The Poco F8 Pro is the latest offering from the sub-brand Poco, known for its affordable yet powerful smartphones. Launching alongside the flagship F8 Ultra, the F8 Pro aims to deliver premium features at a lower price point. With improvements in design, performance, display, speakers, and fast charging, the F8 Pro builds upon the success of its predecessors, the F7 Pro and F7 Ultra.
Design & Build:
The F8 Pro boasts a glass-backed design with a premium feel and a more mature look compared to previous Poco models. With a milled glass back and rounded corners, the phone is comfortable to hold and comes in three muted tones. The phone features a 6.59-inch display with thin bezels, protected by Gorilla Glass 7i. It is IP68 rated for water and dust resistance.
Screen & Speakers:
The F8 Pro’s display features Poco’s new HyperRGB Display technology, offering improved clarity and power efficiency. The panel supports 12-bit color depth and peak brightness of 3500nits, making it ideal for HDR content. The phone also features stereo speakers with Bose-tuned audio for an enhanced audio experience.
Specs & Performance:
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, the F8 Pro offers excellent performance for demanding apps and games. With 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage, the phone can handle multitasking with ease. The phone also supports Xiaomi Offline Communication for extended range connectivity.
Cameras:
The F8 Pro features a 50MP main sensor, 8MP ultrawide, and a 50MP 2.5x telephoto sensor, along with a 20MP selfie camera. While the camera performance is good for everyday use, there are some inconsistencies in contrast and dynamic range between the rear sensors. The phone offers up to 4K 60fps video recording with good stability.
Battery Life & Charging:
With a 6210mAh battery and 100W wired charging, the F8 Pro promises fast charging speeds. The phone can charge to 100% in just 37 minutes, making it convenient for users who need quick top-ups. The battery life is respectable, offering around 16 hours of usage in PC Mark Battery 3.0 tests.
Software & AI:
The F8 Pro runs on HyperOS 3.0 atop Android 16, offering a customizable user experience. The phone comes with some preloaded apps and bloatware, including in-app ads, which may be a downside for some users. Poco promises four generations of OS updates and six years of security updates for the F8 Pro.
Price & Availability:
The F8 Pro is priced competitively, starting from £399 with early-bird pricing. The phone offers a range of bonuses for early buyers, including vouchers, trade-in discounts, and free subscriptions to music and cloud storage services. Overall, the F8 Pro is a solid choice for users looking for a capable mid-range smartphone with premium features.
