HONOR X9d 5G: A Tech Reviewer’s Look at the Phone That Fell From the Sky

By any standard, dropping a smartphone from the sky should end the story. Gravity, speed, and impact usually leave shattered glass, bent frames, and dead screens. That is why HONOR Philippines’ decision to drop the new HONOR X9d 5G from an ultralight plane feels less like a marketing stunt and more like a public stress test—one that few phones would dare to take.

As a tech reviewer, durability claims always invite skepticism. Many brands talk about toughness, but most tests stop at waist-level drops or controlled lab conditions. The HONOR X9d 5G was different. It was released mid-air, at around 60 kilometers per hour, from a plane flying high above the ground. In real-world terms, this is a worst-case scenario for any smartphone.

Building on a Reputation for Toughness

HONOR has steadily built its name in the Philippines around durable mid-range devices. The X Series, introduced locally in 2023, made headlines for its aggressive drop tests. The HONOR X9a 5G survived short drops that went viral online. The X9b 5G raised the stakes with a reported 50-foot drop test. Earlier this year, the HONOR X9c 5G drew attention with its Triple-Defense mechanism and a helicopter drop that earned a Guinness World Records title for the most people performing a phone drop test at the same time.

The HONOR X9d 5G continues that pattern, but with higher risks and fewer safety nets. Dropping a phone from the sky removes predictability. There is no controlled angle, no flat surface, and no guarantee on how the device will land.

The Plane Drop Test

To ensure transparency, HONOR Philippines invited Gadget Pilipinas Editor-in-Chief Gian Viterbo to personally participate in the test. The device was released from an ultralight aircraft, making it one of the most extreme durability demonstrations attempted by a smartphone brand in the local market.

Viterbo admitted he expected the worst. At that height and speed, most phones would be beyond repair. Screens would crack, internal components would likely fail, and data loss would be almost certain. Instead, what surprised him most was not just that the phone survived, but that it remained functional enough to protect stored files and data.

From a reviewer’s perspective, that distinction matters. Durability is not only about surviving impact with minimal scratches. It is also about structural integrity—keeping internal components, storage, and connectivity intact after extreme stress.

What Makes the HONOR X9d 5G Different

The survival of the HONOR X9d 5G points to several key engineering choices. At the core is HONOR’s reinforced display technology, designed to absorb shock rather than transfer it directly to the screen. The glass is paired with a strengthened frame that distributes impact force across the body of the phone instead of concentrating it on one point.

Inside, component placement also plays a role. Critical parts such as storage modules and connectors are secured to reduce movement during sudden impact. This helps explain why data remained intact even after a high-velocity fall.

HONOR also emphasizes multi-layer protection. Instead of relying on a single tough material, the X9d 5G uses a combination of reinforced glass, shock-absorbing layers, and a rigid internal structure. Together, these elements help the phone survive drops that would normally destroy a mid-range device.

More Than a Stunt

It is easy to dismiss extreme drop tests as spectacle. But for everyday users, especially in the Philippines, durability is practical. Phones slip from pockets, fall from motorcycles, or hit concrete floors. While most people will never drop a phone from a plane, the test sets a benchmark for how much abuse the device can realistically handle.

HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng said the X9d 5G was designed with Filipino users in mind, focusing on toughness, innovation, and value. From a reviewer’s standpoint, the plane drop test reinforces that message. It shows confidence in the product’s engineering, not just its marketing.


The HONOR X9d 5G’s survival of a high-altitude drop does not mean it is indestructible. No smartphone truly is. But it does suggest that HONOR has pushed durability further than most competitors in the same price range.

For users who prioritize toughness without jumping to flagship prices, the HONOR X9d 5G stands out, not because it fell from the sky, but because it still worked after hitting the ground.

The full plane drop test can be viewed through HONOR Philippines’ official video release.