X

Huawei's Mate 8 wants to be your big-phone friend (pictures)

The Huawei Mate 8 has a 6-inch screen and an all-metal build.

Jessica Dolcourt
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
Jessica Dolcourt
huawei-mate-8-3059-001.jpg
1 of 11 Josh Miller/CNET

Huawei's Mate 8 has a large, 6-inch display and runs Android 6.0.

huawei-mate-8-04.jpg
2 of 11 Sarah Tew/CNET

Screen resolution is lower than it should be for a phone of this size and price.

huawei-mate-8-3059-001.jpg
3 of 11 Josh Miller/CNET

Camera quality is pretty strong on this device, and there are plenty of editing tools and filters.

huawei-mate-8-3059-001.jpg
4 of 11 Josh Miller/CNET

The brushed-metal build makes the Mate 8 look chic -- and heavy!

huawei-mate-8-06.jpg
5 of 11 Sarah Tew/CNET

Here it is in gold.

huawei-mate-8-3059-001.jpg
6 of 11 Josh Miller/CNET

A fingerprint reader on the back unlocks the phone, but my smaller hands had to stretch to reach.

huawei-mate-8-3059-001.jpg
7 of 11 Josh Miller/CNET

The Mate 8 is a whole handful.

huawei-mate-8-3059-001.jpg
8 of 11 Josh Miller/CNET

Straight sides appear proportionally slim.

huawei-mate-8-3059-001.jpg
9 of 11 Josh Miller/CNET

Unlike some newer phones, the Mate 8 uses a Micro-USB charging port.

huawei-mate-8-3059-001.jpg
10 of 11 Josh Miller/CNET

You can see a slight curve to the back, which helps the phone more comofrtably fill your palm.

huawei-mate-8-3059-001.jpg
11 of 11 Josh Miller/CNET

For advice on whether to buy or skip this phone, read our full Huawei Mate 8 review.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos