HONOR 9X Unboxing and First Impressions
The global version of the HONOR 9X has officially arrived in the country and it is looking to be a promising camera-focused phone for the price.
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| Meet HONOR 9X |
While it doesn't have 7nm Kirin 810 chip from the China 9X, the global 9X sports 3 cameras at the back, not just two. To recall, the 9X in China only has two back cameras.
So, what we have here is a totally different version of the 9X. Read our first impressions.
Like most mid-range phones, the HONOR 9X arrived with a white and blue box with the SIM ejector tool, TPU clear flexible case, the phone itself with the pre-installed screen protector, 5V/2A charger, USB-A to USB-C data/charging cable, and paper documents inside.
The construction of the handset is similar to its cousin, the Huawei Y9 Prime 2019. It is still using the usual 3D curved glass-like back design, curved polycarbonate (plastic) frame, and the all-screen glass display.
Since it doesn't have a notch to house the selfie cam, HONOR opted for a pop-up camera module.
While the form factor is identical to Y9 Prime 2019, the finish on the 9X is different.
In particular, it boasts the stylish Dynamic X Design at the back that reflects different shades of blue in X-like shape at the back. You will find that with the "Sapphire Blue" edition of the phone.
If you want a more classic look, you can always pick the Midnight Black colorway.
Behind, you will also see that it has a slightly protruded camera hump for the triple-cameras. Below it, there's a single LED flash. In the upper-middle portion, you'll see the fingerprint reader.
In front, HONOR highlights that it has over 90 percent of screen-to-body ratio, thanks to its all-screen design. The display that they used is IPS with a 2.5D curved finish. The top and side bezels are really slim while the chin bezel is thicker.
On top, you will see that it has a slot for the pop-up camera, a hole for the hybrid dual SIM slot, and a microphone hole.
Below, it has a 3.5mm headphone jack slot, another hole for the other mic, USB-C charging/data port, and a speaker hole.
There's nothing at left and you will find a power button and volume up and down keys at left.
Overall, the 9X is sleek looking for the price. It is a bit hefty at 196.8 grams.
1. HONOR 9X is one of the most affordable phones in PH equipped with a pop-up camera system. AND, the display that they used is quite nice. We like that it has no notch and the bezels are slim.
2. Inside the device, is powered by the 12nm 2.2GHz 64-bit Kirin 710F octa-core processor with Mali-G51 MP4 GPU and GPU Turbo 3.0 technology to improve gaming. It would have been better if it has the 7nm Kirin 810, but at least it is packed with 6GB RAM and 128GB expandable storage. The battery is rated at 4,000mAh with 10W USB-c charging port./
3. For the software, and to those who are wondering, yes, it has the licensed version of Google Mobile Services. It simply means that it has Google Play and there's no need to manually install it. It uses EMUI 9.1 skin as well which is based on Android Pie OS.
4. At the back, it has 3 cameras, not 2 cameras version the China HONOR 9X with Kirin 810. AND it is packed with a 48MP f/1.8 Sony IMX582 sensor which is almost as good as the flagship Sony IMX586. It is paired with an 8MP f/2.4 120-degree ultra wide-angle and a 2MP f/2.4 depth with LED flash.
For selfies, it goes with a 16MP f/2.2 snapper.
The phone also has AIS Super Night Mode, ultra-wide Distortion Correction, and AI Video Stabilization.
Note: Camera samples soon!
5. At the back, the device has a speedy fingerprint reader. It also has an AI-assisted face unlock. The device is complete with WiFi, 4G LTE,
Unboxing/Accessories
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| What's inside the box |
Like most mid-range phones, the HONOR 9X arrived with a white and blue box with the SIM ejector tool, TPU clear flexible case, the phone itself with the pre-installed screen protector, 5V/2A charger, USB-A to USB-C data/charging cable, and paper documents inside.
Build Quality/Design
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| It comes in Midnight Black and Sapphire Blue colorways |
The construction of the handset is similar to its cousin, the Huawei Y9 Prime 2019. It is still using the usual 3D curved glass-like back design, curved polycarbonate (plastic) frame, and the all-screen glass display.
 |
| Pop-up goodness |
Since it doesn't have a notch to house the selfie cam, HONOR opted for a pop-up camera module.
While the form factor is identical to Y9 Prime 2019, the finish on the 9X is different.
Pop-up on a budget!
In particular, it boasts the stylish Dynamic X Design at the back that reflects different shades of blue in X-like shape at the back. You will find that with the "Sapphire Blue" edition of the phone.
