Review POCO X8 Pro: Is It the Smartphone to Beat Under 350 Euros?

We spent the last two weeks with the POCO X8 Pro, trying to determine if the enthusiasm generated during the official presentation translates into daily use. The question is rather simple: is it a true best buy?

POCO's approach for this new series seems to have undergone a more profound and mature structural mutation. The feeling, right from the first startup in our tests, is that it is a product trying to shake off the label of a budget gaming choice to embrace a wider audience that is demanding and attentive to the longevity of the hardware components.

But this POCO X8 Pro is also much more, and we’ll tell you all about it in our full review, point by point.

Key Features and Technical Specifications

Diving into the hardware platform details, we find the MediaTek Dimensity 8500-Ultra, a SoC manufactured with TSMC's 4nm process and structured to utilize an all-big-core architecture capable of reaching a maximum frequency of 3.4 GHz.

The RAM specification includes LPDDR5X modules in sizes of 8GB or 12GB, while the internal storage relies on the UFS 4.1 standard to ensure data transfer speeds that nearly saturate the limits of wired connections. A fundamental element for maintaining consistent performance is the POCO 3D IceLoop cooling system, characterized by a 5800 mm² vapor chamber designed to reduce the operating temperatures of the SoC by about 3 degrees Celsius compared to classic planar solutions.

Connectivity is ensured by support for Dual SIM 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and the presence of Bluetooth 6.0 for stable and low-latency audio and data management. One interesting feature we found during outdoor tests is the Xiaomi Offline Communication technology, which allows communication directly with other compatible devices up to one kilometer away without relying on cellular networks. The 6500 mAh battery serves as the true heart of the device, utilizing a high energy density enabled by the 10% silicon-carbon content. HyperCharge charging reaches 100W, a peak that allows for lightning-fast energy restorations, while the 27W wired reverse charging transforms POCO X8 Pro into an energy reserve for accessories and other phones.

The multimedia compartment boasts a stereo audio configuration with Dolby Atmos certification, providing convincing sound spatiality during video consumption or gaming sessions. Vibration is managed by a linear motor on the X-axis that offers sharp and precise haptic feedback, significantly enhancing interaction with the interface.

The external protection is guaranteed by IP66 and IP68 certifications, ensuring total resistance to dust, water jets, and immersion. Biometrics is handled by an optical fingerprint sensor located under the screen, quick and reliable in reading even with less than perfectly dry fingers. A brand new feature is the presence of Dynamic RGB light, two rings around the cameras that interact with the software based on user customization.

Design and User Experience

We are not facing a jaw-dropping design; in fact, it takes inspiration from the POCO X7 Pro, but with the merit of featuring higher-quality materials. The back is made of treated glass to reduce fingerprint visibility, interrupted only by the camera module and the Dynamic RGB light, a programmable light ring that we found useful for identifying notifications or charging status at a glance. The frame, on the other hand, is metal, providing good structural rigidity. Despite the mammoth battery, the thickness stops at 8.38 mm.

The weight of 201 grams feels well-distributed across the smartphone's surface, while the display borders have been reduced to just 1.5 mm on the sides. The ergonomics are good, thanks also to a slight curvature of the back glass. There’s undoubtedly been much better work on materials compared to the previous version, though we are still far from the feeling of holding premium smartphones. Yes, the materials are metal and glass, but to the touch, it feels like a high-quality polycarbonate. For this price range, it's still impressive.

The certified IP68 resistance allowed us to use POCO X8 Pro even in the rain without any worries, confirming the quality of assembly and internal seals. We noticed a construction care typically belonging to higher market segments, indicating that mass production has reached high-quality standards even for the POCO brand, often seen as the economical alternative to the more renowned Xiaomi brand.

The real aesthetic novelty is the integration of the Dynamic RGB light around the camera, adding a customizable touch that we appreciated both aesthetically and functionally. In fact, we tested various color combinations for notifications, finding the system discreet and functional, especially when the phone is lying face down on the desk.

The retail package includes, in addition to the smartphone, a USB/USB-C cable and a very comfortable rubberized silicone cover that enhances grip solidity. However, be careful, as the images show the 100W charger included, but it isn’t present in the retail packages sent to journalists. Therefore, in the public retail packages, the charger is not included and must be purchased separately.

Software and Performance

Upon turning on the screen, you immediately notice good responsiveness of the system as soon as you start navigating through the HyperOS 3.0 menus, the proprietary interface based on the latest version of Android.

We know this skin well, but like all POCO smartphones, Xiaomi tailors a slightly revised version specifically for its younger sibling’s smartphones. On one hand, we noted code cleaning with animations that appear fluid and coherent with the high refresh rate of the display; on the other, some of the usual gaps of this OS remain, as we'll see later. Under the hood, the MediaTek Dimensity 8500-Ultra processor works harmoniously with the software. This SoC is highly performant for this price range, probably the most powerful you can find today in a mid-range. Below we can see the benchmarks we conducted, where the smartphone performed very well, often surpassing devices costing double. However, beyond the numbers, it's the operational stability that convinces: during extended stress sessions, we didn’t encounter slowdowns or sudden crashes.

