The Honor X9b: A Sleek Budget Smartphone with Ultra-Bounce Technology, But Can it Compete?
The Honor X9b, priced at Rs. 25,999, is Honor’s latest attempt to capture the budget smartphone market. This phone sits just below the Honor 90 in price, aiming for the mid-range segment. Positioned as a more affordable alternative, the X9b boasts a 3D curved-edge AMOLED display, a 108-megapixel primary camera with lossless 3X zoom, and a massive 5,800mAh battery. But with a market flooded with competitive phones, can the X9b stand out? Let’s dive into the details and see what this phone has to offer.
Design and Display: A Premium Look and Feel
The Honor X9b’s design is sleek and stylish, drawing inspiration from its more expensive sibling, the Honor 90. The slim profile, measuring just 7.98mm at its thinnest point, is accentuated by the curved edge front and rear panels. The Midnight Black colorway we received for review offers a sophisticated look, while the Sunrise Orange variant features a vegan leather rear panel for a more textured feel.
One of the phone’s standout features is its 6.78-inch 3D curved-edge AMOLED display, which boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, delivering smooth scrolling and responsive touch interactions. Honor’s Ultra-Bounce technology, employing shock-absorbing material at the back of the display, protects against drops from up to 1.5 meters, adding an extra layer of durability.
Hardware and Performance: Adequate Power for the Price
The Honor X9b is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 SoC, a mid-range processor built on a 4nm fabrication process. This combination, coupled with the large battery and AMOLED display, promises impressive battery life. However, with the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 being a year old, it remains to be seen if it will perform exceptionally well against newer chipsets in this segment.
Camera System: Versatile Features for Budget-Friendly Photography
The X9b sports a versatile camera system led by a 108-megapixel primary camera, which offers lossless 3X zoom, eliminating the need for a dedicated telephoto lens. A 5-megapixel ultra-wide angle camera and a 2-megapixel macro camera further enhance photographic capabilities. For selfies, a 16-megapixel front-facing camera is readily available. The camera performance is one of the critical factors to watch out for in the Honor X9b.
Software Experience: A Slight Disappointment
The Honor X9b runs Magic OS 7.2, based on Android 13. While the user interface draws inspiration from Huawei’s HarmonyOS, it’s disappointing to see a newly launched 2024 smartphone with Android 13, given the availability of Android 14. Honor claims to provide 2 years of Android updates and 3 years of security updates, which is less than competitors offering longer support periods.
Battery and Charging: A Powerful Battery with Missing Charger
The X9b houses a substantial 5,800mAh battery, promising extended usage. However, Honor only supports 35W fast charging, and unfortunately, does not include a charger in the box, forcing users to purchase one separately. This omission, while becoming increasingly common, could be a major turn-off for some potential buyers.
Competition and Conclusion: A Tough Race in the Budget Market
The Honor X9b faces stiff competition in the Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 25,000 price segment, where numerous devices offer high-performance chipsets and camera hardware at comparable costs. The X9b’s Ultra-Bounce technology might be a unique selling point; however, its outdated Android version and lack of a charger could hinder its success in the long run.
Ultimately, the Honor X9b’s fate hinges on its performance and whether it offers a substantial value proposition compared to its competitors. Will the sleek design, large battery, and camera technology be enough to entice buyers? Our full review will delve into the phone’s performance, camera quality, and overall user experience, providing a comprehensive assessment of the Honor X9b’s suitability for the budget smartphone market.
