HONOR is teasing the X9d for the region, and the pitch is simple: make a phone that’s hard to break and harder to drain. From IP69K sealing to an 8300mAh cell, the X9d reads like a durability and battery checklist. Here’s what’s official so far, and how it might fit the UAE/KSA market.
Durability and protection
HONOR calls this the “Unbreakable AI Smartphone”. Big claim, but there’s paperwork and design to back it up.
- SGS Triple Resistant Premium Performance + SGS 5-Star Comprehensive Reliability certifications
- 6-layer drop-resistant structure; Ultra-Bounce Anti-Drop tech
- Tested on tougher surfaces like cobblestone and asphalt
- IP69K water/dust resistance; AI Heavy Rain Touch + AI Glove Touch
- Underwater photo mode (up to 6m)
- One Tap Dust & Water Ejection for speakers
HONOR lists two SGS reliability badges and a reinforced 6-layer frame using “Ultra-Bounce Anti-Drop Technology”. The company says it has tested drops on marble and rough surfaces such as cobblestone and asphalt. The phone is also rated to IP69K, adds touch modes for rain and gloves, and even supports an underwater shooting mode to 6 metres. Long-term speaker health gets a “One Tap Dust and Water Ejection” function to expel moisture and debris—handy in beach season.
Battery and charging
HONOR is going big on cell chemistry and lifespan here.
- 8300mAh silicon-carbon battery
- Self-developed anti-ageing algorithm; “6-year ultra durability”
- 66W HONOR SuperCharge
- 7.5W wired reverse charging
- Ultra Power Saving Mode; runs calls for 60 minutes at 2%
- Temperature monitoring from −30°C to 55°C
- Claimed endurance: 52.5h music, 23.8h video, 16.8h gaming, 12.3h video chat
An 8300mAh silicon-carbon pack is the headline figure. HONOR pairs this with 66W fast charging, reverse charging for accessories, and conservative modes that squeeze an hour of calls from 2% battery. The company also calls out temperature management across harsh climates, which matters in Gulf summers and desert trips. Usage claims span multiday music and solid gaming time; we’ll test those when review units land.
Cameras and AI tools
Numbers plus tools, not just numbers.
- 108MP main camera, 1/1.67-inch sensor
- OIS + EIS stabilisation
- HONOR Connection for HD live photo transfers to iOS
- 4K HD moving photo collages
- AI suite: Eraser, Cutout, Outpainting, Upscale, Remove Reflection
The 108MP sensor size suggests decent light capture, while optical and electronic stabilisation should help with night and video. The standout here is HONOR’s pipeline: cross-platform sharing to iOS, 4K collage creation, and practical AI edits like removing reflections or filling edges. That’s the sort of quality-of-life stuff that saves you from third-party apps.
Display and performance notes
Big, bright, and eye-care focused.
- 6.79-inch Eye-comfort OLED
- Up to 6000-nit HDR brightness (stated)
- 120Hz refresh rate
- 1.3mm ultra-narrow bezels
HONOR quotes a 6.79-inch OLED with serious HDR punch and 120Hz smoothness. The bezels are said to be 1.3mm for a more immersive look. No chipset is named in the teaser, so we’ll reserve judgment on raw performance until the full launch.
Colours, price and regional availability
A few details, but no price yet.
- Colours: Forest Green, Sunrise Gold, Midnight Black, Reddish Brown
- Pre-orders “soon” in select markets via HONOR channels
- Press date: 16 October 2025 (Riyadh)
Expect the usual staggered rollout. The teaser confirms four finishes and hints at pre-orders opening soon, but it doesn’t list AED/SAR pricing or a firm UAE on-sale date. Given HONOR’s recent retail push in the Gulf, a UAE announcement shouldn’t be far behind.
Is the HONOR X9d waterproof?
It’s rated to IP69K, with claims of handling complex water environments and 30-minute submersion at 1.5 metres, plus an underwater photo mode up to 6 metres.
What’s the exact battery capacity and charging speed?
8300mAh silicon-carbon battery with 66W SuperCharge; supports 7.5W wired reverse charging for accessories and other devices.
How long will the battery last day-to-day?
HONOR’s figures: up to 52.5h music, 23.8h video, 16.8h gaming, or 12.3h video chat. There’s also an Ultra Power Saving Mode that keeps calls going for 60 minutes at 2% battery. Real-world tests pending.
