Launch : Huawei Honor V8 conference with pictures


The eagerly awaited launch  of then high-end model of the Huawei value Honor lineup is finally here and starting 7pm chinese time the presenting conference is already under way. So let’s get to it with commented specs and pictures for the Honor V8 launch.

Huawei Honor brand president George Zhao introduced the new Honor V8 flagship and pinpointed the full metal body of the device and the six available color variants.

Honor V8 is going to feature 5.7-inch IPS display with 2K resolution and thus very high 515 PPI for the highest version of the phone or the standard FHD resolution for the lesser version. Worth mentioning is the fact, thats it’s the first time ever Huawei opted to use the 2K resolution in any of their devices. There will be also a special VR headset released for the V8 with dedicated HiFi sound.

Hardware-wise it’s certainly not going to be a slouch with octa-core Kirin 950, 4 GB fast DDR4 RAM and 32/64 GB of storage choice. MicroSD with up to 128 GB support is also present for easy storage expansion. There are going to be various security features built-in the phone and also the support of Huawei Pay indicating the NFC presence, though only in the higher versions of the phone. Smart PA amplifier should take care of the audio side of things. Phone offers also Bluetooth 4.2 and runs on Android 6.0 Marshmallow with company EMUI 4.1 on top of it.

On the metal body we can find the new 3D fingerprint sensor in the back and the handy Honor smartkey is located on the edge of the device in some updated 2.0 version for better and smarter controls.

Gizchina News of the week


Battery capacity will be 3500 mAh with fast charge support 9V2A, USB Type-C connector is also present and the phone will be equipped with a super-saving mode for the desperate moments of low battery and needed uptime.

Cherry on the top is of course the dual camera setup using the same 12 MPix shooters with f/2.2 aperture as in the Huawei P9 model meaning one being RGB and one monochromatic. Tons of features like professional mode, Super Night and especially the hyped 360 degree 3D dynamic panorama. Front selfie camera is going to be 8 MPix one with f/2.4 aperture. And of course comparison with iPhone 6S Plus is something that can’t be missed at any chinese conference launch.

And what about the pricing ? Well the fully equipped 2K model of Honor V8 with 4GB/64 GB RAM is going to cost 2799 yuan ($429) while the FHD versions are going to be priced in China 2299 yuan ($352) and 2499 yuan ($383). The lowest Standard version seems to be lacking the NFC altogether and let’s wait on the exact details of the LTE bands supported, because it’s a big deal for many customers. The Honor V8 should start selling on May 17th and looks like a pretty nice bang for the buck highend model at first glance.

Read Also:  UMIDIGI's first Note Series- Note 100 will debut with 6.8" 120Hz display, sleek design and long battery

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Along the Honor V8 launch there were also some minor accessories introduced like the new headset for 129 yuan ($20), smart fitness bracelet Honor A1 for 99 yuan ($15) or the same bracelet with leather strap for 199 yuan ($30).

Disclaimer: We may be compensated by some of the companies whose products we talk about, but our articles and reviews are always our honest opinions. For more details, you can check out our editorial guidelines and learn about how we use affiliate links.

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120 Comments

  1. Zami
    May 10, 2016

    Not only the phone , I am also interested in the Fitness band .
    With that price point its extremely lucrative to me , both he phone and Wearables .

  2. realjjj
    May 10, 2016

    The 2499CNY version does have more bands than the cheapest one.
    They do list the bands for the 2499 version here http://www.vmall.com/product/186517099.html
    FDD-LTE: B1 / B3 / B4 / B7; TDD-LTE: B38 / B39 / B40 / B41 (2555MHz ~ 2655MHz)
    Ofc this device will have more versions for diff regions.

    • Martin Fabián
      May 10, 2016

      Yeah with the bands i would be careful yet, because like you said Huawei quite often has many versions including international ones. We shall see and will surely post some article with details once its rock solid.

      • realjjj
        May 10, 2016

        That’s their own store, it’s as legit as it can be.
        The honor site isn’t listing the device yet http://www.honor.cn/index.html but vmall is Huawei’s own store.

