Honor X9 5G review
The Honor X9 5G is a budget mid-range phone that boasts impressive specs, including 5G support and a stunning 6.81-inch full-view display with 120Hz refresh rate. But does it live up to its promise? In this review, we'll take a closer look at the device's performance, camera capabilities, battery life, and overall value for money. With a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G processor and up to 8GB of RAM, gaming enthusiasts will be pleased. However, the cameras have been a point of contention among users. Let's dive in and see if the Honor X9 5G is worth considering.
Build Quality and Design
The Honor X9 5G boasts an impressive design that's reminiscent of the Magic 4 Pro. The curvy and smooth exterior makes it comfortable to grip, but unfortunately, it also collects fingerprints like crazy. The phone's build quality is generally good, with a solid feel to it. One of the first things you'll notice about the Honor X9 5G is its massive 6.81-inch display. While this may not be ideal for some users, others will appreciate the extra screen real estate. However, it's worth noting that the bezels on three sides are quite thin, while the chin is slightly thicker. The design of the phone is sleek and modern, but some might find the circular camera module at the back to be a bit too prominent. The overall aesthetic is certainly eye-catching, even if it doesn't particularly stand out from other mid-range phones. On the right-hand side of the phone, you'll find the power button with an integrated fingerprint sensor. This works well, but can sometimes require double-checking to ensure accurate unlocking. The volume rocker and USB-C port are also located on this side. One minor gripe is that the earpiece at the top isn't a second speaker, which might be a disappointment for some users who enjoy watching videos or gaming without external audio. In terms of design, the Honor X9 5G is a mixed bag. While it looks good and has a nice feel to it, some minor quibbles with the camera module and lack of a second earpiece speaker detract from its overall score. Still, for those who value a large display and sleek design, this phone is certainly worth considering. The Honor X9 5G's build quality is solid, if not exceptional, but the design is where it truly shines. Overall, we'd give the Honor X9 5G a rating of 7 out of 10 for its build quality and design, which while not perfect, is still quite appealing to many users.
Battery Life
One aspect where the Honor X9 5G shines is its battery life. The phone boasts a massive 4,800mAh battery with support for fast charging up to 66W. In our testing, the battery consistently lasted an entire day with moderate to heavy usage. With medium use, we saw around 25-30% of charge remaining at the end of the day, which is quite impressive considering the phone's power-hungry display and mid-range processor. Charging speeds are also commendable, with a rapid increase from 0-80% in just about 35 minutes. However, what's missing here is any real-world scenario where you'd need to use the phone for an extended period without access to a charger. This might be due to Honor's focus on delivering a long-lasting battery that still manages to fit within the phone's compact design. That being said, if you're someone who often finds themselves in situations where your phone is running low on juice and can't be easily charged, this isn't necessarily the best option for you. On the other hand, light users or those with consistent access to a charger will likely appreciate the Honor X9 5G's battery life. Overall, while not spectacular, the battery life of the Honor X9 5G is certainly decent and gets the job done for most users.
Display
The display on the Honor X9 5G is one of its most notable features. The phone boasts a massive 6.81-inch Full View display with a 120Hz refresh rate, which is a significant upgrade from what we've seen in this price range. The screen resolution is 1080p, and the screen-to-body ratio is an impressive 94%. This results in a nearly bezel-less design that makes the phone feel premium. The display itself is decent for average media consumption. It's an LCD panel, which means it struggles with visibility outdoors. Colors can appear washed out, especially when viewed from the side. Viewing angles are also not ideal, but this is somewhat expected given the price point. However, for casual use like browsing social media or watching videos, the display should be sufficient. One area where the display shines is in smoothness and responsiveness. The 120Hz refresh rate makes navigation feel snappy, and it's a joy to use when scrolling through apps or gaming. Additionally, the display has a touch sampling rate of 240Hz, which contributes to its responsive feel. While not the best display on the market, the Honor X9 5G's screen is still a highlight of this phone. Its massive size and fast refresh rate make it enjoyable for everyday use, even if it doesn't excel in outdoor visibility or color accuracy. If you're looking for a budget-friendly phone with a big screen and smooth performance, the Honor X9 5G's display should meet your expectations. Overall, the display on the Honor X9 5G is a notable feature that justifies its inclusion as a mid-range device. While it may not impress in all areas, its strengths make up for its weaknesses, making it a solid choice for those seeking a phone with a large and responsive screen.
