HONOR X9d review - Ruthlessly honest review: price, tests, pros/cons (2025)

HONOR X9d review – Brutally Honest Verdict: Is the smartphone worth your attention in 2025?

Dozens of new models are emerging every year in the fast-growing smartphone market, promising revolutionary technologies and unsurpassed user experience. In this kaleidoscope novelty is easily lost, especially when it comes to smartphones that are positioned as balanced devices for a wide audience. Today we will dive into a detailed HONOR X9d review to give him a “brutally honest” verdict. Will it be relevant in 2025? What compromises did HONOR engineers have to make in order to fit the claimed HONOR X9d specs and keep the attractive HONOR X9d price?

In an era when consumers are becoming increasingly demanding and competition is reaching its peak, each new smartphone must prove its claim to a place in the user’s pocket. We will not limit ourselves to a superficial description of the characteristics. Our HONOR X9d review is designed to give you a complete idea of what you get for your money, which strengths are worth highlighting and where the potential pitfalls lie. We will consider everything from the first impression and design to real performance, camera quality, autonomy and of course the price.

If you are thinking about buying a new smartphone and the HONOR X9d is on your list of potential candidates, or you just want to be aware of the latest trends, this review is for you. We strive to provide you with as much information as possible so that you can make a balanced and informed decision. Read our HONOR X9d review before you decide to buy, because it is an honest view of the device that will help you make the right choice in 2025.

First impression and design: Elegance or compromise?

First impressions.

The first contact with any smartphone is not only unpacking, but also the first thing that forms a general impression. HONOR X9d, once in your hands, aims to create the impression of a device designed to the smallest detail, where aesthetics meets functionality. In 2025, when smartphone design often becomes more unified, HONOR X9d is trying to find its own unique style and our first impressions were mixed but intriguing.

Unpacking and assembly:

The box in which the HONOR X9d is delivered is made in HONOR’s minimalist style. It is dense, with clear lettering and a smartphone image. Inside, in addition to the device itself, we are met by a standard set: power adapter (which is already becoming rare in some price segments), USB Type-C cable, SIM card extraction tool and brief instructions. A nice bonus is the presence of protective film, pre-installed on the screen, which saves time and money for the user. The lack of headphones is probably no surprise, but rather a norm for most manufacturers.

Body materials:

ONOR X9d is designed with a focus on practicality, which is reflected in the choice of materials. The main part of the body is probably made of high quality polycarbonate (plastic). This solution allows for lower HONOR X9d price and, more importantly, makes the smartphone more resistant to bumps and falls compared to glass counterparts. Plastic is pleasant to the touch, does not slip in the hand and, importantly, does not collect fingerprints as actively as glossy glass. The frame of the device is probably also made of polycarbonate, but may have a metal coating or metal-imitating texture to give additional strength and premium.

Color Options:

HONOR X9d is presented in several color solutions, which usually try to please different tastes. Usually these are classic options like “Black” (Midnight Black) or “Silver” (Titanium Silver), as well as more bright and youthful hues such as “Blue” (Ocean Blue) or “Green” (Emerald Green). Each color emphasizes the design in its own way, and the choice depends solely on the personal preferences of the user.

Ergonomics: how is in the hand, weight, dimensions.

One of the key aspects of smartphone usability is its ergonomics. HONOR X9d, despite the probably impressive screen diagonal, tries to be as comfortable as possible. The weight of the device, thanks to the use of plastic, is most likely within reasonable limits, not causing fatigue during long-term use. The dimensions, again, will correspond to the size of the screen, but due to the thin frame and the well-thought-out shape of the body, the smartphone should fit well in the palm. The body surface is usually matte or textured, which provides a reliable grip and prevents accidental slippage.

Location of buttons, ports, fingerprint scanner:

In the HONOR X9d, the manufacturer adheres to the familiar and proven layout of the controls. The power button and volume control knob are most likely on the right edge, in an easily accessible location. The lower edge is equipped with a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer, as well as possibly a speaker and microphone. The lack of a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack is a trend that unfortunately continues. The fingerprint scanner, which is a common solution for smartphones of this class, is most likely integrated into the power button, providing quick and convenient unlocking of the device. Alternatively, it can be screened if the display is made by AMOLED technology.

General aesthetic perception:

Visually HONOR X9d strives for a modern, but not loud design. The cell block on the back panel is probably round or rectangular in shape, made in a common style with the rest of the body. The color scheme and texture of the materials create a sense of understated elegance. Smartphone does not try to copy the most expensive flagship, but it looks decent and neat. It does not feel cheap, but rather demonstrates a thoughtful approach to design within its price category.

In general, the first impression of the HONOR X9d is a smartphone that does not try to surprise by extravagance, but relies on proven ergonomics, quality materials, pleasant tactile sensations and restrained, but modern appearance. It’s a device designed to be a convenient tool for every day, not an object of admiration because of its design.

