HONOR Philippines recently introduced two models in its X9 series: the HONOR X9c 5G and the more affordable HONOR X9c Smart 5G. With the X9c priced at PHP 16,999 and the X9c Smart priced at PHP 13,999, the question arises: is the cheaper X9c Smart a better deal, or does the regular X9c justify the extra cost? Let’s dive into a detailed comparison to find out.

Design and Durability: Similar But Not the Same

At first glance, both phones look nearly identical, featuring a polycarbonate back panel and a circular camera island. However, the key difference is in the display: the X9c Smart has a flat display, while the regular X9c features a curved one.

When it comes to durability, the X9c Smart offers basic splash resistance, able to withstand some water exposure. In contrast, the X9c is certified with an IP65 rating, meaning it’s more resilient to dust and water jets. Both phones are tough, but the X9c provides a stronger layer of protection.

Display: A Clear Difference

One of the most noticeable differences is the display. The X9c Smart boasts a 6.8-inch Full HD+ TFT LCD with a 120Hz refresh rate. While adequate, it falls short compared to the X9c’s 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED screen. The AMOLED display on the X9c offers sharper resolution, better colors, and a peak brightness of 4000 nits—perfect for HDR content.

Meanwhile, the X9c Smart has a brightness of 850 nits, which is still fine but doesn’t compare to the X9c’s superior display. The X9c also comes with a pill-shaped notch, whereas the X9c Smart features a hole-punch notch.

Performance: A Tale of Two Chips

When it comes to performance, the HONOR X9c is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, a more efficient 4nm chipset. The X9c Smart, on the other hand, features the MediaTek Dimensity 7025-Ultra, built on a 6nm process. While the Dimensity chip has a slightly faster clock speed of up to 2.5GHz, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 outperforms it in terms of overall efficiency, scoring around 600K in benchmark tests, compared to the X9c Smart’s 400K.

Both phones come with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, but the X9c Smart lacks a microSD card slot for expanding storage, a limitation you may want to consider.

Camera: Similar Setup, Different Stabilization

In the camera department, both phones feature a dual setup with a 108MP primary camera and a 5MP ultrawide. The key difference is that the X9c includes Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on its main camera, ensuring smoother, more stable shots. The X9c Smart lacks this feature, which may affect the quality of your photos, particularly in low-light or motion-heavy scenarios.

Both devices feature a 16MP front-facing camera, so selfie lovers can expect a similar experience on both models.

Battery and Charging: A Close Race

When it comes to battery life, the X9c comes out ahead with a 6600mAh silicon-carbon battery and 66W fast charging. In comparison, the X9c Smart offers a 5800mAh battery with 35W charging.

Despite the X9c’s larger battery, the difference in runtime isn’t significant. The X9c lasted around 15 hours and 34 minutes in a PCMark test, while the X9c Smart clocked in at 13 hours and 43 minutes—just a couple of hours less.

Software and Features: A Close Match

Both phones run Android 14 with MagicOS 8.0 on top, offering similar software experiences. In terms of connectivity, both support 5G, NFC, and have USB Type-C ports. However, the X9c edges out the X9c Smart with dual stereo speakers, while the latter only has a single loudspeaker.

The X9c also features an under-display fingerprint scanner, while the X9c Smart uses a side-mounted one. This difference in biometrics might affect your user experience, but it’s largely a matter of personal preference.

Price: The Final Deciding Factor

Price is where the real decision lies. The HONOR X9c is priced at PHP 16,999, while the HONOR X9c Smart comes in at PHP 13,999. The Smart version will even be available for an introductory price of PHP 10,799 during the Shopee 3.3 sale.

If you’re willing to spend a bit more, the HONOR X9c offers a better display, superior camera stabilization, and a stronger build with IP65 protection. However, the X9c Smart still packs a punch with a solid set of features for its price.

Conclusion: Which One Should You Choose?

The HONOR X9c is the better choice if you’re looking for a more premium experience with better display quality, camera stability, and enhanced durability. However, if you’re on a budget, the HONOR X9c Smart offers great value for money with many of the same features but at a significantly lower cost.

Ultimately, your choice will depend on how much you’re willing to spend. Both models cater to different needs, but the X9c Smart’s affordability makes it a tempting option for those looking to save a bit without compromising too much on performance.

Which one would you choose? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!