Honor X9c Smart Review: A Budget-Friendly 5G Smartphone

Honor X9c Smart, announced on December 2, 2024, aims to deliver an impressive user experience without breaking the bank. With its sleek design, dependable hardware, and a focus on everyday usability, it promises great value in the mid-range 5G smartphone category. Here’s a detailed breakdown of its features, strengths, and potential weaknesses.

Design and Build

Honor X9c Smart sports a slim profile with dimensions of 166 x 75.8 x 7.9 mm and a lightweight body at 193 g. Its ergonomic design makes it comfortable to hold for extended periods, while its waterproofing enhances durability. The phone is available in two elegant colors: Ocean Cyan and Moonlight White, catering to users who appreciate a subtle yet sophisticated aesthetic.

Display

Featuring a 6.8-inch TFT LCD screen with an 88.4% screen-to-body ratio, the Honor X9c Smart ensures immersive visuals for gaming, streaming, or browsing. The display offers a 1080 x 2412 pixel resolution with a pixel density of approximately 389 ppi, resulting in sharp and vibrant visuals. With a refresh rate of 120Hz, scrolling and animations appear silky smooth, while the 850-nit peak brightness (HBM) ensures good readability in bright outdoor conditions.

Although the display is vibrant, it uses TFT LCD technology rather than AMOLED, which may result in slightly less punchy colors and contrast.

Performance

The MediaTek Dimensity 7025 Ultra chipset powers the Honor X9c Smart, paired with an octa-core CPU (2×2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) and IMG BXM-8-256 GPU. This configuration ensures smooth multitasking and reliable performance for everyday tasks, social media, and light gaming.

The phone ships with Android 14 running Honor’s Magic OS 8, offering a clean, user-friendly interface with customizable features. However, it’s worth noting that this chipset is better suited for mid-range tasks rather than heavy-duty gaming or power-intensive applications.

Cameras

Main Camera

The dual-camera system includes:

• 108 MP main sensor with an f/1.8 aperture, PDAF, and a large 1/1.67″ sensor for excellent detail and low-light performance.
• 5 MP ultrawide lens, ideal for capturing expansive landscapes or group shots.

The camera supports panorama, HDR, and LED flash features, and it can record videos at 1080p@30fps. While the video capabilities are limited to Full HD resolution, the image quality is impressive for a device in this price range.

Selfie Camera

The 16 MP front-facing camera with an f/2.5 aperture produces sharp and natural-looking selfies. It also supports 1080p@30fps video recording, which is adequate for video calls or vlogging.

While the cameras are solid performers in good lighting, they may struggle slightly in low-light scenarios compared to higher-end devices.

Battery and Charging

The 5800mAh Li-Po battery is one of the standout features of the Honor X9c Smart, offering excellent longevity. It can comfortably last a full day of heavy use, with enough power left for light usage the next day.

The phone supports 35W wired charging, capable of replenishing the battery quickly, and 5W reverse wired charging, which allows you to charge smaller devices like earbuds. However, faster charging options (like 65W or more) are absent, which is a common feature in competing devices.

Storage and RAM

With 256GB of internal storage and 8GB of RAM, the Honor X9c Smart provides ample space for apps, photos, and videos, while ensuring smooth performance during multitasking. However, the absence of expandable storage could be a limitation for users who require additional space for large files or extensive media libraries.

Connectivity

The Honor X9c Smart covers all essential connectivity options, including:

• 5G support for blazing-fast internet speeds.
• Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac for reliable wireless networking.
• Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX HD for high-quality audio streaming.
• NFC (availability depends on region) for contactless payments.

The USB Type-C 2.0 port supports OTG but lacks the faster data transfer speeds of newer standards. Additionally, the phone does not include a 3.5mm headphone jack or FM radio.

Audio and Multimedia

The stereo speakers deliver a decent audio experience, suitable for casual media consumption. However, the absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack may inconvenience users with wired headphones or external audio setups.

Sensors and Features

The Honor X9c Smart comes equipped with a range of sensors:

• Side-mounted optical fingerprint sensor for quick and secure unlocking.
• Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass for enhanced functionality.

The addition of ultrasound proximity sensing ensures precise interactions during calls or other activities.

Pricing and Availability

While the exact pricing is yet to be announced, the Honor X9c Smart is expected to be competitively priced to appeal to mid-range buyers. Based on its specifications, the estimated pricing could be:

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Sleek and lightweight design with waterproofing.
• Large 120Hz display with high brightness levels.
• Excellent main camera performance for its class.
• Reliable battery life with reverse charging support.
• 5G connectivity and a range of modern connectivity options.

Cons

• TFT LCD instead of AMOLED display.
• Limited video recording capabilities (1080p@30fps).
• No expandable storage or 3.5mm headphone jack.
• Moderate charging speed compared to competitors.

Honor X9c Smart Specifications

Honor X9c Smart is a solid mid-range 5G smartphone that prioritizes practicality and value for money. With its sleek design, vibrant display, decent performance, and impressive camera capabilities, it caters to users looking for a dependable device without overspending. While it may lack some premium features like an AMOLED display or ultra-fast charging, its overall package makes it a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers.

If you’re in the market for a stylish, affordable smartphone with long battery life and solid day-to-day performance, the Honor X9c Smart is worth considering.

See Also:

• Honor X9c Review, Price and Specifications
• Honor 300 Ultra Review, Price and Specifications