POCO has long been a popular choice for consumers seeking value in the mid-range smartphone market. Known for delivering strong performance at competitive prices, the POCO M series has consistently offered capable devices. But does the M8 Pro live up to expectations?
The POCO M8 Pro is now available for testing, representing the most comprehensive offering in POCO’s affordable lineup. This generation marks a significant step up in both quality and performance.
Moving beyond previous POCO M models that often cost less than €200, the M8 Pro firmly positions itself as a true mid-range contender, capable of competing with even its seemingly higher-end sibling, the X8. It’s not a lesser device, but rather a distinct alternative. Let’s dive into the details.
POCO M8 Pro: Technical Specifications and Features
| Characteristic | Official Specification | Observation in Our Tests / Real Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Screen – Refresh Rate | 1.5K AMOLED, 120Hz | Scrolling is exceptionally smooth in everyday use, with no noticeable lag. The automatic mode effectively manages the refresh rate to conserve battery, though it can sometimes be slow to activate during gaming. The maximum brightness is sufficient for excellent visibility outdoors. |
| Processor – Model | Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 | Provides solid performance for daily tasks and multitasking. In Genshin Impact with graphics set to ‘Medium,’ it maintains stable frame rates of 30-40 FPS, but after 20 minutes of gameplay, we observed slight thermal throttling and warming around the camera area. |
| Battery and Charging | 6500 mAh, 100W HyperCharge | Battery life is a standout feature. We consistently achieved 8.5 hours of screen-on time with two days of moderate use. The 100W charging is genuine: 0 to 100% in 42 minutes as measured, although the included charger is bulky. |
| Main Camera | 50MP Light Fusion 800, f/1.6, OIS | Daytime photos are very good, with vibrant colors and excellent detail. At night, the OIS helps, but the software tends to overprocess images, resulting in a loss of naturalness. An improvement over previous M series models, but still below high-end performance. |
The M8 Pro doesn’t shy away from highlighting its strengths, most notably its impressive 6500 mAh battery paired with 100W HyperCharge fast charging, and its Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 processor. This Qualcomm chipset is capable of delivering respectable performance even with demanding current apps and games.
The display features a CrystalRes AMOLED panel with a 1.5K resolution and a striking 6.83-inch diagonal. It as well reaches peak brightness levels of 3200 nits and boasts a 120 Hz refresh rate, which we recommend setting as the default from the start. You’ll appreciate the reduced eye strain during extended scrolling.
Would adding one have been nice? Certainly. But if it meant increasing the price, it’s better this way.
It’s worth revisiting the battery life, with some figures: the phone can play video for over 20 hours thanks to its spectacular battery and the fast charge allows for a 100% charge in just 40 minutes, although the included charger is bulky. It also features 22.5W reverse charging, effectively making it a high-end power bank with smartphone capabilities.
The multimedia experience is rounded out by Dolby Atmos surround sound, which provides up to a 400% increase in volume, and speakers professionally tuned for the best possible listening experience in its class—which it comes very close to achieving.
We must also mention the LiquidCool cooling technology, with a 5200 mm² IceLoop system that maximizes thermal conductivity and keeps the phone cool even during demanding and prolonged sessions.
And we arrive at another major strength: photography. With a 50 MP Light Fusion 800 main sensor, with OIS and f/1.6, and an 8 MP ultra-wide-angle camera, Xiaomi demonstrates its commitment to shedding the reputation that earlier POCO models earned for prioritizing power over all else.
The 32 MP front-facing camera is another differentiating feature in this price range, offering excellent detail capture and editing/customization options, as well as features like Dynamic Shots 2.0 and 4K HDR video recording.
The Best and Worst of the POCO M8 Pro
Here are the most important strengths of the smartphone:
- Unrivaled battery life, with fast charging and reverse charging.
- High-quality display with 120 Hz and a maximum brightness of 3200 nits.
- Well-rounded camera system, especially for this price range.
Though, it’s not perfect:
- The Qualcomm chip is very competent, but performs less well than some similarly priced models from MediaTek.
- The price-to-performance ratio has decreased slightly compared to previous generations due to the price increase.
- The exterior design is less attractive than in previous generations.
Topes de Gama’s Opinion
Do we like the POCO M8 Pro considering everything we’ve seen? Yes, without a doubt: it’s a very competent and well-rounded device in all aspects. A highly recommended phone for general users who prefer very good overall performance and don’t focus on a single aspect. Its spectacular battery life is also something to highlight, making it one of the best on the market in this regard.
However, if you want a phone for gaming with great power, the devices in the X family are usually more suitable.
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