The Honor 10 launched as Honor/Huawei’s aggressive midrange entry that prioritizes design and CPU performance. It pairs a 5.84" 2280×1080 LCD with a HiSilicon Kirin 970 SoC and ships on Android 8.1. Hardware options include 4 GB or 6 GB of RAM and 64 GB or 128 GB of onboard storage, and the main rear camera is a 16 MP unit. Reviewers highlighted the phone’s vivid glass finishes and the presence of a standard headphone jack.
This review draws on device benchmarks and reporting gathered in the research brief: UL Solutions 3DMark Wild Life results, Geekbench results from the Browser, aggregated scores and thermal data from Nanoreview, and editorial testing/comments from CNET, PCMag and Notebookcheck. Key measured inputs include 3DMark Wild Life scores (827 / Wild Life Unlimited 845), Geekbench CPU scores, and reported surface temperature readings.
High level: the Honor 10 is a well-styled midrange phone that delivers solid CPU-level responsiveness for daily tasks but shows limits in sustained GPU-heavy workloads and camera performance. It’s best for buyers who want a striking glass design, a responsive Kirin 970 platform and practical storage/RAM choices; it’s a poorer choice if you prioritize mobile gaming performance, thermal consistency or flagship-level camera output.
CPU is competent; GPU and sustained load expose limits
The Honor 10 runs on the HiSilicon Kirin 970. User-submitted Geekbench results in the research brief show CPU-level scores in the midrange band (single-core reported at 348 and multi-core reported at 1131), which aligns with a phone that feels snappy in UI navigation and web use. Memory options (4 GB or 6 GB) and storage choices (64 GB or 128 GB) support typical multitasking.
GPU and sustained-load figures are weaker: 3DMark Wild Life scores reported a median of 827 (Wild Life Unlimited 845) with the graphics test producing roughly 4 FPS and a Wild Life stability of 75%. Nanoreview logged a max surface temperature around 40 °C during tests, indicating thermal throttling under prolonged GPU stress.
Sharp 5.84-inch FHD+ screen and vivid glass styling
The Honor 10 uses a 5.84" 2280×1080 display (FHD+). The panel resolution provides a sharp pixel density for a phone in this class and reviewers singled out the phone’s all-glass back and multi-tone color finishes as a standout industrial-design feature.
CNET noted the colorful glass finish and compared it favorably to other Huawei/Honor designs. The handset also retains a standard headphone jack per the reporting in the brief — a specific practical advantage for users who prefer wired audio.
16 MP hardware but camera results trail flagship peers
Honor equips the device with a 16 MP main camera; however, editorial reporting in the brief (CNET) explicitly states the camera “doesn’t begin to approach the excellence” of Huawei’s P20 models or the OnePlus 6. That places the Honor 10’s imaging quality below top-tier flagships despite competent hardware on paper.
Notebookcheck and PCMag benchmark summaries classify the Honor 10’s imaging and system performance as within expected levels for its class, but real-world comparisons by reviewers highlight the camera as a weak spot when compared side-by-side with higher-end rivals.
Battery figures vary in public testing; thermals show throttling under load
UL Solutions’ notes in the brief emphasize wide variation in user-submitted battery results and the sensitivity of battery life to screen brightness; the benchmark pool shows a broad range, so expect inconsistent battery-life reports unless you test under controlled 200 cd/m² brightness. The research brief does not supply a single controlled battery number.
Thermal data from Nanoreview reports a max surface temperature around 40 °C in benchmark runs and a 75% stability score in 3DMark Wild Life, which signals noticeable throttling and reduced GPU performance during sustained heavy workloads.
Android 8.1 experience with Honor/Huawei flavour
The device ships with Android 8.1 and Honor/Huawei’s EMUI-based skin (as reported across the brief sources). System responsiveness is generally solid thanks to the Kirin 970 and available RAM configurations, which reviewers characterized as delivering expected midrange system performance.
Long-term software support and updates are not quantified in the brief. CNET and PCMag coverage focused on initial experience rather than platform longevity, so buyers needing guaranteed multi-year OS updates should verify current vendor policies before purchase.
Pros & Cons
- ✅ 5.84" 2280×1080 FHD+ display provides sharp pixel density for the class
- ✅ HiSilicon Kirin 970 chipset delivers solid day-to-day CPU performance (Geekbench user medians reported: single-core ~348, multi-core ~1131)
- ✅ Colorful all-glass back and distinctive finishes called out by reviewers
- ✅ Available in 4 GB or 6 GB RAM and 64 GB or 128 GB storage configurations
- ✅ Includes a standard headphone jack (noted in CNET coverage)
- ❌ GPU performance is weak for sustained 3D workloads: 3DMark Wild Life median ~827 and graphics test ~4 FPS, with 75% stability indicating throttling
- ❌ Camera (16 MP) falls short of flagship rivals — CNET states it doesn’t match the P20 models or OnePlus 6
- ❌ Thermal peak around 40 °C reported in benchmarks, contributing to reduced performance under load
- ❌ Battery-life reports are inconsistent in public benchmarks; UL Solutions highlights a wide range in submitted results
- ❌ Availability in some regions (notably the US) is limited or uncertain per CNET
How It Compares to the Competition
- OnePlus 6 — OnePlus 6 delivers stronger overall performance and better camera tuning in head-to-head reviews cited in the brief.
- Huawei P20 Pro — The P20 Pro outperforms the Honor 10 on camera quality — reviewers singled out P20 models as noticeably better for imaging.
- Huawei P20 — Shares the family’s vivid glass design language but the P20 / P20 Pro lineup targets higher imaging and flagship features.
Who Should Buy This & Who Should Skip It
Buy it if: Buy the Honor 10 if you want a visually striking midrange phone with a responsive Kirin 970 CPU, 5.84" FHD+ display, and choice of 4/6 GB RAM and 64/128 GB storage. It’s a practical pick for everyday users who prioritize style, wired audio support and snappy UI performance over flagship-level camera or sustained 3D gaming.
Skip it if: Skip the Honor 10 if you need top-tier mobile gaming performance, the best possible smartphone camera, or guaranteed wide retail availability in the US. Those priorities are better served by phones identified in reviews as outperforming the Honor 10 in GPU and imaging, such as the OnePlus 6 or Huawei P20 Pro.
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