HONOR X8a Philippines Price, Specs, Unboxing and Initial Review

The HONOR X8a is a budget-friendly smartphone that packs a punch with its impressive 100 MegaPixel main camera. For consumers who value photography on their smartphones but don't want to break the bank, the Honor X8a is certainly a great option.

However, the camera isn't the only impressive feature of this device. The Honor X8a also boasts a range of other features that make it a solid choice for those on a budget. In this review, we'll take a closer look at what the Honor X8a has to offer and whether it's worth considering for your next smartphone purchase.

Officially launched in the Philippines via an exclusive media event held at the Manila Yacht Club on March 14, 2023, HONOR X8a dons an official suggested retail price of PHP 10,990. It comes in three elegant and eye-catching colorways, namely, Cyan Lake, Titanium Silver, and Midnight Black.

Watch HONOR Philippines' Brand Marketing Manager, Ms. Joepy Libo-on talk about the key features and technical specifications of the all-new Honor X8a during the smartphone's official local launch, held at Manila Yacht Club on March 14, 2023. She also formally disclosed the official suggested retail price of the handset, which is PHP 10,990.

Unboxing and Package Contents

The Honor X8a arrives in a simple yet elegant white box, with the image of the handset and the model name printed on the cover. While it may not be as flashy as some of the more premium smartphones on the market, the minimalist packaging is in line with the device's budget-friendly price point.

As you can see, my review unit comes in the gorgeous Midnight Black colorway and inside the box, it is joined by the user guide, the metal pin for ejecting the SIM card tray, the USB Type C charging cable, the travel charger, and a free soft silicone case so there's no need to buy one separately.

Design and Ergonomics

Honor X8a is a sleek and stylish smartphone that bears a striking resemblance to the iPhone but with its own unique features and design elements. The device boasts a large 6.7-inch display with thin bezels and rounded corners, giving it a modern and premium look. 

The handset's predominantly polycarbonate shell is available in three distinct colorways: Cyan Lake, Titanium Silver, and Midnight Black. These colors add a touch of personality and flair to the device, allowing users to choose a style that suits their preferences.

The device featured curved corners and flat sides. On the right panel, you will find the volume rocker and the power button that incorporates the Fingerprint Scanner.

On the left side, you will find the Dual nano SIM card tray that can be ejected using the provided metal pin.

As I've said, what I have here is the Midnight Black version of the Honor X8a and it's the colorway that I personally recommend.

This variant's back panel has a frosted finish, which beautifully contrasted by the glossy black camera module design in the upper left corner. I think this "So Black" look is very attractive and classy.

On top, there's one of the stereo microphone pinholes and beside it, there seems to be a sensor. I think this is some sort of Virtual Proximity Sensor but I am not sure. Let me get back to you on that.

Finally, at the bottom, there's the other stereo microphone pinhole, the USB Type C charging port, and five holes for the loud speaker.

Honor X8a is surely an exquisite handset that you won't be shy to flaunt at the workplace or on a date in a cafe or restaurant. Its sleek and stylish iPhone-like design coupled with its stunning display create a sophisticated and premium look, making the Honor X8a is a perfect choice for those who want to get a new smartphone that looks more expensive that in actually is.

Display

The 6.7-inch FullHD+ IPS display on the Honor X8a is a remarkable feature that, for me, sets it apart from other handsets in its class with its sheer size and clarity. The screen has very thin bezels, giving the smartphone a modern and sleek look. Also, the 90Hz refresh rate is impressive, enabling an even smoother and more seamless user experience when you're navigating the interface with finger gestures.

The display's colors are vivid and vibrant, providing a truly immersive viewing experience for games, movies, and other multimedia. Whether you're using the handset for work or play, the display on the Honor X8a will exceed your expectations, providing a stunning visual experience that's definitely enjoyable and relaxing.

Camera and Imaging Capabilities

The Honor X8a's rear camera setup is impressive, sporting three shooter that provide versatile shooting capabilities for a wide range of scenarios.

The primary camera of the Honor X8a is a game-changer in this device's price bracket, thanks to its incredible 100 MegaPixel resolution that ensures that every shot is incredibly detailed and sharp. The f/1.9 aperture lets in ample light, resulting in impressive low-light performance. Additionally, the Phase Detection AutoFocus ensures that your subject is always in focus, even when capturing fast-moving action shots.

Stay tuned for a separate TechPinas article where I will show you sample 100MP photos of the world-renowned Manila Bay Sunset that I took using the Honor X8a during its launch at the Manila Yacht Club last March 14, 2023.

The ultra-wide camera of the Honor X8a is another useful and impressive feature. The 5-megapixel lens is perfect for capturing wide-angle shots or cramped indoor spaces, providing a broader field of view than the primary camera. The f/2.2 aperture allows for fairly good performance in low light, while the high resolution ensures that images are still sharp and detailed. With this camera, you can capture stunning landscapes, group shots, or architecture, all with ease.

The macro lens of the Honor X8a is a unique feature in its price category. The 2-megapixel lens has an f/2.4 aperture and allows you to get up close and personal with your subject, capturing even the smallest details with stunning clarity. Whether you're photographing insects, flowers, or other small objects, the macro lens of the Honor X8a will let you capture them in remarkable detail. 

Overall, the three rear cameras of the Honor X8a offer an impressive range of features that make this smartphone an excellent choice for mobile photographers of all skill levels, especially the newbies.

