The Poco F8 Pro is the best affordable flagship phone Ive used in recent memory for many reasons

Date:
Sun, 23 Aug 2026 17:00:00 +0000

Description:
The Poco F8 Pro is the poster child for affordable flagship phones, offering all the premium features you need with tasteful compromises at an affordable price.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Poco F8 Pro review: Two-minute review (Image credit: Nirave Gondhia) Over the past
two decades, Ive been lucky enough to test hundreds of smartphones from a range of brands around the world. Some of these brands receive the credit theyre due, others are criticized fairly or unfairly, and some fail to get
the global recognition they deserve.

Xiaomi's sub-brand, Poco, falls into the latter category, and the Poco F8 Pro is another example of an extraordinary phone that should be talked about more than it is. While its pricier sibling, the Poco F8 Ultra , packs true
flagship specs and a stunning denim material finish, the Poco F8 Pro more closely follows Pocos model: take the core features that every smartphone
user needs, build a great overall experience, and offer it at a truly affordable price. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

The Poco F8 Pro marries the first-gen flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset
with 12GB of RAM and either 256GB or 512GB of storage. Yes, this is not the second-gen Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 that powers many of the current best Android phones , but youd be hard-pressed to notice the difference. The Poco F8 Pro flies through day-to-day tasks with flagship-level ease, and its Bose-tuned stereo speakers deliver the same great audio experience as its pricier sibling.

Theres also an excellent 6.59-inch 120Hz OLED display, which is my favorite size for a smartphone screen, and its wonderful to use, with a 3,500-nit peak brightness and excellent color reproduction. As is customary with Poco
phones, theres no skimping on battery life, either, with the F8 Pro packing a 6,210mAh battery that can last for multiple days, and 100W charging thats among the fastest on any phone.

Theres also a 2.5x telephoto camera, a first for Pocos Pro lineup, although
it does lack OIS. Thats indicative of the Poco F8 Pro as a whole; yes, there are compromises including a lack of wireless charging, occasional slowdowns under heavy gaming loads, sluggish USB speeds, and some bloatware in apps
but if you can live with them, this phone offers the best value-for-money in its price bracket. Poco F8 Pro review: price and availability (Image credit: Nirave Gondhia) Launched for 549 The current retail price in the UK is ~449 Not available in the US or Australia In terms of availability, the Poco F8
Pro falls into the "widely available outside the US" category, and if youre
in the UK, youll find its priced extremely aggressively (the phone can be imported to the US, but its network compatibility will be limited). Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

At the time of writing in August 2026, the 256GB model is available for just 449. That's 100 cheaper than its already reasonable 599 launch price, and exceptional value for money in 2026 (note that the Poco F9 series is likely
to arrive towards the end of the year, though we're expecting to see a sizeable price hike for all models).

This 400-500 range pits the F8 Pro directly against devices like the Google Pixel 10a , Nothing Phone (4a) , and Samsung Galaxy A57 . But compared to these phones, it offers the fewest compromises against a 1,000+ flagship. If you want the higher 512GB storage option, that configuration has also been discounted by 100 to 499.

The Poco F8 Pro is available in three colors: Black, Blue, and Titanium Silver. Theres no denim-leather finish, like you'll find on the Poco F8
Ultra, but my Titanium Silver unit did come with a nice silicone case in the box. Value score: 5 / 5 Poco F8 Pro review: specs Swipe to scroll
horizontally Poco F8 Pro Header Cell - Column 0 Header Cell - Column 1

Dimensions:

163.2 x 78 x 7.5mm

Weight:

194g

Display:

6.83-inch AMOLED (1280 x 2772), 120Hz, 3,200 nits peak brightness

Chipset:

MediaTek Dimensity 8400 Ultra

RAM:

12GB RAM

Storage:

256GB / 512GB

OS:

Android 15, but Android 16 is now available

Primary camera:

50MP, f/1.7 1/1.55-inch sensor PDAF, OIS

Ultra-wide camera:

