After making a comeback in India, Honor has launched its second device in the market. The Honor X9b falls in the budget segment and has a lot of things to offer. It’s powered by a Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset, sports a triple rear camera setup, and boasts a durable display. We have been using the device for quite some time now, and here’s a breakdown of our experience—the good, the not-so-good, and everything in between.
Honor X9b
Rs 25,999What Is Good?
- Strong and beautiful display
- Attractive design
- Decent performance
- Reliable and amazing battery life
What Is Bad?
- Average camera performance
- No charger in the box
- Runs on Android 13
Things We Liked
So here are the things we liked about the recently arrived Honor X9b.
Durable Display
The Honor X9b flaunts a 6.78-inch curved AMOLED display, which produces a 1.5K resolution with 2652×1220 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate and offers 1200 nits peak brightness. This beautiful-looking display is the true highlight of this device. It delivers vibrant colours and excellent visibility even under direct sunlight. The company claims it has an ultra-durable screen that does not crack easily. While it has survived a few of our accidental falls, we still recommend using a case for everyday use.
Sleek and Stylish Design
While we know that design is subjective, we have to say that the Honor X9b looks good. Its lightweight and slim profile (7.98mm) with rounded edges gives it a comfortable grip. It comes in two colour options in India: Sunrise Orange and Midnight Black. The orange one has a vegan leather finish, which we prefer because it looks more upmarket and lends a better grip. The big round camera module at the back adds a touch of flair with its design and gold accent.
However, do not worry too much about the slippery back of the matte black colour option. The Honor X9b comes with the Ultra-Bounce Anti-Drop Display, which provides all-around drop resistance for the screen.
Capable Battery Life
The massive battery is a powerhouse. During our tests, it consistently delivered a full day and a half of usage on a single charge, with an impressive 8.5 hours of screen-on-time under moderate use. While the advertised 3-day battery life might be a stretch, it surpasses a mid-ranger’s expectations.
Decent Software Experience
The Honor X9b runs Android 13 with Honor’s Magic UI on top. The skin opens up a lot of possibilities for customisation. However, we encountered a few bloatware apps, which can be uninstalled if not needed. The overall user experience is good and refreshingly familiar with a touch of Honor’s signature style. You also get two years of software updates and three years of security patches.
Sufficient for Everyday Performance
The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 SoC handles everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and video streaming easily. But, when it comes to demanding things like games or editing a short video, you might encounter occasional lags and stutters. If you play demanding games like BGMI, Call of Duty: Mobile, and Genshin Impact or edit a lot of reels on your device, you should explore other options such as iQOO Z9 or Nothing Phone (2a).
However, don’t get us wrong for everyday users, the X9b provides a smooth and responsive experience.
Things We Wish Could Have Been Better
Here are the things that leave room for improvement on the Honor X9b.
Camera Performance is a Mixed Bag
In terms of optics, the Honor X9b houses a 108-megapixel (f/1.75 aperture) primary sensor, a 5-megapixel (f/2.2 aperture) ultrawide angle camera, and a 2-megapixel (f/2.4) macro lens. Unfortunately, despite having a higher megapixel primary sensor, the device’s camera performance is average.
While photos taken from the primary sensor in good lighting conditions are decent, with slightly punchy colours (ideal for social media), the AI processing can sometimes be inconsistent. Besides, the low-light performance also suffers from increased noise and grain in some situations.
No Charger in the Box
Although the smartphone supports 35W fast charging, the charger is not included in the box, which is a bummer. Purchasing a separate charger increases the phone’s overall price.
However, some of its contenders like the Nothing Phone (2a) also exclude the charging brick from the box. That said, we believe smartphone makers should provide a charger in the box, at least for mid-range devices.
Verdict
Priced at Rs 25,999, the Honor X9b is a solid mid-range contender with much to offer. If you’re a casual user who prefers a stunning and durable display, sleek design, and exceptional battery life, then the X9b is worth considering.
However, if the camera capabilities and powerful processing power matter to you, we think you should explore other options in the market.
