CAN IT SURVIVE? Plane Drop Proof HONOR X9d 5G Faces the Most Extreme Smartphone Durability Test Yet

Can a mid range smartphone survive a real high altitude drop from an aircraft with no protective case at all?

HONOR Philippines set out to answer that bold question in the most dramatic way possible, and the result has the tech community talking.

HONOR X9d 5G Takes Smartphone Durability to New Heights

HONOR Philippines kicked off 2026 with its most daring release yet, officially unveiling the HONOR X9d 5G as the toughest mid range smartphone of the year. Built for users who demand strength, reliability, and performance in one device, the newest addition to the X Series was put through an extreme durability test unlike anything before it.

This time, there were no controlled lab drops or short falls. The HONOR X9d 5G was released from an ultralight plane flying at approximately 60 kilometers per hour, with no case and no safety net.

A Legacy of Extreme Smartphone Tests

Since the X Series arrived in the Philippines in 2023, HONOR has made durability a defining trait of its mid range smartphones. The HONOR X9a 5G gained viral attention after surviving repeated drop tests, while the X9b 5G shocked audiences with a 50 foot fall.

In early 2025, the HONOR X9c 5G raised the bar even higher with its Triple Defense system and a headline grabbing helicopter drop test, earning a Guinness World Record for the most people performing a mobile phone drop test simultaneously.

With the HONOR X9d 5G, the brand pushed durability testing beyond anything it had done before.

Why HONOR Keeps Raising the Stakes

According to Stephen Cheng, Vice President of HONOR Philippines, the relentless testing reflects real world expectations.

“Filipino consumers want devices that can keep up with everyday challenges,” Cheng shared. “The HONOR X9d 5G was built to combine toughness, innovation, and value. Our extreme tests are our way of showing confidence in what this phone can handle.”

Gian Viterbo Accepts the Ultimate Plane Drop Challenge

To ensure transparency and credibility, HONOR Philippines partnered with Gadget Pilipinas Editor in Chief Gian Viterbo to conduct the test himself.

Viterbo admitted that agreeing to the challenge came from pure curiosity as a consumer.

“I knew the risks and variables involved,” he said. “I honestly wanted to see if the HONOR X9d 5G would survive something this extreme.”

Dropping a smartphone from a plane was a first not just for Viterbo, but for the local tech industry as well. Expectations were low when it came to physical condition.

“I expected the screen and body to be unusable,” he explained. “What surprised me was that durability meant more than just surviving the impact. Even if there were signs of damage, the phone protected my files and data. That, to me, is real durability.”

Watch the Full HONOR X9d 5G Plane Drop Test

The entire high altitude plane drop challenge is available online, allowing viewers to see exactly how the HONOR X9d 5G performed under extreme conditions.

Watch the full video here: https://bit.ly/HONORX9d5G_PlaneChallenge

HONOR X9d 5G Launch Event and Giveaways

HONOR Philippines invites fans and tech enthusiasts to tune in to the official launch of the HONOR X9d 5G on January 9 at 6 PM, streaming live on Facebook. Viewers will have the chance to win the newest HONOR X9d 5G and get exclusive announcements during the event.

Rumors are also circulating about a possible Tesla Cybertruck giveaway, and HONOR promises answers very soon.

Stay Updated with HONOR Philippines

For launch updates, product announcements, and exclusive previews, visit HONOR’s official website and follow HONOR Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

The full lineup of HONOR smartphones, tablets, and laptops is available at HONOR Experience Stores and partner retailers nationwide, as well as online through Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.

With a smartphone tough enough to fall from the sky, the HONOR X9d 5G is redefining what users can expect from a mid range device.