The Poco M8 Pro is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers a lot of value for the money. With a great display, big battery, and fast charging capabilities, it is a solid choice for those looking for an affordable option. However, there are some drawbacks to consider, such as outdated software and bloatware that can affect the overall user experience.
Design & Build: The Poco M8 Pro features a unique design with interesting color options and a large camera housing on the back. The plastic build is sturdy, and the phone feels comfortable to hold. It also comes with IP66 and IP68 protection from dust and water, and a protective case is included in the box.
Screen & Speakers: The 6.83-inch AMOLED display of the Poco M8 Pro is bright, vibrant, and offers great detail. It supports up to 120Hz refresh rates and has a peak brightness of 3,200 nits, making it ideal for HDR content. The stereo speakers provide a good audio experience, although they can be a bit shrill at higher volumes.
Specs & Performance: Powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chipset, the Poco M8 Pro offers solid performance for daily tasks and gaming. It may not compete with flagship models in terms of graphical performance, but it handles most tasks well. The phone also has WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 support.
Cameras: The Poco M8 Pro features a 50Mp main camera, an 8Mp ultrawide camera, and a 32Mp selfie camera. While the main camera performs well in bright conditions, it struggles in low light. The ultrawide camera has a different color tone compared to the main camera, and the selfie camera works best in good lighting.
Battery & Charging: The standout feature of the Poco M8 Pro is its massive 6500mAh battery, which offers impressive endurance. The phone supports 100W wired charging, allowing for fast charging speeds. However, there is no wireless charging option available.
Software & Apps: The Poco M8 Pro runs on HyperOS 2 based on Android 15, which may feel outdated to some users. The software experience is marred by bloatware and Xiaomi’s pre-installed apps, which can be overwhelming. Switching to Google’s apps can improve the overall user experience.
Price & Availability: The Poco M8 Pro is priced at £299, but is available for £249 at Mi.com. It competes with devices like the Redmi Note 15 Pro+ and offers great value for the money. While the software experience may not be the best, the hardware and performance make it a compelling choice in its price range.
In conclusion, the Poco M8 Pro is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers a lot of hardware for the price. With a great display, solid performance, and impressive battery life, it is a good choice for those on a budget. However, the software experience may require some tweaking to optimize the user experience.
