HONOR X8b Review | Geek Lifestyle

HONOR is bringing a massive upgrade to their X series.

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Not even a month since their last major successful launch, HONOR just came back swinging with a new addition to their smartphone lineup. The HONOR X8b stands head and shoulders above its predecessor, featuring a spiffy new look, some premium midrange features, one massive upgrade that’s difficult to ignore. 

Following last year’s HONOR X8a, this device slides right between the budget-friendly and midrange slot. However, this doesn’t mean it cuts any corners. The aforementioned upgrades are, indeed, substantial. From a 108MP camera, to an overly generous 512GB storage, the bells and whistles included are simply icing on the cake.

After giving it a spin ourselves, we can appreciate what a year’s worth of R&D can do to such a smartphone. HONOR has been killing it on both ends of the price spectrum, and it’s clear that they acknowledge the slightly awkward spot the “X and b” series is in. Seemingly to rectify this, we get a smartphone that’s somewhat an amalgamation of its siblings which also makes sure not to break the bank. It’s a happy conundrum to say the least.

Watch our quick unboxing here.

Now, the burning question. Is the HONOR X8b a worthwhile upgrade to your X8a, and  if you’re in the market, should you consider it amongst the competition? It’s about time we found out.

Geek-sthetic

In terms of looks, the HONOR X8b screams “luxury,” and we have no complaints in that department. Clad with a beautiful leather design specifically for our Glamorous Green color variant, it looks and feels rather premium. We try to use that term sparingly, but holding it in your hands will validate the “premium-feel” that we claim it has. You can definitely feel it all you want, as the matte finish makes it resistant to any fingerprints and smudges.

With an ultra-slim 6.8 mm design, and weighing only 166 grams, it’s quite handy to wield, too. While by no means compact, it’s not something you’d struggle to whip our of your pocket either. Up top, we have the square cutout for its three-camera setup. It doesn’t stick out too much, and won’t be a problem on flat surfaces. We also get the usual set of buttons and ports–a USB-C slot, a volume rocker, and a power button that also serves as a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. Sadly, no 3.5mm headphone jack.

Up front, we have a 6.7 inch AMOLED display with a 89.9% screen-to-body ratio. Not much of a chin, and some thin bezels–which are nice to see. Of course, we’ll dig deeper into that display in just a bit, but all-in-all, it’s safe to say you’re guaranteed to get few looks, and probably even compliments–should decide to take a few calls in public.

Binge-Watching Factor

Now, going back to that 6.7-inch AMOLED screen, you’ll be happy to know that you’ll not only be able to make full use of that vast real estate, but you’ll also be able to do so without straining your eyes.  Sporting a 1080 x 2412-pixel display with a 20:9 ratio, those 1080p videos will stream smoothly without a hitch. Whether it be Netflix, Youtube, or any particular streaming service you desire, you won’t be disappointed.

Aside from that, you also get 3240Hz PWM dimming with up to 2000 nits peak brightness which you can access via Eye Comfort & Sleep settings. This feature highlighted in the HONOR 90 5G makes its return in 2024 both for the X9b and this stylish baby right here. This essentially means you can utilize all 2000 of those nits without suffering from any dire consequences–or any lag. After all, we’re usually glued to our smart phones for hours on the daily, so it’s great to know that your eyes won’t suffer from such a routine.

As for audio, we get mono speakers at the bottom which you can crank up much louder thanks to Extra Volume mode. You do get some crisp, clear audio and even at max volume, you get no crackling or distortion. Still, it would have been nice to either have stereo speakers on both ends, or a 3.5MM headphone jack.

Gaming Prowess

On paper, the HONOR X8b has a sufficient spec sheet when it comes to gaming. The Snapdragon 680 chipset and Adreno 610 GPU combo can run any of your usual mobile games smoothly, no questions asked. That’s in part, due to its optimized 6nm processing. That, coupled with a total of 16GB of RAM thanks to HONOR RAM Turbo, guarantees that your ISP’s connection should be your only concern. Even with Asphalt 9 on its highest graphic settings, you only get minor frame drops on multiplayer–which is the case across the board.

That being said, you’ll definitely need a bit of customization and curbing of expectations when you decide to run more higher-end titles–like those from HoYoverse. Medium settings at 30 fps with motion blur turned off was the sweet spot for seamless, lagless gaming on our end. Going up to 60 fps saw a few frame drops once too many pixels were on-screen. The HONOR x9b did perform better–being able to run at high settings with a few tweaks. However, this is, by no means, a dealbreaker, as the X8b isn’t marketed as a gaming-centric smartphone. It’s also worth noting that every new non-flagship will have its kinks when it comes to HoYoverse games and its ilk.