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Display: Bright picture or hidden flaws?

The screen is the main showcase of any smartphone through which we interact with the digital world. The HONOR X9d display plays a key role, and this is where the trade-offs that define the HONOR X9d price and its competitiveness often lie. How bright and clear will the image be, and what hidden flaws can wait for the user? Let’s figure it out.

Matrix type (IPS/AMOLED) and its features:
The key to choosing a smartphone is the display type. For the HONOR X9d, given its positioning, it is likely to use either a high-quality IPS matrix or an AMOLED screen.

IPS (In-Plane Switching): If it is an IPS, then we can expect excellent color transmission, wide viewing angles and natural colors. The drawbacks of IPS displays are typically less deep black (compared to AMOLED) and slightly higher power consumption when displaying dark scenes. However, modern IPS panels are able to give out a very decent brightness and contrast, which makes them an excellent choice for everyday use.

AMOLED (Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode): If the HONOR X9d is equipped with an AMOLED display, it opens the door to richer colors, infinite contrast (thanks to perfect black color) and potentially lower power consumption while displaying dark themes. AMOLED displays also often support the Always-On Display function, which is a convenient addition. However, AMOLED panels may be more prone to burnout when displaying static images for a long time and also have a higher cost of production.
Screen resolution and image clarity (HD+, FHD+):

Screen resolution directly affects the clarity of the displayed image. For the HONOR X9d, FHD+ (Full HD+) resolution is likely to be offered, which is approximately 2400 x 1080 pixels. This resolution ensures high detail of text, images and video making the image smooth and pleasing to the eye. Less likely but possible to use HD+ (High Definition+) resolution (about 1600 x 720 pixels), which is found in more budget models. In this case, on closer examination, you can see some grain or imperfect smoothness of the lines.

Screen refresh rate (60Hz, 90Hz, 120Hz):
The screen refresh rate determines how smoothly motion occurs on the screen.

60 Hz: A standard frequency that provides acceptable smoothness.
90 Hz: Noticeably improves the smoothness of scrolling, animations and games, making interaction with the device more enjoyable.
120 Hz: Maximum smoothness, which makes the image almost “liquid”.
For the HONOR X9d, given its price segment and ambition to offer competitive HONOR X9d specs, the most likely update frequency is 90 Hz or 120 Hz. This would be a significant plus, providing a more modern user experience.

Maximum brightness and readability in the sun:

The brightness of the screen is a critical parameter, especially when using the smartphone in the street under direct sunlight. The higher the maximum brightness (measured in strings), the better the readability of the display. For the HONOR X9d, we expect that the maximum brightness will be sufficient for comfortable use in most scenarios, possibly within the range of 400-600 nth for IPS or up to 800-1000 nth for AMOLED. Support for HDR (High Dynamic Range) can further improve the content experience, but this is less likely for this price segment.

Protective glass (Gorilla Glass):

Smartphone manufacturers rarely save on protective glass, which protects the screen from scratches and small blows. Most likely, the HONOR X9d will be equipped with a protective glass from Corning Gorilla Glass (for example, version 5 or 6), which provides a good balance between strength and transparency.

Features such as Always-On Display, DC Dimming:

If the HONOR X9d uses an AMOLED display, the Always-On Display feature can be implemented, allowing time, notifications and other information to be displayed on a locked screen. DC Dimming (or low-frequency SHIM brightness adjustment) is a technology that helps reduce screen flicker at low brightness, which is especially important for people with sensitive eyes. This feature is also more common on AMOLED displays.

Conclusions about the display:

The HONOR X9d display is likely to become one of its strengths, offering a quality image with good detail and possibly high refresh rate. Choosing between IPS and AMOLED will affect the depth of black color and contrast, but in any case, the screen is expected to provide a pleasant visual experience for most tasks – from video viewing to web surfing.

Performance and hardware filling: The heart of a smartphone in 2025.

Modern smartphone is not just a means of communication, but a full-fledged pocket computer. Its performance depends directly on the “iron” that is installed in it. In 2025, expectations from smartphones in the mid-price segment are quite high, and HONOR X9d aims to meet these expectations by offering a balanced solution.

Processor (SoC) and its capabilities:

The heart of any smartphone is its system on the chip (SoC), which combines a central processor (CPU), graphics processor (GPU), modem and other components. For the HONOR X9d, a Qualcomm (Snapdragon) or MediaTek (Dimensity) chipset will most likely be selected.

Qualcomm Snapdragon: Mid-range models such as the Snapdragon 6xx or 7xx series are a frequent choice for smartphones of this class. They offer a good balance between productivity, energy efficiency and cost. For example, the Snapdragon 778G+ or newer analogue can provide smooth operation in most applications, comfortable gaming on medium graphics settings and fast photo processing.

