Honor 8X and 8X Max announced, coming first to China

Both phones are officially launching on September 11.

Honor’s been absolutely dominating the mid-range smartphone space this year, and after announcing the Magic 2 as its flagship phone for 2018, the company’s going back to its bread and butter with the newly announced Honor 8X and 8X Max.

Starting first with the Honor 8X, the phone features a glass and metal construction with a 6.5-inch FullView display that offers a 91% screen-to-body ratio. The 19.5:9 form factor is common with today’s flagships, there’s a resolution of 1080 x 2340, and because this is 2018, there’s a notch at the top.

Inside the 8X you’ll find the HiSilicon Kirin 710 processor, 4 or 6GB RAM, 64 or 128GB of internal storage, and a large 3,750 mAh battery. There are two rear cameras (20MP + 2MP) and a 16MP selfie camera. Android 8.1 Oreo is present out of the box and has EMUI 8.2 running on top of it.

As the name implies, the Honor 8X Max is a larger version of the 8X. The design is mostly the same, but the notch in the 7.12-inch 1080 x 2244 display is much smaller and adopts the “waterdrop” style we’re expecting for the OnePlus 6T.

The Kirin 710 has been replaced by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636, and while the available RAM and storage remain the same, the battery is considerably bigger at 5,000 mAh. A Snapdragon 660 model has also been announced, but it won’t go on sale until October.

As for pricing, here’s what we’re currently looking at:

Honor 8X

• 4GB RAM + 64GB storage — ¥1399
• 6GB RAM + 64GB storage — ¥1599
• 6GB RAM + 128GB storage — ¥1899

Honor 8X Max

• 4GB RAM + 64GB storage — ¥1499
• 4GB RAM + 128GB storage — ¥1799

Both phones are launching in China on September 11 and will expand to “overseas markets” in October.

Honor 10 review: Iridescent, incredible, imperfect

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Which LIFX bulb should you buy?

We’re a virtual company made up of tech experts from across the globe and work from our homes. Many of us have an affinity for smart light bulbs, and test as many as we can to help you pick the right ones.

Out of LIFX’s selection of smart light bulbs, the LIFX Plus is the best option for those looking to buy. It not only provides smart controls and a wide range of colors but it has infrared to aid in night vision for any security cameras you might have.

Our Pick

LIFX Plus

• $60 at Amazon

The best bulb in town

$60 is a lot to spend on a light bulb, but the LIFX Plus is bright enough to fully light a room at 1100 lumens, and even illuminates night vision security cameras by emitting infrared light that’s invisible to the naked eye.

Who should buy this bulb?

The biggest difference between the LIFX Plus and the Color 1000 is the Plus’s infrared emission, which invisibly illuminates dark areas for infrared-detecting security cameras — perfect for distant spots in a camera’s field of view, like the outer perimeter of your yard. If you don’t have security cameras, you probably don’t need the LIFX Plus and are better off buying the cheaper Color 1000.

Is it a good time to buy this phone?

Yes! While LIFX regularly adds new products to its lineup, like the Tile and Z LED Strip, it rarely refreshes or replaces its existing selection. Now’s just as good a time as ever to buy the LIFX Plus.

Reasons to buy

• Doesn’t require a hub
• Infrared helps security cameras see in the dark
• 16 million possible colors
• LED rated for 22 years

Reasons not to buy

• Expensive
• Doesn’t work with dimmer switches

The best smart bulb money can buy

Smart bulbs are one of the easiest ways to get into home automation, since they’re relatively affordable and fit into any standard E26 light socket, making for an easy conversion from traditional bulbs. The LIFX Plus is the most feature-packed bulb in LIFX’s lineup, and moreover, it’s the best smart bulb on the market.

Unlike similar options from competitors like Phillips, LIFX bulbs don’t require a hub to control.

The LIFX Plus gets extra bright at 1100 lumens — easily enough to light up even larger rooms with a single bulb, though if need be, you can buy additional bulbs and assign them to a room to easily control multiple LIFX lights at once. You can choose from any of 16 million colors, both through the LIFX app and by using your voice, since the LIFX Plus integrates with Google Assistant, Alexa, and HomeKit, and even Cortana.

You can choose between two form factors for the LIFX Plus: the A19, and the BR30, which each direct light differently. To be clear, these aren’t different versions of the bulb — they’re the same price and have the exact same features and specs — but the BR30 with its wider shape and reflector is better suited for use outdoors or in ceiling lights. For floor lamps and most other fixtures, the A19 is a better fit for most people.

While $60 sounds like a lot to spend on a bulb (and don’t get me wrong, it definitely is), the LIFX Plus is rated with a 22.8-year lifespan, and includes a 2-year warranty in case anything goes wrong early on.

Alternatives to the LIFX Plus

The LIFX Plus is may be the best bulb around, but the infrared capabilities that give it the Plus moniker are wasted if you don’t also have a security camera. There’s no reason to spend more to get a feature you won’t be able to use, especially if you plan on buying more than one bulb, so one of LIFX’s cheaper options may be a better fit for you.

Runner-up

LIFX Color 1000

Essentially the LIFX Plus without infrared.

$50 at Amazon

The standard LIFX bulb, otherwise known as the Color 1000, is completely identical to the LIFX Plus save for a lack of infrared light. If you don’t own a night-vision security camera, this is the smarter purchase.

Just like the LIFX Plus, the Color 1000 is available in either A19 or BR30, and can even be purchased in a four-pack if you’re ready to outfit more than one room with smart bulbs.

Value Pick

LIFX Mini

A smaller, cheaper bulb that fits better in lamps.

$35 at Amazon

An even cheaper option, the LIFX Mini doesn’t get quite as bright as the other bulbs at 800 lumens, but its 250-degree beam angle spreads light around more of the surrounding room.

