Honor 8X Max The Ultimate Guide to Specs Prices Pros and Cons

Overview of the Honor 8X Max

The Honor 8X Max, launched in September 2018, is a remarkable device from Honor that offers a high-value mix of impressive features and performance for its price. It is part of the Honor series that balances cost-effectiveness with advanced technology, making it appealing to a broad range of smartphone users. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the Honor 8X Max, delving into its key specifications, features, and overall performance.

Design and Build Quality

The Honor 8X Max boasts a sleek and stylish design, reflecting modern smartphone aesthetics. It features dimensions of 177.6 x 86.3 x 8.1 mm and weighs 210 grams, making it somewhat larger and heavier than its contemporaries. The phone's build includes a glossy finish, giving it a premium look while maintaining durability. The device supports dual SIM functionality, offering greater flexibility for users who require multiple lines.

Display

One of the standout features of the Honor 8X Max is its expansive 7.12-inch IPS LCD display. The screen offers a resolution of 1080 x 2244 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 350 ppi. This resolution ensures sharp and vibrant visuals, making media consumption, gaming, and multimedia tasks a delight. The screen-to-body ratio stands at around 83.4%, providing an immersive viewing experience with minimal bezels.

Performance and Hardware

At the heart of the Honor 8X Max is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor. Built on a 14 nm process, this chipset features an octa-core CPU with four high-performance Kryo 260 Gold cores clocked at 1.95 GHz and four energy-efficient Kryo 260 Silver cores at 1.8 GHz. The processor is coupled with an Adreno 512 GPU, offering competent graphics performance. This combination ensures smooth multitasking and satisfactory performance for most apps and games.

Memory and storage options for the Honor 8X Max are generous, with configurations including 4GB or 6GB of RAM paired with either 64GB or 128GB of internal storage. Additionally, the phone supports microSDXC expansion via a dedicated slot, which is essential for users who require additional storage space.

Camera Capabilities

The Honor 8X Max is equipped with a dual rear camera setup. The primary camera is a 16 MP sensor with an f/2.0 aperture and phase detection autofocus (PDAF), providing crisp images and decent low-light performance. It is complemented by a 2 MP depth sensor with an f/2.4 aperture that aids in achieving bokeh effects in portrait shots. The camera supports features such as LED flash, panorama, and HDR, enhancing the photography experience.

The front-facing camera is an 8 MP sensor with an f/2.0 aperture. It also supports HDR and can capture 1080p videos at 30fps, ensuring good-quality selfies and video calls.

Battery Life and Charging

One of the key selling points of the Honor 8X Max is its substantial 5000 mAh non-removable Li-Po battery. This large battery capacity is designed to support the device through extensive usage, making it ideal for users who require a dependable smartphone for long periods away from charging points. The phone supports 18W fast charging, ensuring that recharging the battery is relatively quick and convenient. Additionally, it offers 5W reverse wired charging capabilities.

Software and User Interface

The Honor 8X Max originally ships with Android 8.1 Oreo and is upgradable to Android 9 Pie, topped with Honor's EMUI 9. The EMUI interface is feature-rich and offers numerous customization options to enhance usability and personalization. While not the latest Android version, the software provides a stable and user-friendly experience with various OEM enhancements.

Network and Connectivity

The Honor 8X Max supports a broad range of connectivity options. It is compatible with GSM, CDMA, HSPA, and LTE networks, ensuring robust wireless communication capabilities. The device supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2 with A2DP and LE, GPS, GLONASS, and BDS for navigation. However, it lacks NFC functionality, which may be a drawback for users who prefer contactless payments. The smartphone includes FM radio and utilizes microUSB 2.0 for charging and data transfer, which also supports OTG.

Audio and Multimedia

The Honor 8X Max comes with stereo speakers that provide a satisfactory audio output for everyday multimedia consumption. The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack is a plus for users who prefer wired headphones over Bluetooth options. The device supports various audio and video file formats, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of media.

Sensors and Additional Features

Sufficiently equipped in terms of sensors, the Honor 8X Max includes a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass. These sensors contribute to the overall functionality and enhance user interaction with the device. The fingerprint scanner, in particular, is fast and reliable, providing a secure method for unlocking the phone.

Color Options and Pricing

The Honor 8X Max is available in three colors: Black, Blue, and Red. This range of colors allows consumers to choose according to personal aesthetic preferences. The device was initially launched at a price of about 250 EUR, offering significant value for the features and performance it delivers.

Conclusion

In summary, the Honor 8X Max is a formidable contender in the mid-range smartphone market. With a large display, competent hardware, solid battery life, and an attractive price point, it appeals to users seeking a balance of performance and cost. While it may not have the latest software updates or high-end specifications, its overall package is compelling enough to make it a worthy choice for many users. Offering excellent value, it stands out as a smart option for those in search of a reliable and well-rounded smartphone experience.