Although the Honor 8 was revealed more than a month ago in China, it's just now been introduced to the US. Honor is calling this its first flagship for America, so it had better impress. The company is specifically toting the 8's 12MP dual camera system (no Leica branding?), the snappy fingerprint sensor, and the performance.

SPECS

Display

5.2" 1080p, IPS, 423 PPI

Processor

Kirin 950, octa-core

RAM

4GB, DDR4

Storage

32GB or 64GB, microSD expansion up to 128GB

Camera (rear)

dual 12MP, laser AF, f/2.2, 1080p video

Camera (front)

8MP f/2.4, 1080p video

Battery

3000mAh w/ fast charging

Connectivity

USB Type-C, LTE (T-Mo VoLTE), Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac), NFC, IR, OTG, Bluetooth 4.2

Software

EMUI 4.1 based on Android 6.0

On paper, the Honor 8 is similar to its cousin, the Huawei P9. The 5.2-inch 1080p display and the 12MP dual camera system are shared between the Honor 8 and P9. The construction is a bit different, and the P9's Kirin 955 SoC is slightly faster.

honor 8

HONOR_BLUE_FRONT_20160703

honor p8

The phone features a glass sandwich construction with 2.5D glass all around. Honor is saying that the glass on the back reflects light differently from anything else. The 12MP dual cameras include one regular sensor and one monochrome sensor, which Honor says produce better colors and improved low light images. In addition, the company is claiming a 0.4-second unlock time for the fingerprint sensor, which has several software functions.

honor 8

honor 8

WHITE_BACK_V1_FINAL_TRANS

The Honor 8 will debut with Huawei's Emotion UI 4.1 skin atop Android 6.0 Marshmallow. It includes all of the functionality that the P9 came with, such as "Knuckle Sense," a way to take screenshots, record video, and draw gestures with your knuckles. You can also use the fingerprint sensor to open an app of your choice, snap a photo, open and clear the notification panel, answer calls, and cancel alarms.

honor 8

honor 8

WHITE_LEFT_135_V2

Honor is also including something called Honor's PROMISE, a free one-time screen or rear glass repair that stacks on top of the one-year warranty. It's worth noting that Honor's PROMISE only lasts three months and that you need to register at Honor's site to activate it.

The Honor 8 will come in Midnight Black, Sapphire Blue, and Pearl White. The price is set at $399.99 for the 32GB model and $449.99 for the 64GB model. You'll be able to buy the phone at Amazon, Best Buy (where the Sapphire Blue model will be exclusive for the first 60 days), B&H, Newegg, and Honor's official site. Pre-orders begin August 17th (which, depending on where you are, is today). You'll get a $50 gift card if you buy from Amazon, Best Buy, B&H, or Newegg. There's a bonus at Newegg in addition to the gift card. You also get a free clear case and JBL earbuds. If you buy from Honor directly, you get a $50 rebate. All these promos end September 3rd.

PRESS RELEASE