Honor is bringing the heat, with the launch of the Honor X9c – At an exclusive media event hosted at Levelthree Premium Venue in Johannesburg yesterday. The experiential launch was inspired by the popular Netflix series “Squid Game, and guests were invited to participate in a series of challenges that really tested the ability of the Honor X9c to withstand extreme conditions. While unconventional, Honor managed to demonstrated the incredible durability of the X9c while simultaneously getting a whole lot of people talking. Now I’m not one to get carried away by marketing hype – But this was a stroke of genius!
The challenges included breaking boards, hammering nails, and even dipping the device into boiling water – all with the Honor X9c. Thats some serious abuse to be thrown at anything, let alone a smartphone. It was an impressive demonstration of the confidence Honor has in their product and we can’t wait to put it through some of our own tests soon.
The Honor X9c is aimed at the younger end of the market – Those that demand trendy products that can also withstand the demands of an active and sometimes risky lifestyle.
How do they plan to connect with this target market? A song challenge in collaboration with South African celebrities, DJ Tira and DJ Maphorisa. The challenge will be a fusion of Gqom and Amapiano music genres, incorporating the “Unbreakable” theme of the X9c. Fans will be able to participate in this challenge across social media platforms, with a chance to win some amazing prizes.
Key Features and Highlights of the Honor X9c:
- Unmatched Durability: The Honor X9c features the next-generation HONOR Anti-Drop Display, boasting ultra-tempered glass and a bezier curve design. It can survive drops from up to 2 meters, offering a 166% boost in reliability compared to its predecessor.
- Water and Dust Resistance: With its three-layer waterproof structure and IP65M rating, the X9c can withstand being submerged in water for up to 5 minutes at a depth of 25cm. It even supports wet hand touch control, making it a true durability champion.
- Ultra-Large Battery: The X9c is equipped with an industry-first 6600mAh Silicon-carbon battery, providing up to 48.4 hours of music streaming and 25.8 hours of online video playback on a single charge. The battery also features an Armor-level Protective Coating and a specialized safety coating for enhanced durability.
- Exceptional Visual Display: The X9c boasts a 6.78-inch Eye-comfort OLED Display with 1.07 billion colors and a 1.5K resolution. It supports a 120Hz refresh rate and offers a peak HDR brightness of 4000nits, delivering an immersive viewing experience.
- AI-Powered Camera: The X9c features a 108MP Ultra-sensing Camera with a 1/1.67″ large sensor and 9-in-1 pixel binning technology. It also offers 3x Lossless Zoom, three distinct portrait modes, and OIS for capturing stunning images in any lighting condition.
- Stylish Design and Smart Features: The X9c sports an ultra-slim design with a titanium finish, weighing just 189g and measuring 7.98mm in thickness. It runs on the latest MagicOS 8.0 based on Android 14, offering intelligent features like Magic Capsule, Magic Portal, and Parallel Space.
Honors Growth in South Africa
Honor has made some major progress in recent years – gradually shedding the baggage and association that comes with being a previous sub-brand of Huawei. In fact, Honor has now surpassed its former parent across multiple price points and channels in South Africa.
Speaking at the event, Fred Zhou, CEO of HONOR South Africa had this to say:
HONOR South Africa has seen exceptional growth, with the business expanding by 180% by the end of 2024. The company achieved a significant milestone, selling 1 million units, reflecting the increasing trust and loyalty of its customers. “In addition to strong sales in smartphones, HONOR also experienced a notable rise in tablet sales, underscoring our broadening product portfolio and commitment to meeting the diverse needs of consumers. Brand awareness surged to 80% in 2024, driven by an increased Google search volume, which highlights the growing recognition of HONOR as a leading technology brand,” says Zhou. The company continues to strengthen its presence in South Africa by fostering deeper relationships with their stakeholders, solidifying its position as the most trusted brand in the market.
“We are incredibly proud to introduce the HONOR X9c Unbreakable AI Smartphone to South Africa. This is our first mid-range device that brings flagship-level AI capabilities to the local market. This innovation marks a significant milestone for HONOR as we continue to lead the conversation in both AI technology and the foldable smartphone space. With a focus on providing competitive pricing and cutting-edge features, we’re making advanced technology accessible for South Africans,” adds Zhou!
Pricing and Availability
The Honor X9c is available in two captivating colors: Titanium Black and Jade Cyan, at a recommended retail price of R10,999.
