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Verdict
The Honor 9X is a decent phone, for its price tag. That's quite the condition, it's true, and you can easily get a better smartphone if you're willing to put a little bit more money in, but if you don't want to break the bank, you can do a lot worse that this phone.
It has its bases covered in all the ways you're going to care about – there's a 3.5mm headphone jack, decent battery life, and enough trappings of a modern phone to ensure it'll last you a long time.
Saying that, there are a few handsets at this price tag that do manage to push the boat out, and they may be more worth your time and money than the Honor 9X. These handsets have better screens, cameras, or processors than the 9X, all without breaking the bank.
Who is it for?
People who are looking for a solid all-rounder device, but don't want to pay too much for mid-range specs and features.
Should I buy it?
If you're looking for a decent phone, that isn't exciting or novel but will serve you just fine, then the Honor 9X will be worth your money. You won't be disappointed by it either, as it's future-proof enough to see you through a good few years without feeling out-dated, with its reliable design and robust form.
First reviewed October 2019
Competition
Interested in the Honor 9X? These are some other smartphones you should look at.
Honor 20 Lite
The Honor 20 Lite is a very similar device to the 9X in many ways, mainly in its design (with a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, three rear cameras in a bump, LCD screen).
However the 9X has a few advantages: it has a more powerful camera array, a 'premium' build instead of plastic, and a bigger battery pack. The 20 Lite also has a notch housing the front-facing camera, instead of a pop-up section.
The Honor 20 Lite is around six months older than the 9X though, so it retains the price advantage thanks to cost reductions.
Read our in-depth Honor 20 Lite review
Moto G7 Plus
The Moto G series of smartphones are reliably some of the best budget handsets out there, and the G7 Plus is Motorola's latest 'high-end' device of the series.
It's got a decent chipset, a hardy build, and particularly fast charging. Sure, its cameras may not be as good as the Honor 9X array, and it's got the same LCD display, but it's great value for money.
Also, if you're not a fan of buying smartphones from Chinese manufacturers, this may be one of the few decent budget devices you'll find.
Read our in-depth Moto G7 Plus review
Oppo Reno Z
The Oppo Reno Z is one of the best smartphones at its price tag, which is the same rough cost as the Honor 9X. The Reno Z has got a high-quality design and display, with perhaps a more 'refined' rear than the bright 'X' on the back of the 9X.
As a budget device, the Reno Z has the same issues as the 9X, with a weaker camera and chipset, but it's still decent for gaming and photography.
The main difference comes down to the UI and build then (unless you like pop-up cameras, which the Reno Z is lacking). Oppo's UI is refined and subtle, whereas Honor's is bold and bright – and your preference is just up to taste.
Read our in-depth Oppo Reno Z review
