The Honor 8X Smartphone Review in 2026

Let’s be honest about the state of smartphones in 2026. They cost as much as a used car, they all look exactly the same, and their cameras use so much AI that your photos don’t even look like reality anymore.

We reached peak smartphone years ago, and we didn’t even realize it.

I got tired of the sterile, hyper-processed look of modern flagships. So, I did something crazy. I went back to 2018. I picked up an Honor 8X—a phone that now costs under 100k – to see if the old legends used to tell the truth.

The results didn’t just shock me; they changed how I view mobile photography.

WATCH THE FULL REVIEW

Before you read on, watch the full visual breakdown and camera test here. You need to see these samples to believe them.

In 2026, phone designs are boring slabs. Opening the Honor 8X box felt like uncovering buried treasure.

The design is still a solid pass for an eye test. It’s incredibly sleek, slim, and features that stunning Aurora glass back that catches the light in ways modern matte finishes just can’t.

But the biggest nostalgia hit wasn’t the glass. It was what I found inside the box: an earpiece. A wired earpiece. Because yes, this phone still has the holy grail of “lost tech” – a 3.5mm headphone jack. We truly didn’t know how good we had it until it was gone.

The Camera: Why 2018 Beats 2026 AI

This is the controversial part. How can an 8-year-old camera compete with a 2026 flagship?

It comes down to authenticity.

Modern phones use aggressive AI to smooth skin, boost colors unnaturally, and brighten the night until it looks like daytime. The Honor 8X doesn’t do that.

When I took pictures with both the back and selfie cameras, they just looked… Peng. The photos have character. They have a natural, almost film-like grain that people today spend hours trying to replicate with filters.

It was actually competing with my iPhone. No jokes. It captures the “vibe” better than anything released this year.

Can You Actually Use It In 2026?

Yes. It runs on Android 9, has 6GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage.

Is it the fastest phone on earth? No. But does it run WhatsApp, TikTok, YouTube, and basic games smoothly?

Absolutely. For a budget range device under 100k in today’s market, it’s more than manageable – it’s a steal.

Huawei Honor 8X 6.5″6G+128GB 3750mAh 20MP+16MP Smartphone

The Honor 8X is a reminder of a time when phones were fun, unique, and didn’t need AI to fake a good picture. If you are tired of spending a fortune to look like everyone else, go back to the future.

Don’t buy a soulless 2026 mid-ranger. Get the legend.