The Honor X9c Smart is a mid-range smartphone designed to offer a balance between performance, aesthetics, and affordability. Boasting a curved OLED display, 5G connectivity, and Honor’s MagicOS based on Android, it has gained considerable attention among users looking for a sleek, feature-rich smartphone without breaking the bank. However, despite its impressive specifications on paper, the X9c Smart has been the subject of several user complaints regarding both hardware and software performance.
In this comprehensive analysis, we’ll explore the most common issues, problems, and bugs reported by Honor X9c Smart users, detailing their causes, impact, and possible solutions. We’ll also provide a final assessment of whether this device is worth considering or if better alternatives exist in the market.
1. Build Quality and Design: Elegance With a Few Flaws
The Honor X9c Smart features a curved glass display and a thin, lightweight design, making it one of the more visually appealing devices in its category. However, some users have noted issues related to its build quality and durability.
a) Fragility of the Curved Display
- Problem: The curved OLED screen, while stunning, is more prone to cracks and scratches than flat displays.
- Cause: Curved screens are inherently more vulnerable to impact and can shatter even from minor drops.
- Impact: Screen repairs are expensive, and users often need to invest in additional protection, such as tempered glass or rugged cases.
- User Experience:
“I dropped the phone from a short height, and the edge of the screen cracked. I love the design, but it feels fragile.” – Feedback from a customer on GSM Arena.
b) Slippery Design
- Problem: The phone's smooth glass back and curved edges make it slippery, leading to accidental drops.
- Impact: This increases the likelihood of damage and forces users to rely on protective cases, which can detract from the phone’s sleek aesthetics.
- User Experience:
“It’s a beautiful phone, but it slipped out of my hands twice in the first week. A case is a must.” – Comment from a user on Reddit.
2. Display Issues: Vibrant Yet Problematic
The Honor X9c Smart’s 6.7-inch OLED display offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth animations thanks to its 120Hz refresh rate. However, users have reported several issues that affect the display’s performance.
a) Ghost Touch and Touch Sensitivity Problems
- Problem: Some users experience ghost touches or unresponsive touch inputs, particularly near the curved edges of the screen.
- Cause: This issue is likely due to improper touch calibration or sensitivity issues with the curved display.
- Impact: It can make typing, gaming, and general navigation frustrating, especially for users who rely on edge gestures.
- User Experience:
“The touch sensitivity near the edges is terrible. I often end up opening apps I didn’t intend to.” – User review on Trustpilot.
b) Screen Flickering at Low Brightness
- Problem: Some users have noticed flickering when the brightness is set to low, which can be particularly noticeable in dark environments.
- Cause: This is often a result of PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation), a common method for controlling OLED screen brightness.
- Impact: Flickering can cause eye strain and discomfort, especially during extended use.
- User Experience:
“I love the display during the day, but at night, the flickering is hard on my eyes.” – Feedback from a customer on a tech forum.
3. Battery Performance: Longevity With Limitations
The Honor X9c Smart is equipped with a 5100mAh battery, which promises all-day battery life. While many users are satisfied with its endurance, there are inconsistencies in real-world performance.
a) Battery Drain Issues
- Problem: Some users have reported faster-than-expected battery drain, even with moderate usage.
- Cause: Background apps, poor software optimization, or 5G connectivity could be contributing to the issue.
- Impact: Users may find themselves needing to charge the phone more frequently than anticipated.
- User Experience:
“The battery is supposed to last all day, but I often need to charge it by evening, especially when using 5G.” – Comment from a user on TechRadar.
b) Inconsistent Battery Percentage Readings
- Problem: The phone sometimes displays inaccurate battery percentages, with sudden drops from 20% to 5%.
- Cause: This could be due to software calibration issues or a faulty battery sensor.
- Impact: Inaccurate readings can be inconvenient and lead to unexpected shutdowns.
- User Experience:
“The battery percentage is unreliable. It dropped from 18% to 2% in minutes.” – User review on XDA Developers.
4. Camera Performance: Great in Daylight, Struggles in Low Light
The Honor X9c Smart features a 64MP primary camera, accompanied by a 2MP macro and 2MP depth sensor. While it excels in good lighting, users have identified some shortcomings.
a) Low-Light Photography Issues
- Problem: The camera struggles to capture detailed and noise-free images in low-light conditions.
- Cause: The lack of optical image stabilization (OIS) and a smaller sensor size limit its low-light capabilities.
- Impact: Photos taken in dim environments often appear blurry or grainy.
- User Experience:
“Daytime photos are great, but low-light shots are disappointing. There’s too much noise.” – Feedback from a user on a photography forum.
b) Inconsistent Portrait Mode
- Problem: The portrait mode sometimes fails to properly detect edges, resulting in blurry or unnatural background blur (bokeh).
- Impact: This affects the overall quality of portrait shots, especially in complex lighting conditions.
- User Experience:
“Portrait mode works well in perfect lighting, but struggles with edge detection in challenging scenarios.” – User review on a tech blog.
5. Software and Performance: Smooth But Buggy
The Honor X9c Smart runs on MagicOS 7.1, based on Android 13, offering a fluid and customizable user experience. However, users have encountered several software bugs and performance issues.
a) Lag and Stuttering in Multitasking
- Problem: Despite having a Snapdragon 695 processor and up to 8GB of RAM, some users experience lag and stuttering during multitasking or when switching between apps.
- Cause: This could be due to poor RAM management or unoptimized software.
- Impact: It can hinder productivity and make the device feel slower than expected.
- User Experience:
“The phone lags when I have multiple apps open. It’s not as smooth as I hoped.” – Comment from a user on Reddit.
b) Slow Software Updates
- Problem: Honor has been criticized for its slow rollout of software updates, leaving users with outdated security patches and unresolved bugs.
- Impact: This compromises both security and performance over time.
- User Experience:
“It’s been months since the last update, and I’m still facing the same issues.” – User feedback on a tech forum.
Conclusion: Is the Honor X9c Smart Worth Buying?
The Honor X9c Smart offers a sleek design, vibrant display, and decent performance for its price. However, its fragile build, display issues, and software bugs may be concerning for some users.
Pros:
- Sleek, modern design with a curved OLED display.
- 5G connectivity and decent performance for everyday tasks.
- Competitive pricing in the mid-range segment.
Cons:
- Fragile display and slippery design.
- Inconsistent battery performance and touch sensitivity issues.
- Limited low-light camera performance.
- Slow software updates and occasional lag.
Better Alternatives:
- Samsung Galaxy A54: Offers better durability, software support, and camera performance.
- Realme 11 Pro: Provides a more robust display and faster charging.
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro: Delivers better overall value with superior battery life and software updates.
Verdict: The Honor X9c Smart is a solid choice for those who prioritize design and display quality, but if you value durability, software reliability, and camera performance, there are better alternatives available in the market.