HONOR X8b Review - Pros and Cons, Sample Camera Shots, Unboxing and Actual Unit Photos

The Philippine smartphone market is ever-evolving, with manufacturers constantly striving to offer consumers the best combination of features, performance, and affordability. 

In this review, we'll delve into the HONOR X8b, a device that promises to deliver an elevated smartphone experience at a budget-friendly price point. With its impressive spec sheet and sleek design, the HONOR X8b aims to capture the attention of tech enthusiasts and budget-conscious consumers alike, including students and young professionals.

Price and Availability in the Philippines

The HONOR X8b made its official debut in the Philippines on February 21, 2024, at The Enderun Tent. Priced at PHP 12,999, this smartphone positions itself as an attractive option for those seeking high-end features without breaking the bank.

Quick Unboxing and Package Contents

HONOR X8 ships with a minimalist white box adorned with an image of the device on the top. 

Inside, they will find the HONOR X8b smartphone unit, a USB Type-C charging cable, a 35W travel charger, a warranty card, and a metal pin for ejecting the SIM card tray. Additionally, HONOR includes a transparent soft gel case to protect the device from scratches and minor impacts.

I particularly like the inclusiong of the free soft silicone case since budget-conscious consumers who'd purchase the HONOR X8b won't have to worry about buying one separately.

Design

Measuring just 6.78mm thick and weighing a mere 166g, it easily stands out as one of the thinnest and most lightweight smartphones in its category. This sleek design isn't just about aesthetics; it embodies practicality and convenience, allowing users to effortlessly slip the device into their pockets and carry it around with ease throughout the day.

HONOR X8b's design exudes elegance and sophistication, particularly in its Glamorous Green variant. The subtle argyle design pattern adorning the back panel adds a touch of refinement, enhancing the device's visual appeal. 

This attention to detail showcases HONOR's commitment to marrying style with functionality, catering to users who value both aesthetics and performance in their smartphones. Whether it's for a professional setting or a casual outing, the HONOR X8b in Glamorous Green is sure to turn heads and make a lasting impression.

HONOR X8b is also available in two other colorways, Titanium Silver, and Midnight Black, which are equally elegant while having a more subdued appeal.

Display

The HONOR X8b boasts an advanced 6.7-inch Eye-comfort Bright AMOLED Display, featuring an impressive HBM brightness of 1200 nits and a peak brightness reaching 2000 nits, ensuring exceptional visibility even in challenging outdoor lighting conditions. With its expansive screen-to-body ratio of 93.7% and a high resolution of 2412x1080, users can immerse themselves in a visual experience characterized by crisp details and vibrant colors. Furthermore, the display's inclusion of a 90Hz refresh rate and 3240Hz PWM Dimming not only enhances the smoothness of visuals but also prioritizes user comfort by mitigating eye strain, thus rendering it suitable for extended periods of usage.

I'd like to also point out that HONOR X8b has extremely slim display bezels all throughout. Many phones in this category have slim bezels on the top and sides of the screen but not the bottom part. As you can see in this photo, though, HONOR X8b's very thin bottom bezel is the same size as all the other parts. I like this. For me, this is another value-added feature of the phone.

The display's large screen size, coupled with remarkable brightness levels and resolution, ensures optimal viewing experiences across various lighting conditions. Additionally, the integration of value-added features like the 90Hz refresh rate and PWM Dimming underscores HONOR's commitment to providing users with a holistic viewing experience that prioritizes both visual quality and user well-being, setting a new standard for modern smartphone displays.

Cameras

Equipped with a versatile camera setup, the HONOR X8b empowers users to unleash their creativity and capture stunning images in any scenario. The device features a triple rear camera configuration, including a 108 MP wide-angle lens, a 5 MP ultrawide lens, and a 2 MP macro lens. Whether capturing breathtaking landscapes or intricate details, the HONOR X8b delivers impressive results with exceptional clarity and detail.

On the front, the device houses a 50 MP selfie camera, allowing users to snap stunning self-portraits and participate in video calls with friends and family.

The front-facing camera is housed in a pill-shaped hole on top of the display, which is reminscent of what we see on some flagship-level smartphones.

Here are sample selfies and duofies that I took using the HONOR X8b's front cam. All photos are straight out of camera, raw. Kindly tap for a larger view:

With my mom after her annual physical exam!

Inside Le Ching Restaurant in Del Monte, QC

With my long-time friend, Majen, after we watched Ampalaya Monologue Mapanak8t in Makati City to support our friend, JP

The Main 108MP camera features the ISOCELL HM6 mobile image sensor, letting you capture every moment and various subjects with precision and vibrant hues. Furthermore, the inclusion of Nonapixel Plus technology augments the camera's capabilities in dimly lit settings, resulting in vivid and sharp images regardless of the lighting condition.

Here are sample photos that I took using the main camera of the HONOR X8b. No edits! Straight out of the camera! Kindly tap for a larger view:

Look at the colors and details even at 2X Zoom!

I think the camera captures metallic hues well, ready for post processing.

So much clarity even at 2X Zoom!

Meet my dear mom, Alita Macanas, and Camille, my brother's partner

Portrait Mode! The background blur can be adjusted before snapping.

I love Spring Rolls at Le Ching Restaurant! The best! But pricey!

Le Ching still serves the best halo-halo lugaw in QC. However, their prices have increased significantly.

2X Zoom in Low Light Condition

The lighting was fairly dim at Chowking that night. I love their Fried Chicken Lauriat!

Maj and I shared this KangKong with Bagoong dish.

