If the HONOR X9d picked a fight with a toolbox, odds are it can probably survive the ordeal. While HONOR has embargoed a lot of the information till 25 September 2025, it makes no difference whatsoever, because the pitch is simple enough: it’s probably not going to be a gaming beast, but this is a phone that says not today every time you decide to have an accident with it.
HONOR’s ‘flagship’ durability phone carries not just IP69K water resistance (yes, it survives ultra-high pressure jets), but also SGS’s highest reliability certification (Société Générale de Surveillance, a Switzerland-based testing, inspection, and certification company). That means it can supposedly shrug off drops from up to 2.5 metres, walk away from water immersion, and even endure lab tests involving air-gun pellets and abrasive stone surfaces (up to 10, apparently). It’s all thanks to a variety of techniques, including “Ultra-Bounce” anti-drop tech and triple-layer water protection, as well as AI algorithms that allow you to swipe the screen even in the rain or with gloves on. We’ve seen it survive a barrage of attacks from paintball pellets as well as a staple gun, so we know it’s not an empty boast.
Paintballs and staples won’t leave a mark.
The battery life is just as extreme. A giant 8,300mAh silicon-carbon cell promises three days straight on a charge, with HONOR’s own anti-ageing algorithm keeping capacity above 80% even after six years. HONOR says that translates to 52.5 hours of music streaming, nearly 24 hours of video, and over 16 hours of gaming before you even think about plugging in. And if you do, the 66W SuperCharge tops it back up fast. The X9d also doubles as a power bank, offering 7.5W reverse charging when your friend’s ‘normie’ phone gives up first.
If you know someone who needs a lifeproof daily driver, pre-orders go live 25th September.
