HONOR continues to expand its X-series lineup with the new HONOR X8d, a smartphone that focuses on style, AI-powered features, and extended battery life. The device combines a slim design, a large battery, and a high-resolution camera, aiming to provide a balanced smartphone experience for everyday use.
Built around the tagline “My Style, My AI Phone,” the HONOR X8d is designed for younger smartphone users who want a device that looks good while still being practical for daily tasks. From social media browsing and video streaming to mobile photography and gaming, the phone aims to handle everyday activities smoothly.
After spending time with the device throughout testing, from taking photos and watching videos to gaming and multitasking, here’s a closer look at the overall experience with the HONOR X8d.
HONOR X8d Key Specs
OS: Android 16, MagicOS 10Display: 6.77-inch AMOLED, 2392 × 1080 resolution, up to 3000 nits peak brightness (APL), 1300 nits HBM, 3840Hz PWM dimming, Eye Comfort and Circadian Night Display
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2, Octa-core CPU, GPU: Adreno 610
RAM and Storage: 8GB + 128GB / 256GB / 512GB
Rear Cameras: 108MP main (f/1.75) + 5MP ultra-wide (f/2.2), LED flash, up to 8× digital zoom
Front Camera: 16MP (f/2.45)
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz & 5GHz), Bluetooth 5.0 / 5.1, NFC (market dependent), USB Type-C
Mobile Data: 2G / 3G / 4G LTE, Dual nano-SIM, dual standby
Navigation: GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo
Audio: HONOR Sound, 300% stereo sound volume, USB-C audio support
Durability: IP65 dust and splash resistance, Aluminosilicate glass protection
Battery: 7000mAh Li-ion polymer battery, 45W HONOR SuperCharge
Sensors: Fingerprint sensor, Gravity sensor, Ambient light sensor, Proximity sensor, Compass
Dimensions: 162.9 × 76.31 × 7.5 mm
Colors: Light Blue, Velvet Grey, Velvet Black
Weight: 188g
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2, Octa-core CPU, GPU: Adreno 610
RAM and Storage: 8GB + 128GB / 256GB / 512GB
Rear Cameras: 108MP main (f/1.75) + 5MP ultra-wide (f/2.2), LED flash, up to 8× digital zoom
Front Camera: 16MP (f/2.45)
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz & 5GHz), Bluetooth 5.0 / 5.1, NFC (market dependent), USB Type-C
Mobile Data: 2G / 3G / 4G LTE, Dual nano-SIM, dual standby
Navigation: GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo
Audio: HONOR Sound, 300% stereo sound volume, USB-C audio support
Durability: IP65 dust and splash resistance, Aluminosilicate glass protection
Battery: 7000mAh Li-ion polymer battery, 45W HONOR SuperCharge
Sensors: Fingerprint sensor, Gravity sensor, Ambient light sensor, Proximity sensor, Compass
Dimensions: 162.9 × 76.31 × 7.5 mm
Colors: Light Blue, Velvet Grey, Velvet Black
Weight: 188g
Design and Build Quality
The HONOR X8d stands out for its slim and lightweight design. At just 7.5mm thick and weighing 188g, the phone feels comfortable to hold and easy to carry throughout the day.
During our time with the phone, the slim body made it comfortable to hold even during long periods of use. It never felt heavy or tiring in the hand, and navigating through apps even with one hand felt natural and effortless.
Even after extended use, the device never feels heavy in the hand. Whether scrolling through social media or watching videos, the slim body makes it comfortable to hold for longer periods. One-handed navigation also feels manageable thanks to the phone’s thin profile.
What makes the design more impressive is the large battery packed inside. Phones with a 7000mAh battery usually feel thicker, but HONOR managed to keep the device relatively slim. It still fits comfortably in a pocket without feeling bulky.
The back panel has a clean and minimal look. It comes in Light Blue, Velvet Grey, and Velvet Black, each offering a subtle style that works well in both casual and professional settings.
The camera module also adds to the overall appearance. Its layout follows the design seen on newer HONOR devices, giving the phone a slightly more premium look compared to many smartphones in this category.
HONOR also introduced a dedicated AI Button on the left side of the phone. This button works as a shortcut for several AI features. A quick press can open selected apps, while a long press activates AI Recognition, allowing the phone to identify objects or text on the screen.
During everyday use, the AI Button becomes a convenient shortcut when quickly searching for information or interacting with AI tools.
Some of the features linked to the AI Button include:
• Circle to Search – Circle items on the screen to quickly search for information
• AI StarSummary – Generate quick summaries and insights from text
• AI StarSettings Agent – AI assistance that can recognize languages and perform certain tasks
On the right side, the phone houses the power button and volume controls, while the bottom includes the USB-C port, speaker, and SIM tray.