Video Recording

While the HONOR X8b excels in capturing still images, its video recording capabilities are limited to 1080p at 30 frames per second. While this may suffice for casual videography, users seeking higher resolution and frame rates may find themselves wanting more.

Nevertheless, I found the quality of videos recorded using HONOR X8b as surprisingly crisp and detailed with amazing dynamic range, despite the lack of option for 4K capture as well as electronic image stabilization. Want proof? Here's a sample video that I took using the HONOR X8b:

You can certainly use this cameraphone for vlogging. You just need to hold it steady or use a mobile gimbal. I mean, look at that image quality.

Internal Hardware

Under the hood, the HONOR X8b is powered by the 6nm Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G chipset, coupled with an octa-core CPU consisting of four Kryo 265 Gold cores clocked at 2.4 GHz and four Kryo 265 Silver cores clocked at 1.9 GHz. Paired with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage, the device offers smooth multitasking and ample storage for apps, photos, and media.

Unfortunately, the absence of a microSD card slot limits users' ability to expand storage further, which may be a drawback for some users.

Software

The HONOR X8b runs on Android 13 with MagicOS 7.2, offering users a seamless and intuitive user experience. With its clean and customizable interface, users can personalize their device to suit their preferences and workflow.

HONOR Magic OS interface has always been neat and organized. I dont' think anyone would have issues navigating it and even customizing it depending on his or her preferences.

Gaming Performance

In terms of gaming performance, the HONOR X8b delivers smooth and responsive gameplay, thanks to its Adreno 610 GPU. Special mention goes to its ability to handle popular titles like Mobile Legends Bang Bang with ease, providing gamers with an immersive gaming experience on the go.

Privacy and Security Features

The HONOR X8b prioritizes user privacy and security with its comprehensive array of features, including a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, facial recognition, pattern, and passcode unlock options. These robust security measures ensure that users' personal data remains protected against unauthorized access.

HONOR X8b flaunts a side-mounted Fingerprint Scanner that's integrated with the Power Button.

Battery and Charging Speed

With a non-removable 4500mAh Li-Po battery, the HONOR X8b offers all-day battery life, allowing users to stay connected and productive throughout their day. The device also supports 35W wired charging, enabling users to quickly top up their battery and get back to their tasks without delay.

Verdict

The HONOR X8b is a budget-friendly smartphone that punches above its weight class, offering users a compelling combination of premium features and performance at an affordable price point. While it excels in areas such as design, display, and camera capabilities, its limited video recording resolution and lack of expandable storage should likewise be taken note of by users.

Pros:

Sleek and modern design

Vibrant AMOLED display with high refresh rate

Versatile camera setup for stunning photography

Large internal storage

Smooth gaming performance

Robust privacy and security features

Long-lasting battery life with fast charging support

Cons:

Lack of 4K video recording capability and EIS

Lack of microSD card slot for storage expansion

Recommendation

For users like students and young professionals who are in search of a budget smartphone that offers flagship-level features and performance without breaking the bank, the HONOR X8b is an excellent choice. With its stylish design, vibrant display, versatile cameras, and reliable performance, the HONOR X8b proves to be a worthy contender in the competitive mid-range smartphone market.

Personally, I think that HONOR X8b is one of the strongest entry-level to lower-midrange releases of HONOR Philippines so far in terms of overall features and price point. It certainly gives you more value than the amount of money that you'd spend on purchasing it. I highly recommend this model.

HONOR X8b Specs

Dimensions: 161.1 x 74.6 x 6.8 mm (6.34 x 2.94 x 0.27 in)

Weight: 166 g (5.86 oz)

Build: Glass Front, Polycarbonate Shell

Colors: Glamorous Green, Titanium Silver, Midnight Black

DISPLAY

Size: 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio)

Resolution: 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density)

Type: AMOLED, 90Hz, 1200 nits (HBM), 2000 nits (peak)

PLATFORM

OS: Android 13, MagicOS 7.2

Chipset: 6nm Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G

CPU: Octa-core (4 x 2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold, 4 x 1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver)

GPU: Adreno 610

MEMORY

Card slot: No

RAM: 8GB + 8GB HONOR RAM Boost

Internal: 512GB

MAIN CAMERA

Triple:

108 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.67", PDAF

5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)

2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)

Features: LED flash, HDR, panorama

Video: 1080p 30fps

SELFIE CAMERA

Single: 50 MP, f/2.1, (wide)

Features: LED flash

Video: 1080p 30fps

SOUND

Loudspeaker: Yes

3.5mm jack: No

COMMUNICATIONS

SIM: Dual Nano-SIM, Dual Standby

WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Bluetooth 5.0, A2DP, LE

Positioning: GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS

NFC: No

Radio: No

USB: USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

PRIVACY 

Fingerprint Scanner: Yes, Side Mounted 

Facial Recognition: Yes 

Pattern and Passcode Unlock: Yes 

SENSORS  Accelerometer, Virtual Proximity, Compass

BATTERY

Type: Li-Po 4500 mAh, Non-Removable

Charging: 35W Wired

HONOR X8b Retail Package Design and Contents

Box - White Box with Image of HONOR X8b Printed on Top

Contents - HONOR X8b smartphone unit, USB Type C Charging Cable, 35W Travel Charger, Warranty Card, Metal Pin for Ejecting SIM Card Tray, Transparent Soft Gel Case

HONOR X8b Price in the Philippines

Official SRP: PHP 12,999

Official Launch Date in the Philippines: February 21, 2024 at The Enderun Tent