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After two consecutive smartphone launches (HONOR X9c 5G and HONOR X9c Smart 5G), HONOR Philippines wrapped up the first quarter of 2025 by introducing another new smartphone model—the HONOR X8c. As its name suggests, the X8c is the successor to the HONOR X8b, which HONOR introduced in February last year. Like its predecessor, the X8c appeals to younger fashion-conscious users. However, beyond its looks, the X8c has more things to offer skin-deep. Let us find out in this review.
The HONOR X8c comes in three colors: Marrs Green, Moonlight White, and Midnight Black. The first variant shares similarities with the Glamorous Green version of the HONOR X8b, in which both models brandish a textured back cover. In the case of the X8c, the Marrs Green variant has an alternating embossed checkerboard design with faux leather texture. Meanwhile, the Moonlight White variant of the X8c has a smooth back cover that looks like it is carved from a polished marble floor. The Midnight Black variant of the X8c, which is the subject of this review, also has a smooth back cover with subtle frosting that becomes more visible when exposed to light.
The pretty appearance of the HONOR X8c might be deceiving, but it is a tough cookie, too. Like the preceding HONOR X8b, the HONOR X8c is 5-star certified by Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS), a globally recognized testing, inspection, and certification company, for overall drop/crush resistance. According to HONOR Lab, the X8c can withstand a drop from a height of 1.8 meters on a smooth surface (for example, a marble floor) and 2000 times of soft squeeze under a pressure of 25 kg. With an IP64 rating, the X8c is also dust- and splash-proof with some water-resistant characteristics. According to HONOR Lab, the X8c can stay 0.25 meters underwater for three minutes and 0.5 meters for a minute.
On the front, the HONOR X8c sports a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with 1080 × 2412p resolution, 120Hz refresh rate for good responsiveness and smooth visuals, and a high brightness level range (1200 nits at high brightness mode and 2800 nits at peak brightness) for screen visibility even under bright sunlight. The HONOR X8c display is TÜV Rheinland flicker-free certified, featuring 3840Hz pulse width modulation (PWM) dimming and dynamic dimming that reduce eye strain and fatigue due to prolonged exposure. The four corners of the X8c are rounded with flat sides.
Above the display, the HONOR X8c carries a 50MP camera with f/2.1 aperture. Meanwhile, a dual camera system (108MP camera with f/1.75 aperture and 5MP wide camera with f/2.2 aperture) with 8× digital zoom protrudes on the back of the phone. Both the front and rear cameras support 1080p video recording. The sample images we captured using the HONOR X8c are decent and have softer color saturation. The optical image stabilization (OIS) feature minimizes blurs. If blurs are present, they are aptly implemented whenever the bokeh effect is needed. Previously available in more expensive HONOR smartphone models, AI Eraser is also in the HONOR X8c. This AI feature allows you to remove unwanted elements from the photos, such as photobombers and signages, for more enhanced outputs.
Under the hood, the HONOR X8c uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 mobile platform, consisting of four Cortex-A73 at 2.8GHz, four Cortex-A53 at 1.9GHz, and Adreno 610 GPU. The mobile platform runs with 16GB (8GB + 8GB) RAM and 512GB onboard storage on MagicOS 9.0 (based on Android 15). Mobile Legend: Bang Bang ran on the X8c smoothly at 60 FPS with CPU temperature ranging from 47°C to 56°C and battery temperature ranging from 30°C to 37°C. These temperature readings are still considered normal. In AnTuTu Benchmark, the HONOR X8c yielded a total score of 380918.
Packed with a 5000mAh lithium polymer battery, the HONOR X8c supports 35W HONOR SuperCharge through its USB Type-C port. Fully charged, the X8c can last up to 18 hours in standby mode or 88 minutes of continuous 4G calls. The X8c has two SIM card slots and supports 4G LTE wireless standard with Bluetooth 5.0/5.1 and Wi-Fi 802.11ac.
Positioned toward younger fashion-conscious users, the HONOR X8c is a timely offering for students and incoming young professionals this graduation season. Priced at ₱13,999, the X8c is a smartphone that addresses the essential and desired needs of its target users with its stylish design, durable build, good display, capable camera, long battery life, and optimized hardware and software.