For those who love to take selfies and groufies, Honor X8a sports a 16 MegaPixel f/2.5 front-facing camera that's housed in the display punch hole.

This selfie-shooter captures detailed self-portaits even in low-light conditions and comes with an amazing beautification software, which allows users to adjust the Beauty Level from 1 to 10, giving them great control over the look of their selfies. Portrait Mode can also be turned on, which adds subtle background blur to selfies to make them look more visually pleasing.

If you're an aspiring TikToker, Youtuber, or Facebook vlogger, you can certainly create content using Honor X8a's front and back FullHD 30fps video recorder. The clips won't be as sharp or as vibrant as what you'd get with flagship-level smartphones but considering the accessible price tag of this model, I think the video quality that it delivers is definitely decent enough.

Internal Hardware

Honor X8a's set of internal hardware delivers a smooth and enjoyable user experience. 

At its core is the 12nm 2GHz Octa Core Mediatek Helio G88, a capable and energy-efficient processor that can handle fairly demanding tasks with ease. This processor incorporates a Mali-G52 MC2 GPU, which delivers decent graphics performance, making the handset good enough for light gaming and running most multimedia applications. 

The device also comes with 8GB RAM and Honor RAM Turbo technology, ensuring a smooth multitasking experience even when you're running several apps concurrently. With 128GB of internal storage, users have plenty of space to store their favorite apps, photos, and videos. Sadly, the handset lacks a microSD card slot,

Privacy and Security Features

If you're always wary about protecting your data and content against those who might check them without your permission, you'd be glad to know that Honor X8a comes with range of features designed to keep user data safe.

One of the notable features of the smartphone is its side-mounted fingerprint scanner, which is my personal favorite location for this sensor. I find this convenient since you'd only need one gesture to fire up the display and to unlock the interface. 

In addition to the fingerprint scanner, the Honor X8a also offers the usual pattern and passcode unlock options, as well as facial recognition. These multiple options give users the flexibility to choose the unlocking method that works best for them. With these privacy and security features, the user will certainly feel confident that his or her data is safe and secure on their Honor X8a.

Battery Size and Charging Speed

HONOR X8a is powered by a large 4,500 Li-Po battery pack, providing users - even those who love to take lots of photos or to play popular games like Mobile Legends Bang Bang throughout the day - with long uptime to keep them connected and entertained all day. 

What's even more impressive is the 22.5W Fast Charging feature, which can deliver a 50% charge in just 30 minutes. This means that users can spend less time tethered to a wall outlet and more time taking amazing photos with the smartphone's 100MP camera. With this fast charging feature, the Honor X8a is great handset option for those who are always on-the-go and need a gadget companion that can keep up with their busy lifestyle. 

Whether you're running between meetings or traveling, the Honor X8a's long-lasting battery and fast charging capability ensure that you're always connected and productive.

Availability and Recommendation

Honor X8a is set to be released in the Philippines at an official price of PHP 10,990, making it an affordable option for users who want high-end features without breaking the bank. 

For those who want to get their hands on this exciting model early, the pre-order period will run from March 14 to 24, 2023. Pre-ordering the Honor X8a during this period also comes with a freebie - a pair of wireless earbuds worth PHP 1,590.

(L-R) HONOR X8a Titanium Silver, Midnight Black, Cyan Lake color variants, respectively.

Overall, I highly recommend the HONOR X8a to anyone in the market for a new smartphone, especially those who are now planning to upgrade their entry-level device to a more aspirational handset that can take amazing photos in various lighting conditions. With its sleek and stylish design, powerful 100MP camera, impressive internal hardware, and notable security features, this model is definitely an excellent option for anyone who wants an elevated device without paying the premium price tag. Additionally, the large battery and 22.5W fast charging feature make the Honor X8a a great choice for people who are always on-the-go and need a handset that can keep up with their busy lifestyle or enable them to be more active in pursuing their passions like mobile photography.

With its impressive features and affordable price point, the HONOR X8a is definitely a new smartphone worth considering for anyone looking to upgrade their mobile experience.

HONOR X8a Specs

162.9 x 74.5 x 7.5 mm

179 grams

6.7 inches, FullHD+, 1080 x 2388 pixels, IPS LCD

90Hz Refresh Rate

Triple Rear Camera Module:

100 MegaPixels, f/1.9, Wide, Phase Detection AutoFocus

5 MegaPixels, f/2.2, Ultra-wide

2 MegaPixels, f/2.4, Macro

Front-Facing Camera:

16 MegaPixel, f/2.5

Video Recorder:

Front and Back - FullHD 1080p 30fps

Android 12

Magic UI 6.1

12nm 2GHz Octa Core Mediatek Helio G88

Mali-G52 MC2

8GB RAM + Honor RAM Turbo

128GB Internal Storage

Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac

Bluetooth 5.1

4G LTE-A

NFC

No Audio Jack

No FM Radio

Side-Mounted Fingerprint Scanner

USB Type-C 2.0

USB OTG

22.5W Fast Charging, 50% in 30 Minutes

Non-Removable 4,500 Li-Po Battery Pack

Cyan Lake, Titanium Silver, Midnight Black

HONOR X8a Price in the Philippines

Official SRP - PHP 10,990

Pre-Order Period - March 14 to 24, 2023

Pre-Order Freebie - Wireless Earbuds Worth PHP 1,590