This year, POCO smartphones are not even embarrassing to look at. They look great
POCO has released two new smartphones at once, targeting the same audience but solving slightly different tasks. The POCO X8 Pro was made more versatile and compact, while the POCO X8 Pro Max is as powerful, long-lasting, and technologically advanced as possible. Both models feature bright AMOLED displays, IP68 protection, 100W fast charging, and a focus on gaming and top-tier performance.
POCO X8 Pro: A Compact Smartphone with a Powerful Processor
The POCO X8 Pro launched as a more balanced, and therefore more affordable model in the series. It features a 6.59-inch AMOLED display with 1.5K resolution, a 120 Hz refresh rate, and peak brightness up to 3500 nits. For those who watch a lot of video, play games, or simply use their smartphone outdoors often, this is one of the key advantages of the new device. Additionally, there’s DC dimming, so POCO is also placing a separate emphasis on eye comfort.
Everything you need is in the box, including a case
Performance is handled by the Dimensity 8500-Ultra, and POCO claims over 2.28 million points in AnTuTu. Inside, there’s also LPDDR5X, UFS 4.1, and a POCO 3D Dual-layer IceLoop cooling system with an area of 5300 square millimeters. All of this is complemented by the proprietary WildBoost optimization, which should maintain stable performance in games and under heavy loads. In practice, the X8 Pro looks like a smartphone for those who need a high performance reserve but in a not-too-large body.
The POCO X8 Pro also stands out with its battery. Despite its relatively compact size, the smartphone features a 6500 mAh battery, support for 100W HyperCharge, and charges to 100% in 48 minutes. Plus, there’s even 27W reverse charging. This is no longer just a good spec on paper, but a real advantage for those who don’t want to depend on an outlet throughout the day. The cameras are also quite solid for this class: a main 50 MP Sony IMX882 module with OIS, an 8 MP ultrawide, and a 20 MP front camera.
POCO X8 Pro Max: Specifications and Key Features
If the POCO X8 Pro can be called a strong sub-flagship, the POCO X8 Pro Max is already closer to a full-fledged flagship in the brand’s own interpretation. The smartphone features a 6.83-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, peak brightness up to 3500 nits, an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, and stereo speakers with Hi-Res Audio and Dolby Atmos support. In other words, this is no longer just a gaming device, but one with a noticeable emphasis on multimedia.
The white version looks top-notch
Inside is the Dimensity 9500s, built on a 3nm process, and POCO claims a result of 3.08 million points in AnTuTu. The senior model supports hardware ray tracing, modes up to 120 FPS in popular games, 1.5K Super Resolution, and advanced gaming optimizations. For cooling, it uses the POCO 3D IceLoop with an area of 5800 square millimeters, and the company separately mentions additional chip temperature reduction. So the X8 Pro Max is directly positioned as a smartphone for those who need maximum performance without stepping into the niche gaming model category.
But the main highlight of the POCO X8 Pro Max is its battery. The smartphone features an 8500 mAh battery, and POCO itself calls it the largest in the brand’s history. There’s 100W HyperCharge, charging to 50% in 24 minutes, and 27W reverse charging. Plus, the senior model received a more advanced 50 MP Light Fusion 600 main camera with OIS, features based on HyperOS 3, eSIM support, Google Gemini, Circle to Search, and even Offline Communication. In terms of capabilities, this is already a noticeably more expensive and feature-rich device.
How POCO X8 Pro and POCO X8 Pro Max Differ
The main difference between these smartphones is very simple. The POCO X8 Pro is a model for those who need a powerful but more convenient smartphone for everyday use. It has a smaller screen, a more compact body, a more modest battery, but still very serious specifications. The POCO X8 Pro Max is a variant for those who want the maximum: a bigger display, a more powerful chip, better sound, a larger battery, and a wider set of software features.
If you look at it point by point, the X8 Pro has the Dimensity 8500-Ultra, a 6.59-inch screen, a 6500 mAh battery, and a Sony IMX882 main camera. The X8 Pro Max has the Dimensity 9500s, a 6.83-inch screen, an 8500 mAh battery, a more advanced Light Fusion 600 camera, an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, a stronger audio system, and additional HyperOS 3 features. In other words, the junior model looks like a rational choice, while the senior one is a smartphone with no attempt to cut corners on key features.
There’s also a difference in materials. The POCO X8 Pro features a glass back and metal frame, while the POCO X8 Pro Max has a metal frame and a fiberglass rear panel. Both models feature the signature RGB lighting around the camera module, IP68 protection, and an emphasis on a more premium look than previous generations of the series. So the difference here is not only in the numbers on paper but also in the overall positioning.
POCO X8 Pro and X8 Pro Max Prices: Where to Buy in Russia
You can comfortably game on these smartphones without any worries
The POCO X8 Pro starts at $279 for the 8+256 GB version, the 8+512 GB version is priced at $299, and the 12+512 GB version at $329. The POCO X8 Pro Max is expected at $389 for 12+256 GB and $429 for 12/512 GB. These figures clearly explain why the Pro Max is immediately perceived as a noticeably more expensive model.
As for Russian platforms, the devices will be available even on Ozon and Wildberries. On Ozon, the POCO X8 Pro starts at 22,500 rubles, and the POCO X8 Pro Max at 31,500 rubles. On Wildberries, the pricing is as follows: POCO X8 Pro from 24,500 rubles, and POCO X8 Pro Max from a similar price range.
