POCO is back at it again — dropping not one, but TWO phones that punch way, way above their price bracket. And after trying out the POCO F8 Pro and POCO F8 Ultra first-hand, we can confirm: these phones are an absolute problem… for every brand charging twice the price.
Photo: POCO
Let’s talk about it.
A Camera That Surprised Us (In the Best Way)
We weren’t expecting this, but the camera on the POCO F8 Pro? Wow.
Sample shot (Photo: POCO)
The 50MP main camera with OIS, 50MP 60mm telephoto, and 8MP ultrawide combo delivers the kind of clarity and depth you usually only see on actual flagship phones. The telephoto lens alone is a game changer, crisp portraits, clean zoom, and low-light performance that makes night shots look effortless.
Sample shot (Photo: POCO)
And yes, we tested it ourselves. The photos came out so sharp you’d think we used something twice the price.
The New Chipset Is Insanely Fast
The POCO F8 series runs on the new Snapdragon® 8 Elite Mobile Platform built on a 3nm process and honestly, you feel it instantly.
Apps open fast. Games run smoothly. No lag. No stutters. Just raw, unfiltered speed.
Whether you’re gaming, editing videos, multitasking, or doing all three at once, the F8 handles it like it’s nothing.
And with LiquidCool 3D Triple-layer IceLoop technology, it stays cool under pressure — something many “big brand” phones still struggle with.
Did Someone Say Bose Speakers?
Yes. POCO partnered with Bose for audio tuning — and the result is chef’s kiss.
The bass hits deeper, the voice clarity is better, the immersion is real. Whether you’re watching a movie, vibing to your playlists, or playing a game where sound literally determines survival… the speakers deliver.
This is honestly one of our favorite features.
A Display That Really Pops
The 6.59” 120Hz POCO HyperRGB AMOLED on the F8 Pro is bright, smooth, and beautifully color-accurate.
- Up to 3500 nits peak brightness (yes, you can actually see it under the sun)
- 120Hz for buttery scrolling
- 12-bit color
- Gorilla Glass 7i for protection
In short: it looks expensive.
Battery for Days + Ridiculously Fast Charging
A massive 6210mAh battery + 100W HyperCharge = 20 minutes and you’re basically full.
Plus, it now supports smart charging so the battery lasts longer.
You can even reverse-charge your other devices (22.5W reversed charging). Powerbank who?
Design That Doesn’t Look “Budget” At All
POCO went premium with a new one-piece milled glass design for the Pro model — carved from a single 2mm glass slab. Sleek, glossy-matte finish, and IP68 dust/water resistance.
The Ultra pushes this further with an even more polished build. Both look clean, modern, and stylish without trying too hard.
Full POCO F8 Pro Specs
Photo: POCO
- Rear Cameras: 50MP (OIS) + 50MP 60mm Telephoto + 8MP Ultra-wide
- Front Camera: 20MP
- Chipset: Snapdragon® 8 Elite 3nm
- Memory: LPDDR5X + UFS 4.1 (12GB + 256GB / 12GB + 512GB)
- Display: 6.59” 120Hz HyperRGB AMOLED
- Battery: 6210mAh + 100W HyperCharge
- Audio: Dual speakers tuned by Bose (Dynamic & Balanced sound profiles)
- Protection: IP68 + Gorilla Glass 7i
- OS: Xiaomi HyperOS 3
- Colors: Titanium Silver, Blue, Black
Early-Bird Pricing (Nov 26 – Dec 9)
Per the pricing screenshot you shared — these are the real SRPs and early-bird prices (local PHP):
- POCO F8 Pro 12GB + 256GB
- SRP: ₱29,999
- Early Bird (Nov 26–Dec 9): ₱26,299
- POCO F8 Pro 12GB + 512GB
- SRP: ₱31,999
- Early Bird (Nov 26–Dec 9): ₱28,299
- POCO F8 Ultra 12GB + 256GB
- SRP: ₱39,999
- Early Bird (Nov 26–Dec 9): ₱34,999
- POCO F8 Ultra 16GB + 512GB
- SRP: ₱42,999
- Early Bird (Nov 26–Dec 9): ₱37,999
Oh, and a bonus:
- Shopee buyers can snag an extra ₱500 POCO voucher for the F8 Pro.
- The F8 Ultra is a Lazada exclusive — which fits, because the deal is wild enough to stand on its own.
In short: POCO basically priced these phones like midrange models but packed them like flagships.
Final Thoughts
The POCO F8 Pro and the F8 Ultra are two of the most exciting releases of the year — not because they’re the most expensive or flashy, but because they deliver flagship-level performance without the flagship-level wallet trauma.
Great cameras. Stunning display. Crazy-fast chipset. Bose-tuned audio. 100W charging.
All at prices that actually make sense.
If you want a phone that’s powerful yet affordable, stylish, and ridiculously smooth to use, the POCO F8 series might just be your next best buy
