Huawei Honor Note 8

[wulunzun]

 

[wulunzun]

 

[wulunzun]

Full Specifications
http://m.gsmarena.com/huawei_honor_note_8-8231.php

Comparison with Xiaomi Mi Max and Asus Zenfone 3 Ultra
http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=8231&&idPhone2=8057&idPhone3=8130

Comparison with Pixel XL
http://gsminsider.com/2016/10/google-pixel-xl-vs-huawei-honor-8-vs-honor-note-8-specs-comparison/

Reviews (English)
http://www.igeekphone.com/huawei-honor-note-8-unboxing-antutubattery-camera-review/
http://gsminsider.com/2016/08/huawei-honor-note-8-review-hand-on/
http://blog.flosmall.com/huawei-honor-note-8-unique-beautiful-massive-qhd-multitouch-fast-charge/

Reviews (Chinese)
http://g.pconline.com.cn/x/823/8231686_all.html
http://tech.sina.cn/mobile/pc/2016-08-02/detail-ifxunyxy6256125.d.html?from=wap
http://m.mydrivers.com/newsview/494722.html?ref=
http://m.igao7.com/news/201608/novFjaoR7qRmEXBR.html
http://m.pc841.com/pingce/20160802-70240_all.html
https://kknews.cc/digital/ypoljb.html

YouTube Reviews

 

[wulunzun]

My review of the Honor Note 8

In this review, I'm not going to state the usual things like hardware and software as these info can be found in the links above. Instead, I will be writing about my usage of the phone like how to get play store installed and the quirks of the phone.

1. Installing Google Play Store
Huawei phones all have Google framework installed so it's easy to install Google apps. For some reason, I can't find the Play Store app in Huawei's app store, aka HiApp. So I had to download it from XDA. Here's the link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1996995

Just download the apk and install. Make sure to give all permissions to the app after installation.

2. Sync Google contacts
After signing into the Google account, I could not find "Contacts" in the account so I could not sync to the phone. I had to download Gapps and extract a file called "GoogleContactsSyncAdapter.apk", install it, give all permissions and reboot before I could sync to Google contacts. Here are the steps:

i) Download the apk here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7EsuNY87s8mNkJEbkZ5TElXNG8/view?usp=drivesdk

ii) Install the apk and give all permissions after installation. Then go to "Settings", "Apps", "Google Contacts Sync", "Permissions" and enable Contacts as shown in the ss below:

After that, go to "Set individual permissions" to ensure "Trust this app" is turned on.

iii) Reboot phone. After rebooting, the Google account should show the option to "Sync Contacts".

3) Sync Google Calendar
Easiest way is to install Google Calendar app then use your preferred calendar app.

4) Battery life

Using Huawei charger will activate fast charge.

Using other chargers will NOT enable fast charge even if it is capable of fast charge.

5) Music
i) The phone comes with a music player called "Music". It was quite good when Huawei tied up with 虾米 but now they switched the partner to QQ music. This results in totally inaccessible online music from the app. Can only use it to play locally stored songs now.

ii) DTS can be enabled in the "Music" app and the effect is quite good, to my ears. The DTS once enabled is effective for all music players that you download, even for video players. If you don't like the effect, can turn it off in the "Music" app.

6) Video
i) The phone comes with a video app called"Video". It has online Youku content but I don't find it good as a lot of videos cannot be loaded. It may be due to content limited to China only.

ii) For playing local storage content, it is ok but only has 1 option in the settings for "Enhanced sound". This is something like DTS as once turned on, it will be available to all other video players. I will recommend using 3rd party players like MX player or VLC as they have more functionality.

