Honor X9B

Honor X9B Review: The Budget Smartphone with Flagship Features

Honor Malaysia has just launched a brand new smartphone – the Honor X9B. This new addition to the Honor lineup promises to be a game-changer in the budget smartphone market.

In this review, we’ll dive into the key features and improvements brought to the X9B compared to its predecessor, the X9A. The most exciting part is that Honor has managed to maintain an affordable price of RM499 while delivering upgrades in almost every aspect of the phone.

Design:

Honor has also improved the design of the X9B to offer a more premium experience for a smartphone in this price range. The phone is available in both standard black and a unique vegan leather sunrise orange version.

The vegan leather back panel feels soft to the touch and provides a good grip, eliminating the need for a phone case. The addition of a gold ring surrounding the camera module on both color variants adds a touch of elegance to the device. Despite these upgrades, the phone maintains its slim and recognizable Honor aesthetic.

Durability:

One of the standout features of the Honor X9B is its enhanced durability. Honor has reinforced the display to make it significantly tougher and more drop-resistant compared to the X9A. The display is so robust that it can withstand various extreme tests, including being used as a hammer on wooden planks, without sustaining any damage.

In fact, Honor is so confident in the display’s durability that they offer a free one-year front and back crack replacement warranty. This means that if you accidentally damage the display or the back panel within a year, Honor Malaysia will replace it for you.

The X9B’s display is rated by SGS as a five-star product for drop resistance, which should give users peace of mind. This enhanced durability ensures that even the most careless users can feel confident that their phone will remain intact even after accidental drops.

Display:

The Honor X9B features a 1.5K display, providing sharper and more vibrant visuals. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and interactions, while the large 6.78-inch curved OLED display delivers stunning colors and contrast levels. This results in a visually pleasing experience, making it ideal for watching videos, playing games, or browsing content.

Performance:

Under the hood, the Honor X9B is powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, making it the first device in Malaysia to feature this processor. Compared to the previous generation, the 695, the 6 Gen 1 offers a significant boost in both CPU and GPU performance, approximately 35%. This improvement translates to faster and smoother performance, whether you’re multitasking, gaming, or running demanding applications.

Honor has also upped the RAM from 8GB to 12GB, providing more room for running multiple apps in the background. Additionally, the phone features 256GB of storage with UFS 3.1 support, ensuring faster data transfer and quicker app loading times. These enhancements in performance, both in terms of processing power and storage, mean that the Honor X9B is ready to handle any task you throw at it.

Camera: Capturing the Details

The Honor X9B boasts a triple-camera setup with a 108MP main camera. The increase in resolution allows for capturing images with exceptional detail and clarity. During various tests, the camera performed remarkably well for a device in this price range.

The camera produces high-quality images with vivid colors and impressive dynamic range. For a smartphone that costs under 1,500 ringgit, the camera capabilities of the X9B exceed expectations, making it a capable shooter for capturing memories on the go.

Battery:

Honor has generously increased the battery capacity of the X9B to a whopping 5,800mAh. This large battery is a rarity in slim devices and is a testament to the phone’s engineering. Despite this substantial increase in battery capacity, the phone retains its slim form factor.

This decision has paid off, as the X9B’s battery life receives a DXOMARK Gold label, ensuring you get extended usage from a single charge. If you’re someone who demands exceptional battery life from your smartphone, the Honor X9B has got you covered.

Pros of Honor X9B:

  • 1. Durability: The phone’s reinforced display offers exceptional toughness and drop resistance, ensuring longevity and reliability.
  • 2. High-Resolution Display: With a 1.5K display and 120Hz refresh rate, the phone provides sharp, vibrant visuals and smooth interactions.
  • 3. Powerful Performance: The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor, coupled with 12GB RAM and UFS 3.1 storage, delivers swift and efficient performance for multitasking and demanding tasks.
  • 4. Impressive Camera: A 108MP main camera captures detailed, high-quality images, exceeding expectations for a smartphone in this price range.
  • 5. Extended Battery Life: The substantial 5,800mAh battery capacity, labeled with DXOMARK Gold, ensures long-lasting usage without compromising the device’s slim form factor.
  • 6. Enhanced Design: Available in standard black or a unique vegan leather sunrise orange version, the design elevates the phone’s aesthetics while providing a soft, grippy feel.

Cons of Honor X9B:

  • 1. Availability of Repair Services: Although the phone offers a front and back crack replacement warranty, the availability and efficiency of repair services might vary based on location and service centers.
  • 2. Weight and Size: While the phone offers a large battery capacity, the increased size and weight may not appeal to users looking for an ultra-light or compact device.

Reasons to Buy the Honor X9B:

1. Outstanding Value for Money: At just RM499, the Honor X9B provides an exceptional range of features, including durability, high-resolution display, powerful performance, and an impressive camera, typically found in more expensive smartphones.

2. Enhanced Durability: For users prone to dropping their phones, the X9B’s highly durable display and crack replacement warranty offer peace of mind and long-term cost savings.

3. Excellent Performance: The combination of a powerful processor, ample RAM, and high-speed storage ensures smooth multitasking, gaming, and app usage.

4. Quality Camera Capabilities: The 108MP camera offers high-resolution imaging, making it an excellent choice for photography enthusiasts or those who want detailed and vivid images.

5. Extended Battery Life: The substantial battery capacity, without sacrificing the device’s slim form, is a significant advantage for users who require long-lasting battery performance.

6. Unique Design and Aesthetics: The option of the vegan leather sunrise orange version with the elegant gold ring surrounding the camera module sets the X9B apart, offering a distinctive and premium feel.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Honor X9B is a remarkable budget smartphone that packs a punch. It offers a stronger and more durable display, a high-resolution camera that exceeds expectations, a powerful processor, ample RAM and storage, and exceptional battery life. Honor has also made design improvements that elevate the overall user experience.

One of the most significant advantages of the X9B is its affordability, as it’s priced at just RM499. Despite this budget-friendly cost, Honor has managed to deliver a smartphone that competes with more expensive models in terms of performance and features.

For those in search of a reliable and capable smartphone without breaking the bank, the Honor X9B is a strong contender. With its durability, exceptional display, camera, performance, battery life, and design, it’s a solid choice in the budget smartphone market.

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Daven Klarsen is a technology writer and researcher. He's also an avid sports fan, especially when it comes to the LAL. When not working, you can usually find him tweaking his Android devices or watching soccer news.