In the Philippine smartphone scene, mid-range devices have always been the most competitive battleground. Filipino consumers want value, durability, and performance without stretching their budgets. Over the past three years, one name has consistently stood out in this category: the HONOR X9 series.
What started as a hopeful launch in 2023 has now turned into a yearly tradition that many tech fans quietly look forward to every January. As 2025 comes to a close, it is worth looking back at how the HONOR X9 series rose from modest beginnings to becoming the No. 1 mid-range smartphone line in the Philippines.
The Unexpected Breakout of the HONOR X9a 5G
When HONOR Philippines introduced the HONOR X9a 5G in 2023, expectations were surprisingly low, even within the brand itself. At the time, HONOR was still rebuilding its presence in the local market, and the X9a entered a crowded space filled with well-established competitors.
According to HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng, the launch was driven more by confidence in their capabilities than by certainty of success.
“When we launched HONOR X9a 5G, we literally had zero expectations,” Cheng shared. What followed, however, was far from ordinary. The device quickly gained attention for its durability-focused messaging and real-world performance, striking a chord with Filipino users who value phones that can keep up with daily life.
Leveling Up With the HONOR X9b 5G and X9c 5G
Instead of treating the success of the X9a as a one-off win, HONOR doubled down. The release of the HONOR X9b 5G proved that the momentum was no accident. Sales climbed, visibility increased, and the X9 line began to develop a reputation for toughness and reliability.
By the time the HONOR X9c 5G arrived, the series had fully established itself as a category leader. Cheng noted that the X9c outperformed everything the brand had achieved in 2023 and 2024 combined, making it the biggest milestone yet for HONOR Philippines.
This steady growth is what transformed the X9 launch into an annual event. For many consumers, January now signals the arrival of HONOR’s next durability-focused smartphone.
Redefining Durability Through Extreme Drop Tests
One of the most defining traits of the HONOR X9 series is its relentless focus on durability. While other smartphones highlight cameras or processing power, HONOR chose to tell its story through physical toughness.
Early generations of the X9 series underwent 5-foot drop tests, which later escalated to 50-foot drops. With the HONOR X9c, the brand took things even further, dropping the device from a helicopter hundreds of feet above the ground.
These demonstrations were not just for spectacle. They addressed a real concern among Filipino users, where accidental drops, daily commutes, and unpredictable conditions are part of everyday phone use. Over time, these extreme tests helped position the X9 series as a phone you could trust in real life, not just on paper.
Making History With a Guinness World Records Title
The HONOR X9c era also delivered one of the brand’s most unforgettable moments. In a massive show of confidence, 264 participants dropped their HONOR X9c 5G units simultaneously, earning HONOR Philippines a Guinness World Records title for “The Most People Performing a Mobile Phone Drop Test Simultaneously.”
Beyond the record itself, the moment reinforced HONOR’s commitment to transparency and credibility. Instead of relying solely on claims, the brand invited real people to take part in proving the device’s durability.
This achievement further strengthened HONOR’s image as a brand that backs its promises with action, earning trust from Filipino consumers who are increasingly discerning about their tech purchases.
Why the HONOR X9 Series Resonates With Filipinos
The success of the HONOR X9 series goes beyond specs and marketing stunts. It reflects a deep understanding of what Filipino users prioritize in a mid-range smartphone.
Durability matters when phones are used daily for work, content creation, navigation, and entertainment. Reliability matters when repairs are costly and downtime is inconvenient. The X9 series consistently addressed these needs while maintaining accessible pricing, making it a practical choice for a wide range of users.
By staying consistent with its core message and improving with each generation, HONOR turned the X9 into more than a device. It became a symbol of dependability in a fast-moving tech market.
What’s Next for the HONOR X9 Series?
With three highly successful generations behind it, the pressure is now on. Cheng himself admits that topping the past three releases has become a challenge, but one that the brand is ready to take on.
With HONOR’s growing technology ecosystem and talent pool, anticipation is already building for what the next X9 iteration will bring. If history is any indication, January’s launch will once again set the tone for the mid-range smartphone market in the Philippines.
For now, one thing is clear. The HONOR X9 series has rewritten what success looks like in the mid-range category, and Filipino consumers are watching closely to see what comes next.