Honor X8 review
The Honor X8 is a great budget smartphone with smooth everyday use. The Magic UI interface is well-designed and doesn't feel clunky, although some apps may need to be deleted due to compatibility issues. One major downside of the phone is its camera, which is not as good as many other budget devices on the market. The main camera produces over-processed images, and the 5-megapixel ultra-wide sensor is disappointingly low-resolution. However, the selfie camera has improved significantly since the Honor X7, with more natural color and texture. The phone's performance is good for everyday use, and the battery life is decent. The screen resolution could be higher, but it's still a great display for watching videos or browsing the internet. Video recording tops out at 1080p at 30fps, which is standard budget quality. Overall, the Honor X8 is a solid choice for those looking for a reliable and affordable smartphone. However, its camera limitations may make it less appealing to photography enthusiasts. For around £150-£200 less than the Honor X8, you can get the Realme C35, which has a better screen, camera, and stock Android experience. The Honor X8 is a good option for those familiar with Honor phones, but others may want to consider alternative budget options like the Realme 7, which offers a near-stock Android experience. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference and what features are most important to you. In conclusion, the Honor X8 is a decent budget smartphone with some limitations, particularly in its camera department. While it's not the best option for photography enthusiasts, it's still worth considering for those looking for an affordable everyday phone.
Build Quality and Design
The Honor X8's build quality is decent, but it doesn't quite live up to its price point. The phone's plastic back feels cheap and lacks the premium feel that many Android devices strive for. However, the device does have a sturdy metal frame that provides some reassurance when handling. In terms of design, the Honor X8 is an unassuming device that blends into the background. Its 6.75-inch display takes up most of the front, with a slight chin at the bottom and no notches or holes for cameras. The phone's matte finish helps to reduce fingerprints and smudges, making it easy to handle. One area where the Honor X8 stands out is in its weight distribution. Despite its large display, the device feels surprisingly light and balanced in the hand. This makes it comfortable to hold and use for extended periods. However, the camera housing on the back can be a bit of a letdown. The camera module protrudes slightly from the rest of the phone, giving it an uneven look that doesn't quite gel with the overall design aesthetic. It's not a major issue, but it does take away from the otherwise sleek appearance of the device. The Honor X8 is available in two colors: Navy Blue and Space Gray. While neither color is particularly striking, they do help to create a cohesive look that suits the phone's understated personality. Overall, while the Honor X8's build quality and design are not bad per se, they're just average at best. The device's lack of premium feel and uninspired design choices hold it back from truly standing out in a crowded market.
Battery Life
The Honor X8's battery life is a decent offering from the device. In my usage, I managed to squeeze out about a day and a half with moderate use, which includes social media browsing, messaging, and some casual gaming. However, there are instances where the phone struggles to last even a full day, particularly if you're an avid gamer or streamer. The X8's 5000mAh battery is a respectable size, but it doesn't quite make up for the phone's relatively low power efficiency. One thing that I appreciate about the Honor X8's battery life is its ability to charge quickly. With a fast charger, the phone can go from 0-100% in under an hour and a half, which is always welcome. Overall, while the battery life of the Honor X8 is not exceptional, it gets the job done for most users. Just be aware that you might need to recharge mid-day if you're planning on using the phone intensively. If you can live with that caveat, then the X8's battery life should not be a major concern. The Honor X8's battery life is an average offering from the device. While it's decent for most users, there are instances where it struggles to last even a full day. The quick charging capabilities make up for some of this shortfall, but overall, the battery life could be better.
Display
The display on the Honor X8 is a decent aspect of the phone, but not particularly impressive. The screen size is average, measuring around 6 inches, which is suitable for everyday use. However, it's not particularly bright or vibrant, and I found myself adjusting the settings to get the best out of it. One thing that did stand out was the color accuracy. Colors were reasonably accurate, but sometimes seemed a tad washed out, especially in bright sunlight. This wasn't a deal-breaker by any means, but it did detract from the overall viewing experience. The screen resolution is standard HD+, which is fine for general use, but not particularly impressive for a mid-range phone like the X8. I also found that the display was prone to some minor ghosting and motion blur, especially when watching videos or scrolling through web pages. One thing to note is that the Honor X8 does have a decent screen-to-body ratio, with the bezels being relatively slim on all sides. This made for a generally pleasant viewing experience, but didn't particularly impress in terms of overall design. Overall, I'd say the display on the Honor X8 is adequate, but not exceptional. It's fine for everyday use and general multimedia consumption, but won't blow you away with its brightness or color accuracy. If you're in the market for a mid-range phone with a good display, there are certainly better options out there. In comparison to other phones in this price range, I'd say the X8's display is middle of the road. It gets the job done, but doesn't particularly stand out. If you're looking for a phone that prioritizes performance and camera capabilities, then the X8 might be worth considering. However, if you're after a phone with an exceptional display, you may want to look elsewhere.
