Honor 8 smartphone

Photo: Huawei via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

Honor

Honor 8

July 2016 (China), August 2016 (US/Europe) 7/10 Rating Updated
In brief: The Honor 8 is a stylish smartphone released in 2016, known for its eye-catching glass design and dual-lens camera system. Positioned as a premium device at a competitive price, it aimed to attract a younger demographic with solid performance and features like an IR blaster and a versatile fingerprint sensor.
Display5.2-inch Full HD LTPS IPS LCD (1080 x 1920 pixels).
ChipsetHiSilicon Kirin 950 Octa-core processor.
Main CameraDual 12 MP (RGB + Monochrome) rear cameras.
Battery3000 mAh Li-Po with 18W fast charging.
Starting from $65

💰 Honor 8 Price

The Honor 8 lowest price is $65, based on current retailer listings.

📌 Full Specifications

Display

TypeLTPS IPS LCD
Size5.2 inches
Resolution1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~423 ppi density)
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3 (unconfirmed in some sources, 2.5D glass mentioned)

Platform

ChipsetHiSilicon Kirin 950 (16 nm)
CPUOcta-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A72 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
GPUMali-T880 MP4

Memory

RAM3GB or 4GB LPDDR4 RAM
Internal Storage32GB or 64GB
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot, up to 128GB)

Main Camera

ModulesDual 12 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1.25µm, AF (one RGB, one monochrome sensor)
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama, 'Wide Aperture' mode
Video1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps

Selfie Camera

Modules8 MP, f/2.4
FeaturesWide selfie, beautification mode, screen flash
Video1080p

Battery

TypeLi-Po 3000 mAh, non-removable
Charging18W fast charging (9V/2A), charges 40% in 30 minutes

Body

Dimensions145.5 x 71 x 7.45 mm (5.73 x 2.8 x 0.29 inches)
Weight153 g (5.4 oz)
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), glass back, aluminum frame
SIMHybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)

Comms

WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP, EDR, LE
GPSGPS, GLONASS, BDS
NFCYes
Infrared portYes
USBUSB Type-C 1.0

Launch

AnnouncedJuly 2016
StatusReleased 2016, July
OS at launchAndroid 6.0 Marshmallow, upgradable to Android 8.0 Oreo with EMUI 4.1/8

⚖ Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Attractive and premium glass design.
  • Sharp dual-sensor camera performance.
  • Fingerprint scanner doubles as a programmable key.
  • Includes IR blaster and NFC.
  • Good battery life for its class.
  • Bright and vibrant display.

Cons

  • Mediocre battery life in some tests, despite good real-world usage.
  • Heavy EMUI layer can cause occasional performance hiccups.
  • Slippery, fingerprint-prone glass design.
  • No 4K video recording.
  • Hybrid SIM slot limits expansion if dual SIM is used.
  • No adequate screen protection mentioned in some specs.
★ Our Verdict

The Honor 8 receives a solid 7/10 for its premium design, innovative dual camera, and competitive pricing at launch, though its heavy software and inconsistent battery life in some benchmarks were noted drawbacks.

The Honor 8, while an older model, still offers a visually appealing design and a capable dual-camera system that was advanced for its time. If you're looking for a budget-friendly smartphone for basic tasks, media consumption, and casual photography, it could be a viable option. However, be aware that it runs on an older version of Android (upgradable to Oreo) and its performance might not keep up with modern apps and games. Consider its age when evaluating battery degradation and software support. For optimal performance and security, newer budget phones might offer better value, but the Honor 8 remains a stylish and functional device for light users.

📦 In The Box & Warranty

  • Honor 8 smartphone
  • Quick Charge adapter (9V/2A)
  • USB Type-C cable
  • SIM ejector tool
  • Quick start guide / Documentation paperwork

Honor typically provides a standard warranty for its devices, covering manufacturing defects for a specified period, usually two years from the date of purchase, excluding accidental or user-induced damage.

❓ Questions & Answers

When was the Honor 8 released?

The Honor 8 was initially released in July 2016, followed by its debut in August 2016.

Does the Honor 8 have a good camera?

Yes, the Honor 8 features a dual 12-megapixel rear camera setup (one RGB and one monochrome sensor) which was praised for its sharp performance, enhanced detail, and improved low-light photography for its price point. It also has an 8-megapixel front camera.

What operating system does the Honor 8 run?

The Honor 8 launched with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, overlaid with Huawei's EMUI 4.1. It was upgradable to Android 8.0 Oreo with EMUI 8.

Is the Honor 8 battery life good?

The Honor 8 is generally considered to have good battery life, with its 3000 mAh battery often lasting a full day or more with moderate use. Some tests indicated it could last up to two days on a single charge.

Does the Honor 8 support fast charging?

Yes, the Honor 8 supports 18W fast charging (9V/2A), capable of charging the battery to about 40% in 30 minutes.

What kind of display does the Honor 8 have?

The Honor 8 features a 5.2-inch LTPS IPS LCD with a Full HD resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 423 ppi.