Huawei

Huawei Ascend Mate8: Pros and Cons

Android OS v5.1 (Lollipop)
HiSilicon Kirin 950
Mali-T880 MP4
3 GB / 32 GB
6 inch (1440 x 2560 px)
20.7 MP, 5376 x 3752 px, autofocus

Huawei announced the launch of the Ascend Mate8 smartphone in 2015. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 6 inch IPS display, HiSilicon Kirin 950 SoC, and 3 GB of RAM. The smartphone runs on the Android OS v5.1 (Lollipop) operating system. This phone has an IPS display, it provides wide viewing angles. This means the screen stays clear and consistent. This phone has only one rear-camera (20.7 MP, 5376 x 3752 px, autofocus) on its back for photos and videos. Let's explore what sets this device apart.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Huawei Ascend Mate8 smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

Huawei Ascend Mate8 / 1

Huawei Ascend Mate8 specifications

BrandHuawei
NameAscend Mate8
ModelMATE8
Release date2015

Weight, dimensions, colors

Colorsamber gold, moonlight silver, obsidian black
SIM typeNano SIM

Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a subscriber identity module (SIM), which is a chip card.

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v5.1 (Lollipop)
SoCHiSilicon Kirin 950
CPUOcta-core, Quad-core 2.4 GHz Cortex-A72, Quad-core 2 GHz Cortex-A53
GPUMali-T880 MP4

The Huawei Ascend Mate8 comes with Android OS v5.1 (Lollipop) out of the box. Android is an open-source operating system. This means users and developers have more control over the software. This CPU makes it ideal for running resource-intensive applications. Many people consider ARM Mali GPUs a good option for mobile devices.

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size6 inch
Resolution1440 x 2560 px
Multitouch supportyes

People know IPS for its wide viewing angles. It also has accurate color reproduction. The 6 inch display should be big enough for your needs. It will make viewing comfortable. This is true whether you're reading, browsing, or watching. The display size is the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner.

Memory, storage

RAM3 GB
Internal storage32 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The smartphone has 3 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. More RAM lets you keep more apps and processes open in the background. This keeps the device from slowing down. Generally, a smartphone should have a minimum of 32 GB of internal storage. The Ascend Mate8 has 32 GB. You can expand the internal storage of the Ascend Mate8 (32 GB) by using a compatible microSD card.

Cameras, flash

Main camera20.7 MP, 5376 x 3752 px, autofocus
FlashDual LED
Selfie camera8 MP

You may have budget limits. Or, you may prioritize other features over a multi-camera system. If so, this single camera setup can be a good choice. The main camera of Ascend Mate8 smartphone does not have OIS. The optical image stabilization (OIS) is an important feature in smartphones.

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetoothv4.1, A2DP, LE
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS
NFCyes
FM radioyes
USBmicroUSB 2.0, USB host
Headphone3.5 mm jack

The 4G provides faster data transfer speeds compared to previous generations. This Huawei phone can connect to Wi-Fi networks at home, at work, or in public places. You can use Bluetooth to connect your Ascend Mate8 smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. This phone has a built-in GPS receiver. The Ascend Mate8 comes with NFC (Near Field Communication) functionality. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 4200 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Po 4200 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a light-weight, rechargeable battery. The Ascend Mate8 does not have a removable battery, it integrates the battery into the phone's design.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, compass, fingerprint, gyroscope, proximity
SpecialsCorning Gorilla Glass 4, Dual SIM

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer is a sensor. It measures the tilting motion and orientation of the phone. The fingerprint reader is a biometric security feature found in Ascend Mate8 smartphones. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use. Corning Gorilla Glass is tougher. It resists scratches, impacts, and drops.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Huawei phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • appropriate screen size
  • microSD slot
  • Dual SIM support
  • Corning Gorilla Glass shield

Cons

  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • no Type-C USB port
  • low-capacity battery
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Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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