The Honor X9b is a mid-range smartphone that has generated significant attention thanks to its sleek design, robust build, and a suite of modern features that cater to both casual users and tech-savvy consumers. Positioned as a successor to the popular Honor X9 series, the X9b builds upon its predecessor’s strengths while introducing improvements in display technology, battery life, and overall performance.

1. Design and Build Quality

The Honor X9b showcases a premium design that rivals many flagship phones. With a curved AMOLED display and a symmetrical frame, the device offers a sleek and modern aesthetic. The back panel features a circular camera module—reminiscent of flagship models—which adds to its stylish appearance.

• Dimensions: Around 163.6 x 75.5 x 7.98 mm

• Weight: Approximately 185g

• Build: Glass front, aluminum frame, and a plastic or eco-leather back (varies by region)

• Colors: Available in multiple finishes, including Midnight Black, Emerald Green, and Sunrise Orange (with a leather texture)

The device is designed for durability, boasting MIL-STD-810H certification for resistance to drops, temperature changes, and humidity—making it a standout in its segment.

2. Display

One of the X9b’s most impressive features is its 6.78-inch AMOLED display, offering a vibrant and immersive visual experience.

• Resolution: 2652 x 1200 pixels (1.5K resolution)

• Refresh Rate: 120Hz

• Brightness: Peaks around 1200 nits

• Color Depth: 1.07 billion colors

• Protection: Ultra-Bounce Anti-Drop display technology (up to 1.5m drop resistance)

This display ensures smooth scrolling, better responsiveness for gaming, and vivid color accuracy for media consumption. The curved edges enhance the immersive feel, though they may take some getting used to for users new to curved screens.

3. Performance and Software

The Honor X9b is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset—a solid performer in the mid-range tier. It's built on a 4nm process, making it efficient and capable of handling multitasking, gaming, and day-to-day tasks with ease.

• CPU: Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)

• GPU: Adreno 710

• RAM & Storage Options: 8GB or 12GB RAM with 256GB storage

• OS: MagicOS 7.2 based on Android 13

MagicOS offers a customized Android experience with smart features like multi-window multitasking, improved animations, and enhanced system stability. However, like most Honor devices, it lacks Google Mobile Services in some regions—so app availability may vary.

4. Camera System

The Honor X9b sports a versatile triple-camera setup on the rear, offering flexibility for different shooting conditions:

• Main Camera: 108 MP, f/1.8, wide, PDAF

• Ultra-Wide: 5 MP, f/2.2

• Macro: 2 MP, f/2.4

• Front Camera: 16 MP, f/2.5

The primary camera captures sharp, high-resolution images with solid dynamic range, especially in daylight. Low-light performance is decent thanks to AI enhancements, though not class-leading. The ultra-wide and macro sensors are functional but not standout features.

Video recording capabilities max out at 1080p@30fps, both on the front and rear cameras, which is adequate for casual users but lacks 4K support.

5. Battery Life and Charging

Battery life is a strong point for the X9b, featuring a 5,800mAh battery—larger than many competitors.

• Charging: 35W wired fast charging

• Battery Endurance: Up to two full days with moderate use

• No wireless charging

Despite the absence of wireless charging, the combination of a power-efficient processor and large battery delivers excellent endurance. It’s a great companion for users who need long-lasting performance without frequent top-ups.

6. Connectivity and Other Features

• 5G Support: Yes

• Wi-Fi: Dual-band Wi-Fi 5

• Bluetooth: Version 5.1

• Audio: Single speaker, no 3.5mm headphone jack

• Security: In-display fingerprint sensor, face unlock

• NFC: Supported (varies by market)

The X9b includes modern connectivity standards, although the lack of stereo speakers and a headphone jack may disappoint some audiophiles. However, it supports high-quality Bluetooth audio codecs, and the single speaker performs adequately for most uses.

7. Pricing and Availability

The Honor X9b is competitively priced in the mid-range category, typically falling between $250 to $350 USD, depending on configuration and regional pricing. It’s available in markets across Asia, the Middle East, and select European countries.

Conclusion: Is the Honor X9b Worth It?

The Honor X9b offers an excellent value proposition for users seeking a stylish, durable, and long-lasting smartphone. Its standout features include a vibrant AMOLED display, solid build quality, and an impressive battery. While it may not lead in camera or gaming performance, it balances all-around functionality with attractive pricing.