Poco F8 Ultra Review
| Price | $680 (256GB/12GB) / $730 (512GB/16GB) |
|---|---|
| Brand | Xiaomi (Poco) |
| Display | 6.9" LTPO AMOLED, 1.5K+ (1200x2608), 120Hz, 3500 nits, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Poco Shield |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3nm), Adreno 840 GPU |
| RAM/Storage | 12GB/256GB or 16GB/512GB (LPDDR5x/UFS 4.1) |
| Cameras | Rear: Triple 50MP (Main OIS, Periscope OIS, Ultrawide) / Front: 32MP |
| Battery | 6500 mAh, 100W Wired, 50W Wireless, 22.5W Reverse Wireless |
The Poco F8 Ultra emerges as a formidable contender in the flagship smartphone arena, boasting a breathtaking LTPO AMOLED display with a 3500-nit peak brightness and the cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor for unparalleled performance. Its professional-grade triple 50MP camera system, coupled with a massive 6500mAh battery and ultra-fast 100W charging, positions it as an all-rounder designed for power users and photography enthusiasts alike. This device truly pushes the boundaries of what's expected from a premium Android experience.
Verdict
The Poco F8 Ultra is an uncompromised statement from Xiaomi, delivering a truly 'Ultra' experience that challenges the very top tier of the smartphone market. It masterfully blends raw power, visual brilliance, and photographic prowess into a single, cohesive package. While it carries a few minor omissions typical of modern flagships, its overall value proposition for users demanding peak performance, stunning visuals, and exceptional battery life is undeniable. This is a device built for those who refuse to settle for anything less than the best Android has to offer, particularly for gaming, content consumption, and advanced mobile photography.
Design & Build
The Poco F8 Ultra exudes a premium aesthetic, featuring an aluminum frame that provides a sturdy yet refined feel. Its back panel offers a unique choice between reinforced glass fiber plastic or an innovative nano-composite material with a distinctive denim-like texture, adding a touch of sophisticated individuality. Measuring between 7.9mm and 8.3mm in thickness and weighing 218-220g, it strikes a balance between a substantial feel and comfortable handling. Crucially, the device boasts an IP68 rating, ensuring robust protection against dust and water immersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes, making it a durable companion for any adventure. Available in elegant Black and striking Blue, its design speaks to both resilience and style.
Display Quality
Prepare for a visual feast with the Poco F8 Ultra's expansive 6.9-inch LTPO AMOLED display. This panel is a true marvel, capable of rendering an astounding 68 billion colors with a crisp 1.5K+ resolution (1200x2608 pixels) and a pixel density of 416 ppi. What truly sets it apart is the dynamic 120Hz LTPO refresh rate, intelligently adjusting from 1Hz to 120Hz to optimize power consumption without sacrificing smoothness. With an incredible peak brightness of 3500 nits, content remains vibrant and legible even under direct sunlight. Further enhanced by Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support, and protected by Poco Shield glass, this display offers an immersive, color-accurate, and incredibly bright viewing experience for all forms of media.
Performance
Underpinning the Poco F8 Ultra's exceptional capabilities is the formidable Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, fabricated on an advanced 3nm process. This octa-core powerhouse features a groundbreaking configuration, including two high-performance cores clocked at up to 4.6GHz for demanding tasks and gaming, alongside six efficiency cores at 3.62GHz for seamless multitasking and power optimization. Coupled with the Adreno 840 GPU, which operates at up to 1.2GHz, the F8 Ultra delivers a "savage" performance, as indicated by its staggering AnTuTu v11 score of 3,887,841 points. Running on Android 16 with Xiaomi's optimized HyperOS 3, this device is engineered to handle any application, game, or intensive workflow with effortless speed and efficiency, solidifying its position as a performance leader.
Camera System
The Poco F8 Ultra arrives with a professional-grade triple 50MP camera system designed to capture stunning images and videos across diverse scenarios. The main 50MP sensor (Light Hunter 950) boasts a wide F/1.7 aperture, Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), and Auto Focus (AF), ensuring sharp, detailed shots even in challenging lighting. Complementing this is a 50MP Periscope lens (Samsung JN5) with F/3.0 aperture, OIS, and AF, offering an impressive 5x optical zoom and up to 100x digital zoom for incredible reach. Rounding out the trio is a 50MP ultrawide lens (Omnivision OV50M) with an F/2.4 aperture for expansive landscape and group shots. Video capabilities are equally impressive, supporting 8K recording at 30fps, 4K at 30/60fps, and advanced HDR10+ video. The 32MP F/2.2 front camera is no slouch either, capable of 4K@30fps video, ensuring high-quality selfies and video calls.
Battery Life
Powering the Poco F8 Ultra is a substantial 6500mAh battery, promising extended usage even for the most demanding users. Beyond its impressive capacity, the charging capabilities are truly next-gen. The device supports ultra-fast 100W wired charging, capable of replenishing the battery from empty to 100% in a mere 38 minutes. For added convenience, it also features robust 50W wireless charging and a practical 22.5W reverse wireless charging, allowing you to power up other compatible devices. This combination of a large battery and versatile, rapid charging solutions ensures that the Poco F8 Ultra keeps pace with your busy lifestyle without constant worry about power outlets.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Exceptional LTPO AMOLED display with 3500 nits brightness and 120Hz refresh rate.
- ✓ Industry-leading Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor delivers unparalleled performance.
- ✓ Versatile triple 50MP camera system with OIS, 5x optical zoom, and 8K video recording.
- ✓ Massive 6500mAh battery with blazing-fast 100W wired and 50W wireless charging.
- ✓ Robust IP68 water and dust resistance for enhanced durability.
- ✓ Immersive audio experience with dual stereo speakers tuned by Bose.
Cons
- ✕ Lacks a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack.
- ✕ No expandable storage via a microSD card slot.
- ✕ Display resolution, while excellent, could have been pushed to 2K+ for ultimate pixel density.