Xiaomi Poco M8 review
Pick this if you want a large, bright display and all-day battery in a durable, light phone and don't game or multitask heavily. Look elsewhere if you're comparing specs and want the latest performance or a versatile camera system at the same price."
This review is written with AI assistance from Xiaomi’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Xiaomi Poco M8, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The Poco M8 is a capable 6.77-inch AMOLED phone with a bright display, solid Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 performance, and all-day battery at a price many markets will find sensible. It's a straightforward workhorse that doesn't excel in any single area but doesn't stumble badly either—good value if you need a large screen and don't demand cutting-edge specs.
Design & build
At 178g and 7.4mm, the Poco M8 is compact and light for its 6.77-inch frame. Glass front, plastic body, and plastic back feel ordinary for the price, but the IP66 rating (Europe) and 1.7m drop resistance add practical durability that a user at this budget will appreciate. The phone fits one-handed reasonably well despite the large screen, though the plastic rear will show fingerprints and lacks the perceived solidity some rivals claim with similar materials.
Display
The 6.77-inch AMOLED panel is the Poco M8's brightest spot. 120Hz refresh, 800 nits typical, and 3200 nits peak brightness are genuinely useful outdoors and make scrolling feel fluid. However, 1080p resolution on this diagonal leaves text and icons noticeably softer than competitors at the same price that have moved to 1440p. The 89.7% screen-to-body ratio is solid, though not exceptional. For everyday use—social media, messaging, video playback—the display is pleasant. For reading-heavy apps or keen eyes, the pixel density shortfall will be apparent.
Performance
The Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 is the main trade-off. It's a capable upper-midrange chip with respectable everyday performance, but this is last-gen silicon. Rivals at this price and below now ship Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, which will noticeably outpace it in games, video processing, and sustained multitasking. AnTuTu scores around 631k confirm it's faster than budget chips but slower than the current generational standard. Paired with 6GB or 8GB RAM and UFS 2.2 storage, the Poco M8 handles routine apps and light gaming smoothly, but demanding titles or photo editing will expose its limits. For most users, it's adequate; for power users or mobile gamers, it's aging.
Software
Android 15 with HyperOS 2 and a promise of up to four major Android upgrades is solid long-term support for this tier. HyperOS adds Xiaomi's customizations, which some appreciate and others find cluttered; it's a matter of taste. Out-of-box software is usable, though Xiaomi's inclination to pre-load apps means a factory reset or selective uninstall is often the first step. The four-year upgrade path is competitive and should keep the phone relevant beyond its first two years.
Camera
A single 50MP sensor with f/1.8 aperture, PDAF, and LED flash is the bare minimum for 2026. It will take acceptable shots in good light, and the f/1.8 aperture helps in lower light, but there's no ultrawide, telephoto, or dedicated macro—every rival in this band now includes at least an ultrawide. Video tops out at 4K 30fps from the main sensor, which is standard. The 20MP selfie camera is typical for front-facing work. For casual photography, this setup suffices; for anything beyond snapshots, the lack of optical variety is limiting compared to what's available at the same price.
Battery & charging
The 5520 mAh battery pairs well with the mid-range chipset and modest display resolution to deliver around 14 hours of active use. This is reassuring for a full day without seeking a charger. The spec sheet lists 45W charging (from the GSM database entry), which is middle-of-the-road for 2026. Many rivals at this price now offer 65W to 80W, so the Poco M8 will take noticeably longer to top up—roughly 45 minutes to an hour versus 30-40 for faster competitors. For users who charge overnight, this is moot; for those who grab quick top-ups, it's a minor frustration.
Value & verdict
At £199–$225, the Poco M8 occupies a crowded midrange tier. The AMOLED display and battery longevity are genuine strengths, and the durability rating is reassuring. The core weakness is the last-gen chipset and single rear camera paired with this year's competitors, which undercuts the value proposition. This is not a bad phone; it's a competent one that doesn't justify picking it over rivals that cost the same but ship faster processors and more versatile camera systems. It works best for users who prioritize screen size and battery life over raw power or photography, and who plan to keep the phone for three or more years to justify the software support. For most others, this generation's Snapdragon 7 alternatives are the safer choice.
Verdict
Pick this if you want a large, bright display and all-day battery in a durable, light phone and don't game or multitask heavily. Look elsewhere if you're comparing specs and want the latest performance or a versatile camera system at the same price."
- Bright AMOLED display (800 nits typical, 3200 nits peak) with 120Hz refresh is genuinely pleasant for a mid-range phone at this price
- 5520 mAh battery with active-use longevity around 14 hours covers a full day without stress
- IP66 rating in Europe and drop resistance to 1.7m add real durability reassurance at this price point
- Dual SIM, microSD expansion, and up to 512GB storage options cater to users who value flexibility
- Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 is last-gen; rivals at the same price now ship Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 or equivalent, putting this noticeably behind in gaming and heavy multitasking
- 1080p resolution on a 6.77-inch screen yields 388 ppi—noticeably soft text and icons compared to rivals pushing 1440p at this diagonal
- 50MP main camera with f/1.8 is respectable on paper but single-lens setup lacks ultrawide or telephoto variety that midrange competitors increasingly include
Xiaomi Poco M8 Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2026, January 08 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.77 inches, 110.9 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio), AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, 3840Hz PWM, HDR, 800 nits (typ), 3200 nits (peak) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2392 pixels (~388 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM |
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.88", 0.61µm, PDAF Auxiliary lens |
| Selfie camera | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/4.0" |
| Battery | 5520 mAh |
| Software | Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades, HyperOS 2 |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.4 x 7.4 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.29 in) |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) |
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Durability | IP66 dust tight and water resistant (high pressure water jets) IP65 dust tight and water resistant (low pressure water jets) - Europe only Drop resistant up to 1.7m |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
Xiaomi Poco M8 FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the Poco M8 support 5G?
Yes. The Poco M8 supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the Poco M8 use?
The Poco M8 runs on the Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm).
What display does the Poco M8 have?
A 6.77 inches, 110.9 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio) AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, 3840Hz PWM, HDR, 800 nits (typ), 3200 nits (peak), 1080 x 2392 pixels (~388 ppi density).
How big is the Poco M8 battery?
The Poco M8 has a 5520 mAh battery.
Does the Poco M8 have NFC?
Yes, the Poco M8 has NFC.
Is the Poco M8 water resistant?
The Poco M8 carries a IP66 dust tight and water resistant (high pressure water jets) IP65 dust tight and water resistant (low pressure water jets) - Europe only Drop resistant up to 1.7m rating.
Does the Poco M8 support a microSD card?
Yes, the Poco M8 supports expandable storage (microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)).
Alternatives to consider
If the Poco M8 isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
Poco M8 Power
Poco X8 Power
Poco X8
Poco M8 Pro
Galaxy F70 Pro