If you want a more classic look, you can always pick the Midnight Black colorway.
Behind, you will also see that it has a slightly protruded camera hump for the triple-cameras. Below it, there's a single LED flash. In the upper-middle portion, you'll see the fingerprint reader.
 |
| All-screen view |
In front, HONOR highlights that it has over 90 percent of screen-to-body ratio, thanks to its all-screen design. The display that they used is IPS with a 2.5D curved finish. The top and side bezels are really slim while the chin bezel is thicker.
 |
| Top |
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| Bottom |
On top, you will see that it has a slot for the pop-up camera, a hole for the hybrid dual SIM slot, and a microphone hole.
Below, it has a 3.5mm headphone jack slot, another hole for the other mic, USB-C charging/data port, and a speaker hole.
 |
| Left |
 |
| Right |
There's nothing at left and you will find a power button and volume up and down keys at left.
Overall, the 9X is sleek looking for the price. It is a bit hefty at 196.8 grams.
Initial findings
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| Big display, FHD+ resolution |
1. HONOR 9X is one of the most affordable phones in PH equipped with a pop-up camera system. AND, the display that they used is quite nice. We like that it has no notch and the bezels are slim.
 |
| AnTuTu and Geekbench score of HONOR 9X |
2. Inside the device, is powered by the 12nm 2.2GHz 64-bit Kirin 710F octa-core processor with Mali-G51 MP4 GPU and GPU Turbo 3.0 technology to improve gaming. It would have been better if it has the 7nm Kirin 810, but at least it is packed with 6GB RAM and 128GB expandable storage. The battery is rated at 4,000mAh with 10W USB-c charging port./
3. For the software, and to those who are wondering, yes, it has the licensed version of Google Mobile Services. It simply means that it has Google Play and there's no need to manually install it. It uses EMUI 9.1 skin as well which is based on Android Pie OS.
4. At the back, it has 3 cameras, not 2 cameras version the China HONOR 9X with Kirin 810. AND it is packed with a 48MP f/1.8 Sony IMX582 sensor which is almost as good as the flagship Sony IMX586. It is paired with an 8MP f/2.4 120-degree ultra wide-angle and a 2MP f/2.4 depth with LED flash.
For selfies, it goes with a 16MP f/2.2 snapper.
The phone also has AIS Super Night Mode, ultra-wide Distortion Correction, and AI Video Stabilization.
Note: Camera samples soon!
5. At the back, the device has a speedy fingerprint reader. It also has an AI-assisted face unlock. The device is complete with WiFi, 4G LTE,
HONOR 9X Specs
Display: 6.59-inch 2.5D curved IPS screen w/ FHD+ 2340 x 1080 resolution at 403 ppi
CPU: 2.2GHz 64-bit Kirin 710F octa-core processor
GPU: Mali-G51 MP4 w/ GPU Turbo 3.0
RAM: 6GB
ROM: 64GB/128GB expandable via microSD card slot up to 512GB
Back Camera: 48MP f/1.8 Sony IMX582 + 8MP f/2.4 120-degree ultra wide-angle + 2MP f/2.4 depth w/ LED flash
Selfie Camera: 16MP f/2.2
Battery: 4,000mAh w/ 10W charging
OS: Android 9.0 Pie w/ EMUI 9.1
Connectivity: WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 4G LTE, Bluetooth 4.2, BLE, HWA, aptX, and aptX HD, FM Radio, OTG, GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, dual SIM
Sensors: Accelerometer, light, orientation, proximity, gyroscope, sound, magnetic, pressure
Others: Fingerprint sensor, USB-C, Colors: sapphire blue, midnight black
Dimensions: 163.5 x 77.3 x 8.8 mm
Weight: 196.8 g
Price: PHP 12,490
Though it would have been better if it has a speedier chip, at least it has 6GB RAM, 128GB expandable storage, and a 4,000mAh battery capacity with USB-C reversible charging port.
For a camera-focused phone, we think that HONOR 9X looks promising so far.
What do you guys think?
As of the moment
At PHP 12,490, I like that the HONOR 9X has a 48MP triple-cam setup, 16MP pop-up camera, and an all-screen display for less.Though it would have been better if it has a speedier chip, at least it has 6GB RAM, 128GB expandable storage, and a 4,000mAh battery capacity with USB-C reversible charging port.
For a camera-focused phone, we think that HONOR 9X looks promising so far.
What do you guys think?
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