8-core phones are gradually becoming more available across China. Keep reading for our pick of the top 8-core unlocked phones from China for January 2014.
THL T100S
Of the phones listed here, the THL T100S is the only one of these 8-core unlocked phones which is easily available through Chinese based resellers. The THL T100S is, in our opinion, one of the better looking Chinese smartphones on the market, however we have found it not to be as comfortable to use as the other options.
As with all Chinese phones the THL T100S is an unlocked phone and features dual-SIM support and a micro SD card reader. A 5-inch 1920 x 1080 display displays crisp images and the front and rear 13 mega-pixel cameras take a some exception photos, especially the main camera with F2.0 aperture.
THL T100S highlights
- 5-inch 1920 x 1080 FHD display.
- 1.7Ghz 8-core MT6592 processor.
- 2GB RAM.
- 32GB built-in memory.
- NFC.
- Dual 13 mega-pixel cameras.
- Unlocked phone.
- Dual-SIM
The THL T100S is on sale now for $309.99.
Zopo ZP998
The Zopo ZP998 was the first 1.7Ghz MT6592 smartphone to launch in China and with production now in full swing customers who had pre-ordered the phone should expect to be getting their hands on them soon.
Again this is another one of Chinaâs unlocked phones, and boasts 2GB RAM, 16-32GB memory, 5.5-inch 1920 x 1080 display, 14 mega-pixel rear camera with f2.0 aperture, NFC, dual-SIM and gesture control.
Zopo ZP998 highlights
- 5.5-inch 1920 x 1080 display.
- 1.7Ghz MT6592 processor.
- 2GB RAM.
- Unlocked phone.
- NFC.
- 14 mega-pixel rear camera.
The Zopo ZP998 is available for preorder through the official Zopo Shop for $329.99.
Gizchina News of the week
TCL IdolX+
The TCL IdolX+ is the only one of these unlocked phones to feature a 2.0Ghz variant of the octa-core MT6592 chipset. The IdolX+ plus has been launched in China, but it is believed that Alcatel will also offer the phone across Europe.
The TCL Idol X+ also gets a companion wearable Android wrist band which can be used to monitor exercise, sleep and other activities.
TCL IdolX+ highlights
- 5-inch 1920 x 1080 display.
- 2.0Ghz MT6592 processor.
- 2GB RAM.
- 32GB onboard memory.
- 13 mega-pixel F2.0 rear camera.
- 7.9mm body.
The TCL Idol X+ will be available to buy in China later this month for 1999 Yuan, International pricing is yet to be announced.
Huawei Honor 3X
The headlines have been full of news for the budget minded Huawei Honor 3C which brings the cost of unlocked phones down to just $130, however itâs bigger and more powerful brother will also be be on sale shortly.
The Huawei Honor 3X has a 5.5-inch 720p display, 1.7Ghz MT6592 8-core processor, 3000mAh battery, Micro SD card expansion and has overall dimensions of 149.5 x 77.4 x 8.9mm.
Huawei Honor 3X highlights
- 5.5-inch display.
- 1.7Ghz 8-core processor.
- 2GB RAM.
- 13 mega-pixel main camera.
The Honor 3X will cost just 1698 Yuan once on sale in China which is about $280 off contract.
GooPhone N3
The most affordable of all the unlocked phones on this list and the only clone to date with an 8-core processor. The GooPhone N3 mimics the design of Samsungâs Galaxy Note 3, but at just $269.99 is much more affordable!
GooPhone N3 highlights
- 5.7-inch FHD 1920 x 1080 display.
- 2GB RAM.
- 1.7Ghz 8-core MT6592 chipset.
- 13 mega-pixel rear camera.
- Affordable price.
The GooPhone N3 is available for pre-order now for just $269.99.