7) Bloatware
Quite a number of bloatwares in the phone. But the good news is that almost all the bloatwares can be uninstalled. Personally, I kept the following apps:
i) HiApp (for access to Chinese apps)
ii) Music (for DTS)
iii) Video (for Enhanced Sound)
iv) HiCare (for access to their online help since Huawei gave free Gold membership when I bought the phone)
v) HiGame (Huawei gave free credit for some games when I bought the phone)
vi) HonorReader (for 玄幻 novels and free credit from Huawei when I bought the phone)
vii) iQIYI (for China TV shows)

*More updates coming up*

Edited: 3 Nov 2016

 

[wulunzun]

Additional stuff:

Battery life after downgrading screen resolution to 1080p

 

[amazingone]

There's a thread on this already..
→http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/android-user-group-323/huawei-honor-note-8-a-5448909.html

Sent from Sumire using GAGT

 

[johnsonheng]

You got to a compare the price, Huawei note smelly will cost around 700-800

 

[wulunzun]

There's a thread on this already..
→http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/android-user-group-323/huawei-honor-note-8-a-5448909.html

Sent from Sumire using GAGT

Oops. Didn't notice.

 

[wulunzun]

You got to a compare the price, Huawei note smelly will cost around 700-800

Bought from taobao for 2299rmb for 32gb. Around S$473. Will update my total cost after shipping and other charges once I get it.

 

[warboy85]

Bought from taobao for 2299rmb for 32gb. Around S$473. Will update my total cost after shipping and other charges once I get it.

u use ezbuy to buy it?

Sent from Huawei NEXUS 6P using GAGT

 

[DarkTemplar]

It's good. Better than the Mi Max. Using one now and pleased with it.

Screen beats Mi Max hands down, battery life excellent. Build quality also very good.

 

[boaboy]

It's good. Better than the Mi Max. Using one now and get pleased with it.

Screen beats Mi Max hands down, battery life excellent. Build quality also very good.

U bought from taobao oso ? Any issues installing google playstore ?

 

[DarkTemplar]

U bought from taobao oso ? Any issues installing google playstore ?

Yes Taobao.

No issues at all. Huawei App store allows you to install GSP easily.

 

[mac_oasis]

Is the dual sim 4G/3G like Mi Max?

 

[mac_oasis]

Found the answer. It's 4G/2G

http://m.gsmarena.com/honor_note_8_...oled_kirin_955_and_marshmallow-news-19714.php

 

[warboy85]

Yes Taobao.

No issues at all. Huawei App store allows you to install GSP easily.

u use ezbuy to purchase?

 

[wulunzun]

u use ezbuy to purchase?

Mine just arrived yesterday and very happy with it. I use another forwarder found in the Mass Order forum. I'm going to use it for 1 week before updating the first post to include my review. All I can say is buy straight from China no issue. Can install play store and even claim the offer on Chinese apps that Huawei gives.

Sent from HUAWEI HONOR NOTE 8 using GAGT

 

[wulunzun]

Yes Taobao.

No issues at all. Huawei App store allows you to install GSP easily.

Weird. I can't find play store in Hiapp. Had to download apk from the web then install. What search terms you use? I tried "google play store" and "谷歌商场" also can't find.

Sent from HUAWEI HONOR NOTE 8 using GAGT

 

[warboy85]

Mine just arrived yesterday and very happy with it. I use another forwarder found in the Mass Order forum. I'm going to use it for 1 week before updating the first post to include my review. All I can say is buy straight from China no issue. Can install play store and even claim the offer on Chinese apps that Huawei gives.

Sent from HUAWEI HONOR NOTE 8 using GAGT

u use misshong service?

Sent from Huawei NEXUS 6P using GAGT

 

[warboy85]

Mine just arrived yesterday and very happy with it. I use another forwarder found in the Mass Order forum. I'm going to use it for 1 week before updating the first post to include my review. All I can say is buy straight from China no issue. Can install play store and even claim the offer on Chinese apps that Huawei gives.

Sent from HUAWEI HONOR NOTE 8 using GAGT

do u still have the taobao link which u bought it?

Sent from Huawei NEXUS 6P using GAGT