Manila, Philippines, January 3, 2026 — Starting the year with a total bang, leading global AI smart devices provider HONOR Philippines officially unveils its most explosive release yet, the HONOR X9d 5G. Positioned as the toughest mid-range smartphone of the year, the newest addition to the X Series is engineered to withstand extreme challenges while delivering powerful everyday performance.
Since the X9 Series debuted in the Philippines in 2023, HONOR has earned a reputation for pushing smartphone durability to the limit. From the viral smash tests of the HONOR X9a 5G, famously dropped from under five feet, to the ultra-tough HONOR X9b 5G surviving a dramatic 50-foot drop, each generation has redefined what mid-range smartphones can endure. This momentum continued with the HONOR X9c 5G in January 2025, which became one of the most anticipated devices in the series thanks to its Triple-Defense mechanism, a helicopter drop test, and a Guinness World Records title for the “Most People Performing a Mobile Phone Drop Test Simultaneously.”
Now, HONOR raises the bar even higher. To prove the next evolution of toughness, the all-new HONOR X9d 5G faced its most extreme challenge yet—an ultra-intense high-altitude drop test. HONOR Philippines partnered with Gadget Pilipinas Editor-in-Chief Gian Viterbo to ensure transparency, releasing the device from an ultralight plane traveling at 60 kilometers per hour. Viterbo described the experience as exhilarating and historic, admitting he expected the phone to be rendered useless. Instead, he was surprised to find that true durability for the HONOR X9d 5G meant not only surviving harsh conditions, but also keeping files intact even after damage.
Stephen Cheng, Vice President of HONOR Philippines, shared that the HONOR X9d 5G was designed with Filipino users in mind, combining toughness, innovation, and value to keep up with real-life challenges. Fans can watch the full drop test video online and catch the grand launch live on Facebook on January 9 at 6 PM, with a chance to win the HONOR X9d 5G and more exciting surprises.
