HONOR Philippines begins the year with a powerful statement as it unveils its most daring release yet, the HONOR X9d 5G. Designed as the toughest mid-range smartphone of 2026, this new addition to the X Series delivers next-level durability and dependable everyday performance.
HONOR’s Legacy of Durability
Since the debut of the HONOR X9 Series in 2023, HONOR has earned a reputation for testing the limits of smartphone strength. The HONOR X9a 5G made headlines after surviving multiple drop tests, including a viral five-foot drop. Its successor, the HONOR X9b 5G, took toughness further by enduring a 50-foot fall that proved how far HONOR could push mid-range durability.
The brand continued its streak in early 2025 with the HONOR X9c 5G, a model that introduced the Triple-Defense mechanism and became part of a Guinness World Record for “The Most People Performing a Mobile Phone Drop Test Simultaneously.” It also gained attention for surviving a dramatic helicopter drop test, reinforcing HONOR’s dominance in smartphone resilience.
Now, HONOR is ready to prove that the bar can always go higher. The new HONOR X9d 5G faces its boldest challenge yet—a high-altitude drop test that pushes every limit of endurance and engineering.
Built for Real-World Toughness
“Year after year, HONOR fans and consumers push us to go beyond expectations, and that inspires everything we do,” said Stephen Cheng, Vice President of HONOR Philippines. “The HONOR X9d 5G was designed with Filipino users in mind—combining toughness, innovation, and especially value. Our extreme durability tests reflect our confidence in delivering a device that can keep up with real-life challenges.”
HONOR’s commitment to real-world reliability remains clear. The HONOR X9d 5G is built not just to survive daily wear, but to endure situations that would destroy most devices. From its reinforced display to its impact-resistant frame, the phone stands as a testament to HONOR’s engineering innovation.
The question that follows naturally: can the HONOR X9d 5G survive an extreme high-altitude drop from a plane? HONOR decided to find out.
The Ultimate Phone Drop Challenge: Gian Viterbo vs. HONOR X9d 5G
To ensure credibility and transparency, HONOR Philippines invited Gadget Pilipinas’ Editor-in-Chief Gian Viterbo to take part in the most daring test yet. The challenge involved dropping the HONOR X9d 5G from an ultralight plane flying at 60 km/h.
“I said YES to the ultimate phone drop test challenge as a consumer, because I was genuinely curious about the result. I knew the risks and factors at hand, and I really wanted to know if the HONOR X9d would really survive,” said Viterbo.
He described the experience as both exhilarating and historic for the tech community, calling it a one-of-a-kind moment to see a smartphone tested under such extreme conditions. When asked about the outcome, he added, “I expected its screen and body to be rendered useless. I was honestly more interested in whether I would still be able to recover my files. With this expectation, I was surprised that durability meant two things for HONOR X9d – it is durable enough to withstand the hardest conditions, and if it ever gets scratched or damaged, it is durable enough to keep my files intact. And that is the true durability.”
Watch the Grand Launch and Win the HONOR X9d 5G
The grand launch of the HONOR X9d 5G will stream live on Facebook this January 9, Friday, at 6 PM. Viewers will have the chance to win a brand-new HONOR X9d 5G and learn more about its record-breaking toughness and innovative features.
For those wondering if HONOR will also give away a Tesla Cybertruck, the answer will be revealed soon.
Stay updated by visiting HONOR’s official website at www.hihonor.com, and follow HONOR Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for exclusive teasers, launch updates, and official announcements.
Explore HONOR’s full lineup of smartphones, tablets, and laptops at HONOR Experience and Partner Stores nationwide or online through Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.