Multitasking is managed with ease thanks to LPDDR5X RAM, which allows maintaining numerous applications in memory without needing to reload them each time. We tried rapidly switching between demanding games, bulky spreadsheets, and 4K video streams without feeling much uncertainty. The UFS 4.1 technology for internal storage significantly speeds up loading times for video game levels and installation of larger apps, reducing waiting times to just a few seconds. One technical detail we appreciated is the resource management of HyperOS 3.0, which assigns computational priority to foreground processes, ensuring that user interaction remains the absolute priority of the system.

POCO has always been very attentive to gaming as well. Here the Mali-G720 GPU proved capable of handling graphically complex titles with maximum detail, maintaining a stable frame rate without uncertainties. An important innovation is the 3D IceLoop cooling system, which manages to maintain surface temperatures within comfortable limits even after an hour of uninterrupted gaming, preventing thermal throttling, meaning the frequency cut that usually ruins the gaming experience on less efficient terminals. The responsiveness to commands is excellent, also thanks to the 480 Hz touch sampling rate that makes every movement precise and immediate.

Transitioning to connectivity and advanced communication functions, POCO X8 Pro is complete. We have Wi-Fi 6, Dual nano SIM, eSIM, Bluetooth 6.0, NFC, infrared port, and truly excellent Dolby Atmos stereo speakers. Reception is also very good.

But the real novelty is the Xiaomi Offline Communication feature that enables, in areas with poor cellular coverage, sending short messages to another compatible terminal within a range of about 800 meters in open fields. This technical solution could be lifesaving in emergencies or during excursions in remote areas.

From the perspective of using the skin, HyperOS 3.0 also introduces improved management of floating windows and split-screen mode, making it more intuitive to work on multiple documents simultaneously compared to the past.

However, there are still some pre-installed applications and, above all, too much advertising. Yes, most of the apps can be removed, but it’s still unpleasant to see.

Artificial Intelligence

Navigating the “AI App Enhancement” menu, we put to the test a suite of features ranging from pure productivity to creativity.

We were particularly impressed by the maturity of the AI Voice Recognition: during our testing sessions, we used the real-time transcription feature to record brief meetings, and the system proved adept at distinguishing different speakers and generating coherent textual summaries, a lifesaver for those accustomed to taking frantic notes. The AI Interpreter feature was equally effective, where we simulated a bilingual conversation: the “face-to-face” mode splits the screen in two, allowing both participants to read instantaneous translations in their respective languages. It’s a seamless solution that really breaks down language barriers.

Moving to multimedia, the AI Creativity Assistant transforms the gallery into a small post-production studio. We spent a lot of time playing with AI Image Expansion, a feature that literally “invents” the edges of an overly cropped photo: the results are of excellent quality for color and perspective consistency. For perfectionists, there’s the AI Pro Eraser with which we managed to eliminate passing pedestrians and unwanted reflections from our urban photos with impressive precision and reconstruction, thanks to generative cloud models that invisibly reconstruct the background.

There are also nice touches like AI Dynamic Wallpapers, which create depth from simple static images, and AI Subtitles, which we activated while watching videos in foreign languages, obtaining instantaneous translations on screen. The deep integration with Google Gemini, directly accessible for managing complex queries or planning the day, closes the circle.

Display

For a mid-range smartphone, the panel of POCO X8 Pro is truly excellent. We’re talking about a 6.59-inch AMOLED display with a claimed peak brightness of up to 3500 nits. The 1.5K resolution (2756x1268 pixels) with a density of 460 PPI means, on paper, it has nothing to envy from high-end smartphones.

We analyzed the color fidelity and found total coverage of the DCI-P3 color space, with factory calibration tending towards realism without excessive saturations. The adaptive refresh rate of 120Hz dynamically adjusts based on the content being viewed, dropping to very low frequencies during the reading of static texts and reaching maximum fluidity during scrolling or gaming sessions, thus optimizing energy consumption.

Additionally, with a 12-bit color depth, it can display over 68 billion shades. Eye protection is ensured by a high-frequency PWM Dimming system, at 3840Hz, drastically reducing the flickering typical of OLED panels at low brightness levels, minimizing eye strain during night usage.

The symmetrical and significantly reduced bezels result in a screen-to-body ratio of 94.1%. The protection is provided by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i.

Battery Life and Charging

The aspect that most convinced us during our testing is undoubtedly battery life. In our lab test, the smartphone achieved a score of 945 minutes, conducted with the display brightness set at 200 nits and a scripting simulating human interactions on web pages, streaming video, and alternating CPU/GPU benchmark sessions. This result confirms how the 6500 mAh battery with silicon-carbon technology represents a true excellence in the current landscape. In real-world use, we managed to cover two full working days on a single charge.

The fast HyperCharge 100W allowed us to recover energy in no time. It charges from 0% to 50% in just under 25 minutes, reaching full charge in approximately 50 minutes. These are excellent values when compared to the battery’s total capacity.

