After spending the past few days using the HONOR X8c extensively in real-life conditions, I’m here with a full, hands-on review.
As expected from the initial impressions, this phone stands out in several key areas — but does it hold up under real-world usage? Let’s break it down into the Good and the Bad to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.
The Good Side of HONOR X8c
1. Design & Build Quality
Design-wise, the HONOR X8c impresses with its ultra-light build and clean button placement. Despite having a plastic back, it feels sturdy and premium in hand. It also comes with an IP64 rating for dust and water resistance and a Swiss SGS 5-Star Certification for drop and crush protection, adding durability to its sleek design.
2. Display Experience
The display is one of the most enjoyable aspects of this phone. It boasts a large 6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, delivering smooth scrolling and an overall fluid experience. Whether you’re browsing, gaming, or streaming content, the vivid colors and sharp contrast make the viewing experience truly immersive and enjoyable.
3. Camera Performance
The camera system surprised me in a good way. The rear camera captures crisp and detailed photos and videos, and thanks to OIS (Optical Image Stabilization), low-light shots are impressively stable and clear.
There’s also a 5MP ultrawide sensor which performs decently, although some detail is lost in wide shots. The real highlight is the 50MP front camera, which produces sharp, clean selfies with natural skin tones. For video calls, the clarity is next-level — a plus for content creators and social media users.
4. Battery Life & Charging
The HONOR X8c packs a 5000mAh battery, which easily lasted me a day and a half with average use. I recorded around 6–7 hours of screen-on time. Charging is also quick — the 35W fast charger fills the battery from 0 to 100% in about 70 minutes, making it practical for users with a busy routine.
5. Software & User Experience
Running on MagicOS 9 (based on Android 15), the software experience is clean and smooth. There’s minimal bloatware, and gesture navigation works seamlessly. Built-in smart assistant, and customization features like icon packs, themes, and animation controls add to the polished experience.
HONOR has also promised regular software updates, which adds long-term value to the phone.
The Bad Side of HONOR X8c
1. Performance Limitations
Powered by the 6nm Snapdragon 685, the phone handles daily tasks like social media, YouTube, and calls without issue. However, when it comes to intensive gaming (e.g., PUBG or Genshin Impact), the chipset starts to struggle. Frame drops and heating were noticeable during longer sessions. A more powerful processor could have made this a near-perfect midrange device.
2. No Storage Expandability
While the device offers up to 512GB of internal storage, it lacks a microSD card slot. Although that might be enough for most users, those who store a lot of media or large files might miss the option to expand storage.
3. Audio & Port Limitations
The HONOR X8c only has a mono speaker, which is reasonably loud but lacks the depth and immersive quality of a stereo setup. Also, the absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack might be disappointing for those who prefer wired audio. You’ll need to rely on Type-C earphones or wireless alternatives.
4. Camera Shortcomings
While the camera performs well overall, it does not support 4K video recording, which is a noticeable omission for a phone in this price range. Also, the ultrawide sensor lacks detail, and the night mode is just average — so don’t expect flagship-level low-light performance.
Unique Features That Stand Out
The HONOR X8c comes packed with some cool features that enhance usability:
- AI Eraser for removing unwanted objects from images
- AI Expandable RAM for better multitasking
- Dual-Video Recording, allowing simultaneous use of front and rear cameras
These little touches make the phone more fun and productive to use.
HONOR X8c Key Specifications
- Dimensions: 161.05 x 74.55 x 7.12 mm
- Weight: 174g
- Display: 6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED (2412 × 1080), 120Hz refresh rate, peak brightness up to 2800 nits
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 (6nm), 4G chipset
- RAM & Storage: 8GB RAM, 512GB internal storage
- Rear Cameras: 108MP main sensor with OIS + 5MP ultrawide
- Front Camera: 50MP selfie shooter
- Video Recording: Up to 1080p at 30fps (rear and front)
- Battery: 5,000mAh with 35W fast charging support
- Software: Android 15 with MagicOS 9.0
- Other Features: IP64 water and dust resistance, under-display fingerprint scanner
Final Verdict: Should You Buy the HONOR X8c?
If your priorities include media consumption, casual multitasking, photography, and a stylish design, then the HONOR X8c is easily one of the best-looking and most reliable options under Rs. 34,000.
Here’s a quick summary:
Pros:
- Class-leading design and premium feel
- Beautiful 120Hz AMOLED display
- Long battery life with fast charging
- Impressive camera system
- Clean, customizable UI
Cons:
- Limited performance for gamers
- No microSD card slot
- Mono speaker only
- No 4K video support
Did the HONOR X8c meet your expectations? For more such real-world tech reviews in, stay tuned with TechBuzzie
