HONOR Philippines has officially launched the HONOR X8c, a mid-range smartphone priced at PHP 13,999.
This device builds upon the X8b’s foundation with notable upgrades, including an improved 108MP camera with OIS, a brighter display, and a bigger battery. But does it provide enough value to stand out in a competitive price segment? Let’s find out.
Design & Build. At first glance, the HONOR X8c closely resembles its predecessor, the X8b, but with refined design elements. The device features flat edges, a matte finish, and a distinctive checkerboard pattern on the Marrs Green variant, adding a touch of sophistication.
Key Design Features:
- Available in Marrs Green, Midnight Black, and Moonlight White
- Ultra-slim profile at 7.12mm thickness
- IP64 rating for dust and water resistance
- In-display fingerprint scanner (a premium addition over the X8b’s side-mounted sensor)
A single-firing speaker sits at the bottom alongside a USB-C port, which is a slight disappointment considering most competitors at this price point already offer stereo speakers for better audio performance.
Display. The HONOR X8c packs a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution, offering sharp and vibrant visuals.
Notable Display Enhancements:
- 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling
- 2,800 nits peak brightness for excellent outdoor visibility
- 3840Hz PWM dimming to reduce eye strain
Overall, this display upgrade makes the X8c one of the brightest in its segment, making it ideal for watching videos and playing games. However, Netflix only streams in SD (Widevine L3 certification), which is a slight letdown for binge-watchers.
Performance. Under the hood, the HONOR X8c runs on the Snapdragon 685 processor, a slightly overclocked version of the Snapdragon 680 found in the X8b. While it offers a modest performance boost, it still lacks 5G connectivity, which may be a dealbreaker for some users.
Key Performance Specs:
- Snapdragon 685 (6nm) octa-core processor
- Adreno 610 GPU for graphics
- 8GB RAM + 8GB HONOR RAM Turbo
- 512GB internal storage (ample space for media and apps)
Gaming Performance: The HONOR X8c performs well in casual and mid-tier gaming. Titles like Mobile Legends, Call of Duty: Mobile, and League of Legends: Wild Rift run smoothly on medium settings. However, frame drops are noticeable in graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail, as the Adreno 610 GPU is not built for high-end gaming.
Benchmark Scores:
- AnTuTu: 387,961
- PCMark Work 3.0: 8,562
While these scores are average for a mid-range device, the X8c’s real-world performance feels smooth for everyday tasks like web browsing, messaging, and social media.
Cameras. One of the biggest upgrades in the HONOR X8c is the 108MP main camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). This feature greatly reduces motion blur and enhances low-light photography, making it a standout feature for this price range.
Camera Specs & Features:
- 108MP main sensor with OIS
- 5MP ultra-wide camera
- 50MP front camera with LED flash
What’s Improved?
- OIS now helps reduce shaky footage
- 3x digital zoom is now more usable
- Better low-light performance
What’s Missing?
- No macro lens (removed from X8b)
- Ultra-wide sensor lacks detail
- Some images appear oversaturated
The 50MP selfie camera remains solid for portrait shots and social media uploads. It still features an LED flash, which is great for low-light selfies.
@lionheartv HONOR Philippines has officially launched the HONOR X8c, priced at PHP 13,999, following in the footsteps of its predecessor, the HONOR X8b. #HONORX8b #TechJungle #EntertainmentNewsPH #TiktokTainmentNewsPH #TiktokTainmentPH #BestOfTiktokPH #LionhearTV #RAWRNation @HONOR Philippines @tech.jungle
Video recording maxes out at 1080p, but OIS ensures better stability, making it a decent budget option for content creators.
Battery & Charging. With a larger 5,000mAh battery, the HONOR X8c offers longer usage time compared to its predecessor.
Battery Life Test: PCMark Work 3.0 battery test: 12 hours and 56 minutes
While the endurance is decent, we expected better battery performance considering that some competitors with 5,000mAh batteries last well beyond 16 hours.
Charging Speed:
- 35W HONOR SuperCharge
- Full charge takes around 1.5 hours
While not the fastest charging solution, it is still convenient for daily use.
Running on MagicOS 9 (Android 15), the HONOR X8c comes with several AI-powered features, including:
- Magic Portal – Streamlines content sharing across apps
- AI Eraser – Allows easy object removal from photos
- AI Translate – Real-time translation for multiple languages
The AI Eraser works surprisingly well for a budget device, making it a useful tool for quick photo edits.
Tech Jungle‘s Verdict. At PHP 13,999, the HONOR X8c delivers solid upgrades over its predecessor, particularly in: OIS for the main camera, Brighter AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, IP64 rating for dust and water resistance and Massive 512GB storage.
However, it still lacks stereo speakers and 5G connectivity, and the Snapdragon 685 chipset offers only minor performance improvements.
Who Should Buy the HONOR X8c?
Casual users who prioritize a good display and reliable cameras
Content creators looking for a budget phone with OIS for stable video recording
Students & professionals who need ample storage and smooth performance for daily tasks
Overall, the HONOR X8c is a decent mid-range option, but not a game-changer. If camera stability and display quality are your priorities, this phone is worth considering. But if you’re after performance and audio quality, you might want to explore other alternatives.
HONOR X8c Price & Availability
- Price: PHP 13,999
- Available on: Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop
- Colors: Marrs Green, Midnight Black, Moonlight White
Would you buy the HONOR X8c, or are you considering other mid-range smartphones? Let us know in the comments!
