Poco has just dropped its latest mid-range contenders in Malaysia, and the new X8 series is looking like quite a powerhouse. We are looking at two main models here: the X8 Pro and the X8 Pro Max. Both seem aimed at anyone who wants high-end specs without the usual flagship price tag, and they have brought some interesting features to the table.
Poco X8 Pro Max
For the first time, the X-series is getting some proper flagship muscle with the X8 Pro Max. It is running the Dimensity 9500s, a 3nm chip that is all about big cores and raw performance. You can spec it with up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, which is plenty for most power users. This is a significant step up for the brand, as they are clearly trying to push the boundaries of what a mid-range device can do.
The screen is a bit of a monster too, coming in at 6.83 inches. It is an OLED panel that gets incredibly bright, hitting 3,500 nits at its peak. Whether you are watching HDR10+ content or just scrolling in direct sunlight, it should look fantastic. It supports 12-bit colours and uses high-frequency PWM dimming to keep things easy on the eyes. Plus, it is wrapped in Gorilla Glass 7i for a bit of extra peace of mind.
In terms of photography, the Max features a 50MP Light Fusion 600 main sensor with optical image stabilisation and an 8MP ultrawide. There is also a 20MP selfie cam on the front. One of the more playful features is the Dynamic RGB light around the camera lens. It can flash in eight different colours to show you things like charging status or notifications, or even pulse along to your music, which is a nice little touch of flair.
The build quality feels pretty sturdy, featuring a metal frame and a fibre-glass back. It even carries an IP69K rating, which is quite impressive for this category. The battery is massive at 8,500mAh, and thanks to 100W charging, you can get it back to 50% in just 24 minutes. It also supports 27W reverse charging if your mate’s phone needs a quick top-up.
Poco X8 Pro
Moving over to the regular X8 Pro, it is a slightly more compact affair with a 6.59-inch display. It still keeps that impressive brightness and colour depth, though it swaps the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor for an optical one. Under the hood, it uses the Dimensity 8500-Ultra, which is still a very capable 4nm chip. It also offers up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.
The Pro model gets a 50MP Sony IMX882 main camera and the same ultrawide and selfie setup as its bigger sibling. It also gets the same RGB light feature.
Its battery is a bit smaller at 6,500mAh, but it still supports that speedy 100W charging, hitting a full charge in about 48 minutes.
Marvel fans might want to look at the Iron Man Edition of the X8 Pro. It has the same internal specs as the standard Pro but comes in a fancy box with a custom phone case, a Marvel-themed SIM tool, and a signature red cable.
It is a cool collector’s item that does not actually cost much more than the regular version during the promo period.
Pricing and Availability
There is an early bird pricing and you can get up to RM400 off the normal recommended retail price.
The standard X8 Pro starts at RM1,499, but you can grab the 256GB version for RM1,299 right now. The 512GB Pro is down to RM1,499 from RM1,699.
For the big Pro Max model, the 256GB version is discounted to RM1,699 from RM1,999, while the 512GB version is currently RM1,799 instead of RM2,199. The Iron Man Edition is on offer for RM1,699, down from RM1,899.