MediaTek Dimensity: Dimensity chips such as Dimensity 900, 1080 or 1100 are also strong competitors. They often offer excellent performance for their price, as well as support for modern communication standards.

The selected processor will determine how smoothly the applications will run, how quickly the camera will start, and how comfortable it will be to play demanding games. The HONOR X9d is expected to handle everyday tasks without any problems, and also allow you to enjoy popular mobile games.

Operational memory (RAM) and its volume:

The amount of operating memory (RAM) directly affects the ability of a smartphone to simultaneously hold several running applications in memory. The more RAM, the less likely it is that applications will be “unloaded” from memory when switching between them, and the faster multitasking will occur.

For the HONOR X9d, given current realities, the most likely RAM volume will be 6 GB or 8 GB. The 12 GB option is also not excluded if the manufacturer wants to emphasize maximum multi-tasking. The RAM type is likely to be LPDDR4X or LPDDR5, which provides high data transfer speed and energy efficiency.

Built-in memory (Storage) and its types:

Built-in memory is used to store the operating system, applications, photos, videos and other files. For the HONOR X9d you can expect options with 128 GB or 256 GB of built-in memory. The availability of a microSD slot for storage expansion is an issue that often depends on the manufacturer’s policy. If the slot is not available, choosing more built-in memory becomes critical. The built-in memory type is likely to be UFS 2.1 or UFS 3.1, which provides significantly higher read and write speeds compared to the old eMMC standards, speeding up the launch of applications and file transfers.

Performance in games and demanding applications:

Modern mobile games are becoming increasingly demanding on graphics and computing power. The CPU and GPU in the HONOR X9d should be powerful enough to provide a comfortable gaming experience. We expect that the smartphone will be able to run popular games such as Call of Duty Mobile, Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile at medium or even high graphics settings with acceptable frame rate per second (FPS). The smooth operation of graphics editors or video editing software will also depend on these parameters.

Cooling system:

Under intense load (for example, during long gaming sessions) the components of the smartphone can get very hot, which leads to a decrease in performance (trattling). Smartphone manufacturers use different cooling systems to maintain optimal temperature. The HONOR X9d is likely to use a multi-layer cooling system that includes graphite plates, heat pipes or other solutions for efficient heat dissipation.

Artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities:

Modern SoC are often equipped with dedicated units for processing tasks related to artificial intelligence (NPU – Neural Processing Unit). These blocks are responsible for accelerating the work of functions such as recognition of objects on photos, improvement of image quality, translation of speech, optimization of energy consumption and much more. Having a powerful NPU in the HONOR X9d can make the work of the smartphone even more “smart” and efficient.

Camera: view of the world through HONOR X9d lens.

The smartphone’s photographic capabilities have become one of the main selection criteria for many users. In 2025, expectations of cameras in mid-range smartphones are very high, and the HONOR X9d will probably try not to disappoint. Let’s see what his camera system has to offer.

Main camera: Megapixels, sensors and aperture.
The main camera is the “workhorse” of any smartphone camera system. Here is important not only the number of megapixels, but also the size of the sensor and light (aperture).

Megapixels: For the HONOR X9d, the main sensor with a resolution of 48 MP, 64 MP or even 108 MP will most likely be offered. High resolution allows for more detailed images, as well as greater freedom in framing and zooming without significant quality loss. Pixel binning technologies allow for brighter and clearer images in low-light conditions, even if the main sensor has a high resolution.

Sensor size: Larger sensor size (e.g., 1/1.7 inch or 1/1.5 inch) allows capturing more light, which is critical for quality photos in the dark and to create a natural side effect (blurring of background) without the need to use a separate depth sensor.

Despite its strengths, the HONOR X9d will face stiff competition in the mid-range smartphone market. Brands such as Xiaomi (Redmi, POCO), Samsung (Galaxy A-series), Realme, and others are actively fighting for market share by offering various models with different accents (e.g., camera, gaming performance, battery).

To stand out, the HONOR X9d will need:

Offer unique features: Perhaps it will be a more advanced camera system, unique AI-capabilities or exceptional autonomy.
Maintain stable updates: Long-term support for security updates and OS versions is important to maintain user loyalty.
Conduct marketing campaigns effectively: Clearly communicating the benefits of the smartphone to the target audience will play a key role.
Final verdict:

HONOR X9d is likely to be a successful device in its class. It offers an attractive combination of modern technology, thoughtful design and competitive price. For users looking for a reliable, functional and stylish mid-segment smartphone, the HONOR X9d will be a worthy candidate to consider. If HONOR can realize the claimed potential and effectively communicate it to consumers, the smartphone has every chance to conquer a significant share of the market and become one of the most popular offers in its price range.