On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, consumer electronics manufacturer HONOR officially unveiled the Honor X9d to a room filled with media, content creators, and retail partners at the Lagos Marriott Hotel, Ikeja.
Branded as the “Unbreakable” X9d, the device introduces what the company describes as a smartphone designed with airbag-like protection. According to HONOR, the durability system behind the device was built over two years, backed by one patent, more than 100 simulation plans, and over 200 materials tested and refined.
Recently certified with a Guinness World Record for surviving the highest smartphone drop, live stress demonstrations reinforced confidence in the product. Attendees watched as the device’s strength was emphasised repeatedly.
Honor X9d debuts impressive features
Its triple-resistant protection covers drops, dust, and water. Boasting an IP69K rating, the phone is built to withstand not just rain, but high-pressure water jets and high temperatures. With a multilayer cushioning design and ballistic-grade materials, it is rated to survive falls from up to 2.5 meters.
Beyond durability, the X9d’s display emerged as a major talking point. The device features a premium-grade screen with up to 6000 nits peak brightness, 1.5K ultra-high resolution, and a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and gaming. It also supports DCI-P3 wide colour gamut, 1.07 billion colours, and dynamic dimming designed to adjust intelligently to lighting conditions.
The Honor X9d also features an 8300mAh battery, a Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 (4nm) processor, and a 66W HONOR SuperCharge.
For a market increasingly driven by streaming, gaming, and short-form video, the display specifications position the X9d as more than just a rugged device but built for immersive content consumption.
“This is not supposed to stand out, but the fact that they are not trying to break into the market by copying any other brand makes it fantastic. Being bold enough to own your design, I think it’s great. That’s the first thing that stood out for me about Honor,” content creator, Eric Guagua said during the event.
There is recognition that many young consumers gravitate toward established premium ecosystems. However, a device that combines durability, premium visuals, and strong battery performance at competitive pricing may find its niche among students, creators, and everyday users who prioritise function alongside status.
The HONOR X9d is now gearing up to enter the Nigerian market, with prices starting at around ₦618,000. Its pre-order starts in March 2026.
Beyond the phone: HONOR’s Nigeria expansion
The X9d launch also served as a moment for the company to reflect on its Nigerian growth journey.
In a relatively short time, HONOR has expanded from just seven partners to over 35 strategic partners. At the state level, it has grown from 10 to more than 300 partners under its Top 20 KA cooperation framework. Sub-dealer cooperation has scaled from zero partners to over 80, alongside the onboarding of two national distributors.
According to the brand, these expansions have helped it secure approximately 5% of Nigeria’s smartphone market share.
