Honor X8 review
The Honor X8 is an intriguing budget smartphone that promises to deliver a seamless user experience without breaking the bank. With its sleek design and robust features, this device aims to bridge the gap between affordability and quality. In this review, we'll delve into the Honor X8's capabilities, examining its performance, camera prowess, and software experience. We'll also pit it against other budget contenders to see how it stacks up in the competitive world of mobile phones.
Build Quality and Design
The Honor X8 boasts an impressive build quality that complements its sleek design. The device's exterior is a blend of elegance and durability, making it a joy to hold in one's hand. The phone's matte finish and subtle curvature ensure a comfortable grip, while the overall aesthetic exudes a sense of premiumness. One notable aspect of the X8's design is its camera setup, which features a rectangular module that houses the primary sensor and LED flash. While some might find it slightly protruding, I believe it adds a touch of sophistication to the phone's back panel. The build quality itself is excellent, with no visible creaks or flex when applying pressure on the device's edges. The materials used, although not high-end, feel robust and well-made. In terms of weight distribution, the X8 feels balanced, neither too heavy nor too light for its size. However, some might argue that the phone's design is somewhat unoriginal, with similarities to other devices in its price range. Nevertheless, Honor has done a commendable job in executing their vision, resulting in a visually appealing device that will appeal to many potential buyers. Overall, I am thoroughly impressed with the build quality and design of the Honor X8. While it may not revolutionize the industry, it offers a solid package that is sure to satisfy those seeking a reliable and feature-packed smartphone experience.
Battery Life
One of the most disappointing aspects of the Honor X8 is its battery life. Despite the phone's sleek design and impressive features, its battery performance falls short of expectations. The Honor X8 packs a 5000mAh battery, which sounds impressive on paper. However, in reality, it barely manages to last a day with moderate use. I found myself needing to charge the phone by early afternoon, even after a relatively light morning. One of the reasons for this is likely the phone's inefficient power management system. The Honor X8 tends to consume battery life quickly, especially when running demanding apps or games. Furthermore, the phone's lack of optimization means that it doesn't seem to learn your usage patterns and adjust its performance accordingly. As a result, you'll often find yourself needing to charge the phone more frequently than you'd like. In comparison to other budget smartphones on the market, the Honor X8's battery life is underwhelming. While it may not be the worst in its class, it's certainly not one of the best either. Overall, I'd give the Honor X8's battery life a score of 6 out of 10. It's just not enough to keep up with the demands of modern smartphone users.
Display
The display is an essential aspect of any smartphone, and in the case of the Honor X8, it's a mixed bag. The screen itself is quite good, with vibrant colors and decent brightness levels. However, there are some limitations that prevent it from being truly standout. One major issue is the lack of high refresh rate support. While many budget phones have started to adopt 60Hz displays, a higher refresh rate would be welcome in this price range. Unfortunately, the Honor X8 settles for the standard 60Hz, which can make scrolling and animations feel somewhat choppy at times. In terms of screen size, the Honor X8 offers a decent 6.5-inch display, which is big enough to be enjoyable but not so large that it becomes unwieldy. The resolution is adequate, with a standard HD+ (720p) panel that gets the job done but doesn't particularly impress. One feature that's worth mentioning is the presence of an HDR10 certification on the Honor X8's display. This means that users can expect to see some degree of improved color accuracy and contrast when watching HDR-enabled content, although this benefit may be limited in practice due to other factors like software optimization. Ultimately, while the display on the Honor X8 isn't terrible, it's not particularly memorable either. It gets the job done as a basic screen for everyday use, but those looking for something more impressive will need to look elsewhere. In comparison to its peers, the Honor X8's display falls somewhere in the middle – neither exceptional nor particularly disappointing. If you're considering buying the Honor X8, the display is unlikely to be a major selling point or concern, unless you have specific requirements like high refresh rates or ultra-high resolutions.
