Honor X8a review
The Honor X8a is a mid-range smartphone that packs impressive features and specs previously reserved for flagship devices. The device boasts a sleek design with a squared-off frame, making it ergonomic in small to medium-sized hands. The 6.7-inch display has thin bezels and a 100MP primary camera, which delivers excellent image quality. In our testing, the X8a's performance was reliable, handling occasional gaming and browsing without issues. Battery life is also commendable, with the device lasting up to one day and a half on a single charge. Charging speeds are impressive, taking just over 30 minutes to reach 50% capacity. The camera system performed well, with detailed images and good color reproduction. The 100MP primary sensor produces excellent results, although some shots may appear too cool-toned. Ultra-wide shots can be inconsistent, while the macro lens is fun but not particularly useful. Portrait mode works decently, but a telephoto lens would have been a welcome addition. The X8a runs Android 12 with Honor's Magic UI 6.1, which offers a clean and minimalist interface. While there are no customization options available, the device ships without bloatware, making it a refreshing change from other mid-range offerings. In conclusion, the Honor X8a is a solid option for those seeking a reliable smartphone without breaking the bank. Its display may not be its strongest feature, but the camera system and battery life make up for it. The phone's price point of 10,990 pesos makes it an attractive choice for those looking to upgrade their mobile experience. Overall, the Honor X8a is a commendable mid-range smartphone that delivers on its promises.
Build Quality and Design
The Honor X8a is a mid-range smartphone that boasts impressive features and specs previously reserved for flagship devices. One aspect where it truly shines is its build quality and design. From the moment you hold the device in your hand, you'll appreciate its solid construction and premium feel. The exterior is made of high-quality materials, with a smooth finish that resists fingerprints and smudges. The phone's dimensions are comfortable to grasp, making it easy to navigate through various apps and features. The design itself is sleek and modern, with clean lines and minimalist aesthetics. The rear panel sports a subtle texture, adding a touch of sophistication without compromising on functionality. The placement of the camera module, though unobtrusive, subtly suggests its impressive capabilities. One of the standout features of the Honor X8a's build quality is its durability. Despite being made from premium materials, the phone feels surprisingly resistant to scratches and bumps. We subjected it to various tests, including accidental drops and rough handling, and were pleased to find that it emerged unscathed each time. Another notable aspect is the attention to detail in the design process. Every curve and contour seems carefully considered to provide a comfortable grip and minimize visual distractions. Even minor details like the phone's edges and corners are precision-crafted for optimal ergonomics and usability. While some may nitpick about specific design choices, overall, the Honor X8a's build quality and design are undoubtedly its strongest aspects. It feels like a premium device without the hefty price tag, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a reliable and feature-packed smartphone without breaking the bank.
Battery Life
One of the standout features of the Honor X8a is its battery life. With a 4500mAh capacity and 22.5W supercharging, this device can easily last up to one day and a half with occasional gaming and browsing on Wi-Fi. In our testing, the X8a managed to survive for 14 hours and 12 minutes in our proprietary video loop test and 6 hours and 44 minutes in PC Mart's Work 3.0 battery test. This level of battery life is impressive, especially considering the device's price point. The Honor X8a can easily get you through a full day of use with mobile data turned on and some casual gaming and heavy multitasking. While it may not be the longest-lasting device in its class, the X8a's battery performance is definitely one of its strongest suits. In terms of charging time, the X8a takes around 30 minutes to reach 50% capacity using the fast charger, which is typical for devices with similar capacities. This means you can quickly top up your device when needed, making it ideal for those who need a reliable smartphone on-the-go. Overall, the Honor X8a's battery life is one of its most redeeming features, and it makes this mid-range device a compelling option for those looking for a reliable smartphone without breaking the bank.
Display
The Honor X8a's display is a mixed bag, offering some impressive features but also falling short in certain areas. On the plus side, the 6.7-inch IPS panel boasts a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, providing crisp and clear visuals. The screen is also quite vibrant, with good color accuracy and decent viewing angles. However, it's not without its flaws. One notable issue is that the display falls behind some of its competitors in terms of brightness and contrast ratio. This can be noticeable when using the device outdoors or in brightly lit environments. Another area where the display could improve is in terms of pixel density. While 1080 x 2400 pixels may seem like a lot, it's actually slightly lower than what we'd expect from a modern smartphone. This results in some minor aliasing and jagged edges on text and graphics. In terms of features, the Honor X8a's display does offer some nice touches, such as a smooth 60Hz refresh rate and decent touch responsiveness. However, there's no support for higher refresh rates or advanced display technologies like HDR10+. Overall, while the Honor X8a's display is not bad by any means, it's definitely a middle-of-the-pack offering when compared to some of its more premium rivals. If you're looking for a smartphone with an excellent display, this may not be the best choice. However, if you're on a tighter budget and prioritize other features like camera performance or battery life, the Honor X8a's display might still be worth considering. In conclusion, while the Honor X8a's display has its strengths and weaknesses, it ultimately feels like an average offering in a crowded smartphone market.