        • Assefa Hanson
          May 10, 2016

          am i seeing right is that a 1.76 micron for the camera?

          • realjjj
            May 10, 2016

            You are seeing right but it’s not 1.76. The two sensors are 1.25um and they argue that the two added up absorb the same amount of light as a 1.76um sensor or something like that.

            They had the same marketing number for the P9. The cams are likely identical to the P9.

            • Assefa Hanson
              May 10, 2016

              hmm i see, they should put there info up so google translate can translate it rather than put images up of the information which cant be translated by the browser, anyways thanks for the info

    • illystor
      May 10, 2016

      It’s a shame. P9 and Mate 8 both boast broader network support, to my knowledge. Now I don’t know what to do. This or P9.

      • realjjj
        May 10, 2016

        The P9 does cost plenty more and the screen is just 5.2 inch. The Mate 8 is as tall as this one but bigger screen, 2999CNY and many bands.

        • illystor
          May 10, 2016

          It doesn’t really cost plenty more. I’m not fussed about the 4GB RAM config P9, which means I can pick one up for around the 3000 mark just the same.

          • realjjj
            May 10, 2016

            The V8 starts at 2299CNY while the P9 starts at 3188CNY on Vmall, that’s 39% more.

            • illystor
              May 10, 2016

              Thanks for running the numbers, but I clearly misunderstood you in response and you in turn misunderstood me in kind. I took it as you saying go for the Mate 8 because it’s cheaper than the P9. My response was saying there’s not much argument for the Mate 8 over the P9 on price alone.

      • balcobomber25
        May 10, 2016

        P9 has multiple models there is one that only supports 1,3,4,7,38,39,40 and 41 like the one listed above. They also have a global model that supports nearly every band. This one will probably be the same way as Huawei is trying to become a global company.

  3. Kristian Löfvenmark
    May 10, 2016

    I would love this in 5.2 inch screen

    • Joel Adames
      May 10, 2016

      Buy the P9 then

  4. Assefa Hanson
    May 10, 2016

    this looks amazing

  5. Muhammad Yasir
    May 10, 2016

    nice !

    the screen size is NEAR perfect !

    • Joel Adames
      May 10, 2016

      It IS PERFECT!!! hahaha

      • Muhammad Yasir
        May 10, 2016

        6 inch is my dream size !
        also , very disappointed in Xiaomi Max :/

        • Joel Adames
          May 10, 2016

          my PURE XL is a 6″cher but it kind of exceeds my comfort zone and that the main gripe I have on the phone, but I would do it al again with the ELIFE E9 just for the joy of such beautiful screen I got.

          • Arjun
            May 10, 2016

            How do you like your Pure XL? I did not buy coz it does not android pay.

            • Joel Adames
              May 11, 2016

              Android Pay is NOT a thing yet in my country so is NOT relevant for me … It does have NFC and comes with 3 tags in the box. Its and awesome device and an excellent performer, 3 updates by now, and maybe it will see Andorid 6, not sure, but not backlit buttons and size are my biggest gripe S if any, but not a deal-breaker at all, o highly recommend it.

          • Muhammad Yasir
            May 10, 2016

            its hard to hold with one hand ?

            • Joel Adames
              May 11, 2016

              No, but here’s the thing it is a beautiful device which comes with a clear coat cover and then a hard case cover included. So without them it’s nice to hold and a Looker I always get asked and complemented about it, but I get scared it migth get dented so I mostly use it with the covers on which makes if fell 3mm wider… If you like them bare then it’s OK.

        • realjjj
          May 10, 2016

          Just get the 360 N4 and be done with it 😛
          I keep mentioning it in comments since Gizchina doesn’t seem to want to report on the launch lol.
          BTW the Mate 8 is 6 inch and as tall as this one at 157mm.

          • Muhammad Yasir
            May 10, 2016

            lol … maybe Andi and co are Nubia fanboys 😀 (they have praised them every now and then on occasion 😀 )

            • metalboyz
              May 10, 2016

              Andi is vivo fanboys, afaik.