Camera
The camera setup on the Honor X9 5G is a mixed bag. At the back, we get a triple matrix AI vision camera setup comprising a 48-megapixel f/1.8 main shooter, a 2-megapixel f/2.4 macro camera, and a 2-megapixel f/2.4 bokeh or depth camera. The front camera on the other hand is a 16-megapixel f/2.45 selfie camera. The main camera is decent, producing sharp images with nice colors, but exposure issues are rampant. In most cases, the exposure was overexposed, and it took some effort to capture properly exposed shots by tapping and dragging down the exposure. This inconsistent performance is disappointing, especially considering the capabilities of smartphones in this price range. The absence of an ultra-wide-angle camera is another letdown. While there's a macro lens on board, it's barely useful due to its poor performance. The selfie camera fares slightly better, with overexposure being the primary issue. However, the portrait mode on the front camera is surprisingly decent. Video recording is where things go wrong. The Honor X9 5G can only manage 1080p video at 30fps, which is subpar for a mid-range device in this day and age. Moreover, videos are prone to lens flares, exposure issues, and shaky footage. Front camera video performance is particularly poor, with terrible contrast levels, fake sharpness, and dreadful exposure. The microphone quality during video recording is also underwhelming, producing poor audio that's not ideal for content creators or anyone who records a lot of video on their phone. Overall, while the Honor X9 5G's camera setup has some redeeming qualities, it falls short in delivering consistent performance across the board. The lack of an ultra-wide-angle camera, inconsistent main camera exposure, and poor video recording capabilities make it hard to recommend this device to those who prioritize mobile photography and videography. Despite these shortcomings, the Honor X9 5G excels in other areas, such as gaming performance and battery life. If you're primarily interested in gaming or want a powerful device with a massive display, then the Honor X9 5G might still be worth considering. However, if camera capabilities are your top priority, there are better options available in this price range.
Price and Value
The Honor X9 5G is a budget mid-range smartphone that boasts impressive features such as 5G support, a large 6.81-inch display, and a fast Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G processor. With a price tag to match its specifications, I'd like to delve into whether this phone offers good value for money. Firstly, the Honor X9 5G's design is where it truly shines. The curvy body and smooth grip make it a pleasure to hold, despite being prone to fingerprint smudges. However, the display, while large and vibrant with a 120Hz refresh rate, has some drawbacks. It's an LCD panel that struggles with visibility outdoors, and viewing angles aren't its strongest suit either. The cameras are another area where this phone falls short. While the main camera is decent, it often produces overexposed images, and the lack of an ultrawide lens is a significant omission. The selfie camera fares slightly better but still takes slightly overexposed shots. Where the Honor X9 5G truly excels is in its performance. With up to 8GB of RAM and a fast processor, it handles demanding tasks like gaming with ease. The touch sampling rate of 240Hz makes navigation feel snappy and smooth, making this phone a great choice for gamers. The battery life is also commendable, lasting an entire day with moderate usage. However, the real question remains: is this phone worth its price? At this point in the market, there are indeed other options that offer similar or better value for money. Considering the Honor X9 5G's strengths and weaknesses, I'd say it's a decent choice for those who prioritize gaming performance and a large display. However, if you're more interested in mobile photography or videography, this phone might not be the best fit. Ultimately, whether this phone is worth its price depends on individual priorities and preferences.
Performance
The Honor X9 5G's performance is one of its strongest suits. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G processor, this phone delivers smooth and snappy day-to-day app navigation. The addition of either 6 or 8GB of RAM ensures that multitasking is a breeze, and the 128GB storage provides ample space for your files. When it comes to gaming, the Honor X9 5G shines. With its 240Hz touch sampling rate, interacting with games becomes a delightful experience. I was able to play Call of Duty Mobile and PUBG with max frame rates and high graphics settings, without any lag or slowdown. The phone's performance is further enhanced by its large 6.81-inch display, which provides an immersive gaming experience. The Honor X9 5G also boasts impressive charging speeds, thanks to its 66W SuperCharge support. From 0 to 80% battery life, the phone takes just about 35 minutes, making it a great option for those who need a quick top-up on-the-go. In terms of real-world performance, I found that the Honor X9 5G's processor handled demanding tasks with ease. Switching between apps, using social media, and watching videos were all done without any noticeable slowdown or lag. However, it's worth noting that heavy multitasking or resource-intensive activities may require some patience. Overall, the Honor X9 5G's performance is impressive, making it a great choice for those who prioritize gaming, productivity, or simply want a fast and responsive smartphone experience. While there are always trade-offs in a budget mid-range device, this phone delivers on its promise of speed and agility.
Pros
1. A huge display with 6.81 inch full view display and 120 hertz refresh rate
2. Smooth gaming performance with Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G processor, 6 or 8 GB of RAM, and 128 GB of storage
3. Fast side-mounted fingerprint sensor that works well (most of the time)
4. Good battery life with a 4800 milliamp hour battery and support for super charge up to 66 watts
5. Great value for money considering its budget mid-range price tag
Cons
1. Collects fingerprints like crazy, making it difficult to hold onto
2. Camera performance is mediocre, with overexposed images and no ultrawide camera
3. Video recording quality is poor, with shaky footage, lens flares, and bad exposure
4. Microphone quality is terrible when recording video
5. Display visibility outdoors is not great, especially in bright conditions