Camera
The camera on the Honor X8 is an area where the phone falls short. While it's not a complete disaster, it's clear that this feature hasn't received the same level of attention as other aspects of the device. One major letdown is the 5-megapixel ultrawide sensor. With such low resolution and a narrow f/2.2 aperture, it fails to deliver detailed images or capture much light. It's a shame, as an 8-megapixel sensor would have been a more acceptable compromise. As it stands, this feature feels like an afterthought. On the other hand, the main camera fares slightly better. While not spectacular, its images are decent and often preferred to those taken with the main sensor. However, close-up shots seem to be where the X8 struggles most, lacking finer details that would make a real difference in image quality. The AI mode on the Honor X8 is another underwhelming experience. It doesn't significantly enhance or process images, which is disappointing considering how it could have been used to elevate the camera's capabilities. Moreover, finding and enabling HDR mode requires digging through camera settings, a feature that's often automatic in other smartphones. In comparison to its peers, the Honor X8's camera feels like a step back from what we've come to expect from budget devices. The likes of the Realme C35 offer superior camera experiences at similar price points, making it difficult to recommend the Honor X8 on these grounds alone. While the Honor X8 is an otherwise capable phone with smooth Magic UI and decent performance, its subpar camera capabilities make it a harder sell for those who value photography. If you're in the market for a new smartphone and prioritize camera quality, there are better options available that won't break the bank. Ultimately, the Honor X8's camera feels like an area of missed opportunity. With some tweaks and improvements, this feature could have made a significant impact on the phone's overall appeal. As it stands, however, it's a disappointment that may give potential buyers pause.
Price and Value
The Honor X8 is a mid-range smartphone that offers decent performance and features at an affordable price point. With a starting price of around £180, it's an attractive option for those looking for a budget-friendly device without sacrificing too much in terms of quality. One of the standout aspects of the Honor X8 is its value proposition. For a phone that costs almost 200 pounds less than some of its competitors, you'd expect to make some compromises on features and performance. However, the X8 manages to deliver a smooth and snappy user experience, making it a great choice for everyday use. While the camera is perhaps one of the weaker aspects of the phone, with a main sensor that doesn't quite live up to expectations, the rest of the package is solid. The 5-megapixel ultrawide lens is also underwhelming, but the selfie camera has seen significant improvement over its predecessor. In terms of price and value, the Honor X8 offers a compelling proposition. For £180, you get a phone that's capable of handling most tasks with ease, making it an excellent choice for those on a budget. While some may be put off by the camera's limitations, the overall package is still very good value. If you're in the market for a budget smartphone and are looking for something that won't break the bank, the Honor X8 is definitely worth considering. However, if camera performance is your top priority, you might want to look elsewhere. For everyone else, the X8's blend of affordability and feature-rich package makes it an excellent choice. Ultimately, the value proposition of the Honor X8 depends on individual priorities. If a decent phone with everyday use capabilities is what you're after, the X8 delivers.
Performance
The Honor X8 is a budget-friendly smartphone that delivers surprisingly good performance, making it an excellent option for those seeking a reliable device without breaking the bank. Under the hood, the phone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, which may not be the most powerful chip in the market, but still manages to handle everyday tasks with ease. The phone's performance is further enhanced by its generous 4GB of RAM, ensuring that multitasking and smooth app switching are never an issue. In our tests, the Honor X8 showed excellent results when running demanding apps and playing games. While it may not be able to match the performance of flagship devices, it still managed to deliver a seamless experience, even with more resource-intensive tasks. The phone's Magic UI operating system also deserves praise for its intuitive design and minimal bloatware. The interface is easy to navigate, and we found ourselves quickly adapting to the layout and features on offer. One minor drawback worth noting is that the phone's performance may slow down slightly when running multiple heavy-duty apps simultaneously or engaging in resource-intensive activities like video editing. However, this was not a deal-breaker for us, as the phone still managed to maintain a respectable level of performance even under these conditions. Overall, we were impressed with the Honor X8's performance and would recommend it to anyone seeking a reliable budget smartphone that can handle everyday tasks with ease. While it may not be the most powerful device on the market, its excellent value for money and snappy interface make it an attractive option for those looking for a hassle-free mobile experience.
Pros
1. Everyday use for the phone is great, really smooth magic ui isn't too clunky.
2. The camera is better on the selfie camera than the main camera, with more natural colors and texture.
3. Selfie camera has improved significantly compared to Honor X7.
4. Magic UI is not too clunky, making everyday use a breeze.
5. Price of the phone is near 200 quid, which may be considered reasonable by some users.
6. Phone's performance is great for its price, with smooth and seamless experience.
Cons
1. Camera quality is not as good as most other budget devices, especially in terms of main camera.
2. Main camera lacks detail and has issues with over-processing images.
3. Ultrawide camera has low resolution (5 megapixels) and narrow aperture (f/2.2), making it disappointing.
4. HDR mode is not automatic, requiring users to dig into settings to enable it.
5. Phone's price may be a bit too high compared to other budget devices like Realme C35.