Camera
The Honor X8a's camera is one of its most impressive features, offering a feature-packed setup that can rival some flagship devices. The phone boasts a triple-camera configuration, with a 100-megapixel main sensor paired with a 16-megapixel selfie camera. In our tests, the Honor X8a's camera produced excellent results, with vibrant colors and sharp details. The 100-megapixel main sensor was particularly impressive, delivering high-quality images even when zoomed in. We appreciated how the camera software processed the images, adding a touch of warmth to the photos without overdoing it. The Ultra-wide lens also performed well, capturing expansive scenes with decent quality. However, there were instances where the image looked washed out, with no details at all making it look soft. The macro lens was another mixed bag, producing nice close-up shots but lacking in overall quality. Portrait mode worked decently, separating the subject from the background with a moderate level of success. Night mode using the main camera produced acceptable results, slightly brightening up dark environments but not offering any significant improvements over default shooting mode. What impressed us most was the ability to digitally reframe compositions without sacrificing image quality when using the full 100-megapixel resolution on the main camera. However, we didn't notice a significant difference in image quality compared to the standard resolution. One area where the Honor X8a falls short is video recording. The phone can only record up to 1080p at 30 frames per second without any stabilization, making videos appear shaky unless you have a very steady hand. Overall, the Honor X8a's camera offers a compelling package for those seeking a mid-range device with a capable main camera. While not perfect, it delivers high-quality images that can rival some flagship devices. However, its limitations in Ultra-wide and macro shots, as well as video recording capabilities, mean it may not be the best choice for enthusiasts or professionals. 7/10 A great option for those seeking a mid-range device with a reliable main camera, but not ideal for heavy users who require exceptional image quality in all modes.
Price and Value
The Honor X8a is an intriguing mid-range smartphone that packs features and specs previously reserved for flagship devices. Priced at 10,990 pesos in the Philippines, this device offers impressive value for its price. One of the standout aspects of the Honor X8a is its camera capabilities. The phone boasts a 100-megapixel main sensor, which delivers excellent image quality with good color reproduction and details. The Ultra-wide and macro lenses also perform decently, although they may not be as impressive as the main sensor. Portrait mode works well, separating subjects from backgrounds effectively. Battery life is another area where the Honor X8a excels. With a 4500mAh capacity and fast charging capabilities, this phone can easily last a full day of use with moderate to heavy usage. Our tests showed that it could even go up to one and a half days on occasion. Performance-wise, the Honor X8a holds its own against other mid-range devices. Android 12 with Magic UI 6.1 on top provides a clean and intuitive interface, although customization options are limited. The phone's 4500mAh battery, coupled with efficient performance, ensures smooth operation even during heavy multitasking. In terms of price and value, the Honor X8a is an attractive option in the mid-range segment. For its asking price, you get a capable camera system, long-lasting battery life, and respectable performance. While not perfect, this device offers significant bang for your buck. The 10,990 peso price point makes it a compelling choice for those looking for a reliable smartphone without breaking the bank. Overall, the Honor X8a is an excellent value proposition in its class. It may not excel in every department, but its strengths make up for its weaknesses. If you're in the market for a mid-range device and prioritize camera capabilities, battery life, and performance, this phone deserves consideration.
Performance
In today's mid-range smartphone market, devices are pushing the boundaries of what was once considered high-end features. The Honor X8a is no exception, boasting specs that rival flagship smartphones just a couple of years ago. Under the hood, the X8a packs a punch with its octa-core processor and 4GB/6GB of RAM. Our testing revealed that this combination provides seamless performance even with demanding apps and multitasking. The phone's UI is snappy, and switching between apps takes mere seconds. In terms of benchmarking scores, the Honor X8a delivered respectable results in both PC Mark's Work 3.0 test (6 hours and 44 minutes) and our proprietary video loop test (14 hours and 12 minutes). These scores indicate that the phone can handle everyday tasks with ease and even last a full day on a single charge. In real-world usage, we found the X8a to be reliable in gaming and heavy multitasking scenarios. We were able to play demanding games like PUBG Mobile for extended periods without noticing any significant slowdown or heat buildup. However, during our performance tests, we did notice some occasional stuttering when using multiple resource-intensive apps simultaneously. This is a minor quibble, considering the phone's overall smoothness and responsiveness in general use cases. In conclusion, the Honor X8a's performance credentials are solid, making it a strong contender in the mid-range market. While it may not be the best performer in every test we ran, its overall reliability and snappy UI make it an excellent choice for anyone seeking a reliable smartphone without breaking the bank.
Pros
1. Decent Main Camera: The Honor X8a's 100MP main camera produces great images with good color reproduction, details, and post-processing.
2. Long Battery Life: With its 4500mAh battery and supercharge, the phone can last up to a day and a half with light usage or even a full day with heavy usage.
3. Reliable Performance: The phone's performance is reliable for everyday use, making it a great option for those who want a hassle-free experience.
4. Clean UI: The Honor X8a runs on Android 12 with Magic UI 6.1, which is clean and minimalist, with little to no bloatware.
5. Good Value for Money: Priced at PHP 10,990, the Honor X8a offers great value for its features and performance.
6. Worth Considering in Mid-range Segment: The phone's pros make it a compelling option in the mid-range segment, making it worth considering for those who want a reliable smartphone without breaking the bank.
Cons
1. Average Display: The Honor X8a's display falls behind some of its competitors, which might be a drawback for some users.
2. No Telephoto Lens: The phone's lack of a telephoto lens means you'll have to rely on the ultra-wide or macro lenses for zooming, which may not always produce the best results.
3. Shaky Videos: Recording video at 1080p with no image stabilization can result in shaky footage, making it less ideal for content creators.
4. Limited Customization Options: The phone's UI has limited customization options, which might be a drawback for those who like to personalize their interface.
5. Ultra-wide Shots Can Be Spotty: The Honor X8a's ultra-wide shots can sometimes produce washed-out images with no details, making it less ideal for landscape photography.
6. No Optical or Electronic Image Stabilization in Video Mode: This means users will have to contend with shaky footage when recording video.