Also interesting is the presence of 27W wired reverse charging, which proved immensely convenient for charging wireless headphones or giving a little energy boost to a colleague's smartphone while traveling. In short, finding a reverse charge at 27W is not an everyday occurrence. The only downside?

Unfortunately, there is no support for wireless charging.

Battery Life

On the software side, HyperOS 3.0 learns from user habits, limiting the consumption of less-used applications and optimizing background processes during nighttime. In fact, the efficiency of the 4nm MediaTek chipset plays a key role in this scenario.

The company claims that the battery retains 80% of its original capacity even after 1600 complete cycles, a figure that ensures durability over several years without noticeable performance drops. This attention to the health of the energy component is a sign of technical maturity that we greatly appreciate.

Camera

Inevitably, somewhere, POCO had to cut a bit to stay within this price range. We can say that the camera department, although well-made, is where the company made the most compromises. We’re talking about an optical configuration based on the 50 MP Sony IMX882 main sensor, a camera that we found reliable for capturing images with good detail and contrast. The sensor has a f/1.5 aperture that allows a significant amount of light to enter, facilitating shots in poor lighting conditions. Additionally, it is also optically stabilized (OIS) and works well and synergistically with the software. As seen in our shots, between indoor and outdoor portraits, landscapes, detailed shots, and low-light images, the dynamic range appeared well-balanced, with excellent management of highlights and shadow areas.

We appreciated the color rendering, which remains natural while offering a vibrant quality that makes photos ready for immediate sharing. At night, the dedicated mode smartly intervenes, cleaning up digital noise without excessively blurring fine details. On the video side, the main camera reaches 4K at 60fps with good stability. So, we're actually talking about a sensor that does quite well, especially for the price range this smartphone targets.

Less convincing is the ultra-wide camera, an 8 MP module with a 120-degree field of view. This sensor proved useful for capturing imposing architectures or vast landscapes, although its resolution is lower than the main sensor. As a supporting camera, it’s fine, and the shots on screen are enjoyable, but the quality isn’t top-notch, especially as light decreases. The front camera is instead a 20 MP, from which we took good-quality selfies with convincing skin tones and software blurring. Front video recording caps at 1080p and 60fps. We can say that the overall photographic quality isn’t the strong suit of this smartphone, but it remains in line with what the market offers at a little over 300 euros.

Price, Promotions, and Details for Italy

The commercial positioning of POCO X8 Pro in the Italian market follows the brand's tradition, offering a highly interesting ratio between specifications and purchase cost. The official list price starts at 399.90 euros for the variant with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage.

However, as often happens during the launch period, there is an Early Bird offer that lowers the price to 309.90 euros, a figure that makes it nearly unbeatable given the hardware on board. For those requiring more space and memory, the 12GB/512GB version is listed at a price of 449.90 euros, now on promotion for 339.90 euros, and the 12GB/512GB version priced at 479.90 euros is available for only 369.90 euros.

| POCO X8 PRO (RAM/ROM) | List Price | Offer Price (Website/Amazon) | |-------------------------|---------------|-------------------------------| | 8GB + 256GB | 399.90 € | 309.90 € | | 8GB + 512GB | 449.90 € | 339.90 € | | 12GB + 512GB | 479.90 € | 369.90 € |

Distribution occurs through the official mi.com website, major online marketplaces, and the most widespread consumer electronics chains across the national territory. As mentioned at the beginning, we verified that the retail package does not include the HyperCharge 100W charger. Availability is immediate in black, white, and mint green colors.

Final Considerations

In summary, after our test, we can confidently say that the POCO X8 Pro represents a solid option for those seeking an almost perfect balance between performance and battery life. It is not easy to find a glaring defect in a device that manages to offer such a large battery in a solid and elegant body without sacrificing first-class computing power.

The work done on optimizing HyperOS 3.0 is good, albeit with some compromises. The system fluidity is excellent, and we didn’t encounter those uncertainties that sometimes characterized the software of connected brands in the past. The AMOLED display at 3500 nits is another standout element, capable of ensuring excellent visibility in any scenario. Although the camera department doesn’t aim to challenge the more esteemed camera phones, the performance of the 50MP Sony sensor is solid and reliable for the vast majority of users. The integration of the Dynamic RGB light is also interesting, a useful and customizable feature that we believe is in full POCO style.

One aspect that particularly convinced us is the overall maturity of the project. POCO X8 Pro doesn’t aim to impress with unnecessary features but focuses on what truly matters: speed, durability, and resilience. The return to a metallic chassis and IP68 certification are important signals in this price range.

As weak points, we can mention a somewhat anonymous design, the absence of wireless charging, and a camera department that doesn’t excel. When analyzing the price, especially in the Early Bird configuration, it’s hard not to consider POCO X8 Pro as one of the most rational choices on today's market. It targets users who don’t want to compromise on power but also don’t wish to spend the amounts required for absolute top-of-the-line devices. The completeness of the technical equipment, combined with a battery that seems endless, makes it a highly recommended purchase for a wide audience of users, from professionals on the go to the most dedicated gamers.