Is this HONOR’s best and toughest smartphone to date? We put it to the test

Editor’s note: This content is sponsored by HONOR and was produced by BrandRap, the sales and marketing arm of Rappler. No member of the news and editorial team participated in the production of this piece.

The newest HONOR X9d 5G enters the smartphone scene with a clear mission: to deliver unmatched durability and performance. For Filipinos who constantly deal with unpredictable weather and long, crowded commutes, their smartphone needs to be more than just powerful performance-wise; it needs to be durable and ultimately, reliable. HONOR claims that the X9d 5G is built to withstand these conditions alongside Filipinos while keeping up with demanding daily use — and that’s what our team set out to test, by pushing the phone’s hardware and software capabilities to its limits.

The full phone specifications are as follows:

• Released: January 2026
• Phone size: 6.37 x 3.00 x 0.31 inches
• Weight: Approximately 193g (including the battery)
• Material: Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
• Display: 6.79 inches AMOLED display, 2640x1200px resolution
• Camera: Front – 16MP, Rear – 108MP Main + 5MP Wide; 4K video shooting supported
• Processor: Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 Octa-core, Adreno A810 GPU
• Memory and Storage: 12GB + 256 GB
• Battery: 8300 mAh Li-ion Polymer
• Water and Dust Resistance: IP66 & IP68 & IP69 & IP69K
• Cellular Network: Dual Nano SIM, up to 5G, NFC Supported

Hardware builds and physical tests

The HONOR X9d 5G immediately gives off a premium feel with its leather backing and sleek, polished frame. At first glance, this might not give new users the impression that it is a smartphone that can withstand intense impact. To see if the device exceeds our visual perceptions, we conducted three tests to evaluate its resilience under tough and stressful conditions.

Drop Test

We dropped the phone from approximately two meters to simulate an accidental fall. The HONOR X9d 5G only suffered a very small dent on the bottom left corner. Despite the impact, the phone continued to function flawlessly, with no software glitches and loose or detached hardware parts.

Drop test results

Smash Test

We put the phone’s screen durability to the test by repeatedly smashing it face-first against a painted concrete wall. The screen endured without scratches or dents. Air bubbles temporarily formed on the edges of the built-in screen protector, which were quickly smoothened out by hand. The device remained fully functional throughout.

Smash test results

Water Exposure Test

To test the phone’s water resistance capabilities, we placed it under a running faucet, then completely submerged it in a bowl of water for five minutes. The HONOR X9d 5G remained fully operational, whether under running water or fully submerged; and the unit did not sustain any lingering moisture.

Water exposure test results

Across all three tests, the HONOR X9d 5G proved to be exceptionally durable. Its build handled drops, impacts, and water exposure with very minimal exterior issues, and its software performance did not falter under harsh conditions

Battery and software performance

The HONOR X9d 5G’s massive 8300mAh battery is capable of powering the device for up to three days. Even after a full 12 hours of medium to heavy use, which involved gaming, camera testing, and multitasking, the battery reduction was minimal. Performance-heavy games ran lag-free at the highest graphic settings, while multitasking between social media, entertainment, and search apps was smooth and seamless.

Meanwhile, the camera can be one of the phone’s most impressive features, with consistent, high-quality results across all modes. The front camera accommodates users in low-light settings with its automated fill light feature and AI enhancement options, while the rear camera boasts highly-detailed shots thanks to its 108MP lens.

108MP Rear Camera Photos

Front Camera Photos

Night Mode Photos

Rear Camera Photos

After testing the HONOR X9d 5G’s limits through extreme physical and digital trials, it’s clear that this phone is one of the toughest and most dependable smartphones HONOR has released to date. For users who need a phone that can survive real-world chaos without slowing them down, the HONOR X9d 5G makes a strong case for itself.

If this is everything you want to have in your newest smartphone, pre-order HONOR X9d 5G starting January 9 to 23 for only P17,999 and you might just be the lucky winner of the elusive Tesla Cybertruck. Head on to any HONOR Experience and Partner stores or through its official online stores. – Rappler.com