12MP, f/2.2, 120 1/3.06-inch sensor,

Telephoto camera:

50MP, f/1.9, 46mm 1/2.75-inch sensor 2x optical zoom, PDAF

Selfie camera:

32MP, f/2.2 1/3.44-inch sensor

Battery:

5,500mAh

Charging:

67W wired

Colors:

Black, Gray, Rose Gold Poco F8 Pro review: design (Image credit: Nirave Gondhia) Three colors Premium aluminum and glass design 6.59-inch display is ergonomically friendly I mentioned earlier that 6.59 inches is my favorite smartphone screen size, and thats because it's at the top end of the perfect 6.5-6.6-inch range. With these sizes, Ive found you get the comfort benefits of a smaller phone like the Pixel 10 Pro while also getting the viewing benefits of larger flagships like the Galaxy 26 Ultra .

The F8 Pro strikes the perfect balance between those two phone sizes, and it pays off: its very comfortable to hold. Yes, it lacks the added grip of the denim leather finish on the Poco F8 Ultra, but the F8 Pro's is a more mature approach that appeals to everyone. Instead of a denim back, you get a flat aluminum frame paired with a frosted glass rear panel. Its adult and functional, but deliberately less interesting than its flashier sibling. (Image credit: Nirave Gondhia) What makes this design more comfortable is the overall lack of heft: weighing 199g and measuring 8.1mm thick, this is a
phone thats lighter than most, and that pays dividends in the overall experience. What's more, despite being thinner and lighter than many other phones, the F8 Pro still offers full IP68 dust and water resistance; it's one of only a few devices to do so at this price point.

At the top of the phone, youll find the IR blaster, which is a common feature of Chinese-made phones, and its brilliant. I think every phone maker should bring back an IR blaster, as its a feature you dont know you need until you lose your TV remote or need to bypass a locked-down hotel TV remote. Yes, the IR blaster has solved both of those problems for me. Design score: 4.5 / 5 Poco F8 Pro review: display (Image credit: Nirave Gondhia) 6.59-inch 120Hz OLED display Flagship-grade color accuracy The F8 Pro's 6.59-inch display is not only the perfect size but also an excellent all-around panel. Poco has rightly recognized that the display is arguably the most important part of
any phone, and here you get a vibrant, rich, and colorful display thats a joy to use.

Poco claims the display can reach a peak brightness of 3,500 nits. In day-to-day use, it is apparent that this display isnt just bright; its extremely colorful, with testing showing it covers 99.2% of the sRGB gamut
and 96.5% of the DCI-P3 color space. This is flagship-level display performance, and it makes the Poco F8 Pro a champion for consuming content. (Image credit: Nirave Gondhia) Beyond that, theres a 120Hz dynamic refresh rate. While it lacks the expensive LTPO technology found on 1,000+ flagships, the phone's software automatically cycles between 60Hz and 120Hz depending on the content youre using. The higher refresh rate is perfect for super-smooth scrolling and gaming, but drops to save battery when youre just reading a
book or an article online.

The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, which offers strong durability against general wear and tear. Across my testing, I have had no concerns about the toughness of the F8 Pro's screen. Display score: 4.5 / 5 Poco F8 Pro review: cameras (Image credit: Nirave Gondhia) 50MP main sensor First Poco Pro with 2.5x optical telephoto 8MP ultra-wide camera Pocos rivals should take note of the Poco F8 Pro for several reasons most of which are positive. Poco has traditionally ignored telephotos on its more affordable devices, but the Poco F8 Pro marks a shift in this area, likely driven by increased competition from triple-camera-toting rivals.

Although Poco has added a 50MP telephoto lens with 2.5x optical zoom, it
lacks OIS, and the ultra-wide camera is an 8MP snapper that just about
scrapes by. The 50MP Light Fusion 800 main camera sensor, meanwhile, takes excellent daylight photos with dynamic range and natural colors that look fantastic on the Poco F8 Pro screen.

