The HONOR X9b is the latest addition to the X series lineup. Featuring a generous 6.78-inch OLED curved display with a crisp 1200×2652 resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, this phone impresses with its display. The chipset powering the device is is the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, ensuring seamless performance for everyday needs.
But what sets the X9b apart is its durability. Hailed as the “toughest phone” in HONOR’s 2024 lineup, it proudly holds the world’s first 5-star overall drop resistance certification from Switzerland’s SGS. The Ultra-Bounce Anti-Drop Display takes centre stage, offering comprehensive drop resistance for the screen. With a three-level protection system reinforcing the screen, frame, and internal compartments, this phone is ready for the unexpected. Micron-sized pores in the cushioning materials can absorb 1.2 times the impact of a drop.
The triple camera setup includes an impressive 108MP main camera, a 5MP ultra-wide lens, a 2MP macro lens and a 16MP front camera. The HONOR X9b goes beyond just photos, offering 4K video recording at 30fps.
Specifications
| DIMENSIONS: | 163.6 x 75.5 x 7.98 mm |
| WEIGHT: | Approx. 185 g |
| BATTERY: | 5,800 mAh 35W Charger |
| DISPLAY | 6.78” AMOLED 1.07 billion colours 1200×2652 resolution, 19.5:9 aspect ratio 431 ppi density 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) 100% DCI-P3 Wide Color Gamut |
| FRONT CAMERA: | 16MP Selfie Camera (f/2.45 aperture) Support 1080P(up to 2520 × 1080) 30fps video, EIS |
| REAR CAMERA: | 108MP Main Camera (f1.75) 5MP Ultra-Wide & Depth Camera (f2.2) 2MP Macro Camera (f2.4) LED flash Supports 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps video |
| OS: | MagicOS 7.2 (based on Android 13) |
| INTERNAL STORAGE & RAM: | 12 GB RAM + 256 GB ROM |
| REMOVABLE STORAGE: | None |
| CHIPSET: | Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 Octa-core (4×2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) Adreno 710 |
| CONNECTIVITY: | 5G, Dual-SIM, BT 5.1, Wi-Fi, GPS, NFC, IR |
| SENSORS: | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
View full specifications here.
Packaging
The HONOR X9b comes in an HONOR-branded cardboard box with the phone and accessories well protected in different compartments.
The box includes:
- HONOR X9b Phone
- Super Charger
- USB Type-C Cable
- Eject pin
- Quick Start Guide
- TPU Protective case
- TP protective film
- Warranty card
Design
The HONOR X9b comes in three color options – Sunrise Orange (Vegan leather), Midnight Black, or Emerald Green. Our review focuses on the premium Sunrise Orange model.
With a refined design, the X9b flaunts a circular rear camera module housing a triple-camera array, made of plastic and vegan leather for a premium look and feel.
The symmetrical, curved screen and back cover offer a comfortable, non-slip grip. It’s a sizable phone at 163.6 x 75.5 x 7.98 mm, 185g, and a 6.78-inch screen. While not ideal for one-handed use, the weight distribution is well-balanced.
Front and centre is the 16MP selfie camera capable of 1080@30fps video. The right-side features volume and power buttons, with a reliable under-display fingerprint sensor for quick recognition.
On the back, find the top camera module with a 108MP main camera, 5MP ultra-wide, and 2MP macro, plus a single LED flash.
At the bottom, stereo speakers and a USB Type-C port are present, along with the SIM tray. Despite its IP53 rating, there’s no mention of Gorilla Glass or IP68, and it lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack. Stay tuned for more insights in our hands-on review.
Display
The HONOR X9b comes with a 6.78” OLED screen with a crisp 1200×2652 resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate for an enhanced overall experience. Its standout feature is the All-Angle Ultra Tough display.
The AMOLED display supports 1B colors, ensuring good brightness even outdoors. With minimal bezels, it offers an immersive viewing experience, featuring excellent viewing angles, deep blacks, and vibrant colors with 100% DCI-P3 coverage. Whether gaming, streaming, or browsing social media, the visual experience is a treat for the eyes, thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate and stutter-free software.
For eye protection, the display offers 5-fold care, including flicker-free 1920Hz High-frequency PWM Dimming in dim light. The Dynamic Dimming feature reduces eye fatigue by simulating natural light changes, while the Circadian Night Display adjusts color temperature for better sleep. The hardware-level low blue light display filters harmful blue light, and automatic brightness adjustment ensures a comfortable vision with 4096-level brightness options.
Performance & Connectivity
Powering the HONOR X9b is Qualcomm’s SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, coupled with an Adreno 710 GPU, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of internal storage. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 and Adreno 741 combo delivers flagship performance, ensuring a seamless experience without visible delays or lags.
Connectivity options include 5G support, along with WiFi, Bluetooth 5.1, NFC, GPS, and IR capabilities.
Camera
The HONOR X9b’s camera setup consists of a 108MP main sensor (f/1.8) featuring PDAF, accompanied by a 5MP (f/2.2) ultra-wide and a 2MP macro sensor. Nestled in the punch-hole display is a 16MP selfie shooter with an aperture of f/2.5.
The 108MP main camera impresses with 3x lossless zoom, delivering clear images with balanced colors. The 5MP ultra-wide captures detailed shots with good colors and contrast, albeit with a slight dip in dynamic range. The 2MP macro excels in close-up shots, capturing intricate details from just 4cm away.
In well-lit conditions, photos showcase clarity and vibrant colors, with post-processing sharpening enhancing the overall appeal. Quality may dip in low light, but the built-in flash compensates for such situations.
For selfies, the 16MP camera captures images with good contrast and colors, though it struggles with strong light sources.
When it comes to videos, the rear camera supports 4K@30, while the front records at 1080p@30. While lacking OIS and EIS, the footage quality is decent for content creation, provided you have a stable hand or a gimbal for handheld recording.
OS
The HONOR 70 runs on Magic UI 7.2, a customized version of Android 13. While it comes with some preinstalled third-party apps, most can be uninstalled. The interface, though featuring a new design, remains familiar and highly customizable. Honor commits to two years of Android version updates for the OS.
Battery & Audio
Powering the HONOR X9b is a large 5800mAh battery, providing a two-day lifespan under average usage. Charging at 35W, it takes 40 minutes to reach 50% and around 2 hours for a full charge.
For audio, the bottom-firing speakers deliver loud and clear sound, ample for a small room. The microphones ensure excellent audio quality during calls.
HONOR X9b Verdict
The HONOR X9b is a great mid-ranger, excelling in durability, battery life, and an impressive display for multimedia and daily use. It combines decent performance, a strong camera setup, and fast charging. Despite lacking some features like wireless charging and Gorilla Glass protection, it stands out with its Huawei-inspired design but with Google Play Services support.
However, if you are looking for a phone with a more mature software and longer OS support, there are better alternatives. The X9n also lacks wireless charging, Gorilla Glass protection and headphone jack.
