The HONOR X9d is both tough and a great shooter
The HONOR X9d is built like a tank, but what really makes it stand out is how confidently it handles everyday shooting—from quick snaps to more composed low-light shots. It is a rare combo in its price range: a genuinely rugged phone that does not treat the camera as an afterthought.
Tough by design
The HONOR X9d is positioned as a rugged daily driver, designed to survive harsher environments than your usual mid-range slab. It carries IP68 and IP69K ratings, which means it is dust tight, water resistant, and can handle high-pressure water jets and deeper immersion than standard “splash-proof” phones.
On top of that, HONOR rates the X9d for drop resistance of up to around 2.5 meters, supported by a reinforced aluminosilicate glass panel and a sturdy frame. Real-world tests show it surviving repeated drops and even more extreme “challenge” scenarios with no cracked display, only minor scuffs, pretty reassuring if you tend to be clumsy or work outdoors.
Camera hardware overview
Despite the rugged focus, the X9d’s rear cameras are set up like a proper mid-range shooter. You get a 108 MP main camera with an f/1.8 aperture, phase-detect autofocus, optical image stabilization, and a reasonably large 1/1.67-inch sensor, paired with a 5 MP ultra-wide camera at f/2.2.
The main camera supports 4K video at 30 fps plus 1080p recording with gyro-EIS for smoother handheld clips. Up front, there is a 16 MP selfie camera at f/2.5 that can shoot 1080p video, good enough for casual Reels, Stories, or vlogs without needing an external camera.
Everyday photo quality
In good lighting, the 108 MP main sensor produces crisp, detailed images with lively but not cartoonish colors, which fits well for social media posting with minimal editing. Dynamic range is decent, so scenes with bright skies and darker foregrounds are handled well, especially when HDR kicks in.
The phone offers multiple zoom steps: ultra-wide at 0.6x, then 1x up to around 3x using the main sensor, which gives you flexibility for framing cityscapes, architecture, or food shots. Up to about 3x, quality remains quite usable, particularly for sharing online, thanks to that high-resolution sensor and OIS helping keep details sharp.
Low-light and night shooting
The wide f/1.8 aperture and OIS on the main camera give the X9d a clear advantage when the sun goes down. Handheld night shots come out with controlled noise levels and preserved detail, provided you hold still for a moment while the phone processes the frame.
Street scenes and indoor photos under warm lighting stay relatively clean, with highlights like signboards neon signs, or lamp posts kept in check rather than blowing out instantly. Colors remain on the natural side in low light, avoiding the overly bright, washed-out look that some aggressive night modes produce.
Video and content creation
For mobile creators, the X9d brings enough tools to comfortably shoot casual vlogs, b-roll, and life updates. The 4K 30 fps mode on the rear camera captures sharp footage, while gyro-EIS and OIS work together to stabilize handheld clips when walking or panning.
The front-facing 16 MP shooter can record 1080p videos that are more than serviceable for TikTok, Instagram Stories, or quick YouTube updates. Combined with its rugged build, you can confidently film in environments—like travel, hiking, or events—where you would normally baby your phone.
Why “more than tough” matters
What makes the HONOR X9d interesting is that its durability does not come with the usual trade-offs. Many rugged phones sacrifice camera quality, but this device blends an SGS-tested drop-resistant body, IP68/IP69K protection, and a capable 108 MP camera system in one package.
If your lifestyle involves a lot of movement—commuting, field work, travel shoots, or just a tendency to drop your device, the HONOR X9d lets you keep shooting without worrying about every bump or fall. You end up with a phone that is not only hard to break, but also genuinely fun to use for shooting photos and videos, which is exactly what the “more than tough, also a great shooter” tagline is all about.
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
