Friends, Honor is back! And this time, with the Honor X9C – a phone that looks premium, feels like a flagship in terms of features, but comes at a mid-range price. With this comeback, Honor has made several improvements, and after using it for three months in real-life conditions, I’m here to share the full truth.
Also, read this: Oppo Reno 14 Series
Slim Design, Solid Feel
Let’s start with the design. The moment you hold the Honor X9C, it gives off a truly premium feel. It weighs just 189 grams, yet packs a massive 6600mAh battery inside. The back panel is super clean — no fingerprints, no smudges. The in-hand feel is fantastic. No flashy aesthetics, just a minimal and classy look.
On the front, you get a curved AMOLED display equipped with Honor’s own high-end tech. It has something similar to Gorilla Glass protection and gives off a feel that matches any flagship device.
Also, read this: Motorola Edge 60 Pro
A Display That Feels Truly Flagship
The display is a 6.78-inch Full HD+ AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. But that’s not all — the brightness can go up to around 1500–1600 nits, making it great for outdoor use.
For an AMOLED display phone under ₹20,000, the Honor X9C easily stands out with its vibrant visuals and high brightness. Honor has also added unique display technologies like PWM dimming, high flicker-free comfort mode, e-book mode, and eye-care features.
One more standout feature — you can switch the resolution between high, low, or auto, which is rarely found in this price range. This display is not just great to look at, but also delightful to use.
Also, read this: OnePlus Nord CE5
Mixed Performance Experience
No, we’re coming to the performance — this part brings a mixed bag. The phone runs on the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 performance is good for most day-to-day tasks, though it falls slightly short for hardcore gaming.
For daily tasks like scrolling, app switching, and basic multitasking, it works smoothly, thanks to well-optimized software. Honor’s Magic OS (which feels similar to Huawei’s EMUI) makes animations and transitions feel buttery smooth.
However, if you’re a heavy user — doing video editing, gaming, or frequent heavy app switching — you might notice some lag. Games like BGMI run at 60fps, but graphically intense games don’t perform as expected. It’s not built for gamers, but for casual users, it’s more than sufficient.
108MP Camera with AI Magic
On the rear, there’s a 108MP primary camera along with a 5MP ultra-wide sensor. While the hardware isn’t top-heavy, software optimization helps deliver impressive photos. In auto mode, you get great dynamic range, contrast, and color output.
Sometimes the processing can be a bit aggressive, but most shots turn out Instagram-ready. Low-light performance is solid too, especially with OIS — even while zooming, the clarity remains intact. Zoomed-in shots look almost lossless, which is rare at this price.
The 5MP ultra-wide sensor can be underwhelming at times, but surprisingly, some shots come out quite well. Overall, the image quality holds up decently.
While not perfect, it still ranks among the best camera phones under ₹20,000 when you factor in software optimizations and OIS.
A Selfie Camera That Surprises
On the front, you get a dual selfie camera setup with a 16MP main lens. Selfies are crisp and detailed. Occasionally, the dynamic range struggles in harsh lighting, but indoors or under casual conditions, the images look quite natural.
Face texture and detailing are well-maintained without over-beautifying.
AI Features Packed In
This phone is loaded with AI features. Tools like AI Eraser, AI Interpreter, AI Call Enhancer, and AI Transcriber make it smarter. There’s even a Dynamic Island-style notification interface for calls, mic use, and music playback.
It also includes AI Outpainting — a feature that helps expand photos — something usually seen only in flagship devices.
Big Battery, Fast Charging
Despite packing a large 6600mAh battery, the phone still feels slim. Under casual to moderate usage, it easily lasts 1.5 to 2 days.
If you’re searching for a fast charging phone in India, the included 66W charger offers quick top-ups without heating issues.
Thanks to the lightweight processor and optimized display, battery drain is minimal.
Durability and Features That Hold Up
The phone comes with an IP65 rating, making it splash-proof. The brand also highlights a 2-meter drop test.
In our hands-on Honor X9C durability test, the screen stayed responsive even after a shoulder-height drop — so durability is definitely there.
Additional features include NFC, dual speakers, a curved design, and Magic UI’s smart gestures.
What About Service?
For after-sales service, Honor has partnered with PSV Global — the same provider that used to handle their services before. Service centers are already active in multiple cities, and parts are being made available. So for now, service concerns seem manageable.
For more information, visit the official website Honor X9C
Should You Buy the Honor X9C?
If you’re looking for a premium-feel phone around ₹20,000 that offers AI features, strong battery life, a solid display, and a decent camera — the Honor X9C is definitely worth considering.
Performance is a bit average, but for casual users, it’s more than enough. Overall, it shapes up to be a serious contender for the title of best budget flagship phone of 2025.
In the same price range, many users might compare the Honor X9C vs Redmi Note 13, and this phone holds its own on battery and display.
