Honor X9c Review: A Decent Performer in a Crowded Mid-Range Segment

The mid-range smartphone market is growing increasingly competitive, with brands like iQOO, Motorola, and Xiaomi introducing devices that cater to gamers, content creators, and everyday users. Honor recently launched the Honor X9c in India under the sub-Rs 20,000 category, boasting an appealing design and promising specifications on paper. But does it stand out in a crowded field? We tested the device thoroughly to find out.

Honor X9c Summary Table

Honor X9c Design and Build

The Honor X9c makes a strong first impression with its slim and stylish design. We reviewed the Jade Cyan variant, which looks premium and feels comfortable in hand. The 6.78-inch curved AMOLED display flows seamlessly into the edges, giving a modern, high-end appearance.

The phone weighs under 190g and has a thickness of 7.98mm, making it comfortable for daily use. It comes with IP65 splash and dust resistance, but Honor has not confirmed the type of front glass protection, which leaves some uncertainty regarding ruggedness. For comparison, competitors like the Motorola Edge 60 Fusion offer IP68 and MIL-STD 810H certification, making them more reassuring in terms of durability.

The rear camera module is circular and visually distinctive. Overall, the X9c feels premium, lightweight, and visually striking, but it does not match the ruggedness offered by other devices in the same price segment.

Honor X9c Display

The Honor X9c features a 6.78-inch curved AMOLED panel with a 1.5K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, delivering smooth scrolling and vibrant visuals. In our tests using a Calman and Spectracal C6 colourimeter, the device achieved an average Delta E of 1.8, indicating accurate color reproduction suitable for media consumption.

The display reaches a maximum brightness of 2,150 nits, making it readable under direct sunlight. However, it lacks HDR support, which may disappoint users who frequently stream HDR content. Despite this, the screen remains one of the X9c’s highlights, providing an immersive experience for videos and casual gaming.

Performance and Hardware

The Honor X9c is powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset, paired with 8GB RAM and 256GB internal storage. MagicOS 2, Honor’s custom skin, is well-optimized, providing smooth performance for everyday multitasking, app launches, and casual gaming.

In benchmark testing, the X9c scored:

• AnTuTu: 591,580 points

• Geekbench Single-Core: 936

• Geekbench Multi-Core: 2,753

Thermal management was effective, with throttling controlled to around 82%. Storage read/write speeds were notably fast, contributing to responsive app loading and system performance.

However, in relative terms, the X9c lags behind rivals. The Motorola Edge 60 Fusion, with the Dimensity 7400 chipset, and iQOO Z10, with the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, offer better raw performance for gamers and power users. While the X9c handles basic tasks efficiently, it is not ideal for demanding applications or heavy gaming.

Camera Performance

The Honor X9c comes with a 108MP main camera and a 5MP ultrawide lens. Image quality is mixed: the main sensor captures sharp details, but post-processing tends to oversaturate colors and boost contrast, producing a somewhat artificial look.

Portrait mode works well with accurate edge detection, and selfies are reliable, catering to users who prefer vivid and punchy colors. Manual camera controls are available, giving enthusiasts some flexibility. While the camera is competent for everyday use, it falls short compared to competitors that provide better versatility and dynamic range.

Battery Life

One of the key strengths of the Honor X9c is its 6,600mAh battery, paired with 66W wired charging. In our PCMark battery test, it achieved 837 minutes, significantly higher than the Motorola Edge 60 Fusion’s 544 minutes.

For average users, this translates to roughly 1.5 to 2 days of use on a single charge. While the iQOO Z10 offers a slightly larger 7,300mAh battery, the X9c remains one of the more reliable options in terms of endurance.

Pros:

• Vibrant 6.78-inch curved AMOLED display

• Good color accuracy

• Long-lasting 6,600mAh battery

• Slim and stylish design

Cons:

• Lack of HDR support

• Middling performance for heavy tasks

• Oversaturated camera output

• Unspecified front glass protection

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does the Honor X9c support HDR?

A. No, the device lacks HDR support, which limits dynamic range when streaming HDR content.

2. How is the camera performance?

A. The 108MP main camera produces detailed images but tends to oversaturate and increase contrast. Portraits and selfies are reliable.

3. How long does the battery last?

A. The 6,600mAh battery lasts about 1.5 to 2 days with moderate usage.

4. Is the Honor X9c good for gaming?

A. It handles casual games well, but for heavy gaming or high-performance tasks, competitors like the iQOO Z10 are better.

5. Does the Honor X9c have durable build protection?

A. It has IP65 splash and dust resistance, but the type of front glass protection is not specified.

Verdict

The Honor X9c is a solid mid-range smartphone but comes with trade-offs. Its curved AMOLED display and impressive battery life are definite advantages, while performance and camera output are decent but not class-leading.

In a segment with increasingly specific user preferences, alternatives like the Motorola Edge 60 Fusion and iQOO Z10 may offer more compelling value for those prioritizing performance, camera quality, or ruggedness.

For More Information Click HERE