Xiaomi Poco X8 Pro Review: specs and features, camera quality test, gaming benchmark, user opinions and photos

The Xiaomi Poco X8 Pro is the anticipated sequel to the bestseller.

The X-series of smartphones from the Chinese company Poco, a sub-brand of Xiaomi, has been one of the most balanced in the mid-price segment for several years now. While these phones are not without their share of compromises, few achieve such a good price-quality ratio. The subject of today's review is no exception, but we're sure some fans were expecting more impressive changes.

The exterior of the new model hasn't undergone any major changes. The plastic case is pleasant to the touch, ergonomic, and IP68 water-resistant. The dual-camera assembly is stylish, and the rear panels are available in a variety of leather-style colors, offering a modern look. The 6.59-inch AMOLED display still features an integrated fingerprint scanner. It boasts excellent image clarity at a resolution of 2756x1268 pixels, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 3000 nits. Color reproduction has also been improved, making it better calibrated. An oleophobic coating has also been added.

The technical specifications include the latest MediaTek Dimensity 8500 processor and 12GB of RAM. The chipset is approximately 20% more powerful than the 8400 model, with an AnTuTu score approaching two million points. The CPU is suitable for smooth playback of the Android 16 interface (a proprietary HyperOS overlay) and for all games. Wreckfest, Zenless Zone Zero, and Genshin Impact run smoothly, even at maximum graphics settings. The battery capacity has been increased to an impressive 6500 mAh, so you won't have to worry about battery life. Supplemented by 100W fast charging, the battery guarantees up to 2-3 days of use with your mobile assistant. Storage options are 256 or 512 GB; there's no microSD card slot.

Photography, unfortunately, hasn't improved. There's no telephoto lens, and the 8 MP wide-angle lens is still mediocre and suitable only for daytime photo shoots. The main 50 MP sensor is now ready for evening photography. While there's significantly more noise and blur than in flagship cameras, the resulting photos and videos are still suitable for posting on social media. Stereo sound is slightly louder, with a more uniform frequency response. NFC contactless payments, 5G support, and an IR port remain. The end result is a good old hit in a new package, without any significant revolutionary changes. But is that a bad thing? Not at all.