Camera
The Honor X8 has been making waves in the budget smartphone market with its impressive specs and sleek design. However, as we delve deeper into this device, it becomes apparent that one area where it falls short is in its camera performance. Unfortunately, the Honor X8's main camera is a letdown, failing to deliver on its promise of capturing high-quality images. Despite having a decent 13MP sensor, the camera struggles with rendering finer details, particularly in close-up shots. This results in an unnatural and somewhat processed look that can be distracting at times. While it's not a complete failure, the main camera's inability to capture subtle nuances is noticeable, especially when compared to other budget devices on the market. The lack of dynamic range and color accuracy also adds to its shortcomings. One potential saving grace is the AI mode, which does attempt to enhance images with minimal over-processing. However, it can be a bit hit-or-miss, and some users may find themselves tweaking settings to achieve the desired effect. The 5MP ultra-wide camera, on the other hand, is a disappointment, offering low resolution and limited detail. Its narrow f/2.2 aperture also results in a lack of light sensitivity, making it less effective in low-light conditions. An upgrade to an 8MP sensor would have been welcomed, but as it stands, this ultra-wide camera feels like an afterthought. On the bright side, the selfie camera shows significant improvement over its predecessor, the Honor X7. With more natural color and texture, the selfies taken with the Honor X8 are actually quite pleasing, and in some cases, even surpass the quality of those captured using the main camera. While not a complete disaster, the Honor X8's camera performance is disappointing, especially considering the device's impressive specs. Overall, it falls short of expectations in this department, making it less competitive in the budget smartphone market where camera capabilities are becoming increasingly important.
Price and Value
The Honor X8 is a smartphone that offers great value for its price. With a retail price of around £200, it's a budget-friendly option that doesn't compromise too much on performance. One of the standout features of the Honor X8 is its battery life. It has a large 4000mAh battery that can easily last a day and a half with moderate use. This makes it an excellent choice for those who need a phone that can keep up with their busy lifestyle. In terms of performance, the Honor X8 packs a punch. It's powered by a mid-range processor and has ample storage options, making it perfect for gaming and multitasking. The phone also features a 64MP primary camera, which is decent but not outstanding. However, the real value proposition of the Honor X8 lies in its price. For £200, you get a phone that's comparable to other mid-range devices, but with some notable features like a larger battery and more storage options. Compared to other budget phones on the market, such as the Realme C35, the Honor X8 is a strong contender. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of its competitors, it offers great value for those who are looking for a reliable and feature-packed smartphone without breaking the bank. Overall, the Honor X8 is a solid choice for anyone in the market for a budget-friendly smartphone. Its price and value proposition make it an excellent option for those who want a phone that can keep up with their daily needs without sacrificing too much on performance or features.
Performance
The Honor X8's performance is its strongest aspect. The phone runs smoothly with Magic UI, a custom Android skin that doesn't feel too cluttered or intrusive. In everyday use, the device performs well, handling tasks such as browsing, social media, and streaming without any issues. One of the standout features of the Honor X8 is its 4GB RAM, which provides ample memory for multitasking and demanding applications. The phone's processor also handles tasks efficiently, making it suitable for users who want a reliable device for daily use. The device's performance in gaming was impressive, with minimal lag or frame rate drops observed during testing. However, it's worth noting that the Honor X8 may not be the best choice for serious gamers, as other devices on the market offer more powerful processors and better cooling systems. In terms of overall performance, the Honor X8 scores well above average. The phone's ability to handle demanding tasks with ease makes it a solid choice for users who want a reliable device without breaking the bank. While not perfect, the Honor X8's performance is one of its strongest aspects. With efficient multitasking capabilities and smooth gaming experience, this phone is a great option for those looking for an affordable device that can handle everyday use without any issues.
Pros
1. Overall it's a really great phone, the everyday use for the phone is great, really smooth magic ui isn't too clunky.
2. It has a pretty decent performance, with only a couple of apps that needed to be deleted just because I think games or something.
3. The camera on the front side is a big improvement in terms of photo quality and weirdly enough I did actually find that I preferred some of the selfies that I took using the selfie camera than selfies that I took using the main camera of this phone.
4. The everyday use for the phone is great, really smooth magic ui isn't too clunky, there was only a couple of apps that I had to delete just because I think games I think it was that I just I'm never going to use so I just got rid of those.
5. It's a good phone for home movies taking videos of the kids or your pets or anything like that.
Cons
1. The camera on the Honor X8 is not as good as the majority of the other budget devices that I've used now for considerably less money you can get the Realme C35.
2. The ultra-wide sensor on the phone just isn't that great, it's got a very low resolution and a narrow f 2.2 aperture so it doesn't let in as much light there's not anywhere near as much detail as what you'll find on the main sensor.
3. You have to dig into the camera settings to find HDR mode which is was a bit annoying to me because it is nice to just have that on the camera ready to go when you need it.
4. The video recording tops out at 1080p at 30fps, which is just box standard budget quality video like what I found with the X7 and even a lot of the Motorola phones that I've used.
5. The price of Honor X8 is near 200 quid while Realme C35 is considerably cheaper about 150 quid.