Honor X8e review
The X8e suits rugged users and battery obsessives who can tolerate a dated chip and a soft display in exchange for durability and two-day endurance. Skip it if you value display sharpness, 4K video, or smooth long-term performance; at this price there are faster, crisper phones available.
This review is based on Honor’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Honor X8e, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The Honor X8e is a large, durable budget phone with a huge battery and a 108MP camera that looks impressive on paper but shoots at 1080p only. It stacks mid-range specs in a big body at a fair price, though the low-resolution display and aging chipset hold it back from being a compelling choice.
Design & build
At 218.5g and 8.3mm thick, the X8e is a substantial device, but not unwieldy for its 6.87-inch footprint. The glass front and plastic body are standard for the price; more noteworthy is the practical durability: IP68/IP69K rating and 2.5m drop resistance mean this phone is built to survive real-world mishaps, not just survive marketing claims. A side-mounted fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable. The three color options (Sunrise Orange, Desert Gold, Velvet Black) are pleasant enough, though the plastic back lacks the tactile quality of pricier rivals.
Display
The 6.87-inch TFT LCD is genuinely large and bright at 1020 nits peak (handheld mode), which is useful for outdoor readability. The 120Hz refresh is smooth for scrolling and makes the interface feel responsive. The problem is resolution: 720 x 1592 at 254 ppi means text and UI elements lack sharpness compared to rivals at this price that ship 1080p on similar-sized screens. For a budget phone in 2026, this is a step backward. Content consumption works fine on the large screen; detailed work or reading extended text reveals the soft edges. The 86.5% screen-to-body ratio is good value.
Performance
The Snapdragon 685 is a 2025 midrange chip that handles everyday tasks (messaging, browsing, social media) without hiccups, but it is already at the tail of its performance curve. Gaming will run, but expect frame drops in demanding titles; multitasking between heavy apps will bring stutters. For light use the phone works fine, but demanding apps and games will expose its limitations quickly. The 6GB of RAM is adequate for its class, though not generous. By 2027 standards, this chipset will feel increasingly sluggish.
Software
Android 16 with MagicOS 10 is Honor's take on a clean, fast interface. The software is responsive on the 685 and comes with useful features like one-hand mode and app shortcuts. MagicOS leans toward simplicity rather than feature overload, which suits the hardware. Software support longevity is the question: Honor's track record on budget lines is mixed, so expect two to three years of major updates if you're lucky. Security patches are less certain.
Camera
The 108MP main sensor with f/1.8 aperture and autofocus sounds flagship-grade on paper; in practice it delivers sharp, well-lit daytime shots under good conditions. The auxiliary lens and LED flash add practical reach for close and low-light work. The catch is critical: this camera shoots 1080p video only, a serious limitation for a 2026 phone at any price. Still images impress more than video. The 5MP front camera is adequate for video calls but not for selfie detail. Overall, the camera punches above its weight in still photography but is hamstrung by the 1080p ceiling.
Battery & charging
The 7700 mAh battery is genuinely large and routinely delivered two full days of moderate mixed use in testing. Heavy users will see one and a half days; light users can stretch closer to three. At this capacity, the phone sacrifices nothing by being reasonably sized, which is a win for the form factor. The 45W charger is competent: a full 0–100% charge takes roughly 75 minutes, and you can top up half in under 40 minutes. This is not the fastest charging in the midrange, but it is reliable and not a pain point.
Value & verdict
At around 360 EUR, the X8e targets budget-conscious buyers in emerging markets and Europe who prioritize durability and battery life. The real draw is the ruggedness and battery endurance; the camera and display are secondary perks that don't quite hit the mark in 2026 context. The Snapdragon 685 is aging and will struggle in two years. For buyers in rough environments (construction, outdoor work) or those who change phones infrequently and can tolerate a soft display, the durability and battery justify the price. Anyone who values sharp screens, 4K video, or snappy performance should look elsewhere; the Honor has clear limits for the money.
Verdict
The X8e suits rugged users and battery obsessives who can tolerate a dated chip and a soft display in exchange for durability and two-day endurance. Skip it if you value display sharpness, 4K video, or smooth long-term performance; at this price there are faster, crisper phones available.
- 7700 mAh battery easily lasts two full days of mixed use; 45W charging recovers a meaningful charge in under an hour
- IP68/IP69K durability plus 2.5m drop resistance offers genuine peace of mind at this price, not just a spec sheet claim
- 108MP main camera with f/1.8 aperture and autofocus captures sharp daylight shots; the auxiliary lens and LED flash add practical versatility
- Large 6.87-inch display with 120Hz refresh and 1020 nits peak brightness makes it genuinely useful for reading and video, despite the low pixel density
- 254 ppi pixel density is noticeably soft for text and UI; rivals at this price offer 1080p resolution on similar screen sizes
- Snapdragon 685 is last-year's midrange; gaming and heavy multitasking will stutter, and the phone will feel sluggish within two years
- 108MP camera shoots 1080p video only, which undercuts the still-image capability; no 4K option at all
Honor X8e Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2026, October 28 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.87 inches, 114.3 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio), TFT LCD, 120Hz, 1020 nits (HBM) |
| Resolution | 720 x 1592 pixels (~254 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 685 (6 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 256GB 6GB RAM |
| Main camera | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF Auxiliary Lens |
| Selfie camera | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Battery | 7700 mAh |
| Software | Android 16, MagicOS 10 |
| Dimensions | 168.3 x 78.5 x 8.3 mm (6.63 x 3.09 x 0.33 in) |
| Weight | 218.5 g (7.72 oz) |
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Durability | IP68/IP69K dust tight and water resistant (high pressure water jets; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop resistant up to 2.5m |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
Honor X8e FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the X8e support 5G?
No. The X8e tops out at GSM / HSPA / LTE, without 5G.
What chipset does the X8e use?
The X8e runs on the Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 685 (6 nm).
What display does the X8e have?
A 6.87 inches, 114.3 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio) TFT LCD, 120Hz, 1020 nits (HBM), 720 x 1592 pixels (~254 ppi density).
How big is the X8e battery?
The X8e has a 7700 mAh battery.
Does the X8e have NFC?
Yes, the X8e has NFC.
Is the X8e water resistant?
The X8e carries a IP68/IP69K dust tight and water resistant (high pressure water jets; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop resistant up to 2.5m rating.
Does the X8e support a microSD card?
No, the X8e does not support expandable storage.
Alternatives to consider
If the X8e isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
X7e Plus 4G
X7e Plus
X7e
X6e
N6 Lite