            • balcobomber25
              May 10, 2016

              Andi likes a variety of phones from Xiaomi, LeTV, Vivo and others. I haven’t seen him be a true fanboy really for any-one brand.

            • Muhammad Yasir
              May 11, 2016

              hahah
              yeah , but they do seem to shower lots of affection on Nubia too

          • Muhammad Yasir
            May 10, 2016

            im looking at collecting for the N4 …

  6. Joel Adames
    May 10, 2016

    This is one of the better value phones lately. Thicks all my cases, but is it true that some apps don’t have support for the Kirin Chips ???
    Other than that I would love a grey+black color version. This made to my short list as I’m sure my network carrier migth bring it at some point.
    Now just have to wait what the ELIFE E9 brings to the table.

    • Arjun
      May 10, 2016

      Do you know when Gionee Elife E9 is launching?

      • Joel Adames
        May 10, 2016

        Hehehehe I haven’t even heard of it for real, this is just me positively thinking!

        • Arjun
          May 10, 2016

          Does Honor V8 is launching in USA with LTE bands Support?

          • balcobomber25
            May 10, 2016

            They launched the Honor 5X in the US so there is a good chance this one will too. The P9 also has a global model that support all the bands for Tmobile and ATT so this one might as well.

            • MaxPower
              May 10, 2016

              Really? Didn’t know that about the p9.
              I should start keeping an eye on Huawei phones from now on

            • balcobomber25
              May 10, 2016

              Yea the international model is available on Amazon for $640, it has the following bands:

              1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/12/17/18/19/20/26/38/39/40/41

              http://www.amazon.com/Huawei-Camera-Smartphone-Mystic-Silver/dp/B01EC6G1SM/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1462918456&sr=8-7&keywords=huawei+p9

            • MaxPower
              May 10, 2016

              Forget about it, I’ll stay with 3G

            • MaxPower
              May 10, 2016

              Lol, $640?
              Phones don’t last me a full year anymore, I can’t spend that kinda money on a phone. :-p

            • balcobomber25
              May 11, 2016

              I pay more than that for the wife’s Samsuck phones which only last her a year haha.

            • balcobomber25
              May 10, 2016

              LOL. I am more and more tempted each day to just buy it. But the Zuk Z2 Pro is also coming with Bands 2 and 4 for Tmobile. I am gonna get one of those two. Just waiting on some reviews of the Zuk.

            • MaxPower
              May 10, 2016

              I like the Z2 a lot!
              Also waiting for the OP3.
              Once both are out I’ll pick one and get rid of this POS 😀

            • Simon
              May 11, 2016

              Z2 Pro or which one ?

            • balcobomber25
              May 11, 2016

              Z2 Pro, that is my preferred device.

            • Simon
              May 11, 2016

              Ok fine and where does the Hnor V8 and Xiaomi Max now come on your list ?

            • balcobomber25
              May 12, 2016

              Honor V8 maybe top 5 but I need to see some reviews of it, Xiaomi Max no where close. I like bigger phones but I think the Max is a little too big.

            • Lazar Prodanovic
              May 11, 2016

              & that makes it a much worse choice than for instance Samsung Galaxy S7.

            • balcobomber25
              May 11, 2016

              Anything is better than a Samsuck for me at least.

          • Steven Fox
            May 11, 2016

            No chance, as they are banned from selling anything but Qualcomm chips in there.

      • balcobomber25
        May 10, 2016

        If I had to take a guess I would say they will launch it in June with a release of August.

    • Steven Fox
      May 11, 2016

      Not true mate.
      Honor 6+ and Honor 7 owner here, never had any problems with any apps.
      If you are looking for a Huawei P9 at a cut price, this is it.
      The Honor series has always been fabulous, because it offers premium features at a mid-range price point.
      I would not recommend the 2K display though as the Kirin 950 is not exactly the graphics powerhouse like the SD820 and Exynos 8890.