The new telephoto lens does a decent job overall, but its nothing to write home about, and somewhat ironically, the 50MP main sensor enables a 2x in-sensor crop that can take better photos than the telephoto lens. The lack of OIS means youll get some blurry photos unless your hands are perfectly stable, so while its great that a telephoto lens exists, it wont be as
capable as those you'll find on a true flagship smartphone camera.

While the main rear camera can handle up to 4K video at 60 fps (and even 8K
at 30 fps), the 20MP selfie camera is noticeably compromised, with Poco limiting selfie video capture to 1080p. These arent necessarily dealbreakers, but they are compromises you need to be conscious of. Poco F8 Pro review: camera samples Image 1 of 16 (Image credit: Nirave Gondhioa) (Image credit: Nirave Gondhioa) (Image credit: Nirave Gondhioa) (Image credit: Nirave Gondhioa) (Image credit: Nirave Gondhioa) (Image credit: Nirave Gondhioa) (Image credit: Nirave Gondhioa) (Image credit: Nirave Gondhioa) (Image
credit: Nirave Gondhioa) (Image credit: Nirave Gondhioa) (Image credit:
Nirave Gondhioa) (Image credit: Nirave Gondhioa) (Image credit: Nirave Gondhioa) (Image credit: Nirave Gondhioa) (Image credit: Nirave Gondhioa) (Image credit: Nirave Gondhioa) Image 1 of 16 View Original Image 2 of 16
View Original Image 3 of 16 View Original Image 4 of 16 View Original Image 5 of 16 View Original Image 6 of 16 View Original Image 7 of 16 View Original Image 8 of 16 View Original Image 9 of 16 View Original Image 10 of 16 View Original Image 11 of 16 View Original Image 12 of 16 View Original Image 13
of 16 View Original Image 14 of 16 View Original Image 15 of 16 View Original Image 16 of 16 View Original Camera score: 3.5 / 5 Poco F8 Pro review: performance (Image credit: Nirave Gondhia) Flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite
chipset 12GB RAM + 256GB/512GB storage Excellent in-display fingerprint
sensor If speedy performance is your jam, look no further: the Poco F8 Pro
has the best processor youll find in a smartphone at this price.

The Poco F8 Pro uses the first-generation Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, which is paired with 12GB of RAM and either 256GB or 512GB of storage. This processor powered many of the best Android phones last year (including the Galaxy S25 Ultra ), making it extremely powerful and far superior to the mid-range chipsets used by other phones at this price point.

During day-to-day use, the chipset absolutely shines. Its fast to respond, shows no signs of slowing down, and often reminds me of the Duracell bunny in that it just keeps on going. If you want a phone that can handle most things you throw at it, this is the best package at this price point. Its great for everything from everyday multitasking and social media to emulating Nintendo Switch games, though it struggles under the heaviest gaming loads. (Image credit: Nirave Gondhia) Many phones arent limited by their internals as much as by how effectively phone makers manage thermals, and Poco firmly took the approach of raw power over cool operation in the F8 Pro. This means the aluminum frame and camera island can get a tad warm to the touch, but not to the point where its dangerous.

Where Poco does deserve credit is for the excellent in-display fingerprint sensor, which is fantastic even with wet or sweaty fingers. This is among the best in-display fingerprint sensors on any phone, and its wonderful that Poco chose not to skimp on this feature like many rivals in this category.

However, the F8 Pro is an exercise in acceptable compromise, so you do have
to live with sluggish USB 2.0 wired speeds. Mind you, this is a trade-off I find acceptable, especially since you can use wireless transfer apps like LocalSend to easily send files to other devices or to your Mac or PC. Performance score: 4.5 / 5 Poco F8 Pro review: software (Image credit: Nirave Gondhia) HyperOS 3.0 with Android 16 4 Android updates and 5 years of
security updates Bogged down by bloatware and ads Like all current Xiaomi phones, the Poco F8 Pro runs HyperOS 3.0 on top of Android 16. Depending on what you are used to, HyperOS 3.0 will either be comfortable or polarizing.