Keep posted for next months list of top 8-core unlocked phones.
maybe goophone n3 is winner
I have ordered goophone n3 on official shop a few hours ago, can’t wait for it. đ
TCL Idol X+ looks nice, but don’t know when it arrive on market
I prefer the TCL for the 2Ghz speed in the CPU and the specs like body mesures, because i like the THL, but the mesures are too diferent for a 5″ inch screen and is the reason to i wan’t to choose a < 5" screen but neither a 5" with a monster body (if we don't talk of design that i like the square design like the iNew V3, but i also like the 7,9mm in the TCL)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtk6JrnEyHw
show the Xiaomi Mi3 8same design and body mesurements that the THL T100S with 5″ and the MLais MX69 with 5,7″ (like the Note 3 of Samsung) and you will understans why i prefer a smaller 5″ body smarphone, because if i have to choose the Mlais with 5,7 and that size between the THL T100S i prefer (for 6mm more aprox.for the total mesures) the bigest screen in the MLais but is too big for me i prefer a 5″ model like the TCL idol x+ with a thinn body and bezels;)
I think maybe it’s very difficult to buy huawei honor 3x at that price, it like xiaomi phone, list with low price, but you need pay more
What are the dimensions of the n3? is it exact replica of samsung? same weight? china phones tend to be heavier from my experience?
my no.1 n3 is an exact replica.
My favorite one is THL T100S. I first thought to buy Zopo 998, but now when I saw THL I fell in love in that design. đ I definitely prefer THLÂŽs design. I just donÂŽt like SamsungÂŽs look-alike designs that 90% of Chinese phones have lately.
so but what about the orientphone N8 , it has the biggest battery (3200) and will be on sale tomorrow for 240$ . i think i’ll buy that one
sorry 240 euro
TCL IdolX+! I’m very excited about this phone, if it comes with microsd and if it cost less than 250 euros, I’ll buy it! Of course, in europe.
Normally it won’t be available for 250 euros in Europe. The current Idol X costs 300-350 euro’s (Alcatel version). Importing from China will cost 250 euros.
i believe idol x+ will be cost less than 300euro, bcoz in my country the current idol x price just around 200-210euro.
210 euros is a great price! In which country is that?
I’m staying in Malaysia.. I believe that Idol X+ price wont be too much different with current idol X.. and this phone is in my list with Xiaomi Mi3…
what is zopo doing here?
http://www.orientphone.com/cgi-sys/suspendedpage.cgi hey what happend with orientdeal ? they didnt pay there bills?
Why the Mlais mx69 is not in ur list .. I like it very much
I don’t love the chinese knock off, but if i have to decide between the N3 knock off list of it…
– GooPhone N3
– No1 N3
– MLais MX69
– Orientphone N3 n9000
I prefrer by far the MLais, but..@Andi it will be a very interesting article if u do a comparison between these 4 models and vs with all the specs đ
Nahum we r on the same road… I think abt exactly these phones (even if I add the Alcatel idol x+ inside)… I already deleted the thl 100s, and the zopo 998 , and my favorite is the Mlais too, but somes say that it s a not really know company .. I wait for a comparaison too…
On the other hand, when u see articles abt the next Umi X3 included 4G , u dt know what to think, and until when to wait …
Nahum is a biblic name, r u from Israel ?
Yes man my name is biblic, but i’m Spanish xD jw for be exact, and yes i always said that i prefer 5 or maximun 5,5-5,7 depending of the final size of the phone, but i don’t like the THL cause of his size, i like the design but not if we have to sacriffy the final size. And now i have the MLais MX58 PRO and i can say that i’m happy and impressed with that brand and the quality like the gps sensor and also audio chip, and also the Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for the screen… yes is a chinese but with cool quality.
Regards Claude is nice to meet you!
Happy to have a positive opinion abt Mlais , even if it s not abt the MX69. I think i should wait to see a complete comparaison of all the 8-cores phones before buying one. I guess that they will be available during these 2 next months. I am a french jw, but today i live in Israel,.
happy to meet u too Ś ŚŚŚ
Je pense alors qu’on va faire une trĂ©s bonne amitie, enchante mon frĂšre! et saluts de ton frĂšre Espagnol qui habite en Belgique depuis 3 ans ^^
Un espagnol qui parle parfaitement francais, c est rare. Tu sembles plus jeune que moi dans cette photo, mais ca n empeche pas l amitie…
xD 27 ^^
j ai juste 20 ans de plus ….
Hi Andi,
Did you heat about the BungBungame Project s?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaFheyVTKdU&feature=youtube_gdata_player
It does look pretty promissing, although its scheduled for late 2014 I think.
Newman K2S?
8 cortex A7 cores? Seriously? Most of the software is single threaded so A15’s would be way better and for saving the battery adding few low power A7’s would be wise. But 8 slow A7 cores is just plain stupid. The best example would Apple that designs it’s huge Cyclone cores but uses only two of them in a SOC (besides a powerful GPU)