      • Joel Adames
        May 11, 2016

        Yup, yet I would exactly choose the 2K screen as that’s something I enjoy, I have a 6″ er 2K runned by a MTK X10 and it’s quite nice to me, maybe it’s real optimization but it runs smoothly for me. I can’t go back to FHD now… Hehehe

      • Joel Adames
        May 11, 2016

        But thanks for the info regarding the apps I run many many different apps and games so I don’t want any “your device is to blame” kind of errors from the play store.

    • Lazar Prodanovic
      May 11, 2016

      Same standard arhitekture components ARM CPU & GPU cores along with (slightly outdated Tensilica DSP) so compatibility is the same. Part where HiSilicon or for that matter Huawei is not brilliant (& it never whose) are software optimizations.

  7. SnowyCat
    May 10, 2016

    and today i was jsut worried that i wont have a dreamphone with emui/miui after the mi max launch and this one is now nearly perfect. cant wait for a review int erms of battery life and camer quality.

    else i might go for the le 2 pro..but dunno the normal honor v8 seems to fit everything for me.

  8. MattD
    May 10, 2016

    No, no, no, that’s not how you do an upper-midrange at that price point… Remove all of the good things, battery included, and give us moar leds for the flash! Many moar! At least 8 moar! 10 leds, that’s right! B*tches love leds!

    • illystor
      May 10, 2016

      show us on the doll where meizu hurt you

      • MattD
        May 10, 2016

        :'( here!
        *pointing at the hype*

    • balcobomber25
      May 11, 2016

      You also give it an amazing design and make it cheaper than the previous model launched for.

  9. Guest
    May 10, 2016

    Not only the phone , I am also interested in the Fitness band .
    With that price point its extremely lucrative to me , both he phone and Wearables .

  10. realjjj
    May 10, 2016

    The 2499CNY version does have more bands than the cheapest one.
    They do list the bands for the 2499 version here http://www.vmall.com/product/186517099.html
    FDD-LTE: B1 / B3 / B4 / B7; TDD-LTE: B38 / B39 / B40 / B41 (2555MHz ~ 2655MHz)
    Ofc this device will have more versions for diff regions.

    • Martin Fabián
      May 10, 2016

      Yeah with the bands i would be careful yet, because like you said Huawei quite often has many versions including international ones. We shall see and will surely post some article with details once its rock solid.

    • realjjj
      May 10, 2016

      That’s their own store, it’s as legit as it can be.
      The honor site isn’t listing the device yet http://www.honor.cn/index.html but vmall is Huawei’s own store.

    • Assefa Hanson
      May 10, 2016

      am i seeing right is that a 1.76 micron for the camera?

    • illystor
      May 10, 2016

      It’s a shame. P9 and Mate 8 both boast broader network support, to my knowledge. Now I don’t know what to do. This or P9.

    • realjjj
      May 10, 2016

      You are seeing right but it’s not 1.76. The two sensors are 1.25um and they argue that the two added up absorb the same amount of light as a 1.76um sensor or something like that.

      They had the same marketing number for the P9. The cams are likely identical to the P9.

    • realjjj
      May 10, 2016

      The P9 does cost plenty more and the screen is just 5.2 inch. The Mate 8 is as tall as this one but bigger screen, 2999CNY and many bands.

    • illystor
      May 10, 2016

      It doesn’t really cost plenty more. I’m not fussed about the 4GB RAM config P9, which means I can pick one up for around the 3000 mark just the same.

    • realjjj
      May 10, 2016

      The V8 starts at 2299CNY while the P9 starts at 3188CNY on Vmall, that’s 39% more.

    • illystor
      May 10, 2016

      Thanks for running the numbers, but I clearly misunderstood you in response and you in turn misunderstood me in kind. I took it as you saying go for the Mate 8 because it’s cheaper than the P9. My response was saying there’s not much argument for the Mate 8 over the P9 on price alone.

    • Assefa Hanson
      May 10, 2016

      hmm i see, they should put there info up so google translate can translate it rather than put images up of the information which cant be translated by the browser, anyways thanks for the info

    • balcobomber25
      May 10, 2016

      P9 has multiple models there is one that only supports 1,3,4,7,38,39,40 and 41 like the one listed above. They also have a global model that supports nearly every band. This one will probably be the same way as Huawei is trying to become a global company.

