Don’t try this at home! We smashed it so you don’t have to! For demonstration only. Replicating this will void your warranty (and probably break your heart). Watch, don't drop! #HONORX9d5G #TheToughestPhone #AllAngleUltraDefense #technobaboy #techtok ♬ Refreshing and light indie pop(1552207) – Cheng Lee
The phone also has IP66/IP68/IP69K dust and water protection. This means it can shrug off strong jets of hot water, pouring rain, and quick dunks underwater.
However, we do not recommend drop-testing or submerging in water intentionally, as this will void your warranty.
At the front, the phone has a large 6.79-inch display with a 2640×1200 resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 6000 nits. The screen is bright with punchy colors, deep blacks, and high visibility in direct sunlight.
Apart from the display and design, the X9d boasts dual speakers, a USB-C port, and a responsive in-display fingerprint scanner.
Going back to the stereo speakers, they sound better than the previous X9c 5G. It is clear and loud. However, like other phones in the same range, lows and mids are limited.
Camera Performance
The HONOR X9d 5G has a dual camera setup with a 108MP main sensor, a 5MP ultra-wide lens, and a 16MP selfie shooter. It supports 4K video recording, night mode, and an underwater mode. The camera app is straightforward to use with the most common modes up front.
The camera quality is what you would expect for a handset in this price range. Like the previous model, the results are good enough for daily use.
In bright lighting conditions, photos have natural colors with a wide dynamic range and good details. Zoom quality is average with softer sharpness. Low-light shots are okay, but they have less dynamic range and lower detail quality. Selfies are good with results you won’t mind sharing on social media.
Overall, these cameras are decent and will get the job done. In any case, it’s more than enough for social media posts.
Here are some test photos.
Sample Photos
Performance & Battery
The X9d 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 processor with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. It runs on MagicOS 9, based on Android 15.
As with any modern phone, basic navigation is smooth and responsive. For software upgrades, expect two to three years of Android updates and security patches.
In terms of performance, it’s a huge jump from the X9c 5G’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1. It handled apps without issues. There was no noticeable lag. It can also run most games at default or higher graphics settings.
Here are the benchmark scores:
- AnTuTu Benchmark v11: 1,007,918
- Geekbench 6: 1,085 single-core; 3,087 multi-core
- 3DMarkWild Life: 3,795
Battery Life & Charging
The phone is equipped with a massive 8300mAh battery with 66W fast charging. During the review, it showed not only durability, but longevity too.
For regular usage, it can last a day with a mix of video streaming, social media, messaging apps, and web browsing. It can last longer, depending on your usage.
In the PC Mark Work 3.0 Battery Life test, the X8d 5G scored 12 hours and 16 minutes. The test was conducted with brightness set at 80%, volume muted, refresh rate set to dynamic, and airplane mode turned on. This translates to 9 hours and 33 minutes of screen-on time.
As for charging, the included charger charged the phone from 1% to full in around 85 minutes. A 15-minute top-up adds 24%, while 30 minutes takes it to 44%.
Closing Remarks
So, should you get the HONOR X9d 5G? The quick answer is yes, even if you’re coming from the X9c 5G. It improves not only in toughness and durability, but also in performance, without compromising too much on essential features. Compared to its predecessor, it has a brighter display at 6000 nits, an updated processor, and a massive battery.
The phone also remains competitively priced at PHP 18,999. In our tests, it showed impressive resilience, surviving our drop tests and a Tesla Cybertruck.
Price & Availability
The HONOR X9d 5G is now available for pre-order for only PHP 17,999 from January 9 to 23. After that, starting January 24, the regular SRP goes back to PHP 18,999. Pre-orders are available on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.
HONOR X9d 5G specs
- Display: 6.79-inch OLED display, 2640×1200, 120Hz refresh rate, 6000 nits, aluminosilicate glass protection
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 4
- RAM/Storage: 12GB+256GB
- Rear Camera: 108MP, OIS + 5MP ultra-wide
- Front Camera: 16MP
- Network: 5G, 4G, dual SIM
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS, NFC
- Others: In-display fingerprint scanner, USB-C, stereo speakers, VC Ice Cooling System, IP66/IP68/IP69/IP69K certifications, 2.5m drop resistance
- OS: MagicOS 9, Android 15
- Colors: Reddish Brown, Midnight Black, Sunrise Gold
- Battery: 8300mAh battery, 66W fast charging