If you don’t mind sacrificing a bit of brightness, the LIFX Mini has most of the same features as its pricier siblings; it’s still rated for nearly 23 years and emits 16 million colors. This is a perfect fit for desk lamps, kitchen lights, and other small fixtures.

Bare minimum

LIFX Mini White

Smart lighting without all the color.

$35 at Amazon

If you just want the convenience of a smart bulb but don’t care about the myriad of colors, the Mini White is the absolute cheapest bulb in LIFX’s catalog.

The LIFX Mini White doesn’t change colors, instead of sitting at a comfortably warm 2700K, but you can still adjust the brightness levels and turn the light on or off through the LIFX app or your voice assistant. This cost-effective, no-frills option makes the most sense for those looking to replace every bulb in the house with LIFX.

Bottom line

The LIFX Plus is the perfect full-featured option for shoppers who already own a night-vision security camera, or at the very least plan on buying one. It may be expensive at $60, but no other smart bulb can match its combination of brightness, wide range of colors, and infrared output.

If you aren’t interested in security cameras, though, the Color 1000 will give you the same experience for $10 less, and the LIFX Mini gets even cheaper — especially if you go for the white-only version.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Hayato Huseman is a recovering trade show addict and associate editor for Android Central based out of Indianapolis. He can mostly be found complaining about the cold and enthusing about prog metal on Twitter at @hayatohuseman. Got a tip or inquiry? Drop him a line at hayato@mobilenations.com.

Daniel Bader is the Managing Editor of Android Central. As he’s writing this, a mountain of old Android phones is about to fall on his head, but his Great Dane will protect him. He drinks way too much coffee and sleeps too little. He wonders if there’s a correlation.

Tom Westrick is a U.S.-based freelancer. He’s been poking and prodding at Android phones since 2011, and covering various topics for Android Central since 2017. He can often be found with multiple laptops in his backpack and a cup of iced tea in his hand. Follow him on Twitter at @TomWestrick1.

Protect your Note 9 in style with these clear cases

Some people think of clear cases for phones the way they think of vodka: they’re supposed to be colorless, odorless, and all look and act the same. Clear cases are supposed to show off the phone inside and stay out of its way. But just as the impurities and textures of vodka brands can lead to differences in the drink and in the mouth, the details on our favorite clear cases don’t just let your Samsung Galaxy Note 9’s style show through; they make it shine like the jewel it is.

Shining scuff protection

Spigen Liquid Crystal Case for Galaxy Note 9

Spigen’s thin, flexible clear case grips well, hugs every curve of the Note 9’s glass, and isn’t as quick to show smudges and smears as other clear cases. The Glitter versions hide smudges and scuffs even better for $2 more, and the Rose Quartz Glitter’s soft pink shine adds depth and cheer without feeling like a cliche.

$11 at Amazon

Get a handle on your clear case

Ringke Fusion Case for Galaxy Note 9

Ringke’s Fusion cases have been great cases for generations of Galaxy phones, and its well-tinted bumpers can go beyond with a color pop that can contrast or compliment the Note’s original hues. The buffed-up corner bumpers give a little more give to the case for dispersing momentum during a fall, and it comes with a wrist strap so you can keep your Note at arm’s length at all times.

$11 at Amazon

Price-performing protection

MoKo Crystal Clear Case for Galaxy Note 9

This budget-friendly clear case offers big corner cushions and a crystal clear back to showcase your Note’s glass-and-metal glory. There’s a cutout on the bottom corner for a strap like the Ringke, but it doesn’t actually come with a strap, and while the power button is textured, the Bixby and volume buttons are not.

$6 at Amazon

Dainty deco designs

Casetego Printed Clear Case for Galaxy Note 9

Clear cases are supposed to let the Note’s design show through, but adding a little extra flair never hurt anyone. Castetego has five printed case styles available — two floral designs and a darling mandala design in three color gradients — and these marvelous mandala variants add some contrast as well as some style while covering up the IMEI listed on the bottom of the phone’s back.

$10 at Amazon

Metallic hybrid beauty

Caseology Skyfall Series Case for Galaxy Note 9

This clear case marries a clear TPU inner layer with a shiny metallic polycarbonate frame to give you the best of both case worlds. The color-matched bumpers are perfectly matched to the Note 9’s different shades — except for that teddy-bear brown that isn’t available in most markets — just be careful getting the protective film off of the case when it arrives.

$14 at Amazon

Crystal-clear durability

Spigen Ultra Hybrid S Case for Galaxy Note 9

Looking to split the difference between the thin style of the Liquid Crystal and the firm functional protection of the Neo Hybrid? Try the Ultra Hybrid S, which has a polycarbonate back and a flexible bumper that makes it easier to slide the phone in and out as needed. This S version of this case is higher-rated than the normal Ultra Hybrid and sports a kickstand.

$15 at Amazon

It’s hard to argue with the style and slim substance of the Spigen Liquid Crystal — especially that Rose Quartz Glitter version I’ve been loving to pieces on my Galaxy S9+ this last summer — but the Casetego’s patterned poise shakes things up in a fun way while still showing off the Note’s inner beauty.

Apple’s AirPort Utility App Finally Gains Support for iPhone X Display

Just ahead of when Apple plans to release new 2018 iPhones, the company has quietly updated its AirPort Utility app to introduce support for the longer display of the iPhone X.

AirPort Utility is one of the last remaining Apple apps that have gone for months without an iPhone X update.

For those unfamiliar with the app, it is designed to allow AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, and AirPort Time Capsule owners to manage their devices.

Apple has discontinued development on all of these products, but has pledged to continue to support them for the next several years. Today’s app update follows a major firmware update for the AirPort Express that introduced support for AirPlay 2.
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