There are a few small trade-offs to keep in mind. The back panel can attract fingerprints, especially on darker colors. The phone also skips the 3.5mm headphone jack, which means wired headphones will require a USB-C adapter. The frame and back are made from plastic, but the build still feels solid for its category.
Durability
HONOR also added several durability features to the X8d to make it more reliable in regular use. The phone carries an IP65 rating, which provides protection against dust and light splashes. This makes the device safer to use outdoors, especially during light rain or dusty conditions.
The HONOR X8d also received SGS Premium Performance Certification for Drop and Crush Resistance, indicating that it has gone through durability testing designed to simulate accidental drops and pressure.
Another practical addition is the silicone case included in the box. While it’s a simple accessory, it helps protect the phone from scratches and minor bumps right away. Although the phone uses a plastic frame and back panel, this helps keep the device lightweight while still maintaining a sturdy feel.
Display and Sound
The HONOR X8d features a 6.77-inch AMOLED display that delivers bright and vibrant visuals. While watching videos or browsing social media, the screen looks sharp with rich colors that don’t appear overly saturated. The 120Hz refresh rate also helps make scrolling through apps and menus feel smooth, giving the interface a more fluid and responsive feel.
Brightness is another strong point of the display. With peak brightness reaching up to 3000 nits, the screen remains easy to read even under bright outdoor lighting. Whether checking messages outside or taking photos during the day, the display stays clear and visible.
HONOR also includes 3840Hz PWM dimming, which helps reduce eye strain when using the phone in darker environments. Features like Eye Comfort Mode and E-Book mode can further adjust the screen tone to make reading more comfortable during longer sessions.
For audio, the phone comes with dual stereo speakers with up to 300% enhanced volume. While watching videos or playing games, the speakers can get surprisingly loud and provide clear audio for casual media consumption. The stereo setup also creates a wider sound experience compared to phones with a single speaker.
There are a few limitations to keep in mind. The phone does not include a 3.5mm headphone jack, so wired headphones require a USB-C adapter. Sound quality can also lose some clarity when the volume is pushed to the maximum level.
Overall, the HONOR X8d offers a bright AMOLED display and loud stereo speakers that make the phone enjoyable for watching videos, streaming content, and casual gaming.
Performance
The HONOR X8d is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2, a newer entry-level chipset built on a 6nm process. With CPU speeds of up to 2.9GHz and an upgraded Adreno GPU, the processor is designed to deliver stable performance for typical smartphone activities such as browsing, messaging, streaming, and casual gaming.
The phone comes with 8GB of RAM, and HONOR’s RAM expansion feature can add another 8GB of virtual RAM, giving the device up to 16GB (8GB + 8GB) for improved multitasking.
During testing, the device felt responsive when opening apps, browsing social media, or replying to messages. Navigating through the interface also feels smooth, helped by the phone’s 120Hz display, which keeps animations and scrolling fluid.
Multitasking is handled well, with several apps able to remain active in the background without noticeable slowdowns. Switching between commonly used apps such as messaging, video streaming, and social media generally feels quick and consistent.
For gaming, the HONOR X8d handles popular titles like Mobile Legends and Call of Duty Mobile quite well, offering stable frame rates during gameplay. Controls feel responsive, making the phone suitable for casual gaming sessions.
For more demanding titles such as PUBG Mobile, the phone still provides enough power to run the game at stable frame rates, typically at medium to high graphics settings. However, for the most consistent performance during longer sessions, medium graphics settings are recommended.
Benchmark performance also falls within the expected range for this category. In the AnTuTu benchmark, the device scores around 462,117 points, which reflects its focus on balanced performance rather than high-end gaming.
Thermal performance is also reasonable. The phone stays relatively cool during regular tasks and only becomes slightly warm during extended gaming sessions.
However, the Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2 is still positioned as an entry-level chipset, so the phone is better suited for general apps and casual gaming rather than heavy gaming workloads. More demanding titles can still run, but medium graphics settings tend to provide the most stable performance.
OS and User Interface
The HONOR X8d runs MagicOS 10 based on Android 16, offering a clean and easy-to-navigate interface. Apps, settings, and system menus are arranged in a straightforward layout, making it simple to find features even for users trying an HONOR device for the first time.
While navigating the system, animations feel smooth and responsive, especially with the phone’s 120Hz display. Opening apps, scrolling through menus, and switching between screens all feel fluid, and after spending some time exploring the interface, the layout becomes familiar and easy to manage.
