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HONOR X9b 5G Review—More Than Tough

HONOR Philippines started the year with a bang with the HONOR X9b 5G, heralding it as "The Toughest Phone" and subjecting it to extreme conditions. However, the HONOR X9b 5G has more things to offer than being tough.

Weighing 185g and measuring 7.98mm thick, the HONOR X9b 5G comes in three color variants: Emerald Green, Midnight Black, and Sunrise Orange. Apart from its bright color, the last one stands out because of its vegan leather back cover, which amplifies the premium look and feel of the device. The back cover texture also allows enhanced grip of the phone.  

In front, the HONOR X9b 5G sports a 6.78-inch AMOLED display (1200 x 2652p resolution) with rounded corners, which enhances screen view and phone handling. According to the HONOR website, the HONOR X9b 5G uses the HONOR Ultra-Bounce Anti-Drop Display. The phone display features three layers of protection: single point reinforcement protection, deep seal protection, and wraparound cushioning. These protective layers provide reinforcements not only for the screen, but also for the body and internal compartments of the device. In addition, the cushioning comes with micron-sized pores designed to absorb drop impact.

Viewing the screen of the HONOR X9b 5G is a pleasing experience. Aside from vividness, the display also takes some of the best features showcased in past HONOR devices. Dynamic pulse width modulation (PWM) dimming (1920Hz) alleviate eye fatigue by simulating changes in natural light and low light settings. With circadian night display feature, the HONOR X9b 5G adjusts its screen color temperature to match melatonin secretion patterns for better sleep. The phone display also supports automatic brightness adjustment and filters harmful blue light from the screen for eye protection.

Under the hood, the HONOR X9b 5G runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 octa-core processor with Adreno A710 GPU, 12GB RAM (20GB RAM Turbo), 256GB onboard storage, and MagicOS 7.2 based on Android 13. With these hardware components, the phone can handle several tasks like browsing, video streaming, content editing, and gaming. The X9b 5G also integrates a 5800mAh battery that can last up to three days (typical), promising up to 19 hours of online video playback or 12 hours of online gaming. 

Sitting on the back of the HONOR X9b 5G like a crowning jewel, the HONOR Matrix AI Vision Camera elegantly houses the triple camera system of the handset and the rear flashlight. The system carries a 108MP main camera, 5MP ultra-wide and depth camera, and 2MP macro camera. The camera also supports up to 8x digital zoom and 4K video recording. Meanwhile, a 16MP front camera seamlessly sits on the display of the HONOR X9b 5G. The front camera supports 1080p video recording. Images captured by the phone are impressive and have vibrant colors.

Much has been said about the strength and durability of the HONOR X9b 5G. It can withstand drops from heights beyond five feet and the crushing weight of a 3-ton Hummer truck. Of course, in a real-world scenario, people would not intentionally put their smartphone investment in extreme situations. The tests demonstrate that the HONOR X9b 5G is a dependable companion that can handle the daily rigors of work or harsh outdoor activities. For the price of ₱16,999, buyers will take home a phone that is not only tough but also good-looking, powerful, and capable of capturing remarkable images.