The sub‑Rs 25,000 smartphone space is very saturated with options trying to offer the most for less — some focus on core performance and others try to offer the best camera. Honor's X9c, however, takes a more conventional route. It focuses on daily user experience, including display comfort, durability, and battery endurance. After spending a good few months with it, the X9c still feels like a well‑balanced mid‑ranger that puts function before the spec sheet.
That said, there's an elephant in the room — Honor's India story continues to feel incomplete. Limited after‑sales support and months of operational irregularities between 2024 and early 2025 have shaken buyer confidence. The phone itself performs admirably, but the brand's limited after‑sales setup remains its weakest link.
Design and Build Quality
Honor has managed to make the X9c look far more premium than it actually is. The curved AMOLED panel, slim bezels, and marble‑like finish on the rear add a premium feel to it, despite using a plastic frame.
The X9c sports an IP65M rating and is capable of surviving sprays from all directions. It's certified to withstand 2‑metre drops and extreme temperatures as low as ‑30°C. That may sound overkill, but given India's mix of dust, humidity, and accidental spills, the ruggedness feels practical.
Display
If there's one reason to recommend the X9c, it's the display. The 6.78‑inch AMOLED panel with 1224×2700 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, strikes a good balance between crisp visuals and comfortable viewing. Colours look natural, and text appears super‑sharp. Direct sunlight doesn't affect legibility and in day‑to‑day use, it genuinely feels gentler than most mid‑range OLEDs.
Performance
The smartphone comes equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, and it handles regular tasks with ease. The phone is quick to open apps, transitions feel smooth, and there's very little stutter in UI navigation. Games like Call of Duty: Mobile runs just fine at high settings around 60fps, while heavier titles like Genshin Impact need minor graphics tuning to stay fluid.
With up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage, multitasking remains responsive and app reloads are minimal. There's no microSD expansion and it might be a downside for some people.
Battery Life
Battery life is where the X9c really flexes. The 6600mAh silicon‑carbon cell comfortably lasts 1.5 days of standard use and can push closer to two days for very light users. In continuous testing, the smartphone did not overheat as much, which is a plus.
Charging speeds complement that endurance. The bundled 66W charger takes the phone from 0 to 50 percent in about 15 minutes and completes a full charge in under an hour.
Cameras
The X9c's 108‑megapixel main sensor with optical stabilisation captures good detail in daylight, with balanced colours and crisp textures. Portrait shots show decent edge separation, and video stabilisation performs reliably in bright conditions.
The 5‑megapixel ultrawide is not sharp and there is noticeable distortion. Low‑light shots display visible noise and reduced sharpness, while digital zoom beyond 2x starts to lose detail. Video recording maxes out at 4K 30fps.
Software and Audio
MagicOS 9.0, which is based on Android 15, keeps things clean for the most part and is streamlined, with minimal pre‑installed apps. The interface feels cohesive. However, Honor's update roadmap for India remains hazy — a concern for anyone looking at long‑term value. Stereo speakers punch above their weight with balanced output and good loudness, which will appeal to a lot of consumers.
Verdict
At Rs 22,998, the Honor X9c gets the job done — good battery life, rugged build, a great display, and polished day‑to‑day performance. On paper, it's one of the most dependable packages you can get in this price segment.
But hardware is only half the story. Without a functional after‑sales network and clear operational continuity in India, the X9c feels like a strong product trapped in a fragile ecosystem. For buyers prioritising reliability and long‑term support, brands like Samsung, Motorola, or even Realme still offer a safer bet.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of NDTV Profit or its affiliates. Readers are advised to conduct their own research or consult a qualified professional before making any investment or business decisions. NDTV Profit does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented in this article.
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