Otherwise, you’ll have a great gaming experience, no sweat.

Geek Photoshoot Capabilities

Now, for one of the X8b’s strong suits–photoshoots. They did add a few more megapixels to the main shooter, now having a grand total of 108MP with its Ultra Clear Main Camera. This is great, as most reliable phones out now who do have that shooting capability are in the midrange. You’ll get some great shots, both by default and with its portrait camera. It’s worth noting that you’ll see a bit of color difference and slight noise should you fire up its 5MP ultrawide lens Otherwise, its default  performance in low-light and night settings is surprisingly decent.

Of course, you get more detail when the lights are on. You’ll really make good use of the 108MP shooter, no doubt.

The portrait mode is also quite fun to use, as you get a lot of detail from just pointing and shooting. Some would get tired of the 2MP macro lens, but this time around, it’s a welcome addition. Worry-free portraits, indeed.

Up front, we get a whopping 50MP AI selfie camera that boasts the capability of taking good night shots of your beautiful face. While the portrait bokeh might not be as prevalent in lower lighting, your face will definitely come out clear. Most budget smartphone can take great shots under good lighting. But at the end of the day, quite literally, some great night selfies would be nice.

As for video, both front and back cameras can capture clips up to 1080p at 30fps. Without any built-in stabilization, you might have some trouble shooting while walking, but should you find a stable surface or use a tripod, you’ll be able to record some decent footage.

Everyday Reliability

As a smartphone that straddles the budget and midrange line, it’s understandable that any potential users would demand a bit more from the X8b’s daily driver capabilities. Lucky for us, we’re in for a treat. First off, let’s talk about something massive–the HONOR x8b’s storage. By default, we get 512 GB of storage. Yes, that’s correct. Right out of the box for its entry-level variant, you get the complete 512 GB experience. We’ve yet to confirm any smaller storage variant, so if you decide to cop the X8b, you’re guaranteed that massive storage. More apps, more files, more fun from the get-go without worrying about memory.

Another fun feature comes in the form of its Magic Capsule which works alongside your alarm clock, timer, and audio recorder. It’s nice to see that it’s not purely aesthetic. Speaking of “not purely aesthetic”, the X8b’s SGS Five-star Certification from SGS Switzerland guarantees that you’re getting a tough, reliable device–in spite of its luxurious exterior.

Battery life comes in at 4800 mAh, and while you might think, “Why didn’t they give us the full 5000?” you can rest easy knowing that you’ll get a solid 2 days of battery life with regular use–and about a day if you decide to run wild. If you find yourself out of juice, you can top up in just an hour with some 35W HONOR SuperCharge. It’s just right for that busybody on the go.

In terms of hours, those are some good statistics, and it’s likely due to its optimized chipset and smooth MagicOS 7.2 that works efficiently with Android 13. This intuitive interface also helps out in multi-tasking, especially with HONOR Share, apps like HONOR Docs, its built-in video editor, and other smartphone features you might be using on the daily. Also, in case you wondering, yes, you get full access Google Play services.

Final Geek Lifestyle Verdict

The HONOR X8b is a well-rounded and stylish smartphone that know how to pick its battles when it comes to features, but still has some nice, “premium” tricks up its sleeve. With a massive storage, capable camera, and gorgeous look, you might feel just a bit more compelled to cop this one out of the store–and if so, we suggest you do. It does have its shortcomings, and we do wish it had a few more features and functions than it already has. But for as long as it gets the job done and then some–in this price range, we’re fine with what it offers. Whether it be your daily-driver, reliable spare phone in a pinch, or a crucial part of your fashion ensemble, the HONOR X8b can be all three. 

The HONOR X8b 5G is now available at all HONOR concept stores, retail partners and online shops for Php 12,999. Pre-orders will run until February 23, 2024 and buyers can score a free pair of HONOR Choice X5 Earbuds worth Php 1,590.

HONOR X8b Specs:

  • Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)
  • Adreno 610 GPU
  • 8GB RAM (+8 GB VRAM)
  • 6.7-inch AMOLED display, 90Hz refresh rate
  • 512GB storage
  • 108 MP, f/1.8 main + 5 MP, f/2.2 ultrawide + 2 MP, f/2.4 macro triple rear camera setup
  • 50 MP, f/2.1 wide front camera
  • 3G, LTE Dual SIM
  • WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, side-mounted fingerprint, USB Type-C,
  • 4800mAh battery with 35W fast charge support
  • Android 13 with MagicOS 7.2
  • Glamorous Green, Titanium Silver, Midnight Black
  • Price: PHP 12,999