MagicOS 10 also introduces several AI-powered tools designed to make routine tasks more convenient. Magic Portal allows users to drag text, images, or links and quickly send them to other apps, making content sharing faster. The phone also supports Circle to Search, letting users circle objects or text on the screen to instantly look up more information.
Additional tools include AI StarSummary, which can generate summaries from text, and AI StarSettings Agent, an AI assistant capable of recognizing multiple languages and assisting with certain tasks. The device also supports HONOR Share, allowing quick file transfers between compatible devices without the need for cables or third-party apps.
For productivity, the system includes tools such as AI Notes, AI Docs, AI Recorder, and AI Writing, which help organize information, record meetings, and refine written content.
Overall, MagicOS 10 feels modern and responsive while offering a range of AI features that help improve productivity and everyday usability, although some pre-installed apps and system suggestions may still appear in the interface.
Connectivity
The HONOR X8d includes the essential connectivity features needed for typical smartphone use. It supports dual Nano-SIM with dual standby, allowing users to manage two mobile numbers on a single device.
For wireless connections, the phone supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, providing stable internet for browsing, streaming, and downloads. It also includes Bluetooth 5.0 / 5.1, making it easy to connect wireless earbuds, speakers, and other accessories.
Navigation works reliably with support for GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, and Galileo, which helps maintain accurate location tracking when using maps or ride-hailing apps.
The device also features a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer, along with NFC support in select markets for contactless payments and quick pairing with compatible devices.
One limitation to note is that the HONOR X8d supports 4G LTE connectivity only, without 5G support. However, 4G networks remain widely available and still provide reliable speeds for most online activities such as streaming, browsing, and social media.
Camera
The HONOR X8d features a 108MP main camera, paired with a 5MP ultra-wide camera, while the front uses a 16MP selfie camera that produces clear selfies with natural-looking skin tones, making it suitable for social media or video calls.
In good lighting, the main camera captures detailed photos with balanced colors. Images appear sharp, and the high resolution allows for better cropping when needed. For everyday shots like street photos, food images, or casual portraits, the camera produces vibrant results without looking overly processed. Indoor photography also performs reasonably well, although image quality naturally drops in very low-light environments.
The HONOR X8d also includes several AI-powered editing tools that help improve photos directly on the device. Features such as AI Eraser, Remove Reflection, Erase Passers-by, AI Upscale, AI Outpainting, and AI Cutout make it easier to remove unwanted objects or adjust images without needing separate editing apps.
There are also a few limitations to keep in mind. The 5MP ultra-wide camera, however, produces less detailed images compared to higher-end phones. Video recording is also limited to 1080p, which may disappoint users looking for 4K recording.
Overall, the HONOR X8d offers a capable camera setup for everyday photography, with the 108MP sensor and built-in AI editing tools making it easy to capture and refine photos for daily moments and social media sharing.
Battery and Charging
Battery life is one of the top highlights of the HONOR X8d. The phone packs a 7000mAh battery, which is larger than what most smartphones in this segment offer.
In our tests, the phone easily lasts through a full day of mixed usage that includes social media browsing, messaging, streaming, and occasional gaming. With lighter use, it can even stretch into the next day. HONOR claims up to 31 hours of video playback, which shows how the large battery helps extend screen time.
Charging is handled by 45W HONOR SuperCharge. Considering the phone’s large 7000mAh battery, charging speeds remain reasonable. It may not be the fastest charging system available, but it still refills the battery quickly enough to keep the phone ready for everyday use.
Pros
• Large 7000mAh battery• Bright AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate
• 108MP main camera
• Useful AI photo editing tools
• Slim and lightweight design
• IP65 dust and splash resistance
• AI Button shortcut features
Cons
• Chipset is more suited for daily tasks than heavy gaming• Video recording limited to 1080p
• Ultra-wide camera lacks detail
• No 3.5mm headphone jack
• 4G connectivity only
Verdict
The HONOR X8d focuses on delivering a balanced smartphone experience by combining stylish design, practical AI features, and strong battery life. The 7000mAh battery is easily one of the standout features, offering excellent endurance compared to many phones in this category. The AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate also makes the device enjoyable for browsing, streaming, and everyday entertainment. The HONOR X8d is priced at ₱15,999 in the Philippines.The camera performs well in good lighting, and the built-in AI editing tools make it easier to refine photos directly on the device. Performance is reliable for everyday tasks and casual gaming, although it is not designed for heavy gaming workloads.
While the lack of 5G connectivity and 4K video recording may be noticeable for some users, the HONOR X8d still offers a solid overall experience for those looking for a stylish smartphone with long battery life and useful AI features.
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