Huawei

Huawei P8 Max: Pros and Cons

Android OS v5.1 (Lollipop)
HiSilicon Kirin 935
Mali-T628 MP4
3 GB / 64 GB
6.8 inch (1080 x 1920 px)
13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization

Huawei announced the launch of the P8 Max smartphone in 2015. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 6.8 inch LTPS display, HiSilicon Kirin 935 SoC, and 3 GB of RAM. The P8 Max comes with Android OS v5.1 (Lollipop) pre-installed. This phone has only one rear-camera (13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization) on its back for photos and videos. Is the cost justified by its features? I'll strive to answer that by the end of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Huawei P8 Max 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 P8 Max / 1

Huawei P8 Max specifications

BrandHuawei
NameP8 Max
ModelP8M
Release date2015

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight8.04 oz
Dimensions7.19 x 3.66 x 0.27 inch
Colorsluxurious gold, mystic champagne, titanium grey
SIM typeNano SIM, Micro SIM

The weight of the Huawei P8 Max is still considered to be lightweight and portable. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a subscriber identity module (SIM), which is a chip card. A micro SIM is larger than the current standard Nano SIM card but smaller than the older SIM card size.

Huawei P8 Max / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v5.1 (Lollipop)
SoCHiSilicon Kirin 935
CPUOcta-core, Quad-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53, Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53
GPUMali-T628 MP4

The Huawei P8 Max 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 octa-core CPU consists: Octa-core, Quad-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53, Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53. Many people consider ARM Mali GPUs a good option for mobile devices.

Huawei P8 Max / 2

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeLTPS
Screen size6.8 inch
Resolution1080 x 1920 px
Multitouch supportyes

The 6.8 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.

Huawei P8 Max / 3

Memory, storage

RAM3 GB
Internal storage64 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. 64 GB of storage is usually seen as good for a smartphone. It should be enough for most users. You can expand the internal storage of the P8 Max (64 GB) by using a compatible microSD card.

Huawei P8 Max / 4

Cameras, flash

Main camera13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization
FlashDual LED
Selfie camera5 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 P8 Max offers optical image stabilization (OIS) for their rear camera systems.

Huawei P8 Max / 5

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetoothv4.0, A2DP
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou
NFCno
FM radiono
USBmicroUSB 2.0, USB host
Headphone3.5 mm jack

The 4G provides faster data transfer speeds compared to previous generations. The P8 Max supports the latest Wi-Fi standards. You can use Bluetooth to connect your P8 Max smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. The P8 Max has a GPS receiver. Many fitness and activity tracking apps rely on GPS. It is used to accurately measure and record outdoor activities. The phone isn't NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. NFC is not essential for basic phone functionality, but it can be useful. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 4360 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Po 4360 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a light-weight, rechargeable battery. The P8 Max does not have a removable battery, it integrates the battery into the phone's design.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, compass, gyroscope, proximity
SpecialsCorning Gorilla Glass 3, Dual SIM, Emotion UI

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. 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
  • optical image stabilization (OIS)
  • Dual SIM support
  • Corning Gorilla Glass shield

Cons

  • single camera setup
  • no 5G support
  • no NFC feature
  • no Type-C USB port
  • no fingerprint reader
Add Huawei P8 Max to your comparison

Please let us know if you find incorrect information or something isn't working. Also, tell us if you have a suggestion for improvement.

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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