All phone makers are now forced to focus on longevity as well as features, especially as phones cost more and customers upgrade less frequently. For Poco, this presents an interesting challenge: it offers a respectable four years of Android version updates and five years of security updates, which provides some longevity, but it is known to be slow in pushing these updates out to users.

Look beyond this (and the final point below), and youll find that Xiaomi actually has some neat software features. Take Hyper Island, which looks and feels exactly like Apple s Dynamic Island. It was inevitable that Xiaomi
would be among the first to adopt (read: copy) this feature, and while the UX is unabashedly inspired by Apple, Xiaomi has executed it extremely well. Timers, voice recordings, and music playback all minimize into a dynamic bubble centered around the selfie camera.

Then theres Hyper Connect, which makes even more sense in light of the above. Like many Android phone makers, Xiaomi is targeting Apple users, and Hyper Connect enables file sharing, clipboard syncing, and interoperability with Apple devices, as well as other Android phones and PCs. (Image credit: Nirave Gondhia) Throughout this review, Ive talked about compromises, and the
biggest one comes in the software department. But first, some context: simply put, there isnt much margin in making affordable smartphones, especially
given the current AI-fueled RAM and storage shortage, which has increased the cost of these components by up to 10x.

What this actually means for you is that Poco had to either raise prices or offset higher costs with higher income from alternative revenue sources, such as ads. In native apps like Themes, Files, and Security, youll find annoying system-level ads that slow down the experience. There are also many preloaded apps, although you can at least remove these.

All of this serves as a reminder that this phone has compromises, which detract from the overall experience. However, the pragmatist in me also recognizes that companies like Poco already had tight margins before the current RAM crisis, which will have been eroded further, and if ads like
these mean its possible to keep making phones like these, then this is a trade-off that becomes slightly more acceptable. Id rather they didnt exist, but I also recognize that the raw cost of tech has exploded in a very short amount of time. Software score: 3.5 / 5 Poco F8 Pro review: battery life (Image credit: Nirave Gondhia) Huge 6,210mAh battery 100W charging gets you
to full in 42 minutes No wireless charging What happens when you put a humongous battery in a phone with a power-efficient display and flagship performance? You get phenomenal battery life, and when you need to top it up, one of the fastest charging speeds of any smartphone.

The 6,210mAh battery in the Poco F8 Pro is massive, and far larger than batteries offered by the mid-range competition. It features Pocos latest silicon-carbon technology, which offers much higher energy density, allowing Poco to pack a larger battery into the same size or a smaller phone.

In practical use, it offers around 7 to 9 hours of screen time over up to two days, depending on your settings. This puts the F8 Pro on par with most flagship phones and makes it superior to others in this category.

Then theres 100W charging, and its ridiculously fast, charging your phone to full in around 42 minutes. This gives it a charging rate of around 148mAh per minute (mAh/min), which is considerably faster than its rivals, and almost three times the speed of the 30W charging on the Google Pixel 10a (57 mAh/min).

Again, like any phone at this price, there are compromises, but in this case, its the lack of wireless charging or an included charger. The former is a dealbreaker for some, while the latter is common practice among flagship smartphone makers but a shift for Poco, which traditionally included a
charger in the box. Regardless, for most people, this is the best battery
life you can get at this price. Battery score: 4 / 5 Should you buy the Poco F8 Pro? (Image credit: Nirave Gondhia) Swipe to scroll horizontally Poco F8 Pro scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Design

Sleek and durable with a premium aluminum frame, IP68 water resistance, and
an excellent ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, let down only by sluggish USB
2.0 speeds.

4.5 / 5

Display

The 6.59-inch 120Hz OLED panel is vibrant, exceptionally bright at up to
3,500 nits, and accurate, making it a total treat for gaming and watching content.

