Honor 8X Comprehensive Review of Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Design and Build

The Honor 8X boasts a premium-looking design often associated with high-end smartphones. It features a glass front and back, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, and an aluminum frame. The dimensions are 160.4 x 76.6 x 7.8 mm, and it weighs 175 g, making it relatively slim and comfortable to hold. The availability of multiple color options, including Black, Blue, Red, and Pink, adds to its aesthetic appeal.

Display

This device comes with a 6.5-inch IPS LCD screen with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, resulting in an impressive pixel density of approximately 397 ppi. The display offers vibrant color reproduction and sharp visual quality, making it ideal for consuming media content. The screen-to-body ratio of about 84% provides an immersive viewing experience.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Honor 8X houses a Kirin 710 chipset, built on a 12 nm process. The octa-core CPU comprises four Cortex-A73 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz for demanding tasks and four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.7 GHz for efficient power usage. The Mali-G51 MP4 GPU handles graphics processing, delivering smooth performance in games and applications. The device is offered with either 4GB or 6GB RAM options, and internal storage options of 64GB or 128GB, which are expandable via a dedicated microSDXC slot.

Software

The Honor 8X initially shipped with Android 8.1 (Oreo) but is upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), layered with EMUI 9.0. This user interface offers additional features and customizations beyond the stock Android experience, including gesture controls, a revamped settings menu, and various enhancements aimed at improving battery life and performance.

Camera

The device features a dual-camera setup on the rear, consisting of a 20 MP primary sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and a 2 MP depth sensor for bokeh effects. The camera supports features like LED flash, panorama, and HDR, and can record video at 1080p at 30/60fps with options to capture slow-motion at 480fps. The front camera is a 16 MP shooter with an f/2.0 aperture, producing high-quality selfies and supporting 1080p video recording at 30fps.

Network and Connectivity

The Honor 8X supports comprehensive network connectivity options, including GSM, CDMA, HSPA, and LTE. The device supports dual SIM functionality (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by), ensuring a robust connectivity experience. Other connectivity features include Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2 with aptX support, FM radio, GPS, GLONASS, BDS positioning, NFC (limited to the JSN-L21 model), and microUSB 2.0 with OTG capability.

Battery Life

The device is powered by a non-removable Li-Po 3750 mAh battery. It supports 10W charging, which, while not the fastest in its class, efficiently powers the device throughout the day. Tests have shown an endurance rating of 96 hours, indicating substantial battery life capable of handling a full day’s usage even with demanding activities.

Audio and Multimedia

The Honor 8X includes a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, ensuring versatility in audio output options. It provides decent sound quality with a voice loudness of 67dB, noise levels at 72dB, and a ringing volume of 81dB. The audio quality in terms of noise and crosstalk is impressive, offering a pleasant audio experience whether using the speaker or headphones.

Additional Features

Sensors on the Honor 8X include a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass, adding further convenience and functionality. The fingerprint sensor offers reliable and speedy unlocking, enhancing security without compromising ease of access.

Pricing and Availability

The Honor 8X was announced and released in September 2018. At the time of release, it was priced at approximately 220 EUR, making it a competitively priced mid-range smartphone with several premium features. It remains available in various regions and holds value for users looking for a budget-friendly device with solid performance and features.

Conclusion

The Honor 8X stands out in the mid-range segment with its attractive design, capable performance, and comprehensive feature set. It appeals particularly to users seeking a large display for media consumption, a competent camera system for photography, and a long-lasting battery for enduring performance throughout the day. Despite being launched in 2018, it remains a viable option for individuals prioritizing value and functionality in their smartphones.