Global tech brand POCO concludes the first quarter with the release of its new midrange range, POCO X8 Pro Series, which consists of two devices: POCO X8 Pro Max and POCO X8 Pro.
The new series is promised to deliver high-quality experience at an accessible price point, continuing the core proposition of the brand since its debut in 2018.
For this review, I spent about a week to test the phone’s performance, battery life, and camera and screen performance.
First, the key specs of the POCO X8 Pro include the MediaTek Dimensity 8500-Ultra processor, paired with a 6,500mAh battery capacity.
It also comes with a 6.59-inch 1.5K AMOLED display, with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, and a 50-megapixel primary camera.
The review unit is black, and comes with 512 gigabytes (GB) of storage capacity and 12GB of random access memory (RAM), expandable up to 12GB with physical RAM.
In terms of design, the device adopts a minimalist aesthetic, featuring a metal frame and Gorilla Glass 7i front that gives it a premium feel.
WORKING
To test the performance of POCO X8 Pro, I used some of the most popular mobile games and multimedia applications.
Throughout the test, the device was set to operating mode, and the 12GB virtual RAM was enabled to maximize its performance.
POCO X8 Pro scored 1.8 million points in AnTuTu Benchmark, which shows that it is a high performance device made possible by its 4-nanometer Dimensity 8500-Ultra chip.
I played Mobile Legends: Bang Bang with the device on the best settings. As expected, since the game is not very dynamic, the experience was stable throughout, with no noticeable lag or frame drops.
In Genshin Impact, a very demanding title, the phone was able to run at high settings with generally stable performance. However, occasional frame rate drops have been observed during extended gaming sessions.
App loading and multitasking were smooth, with no noticeable lag.
As for its thermal performance, based on testing, the phone ranges between 37°C to 39°C when browsing or using multimedia applications.
However, during AnTuTu tests and gaming, it can reach 43°C, which may feel warm when used for a long time. Is it relevant? Not really, as it is still in the middle range, and the heat may not be noticeable when using the phone case.
POCO said the X8 Pro has its own 3D dual-layer IceLoop cooling system for heat dissipation, which promises to reduce temperatures by up to 3°C.
CAMERA
The POCO X8 Pro features a triple camera setup, which includes a 50MP Sony IMX882 main sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, and a 20MP front camera.
Although the device doesn’t stand out as a camera-centric phone, the main camera is capable of capturing decent photos and videos. Images tend to lean towards a cool white balance, with a good level of detail.
Another limitation noted was close-up shooting, where the camera struggled to keep focus on the subject.
A wider camera produces images with a similar color profile, although with a noticeable drop in detail.
For selfies, the front camera automatically uses a low-tone effect, producing photos suitable for sending without additional editing.
My personal favorite is the video performance of the main camera. It is very stable and can be a good alternative for vlogging, as it is equipped with image stabilization. Details are decent, although the white balance is cooler than I prefer.
SCREEN AND BATH
A personal favorite feature of the phone is its battery performance.
Its 6,500mAh silicon-carbon battery is more than enough to last more than a day.
Charging does not take too long, as it can charge up to 100W, based on experience it can fully charge the device from 0% to 100% in about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
It is also capable of 27W reverse charging.
POCO did not disclose if the device has passive charging.
Meanwhile, the POCO X8 Pro display can reach 3,500 nits of brightness thanks to its 1.5K AMOLED panel.
It is also protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, and various TÜV Rheinland eye protection certifications.
Based on experience, the display is clean and offers good detail, especially when watching high-resolution videos.
It also has Widevine L1 support, enabling it to play high-quality video on multiple streaming platforms.
Other key features of POCO X8 Pro include IP68 dust and water resistance rating.
This means it can withstand submersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes in clean water. However, it is not recommended to use it in salt water or lake areas.
CHAPTER
As for my final decision, I am personally surprised by how well rounded the POCO X8 Pro is. The brand didn’t hold back on other important features despite having a powerful chip under the hood.
This is definitely a great deal and a solid value for money option, especially if you can get it at its introductory price of ₱15,499 for the 8GB + 256GB variant, which is a starting price of ₱18,999.
The larger variants, 8GB + 512GB and 12GB + 512GB, have starting prices of ₱16,599 and ₱17,499, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Iron Man Edition of POCO X8 Pro has an introductory price of ₱18,999 for the 12+512GB storage variant, which was originally priced at ₱22,999.
As a suggestion, the 12GB + 512GB variant is a viable choice, as the storage is doubled just by adding P2000.
POCO X8 Pro and POCO X8 Pro Max are now available on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.
The early bird sale is expected to continue until March 26. – Edg Adrian A. Eva