  11. Kristian Löfvenmark
    May 10, 2016

    I would love this in 5.2 inch screen

    • Joel Adames
      May 10, 2016

      Buy the P9 then

  12. Assefa Hanson
    May 10, 2016

    this looks amazing

  13. Guest
    May 10, 2016

    nice !

    the screen size is NEAR perfect !

    • Joel Adames
      May 10, 2016

      It IS PERFECT!!! hahaha

    • Guest
      May 10, 2016

      6 inch is my dream size !
      also , very disappointed in Xiaomi Max :/

    • Joel Adames
      May 10, 2016

      my PURE XL is a 6″cher but it kind of exceeds my comfort zone and that the main gripe I have on the phone, but I would do it al again with the ELIFE E9 just for the joy of such beautiful screen I got.

    • Arjun
      May 10, 2016

      How do you like your Pure XL? I did not buy coz it does not android pay.

    • realjjj
      May 10, 2016

      Just get the 360 N4 and be done with it 😛 Not 6 inch but you’ll survive.
      I keep mentioning it in comments since Gizchina doesn’t seem to want to report on the launch lol.
      BTW the Mate 8 is 6 inch and as tall as this one at 157mm.

    • Guest
      May 10, 2016

      lol … maybe Andi and co are Nubia fanboys 😀 (they have praised them every now and then on occasion 😀 )

    • Guest
      May 10, 2016

      its hard to hold with one hand ?

    • Guest
      May 10, 2016

      im looking at collecting for the N4 …

    • metalboyz
      May 10, 2016

      Andi is vivo fanboys, afaik.

    • balcobomber25
      May 10, 2016

      Andi likes a variety of phones from Xiaomi, LeTV, Vivo and others. I haven’t seen him be a true fanboy really for any-one brand.

    • Guest
      May 11, 2016

      hahah
      yeah , but they do seem to shower lots of affection on Nubia too

    • Joel Adames
      May 11, 2016

      Android Pay is NOT a thing yet in my country so is NOT relevant for me … It does have NFC and comes with 3 tags in the box. Its and awesome device and an excellent performer, 3 updates by now, and maybe it will see Andorid 6, not sure, but not backlit buttons and size are my biggest gripe S if any, but not a deal-breaker at all, o highly recommend it.

    • Joel Adames
      May 11, 2016

      No, but here’s the thing it is a beautiful device which comes with a clear coat cover and then a hard case cover included. So without them it’s nice to hold and a Looker I always get asked and complemented about it, but I get scared it migth get dented so I mostly use it with the covers on which makes if fell 3mm wider… If you like them bare then it’s OK.

  14. Joel Adames
    May 10, 2016

    This is one of the better value phones lately. Thicks all my cases, but is it true that some apps don’t have support for the Kirin Chips ???
    Other than that I would love a grey+black color version. This made to my short list as I’m sure my network carrier migth bring it at some point.
    Now just have to wait what the ELIFE E9 brings to the table.

    • Arjun
      May 10, 2016

      Do you know when Gionee Elife E9 is launching?

    • Joel Adames
      May 10, 2016

      Hehehehe I haven’t even heard of it for real, this is just me positively thinking!

    • Arjun
      May 10, 2016

      Does Honor V8 is launching in USA with LTE bands Support?

    • balcobomber25
      May 10, 2016

      If I had to take a guess I would say they will launch it in June with a release of August.

    • balcobomber25
      May 10, 2016

      They launched the Honor 5X in the US so there is a good chance this one will too. The P9 also has a global model that support all the bands for Tmobile and ATT so this one might as well.

