If you’re someone who wants a smartphone that looks premium, lasts long, and doesn’t shatter at the first fall, the Honor X9c 5G deserves your attention. Priced at ₹21,999, this phone isn’t about chasing high benchmarks. Instead, it focuses on what actually matters to most Indian users — battery life, durability, and everyday dependability.
Design: Slim Looks, Strong Build
The Honor X9c is just 7.98mm thin and weighs 189 grams, which makes it feel elegant and lightweight. But don’t let its sleek design fool you — it’s built tough inside and out.
With SGS-certified 2-metre drop resistance and Ultra-Bounce Technology 2.0, the phone can handle accidental drops without breaking a sweat. It also carries an IP65M rating, protecting it from dust and light splashes — perfect for Indian weather conditions.
The Jade Cyan variant we reviewed looks beautiful with its marble-like matte texture and curved edges, offering both a stylish and sturdy grip. However, Honor hasn’t mentioned if it uses Gorilla Glass or a similar toughened glass, which could be a slight concern for clumsy users.
Features and Software: Made for Real Users
Honor has paid attention to the small things that make daily use smoother. You get an in-display fingerprint sensor, dual stereo speakers, and 300% volume boost, which actually sounds impressive for watching videos or listening to music.
It runs on MagicOS 7.2 (based on Android 13), offering smart features like AI Super Power Saving Mode, Eye Comfort Display, and a built-in voice assistant. The phone can even handle extreme temperatures — from -30°C to 55°C, which is quite rare in this price range.
However, a few pre-installed apps (bloatware) slightly spoil the clean software experience, which may bother users who prefer a minimal setup.
Performance: Smooth, But Not for Gamers
Powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset and 8GB RAM, the Honor X9c performs reliably for everyday tasks like chatting, web browsing, video playback, and light gaming.
In benchmark tests, it scored 576,392 on AnTuTu and 2,799 on Geekbench multi-core, which is decent but not the best in the segment. For heavy multitaskers or gamers, phones like the iQOO Z10 or OnePlus Nord CE offer better raw performance.
Still, for students, working professionals, and casual users, it does the job well without heating or lag issues.
Camera: AI-Heavy but Inconsistent
The phone features a 108MP main camera with OIS, supported by AI optimisation. In good daylight, photos look bright and detailed, though sometimes a bit too colourful due to overprocessing.
Portrait mode works well with accurate edge detection, but skin tones occasionally appear unnatural. The 5MP ultrawide camera is average and struggles in low light, while Night Mode improves visibility but still falls short of rivals.
Selfies are decent but over-beautified by default — a quick settings tweak can fix that. The multi-video mode is fun for vloggers and content creators, letting you record from both cameras at once.
Battery: The Real Superstar
Here’s where the Honor X9c truly shines. It packs a massive 6600mAh silicon-carbon battery, which easily lasts 2.5 to 3 days on moderate use — something you rarely see in slim phones.
Battery test results are impressive:
- Video playback: 25.8 hours
- Music playback: 48.4 hours
- Calling at 55°C: 30.2 hours
It also supports 66W fast charging, which takes it from 20% to 100% in under an hour. Even a quick 5-minute charge gives about 7 hours of usage — a big plus for Indian users who travel often or face power cuts.
Price and Value for Money
At ₹21,999, the Honor X9c offers a unique mix of style, toughness, and exceptional battery life. It’s not for gamers or camera enthusiasts, but for everyday users, it delivers reliable performance, premium looks, and class-leading endurance.
If your priority is long battery life, durability, and practical features, this phone is well worth its price tag.
Verdict: Reliable Everyday Performer
The Honor X9c isn’t trying to be a flagship killer — it’s trying to be your dependable daily partner. It’s ideal for students, commuters, or anyone who needs a trustworthy phone that can survive drops and long days.
However, if you’re into mobile photography or high-end gaming, you might want to explore other options. For everyone else, the Honor X9c is a solid, stylish, and smart companion built for Indian conditions.
Disclaimer
This review is based on independent testing and available specifications. The views expressed here are for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to verify details on the official website or authorised retailers before making a purchase.