4.5 / 5

Performance

Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, daily multitasking is blazingly fast and responsive, though thermals can run warm under sustained, high-intensity 3D gaming loads.

4.5 / 5

Camera

A versatile camera array bolstered by a new 2.5x telephoto lens and solid
main sensor, though lack of OIS on zoom and mediocre selfie video and ultra-wide cameras hold it back.

3.5 / 5

Battery

The massive 6,210mAh battery easily delivers multi-day endurance, paired with blistering 100W fast charging that eclipses rivals, though it lacks wireless charging.

5 / 5

Software

HyperOS 3.0 offers slick animations, clever Apple connectivity, and Hyper Island, but is held back by system-level ads, preloaded bloatware, and historically sluggish update rollouts.

3.5 / 5

Value

Unbeatable value for money. It undercuts top-tier flagships by roughly 40% while delivering flagship-level core specs, making it the premier choice in its price bracket.

5 / 5 Buy it if...

You want great bang for your buck This phone offers an incredible flagship-like experience at a price tag that wont hit your wallet as hard.

You dont need the best camera The camera is fine, but it's an area where
Poco had to compromise slightly. Its worth noting that the F8 Pro takes good enough photos for many people.

You want phenomenal battery life and fast charging The Poco F8 Pro is the Energizer Bunny of smartphones. If battery life is important to you, look no further: it excels in day-to-day use and offers ridiculously fast charging. Don't buy it if...

You want the best phone that money can buy The Poco F8 Pro's specs are definitely impressive, but more expensive phones do offer a more complete experience overall.

You need the best camera If photography is important to you, this camera, especially the zoom, may be a disappointment. The main camera is usually good enough, but the same cant be said for the ultra-wide, telephoto, or selfie cameras.

You want software longevity HyperOS has ads, questionable update timeliness, and an inferior integration of AI services like Gemini. This will be a dealbreaker for some, but not for others, and the Poco F8 Pro is definitely for the latter group. Poco F8 Pro: also consider There are three real competitors worth considering, but like the Poco F8 Pro, they all have their compromises.

Google Pixel 10a The Google Pixel 10a starts at 449 or $499 with 128GB of storage. It offers the best of Google's software, and although it has only
one camera, its proven extremely capable. The problem? It feels like a considerable compromise in flagship specs for the benefit of AI features and better updates.

Read our full Google Pixel 10a review

Samsung Galaxy A57 Then theres the Galaxy A57, and this phone brings the
best of Samsungs Galaxy S26 to a more affordable price point. It costs $550 (or 450 in the UK) for 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, three cameras, an Exynos processor, and a large 5,000 mAh battery. Its not quite at the same level as the Poco, but it has better updates, wider support, and greater availability.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy A57 review

Nothing Phone (4a) Pro The other phone thats definitely worth considering is the Nothing (4a) Pro. Priced at $499 or 499, its one of the most unique
phones youll find, thanks to its Glyph Matrix display on the rear. Key
reasons to consider the Nothing 4a Pro? A more unique design and better
selfie and telephoto cameras. Both phones are pretty evenly matched, but the Poco F8 Pro has a better display, charging, battery life, and performance.

Read our full Nothing Phone (4a) Pro review How I tested the Poco F8 Pro Review test period = ~2 weeks Testing included = Everyday usage, including navigation, web browsing, social media, photography, gaming, streaming video, music playback, and reading e-books. Tools used = Geekbench 6, 3DMark, CellMark, native Android stats Why you can trust TechRadar 100s of smartphones reviewed 15 years of product testing Over 16,000 products reviewed in total Nearly 200,000 hours testing tech I used the Poco F8 Pro for approximately two weeks across two different stints, including over a
week of consistent usage before writing this review.

Read more about how we test First reviewed: May 2026 Xiaomi Poco F8 Pro: Price Comparison No price information Check Amazon We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices powered by



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