    • MaxPower
      May 10, 2016

      Really? Didn’t know that about the p9.
      I should start keeping an eye on Huawei phones from now on

    • balcobomber25
      May 10, 2016

      Yea the international model is available on Amazon for $640, it has the following bands:

      1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/12/17/18/19/20/26/38/39/40/41

      http://www.amazon.com/Huawei-Camera-Smartphone-Mystic-Silver/dp/B01EC6G1SM/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1462918456&sr=8-7&keywords=huawei+p9

    • MaxPower
      May 10, 2016

      Forget about it, I’ll stay with 3G

    • MaxPower
      May 10, 2016

      Lol, $640?
      Phones don’t last me a full year anymore, I can’t spend that kinda money on a phone. :-p

    • balcobomber25
      May 10, 2016

      LOL. I am more and more tempted each day to just buy it. But the Zuk Z2 Pro is also coming with Bands 2 and 4 for Tmobile. I am gonna get one of those two. Just waiting on some reviews of the Zuk.

    • MaxPower
      May 10, 2016

      I like the Z2 a lot!
      Also waiting for the OP3.
      Once both are out I’ll pick one and get rid of this POS 😀

    • Steven Fox
      May 11, 2016

      Not true mate.
      Honor 6+ and Honor 7 owner here, never had any problems with any apps.
      If you are looking for a Huawei P9 at a cut price, this is it.
      The Honor series has always been fabulous, because it offers premium features at a mid-range price point.
      I would not recommend the 2K display though as the Kirin 950 is not exactly the graphics powerhouse like the SD820 and Exynos 8890.

    • Steven Fox
      May 11, 2016

      No chance, as they are banned from selling anything but Qualcomm chips in there.

    • Lazar Prodanovic
      May 11, 2016

      Same standard arhitekture components ARM CPU & GPU cores along with (slightly outdated Tensilica DSP) so compatibility is the same. Part where HiSilicon or for that matter Huawei is not brilliant (& it never whose) are software optimizations.

    • Lazar Prodanovic
      May 11, 2016

      & that makes it a much worse choice than for instance Samsung Galaxy S7.

    • balcobomber25
      May 11, 2016

      Anything is better than a Samsuck for me at least. Excellent hardware ruined by a terrible design and terrible software.

    • balcobomber25
      May 11, 2016

      I pay more than that for the wife’s Samsuck phones which only last her a year haha.

    • Guest
      May 11, 2016

      Z2 Pro or which one ?

    • balcobomber25
      May 11, 2016

      Z2 Pro, that is my preferred device.

    • Guest
      May 11, 2016

      Ok fine and where does the Hnor V8 and Xiaomi Max now come on your list ?

    • Joel Adames
      May 11, 2016

      Yup, yet I would exactly choose the 2K screen as that’s something I enjoy, I have a 6″ er 2K runned by a MTK X10 and it’s quite nice to me, maybe it’s real optimization but it runs smoothly for me. I can’t go back to FHD now… Hehehe

    • Joel Adames
      May 11, 2016

      But thanks for the info regarding the apps I run many many different apps and games so I don’t want any “your device is to blame” kind of errors from the play store.

    • balcobomber25
      May 12, 2016

      Honor V8 maybe top 5 but I need to see some reviews of it, Xiaomi Max no where close. I like bigger phones but I think the Max is a little too big.

  15. SnowyCat
    May 10, 2016

    and today i was jsut worried that i wont have a dreamphone with emui/miui after the mi max launch and this one is now nearly perfect. cant wait for a review int erms of battery life and camer quality.

    else i might go for the le 2 pro..but dunno the normal honor v8 seems to fit everything for me.

  16. MattD
    May 10, 2016

    No, no, no, that’s not how you do an upper-midrange at that price point… Remove all of the good things, battery included, and give us moar leds for the flash! Many moar! At least 8 moar! 10 leds, that’s right! B*tches love leds!

    • illystor
      May 10, 2016

      show us on the doll where meizu hurt you

    • MattD
      May 10, 2016

      :'( here!
      *pointing at the hype*

    • balcobomber25
      May 11, 2016

      You also give it an amazing design and make it cheaper than the previous model launched for.

  17. barry
    May 11, 2016

    Huawei Honor V8 Unboxing and Camera Shots Antutu Score and more

    http://wp.me/p5jCmt-2ux

  18. barry
    May 11, 2016

    Huawei Honor V8 Unboxing and Camera Shots Antutu Score and more

    http://wp.me/p5jCmt-2ux