I have owned this smartphone for a month now. I used it every single day. I am talking about the POCO F8 Pro. At first, it felt almost small. Yet, its spec sheet is huge. This phone hides its game well. Especially for its very competitive price. I decided to share my detailed feedback. Is it really the best value for money right now? I will answer this question in this full review.

Let’s talk about the price first. It is often the main criteria. You can find this POCO F8 Pro starting at €519. This price includes 12GB of RAM. You also get 256GB of storage. A higher version exists too. It costs €549 for 512GB of storage. That is very aggressive positioning on the market. Also, launch offers often exist. You can sometimes get 15% off. But let’s forget numbers for a moment. Let’s test the product itself.

A Redesigned Look and Ideal Ergonomics

The format seduces immediately upon the first touch. It is a perfect balance. The phone is neither too big nor too small. The screen measures 6.59 inches. It is a very appreciable flat screen size. I really like this ergonomic choice. It changes from curved screens that annoy typing.

Next, look at the back of the mobile. There is a major change here. The photo block is now rectangular. It takes the whole width of the phone. Sensors sit on the left. They form a neat and organized square. On the right, a logo catches the eye. It is the Bose logo displayed proudly. I will talk about it later. It is a very intriguing novelty.

The rear finish is superb. The back offers a frosted matte effect. Only the camera zone remains shiny. This is an excellent design choice. Why? Because frosted glass hides marks. Goodbye ugly fingerprints in daily use. The phone frame is made of metal. It curves very slightly at the edges. The edges do not cut the hand. The grip is therefore soft and secure. It is subtle but very comfortable to use. The global finish breathes solidity. There is no cheap plastic here.

An Immersive and Bright Screen Quality

Let’s move now to the front of the device. The flat screen offers precise definition. We are talking about 1.5K resolution. The technology used is POCO Hyper RGB AMOLED. Colors are therefore vibrant and deep. Fluidity is also present. The refresh rate ensures an optimal visual experience.

Furthermore, the brightness is crazy. The panel hits 3500 nits in peak brightness. That is huge for this price range. HDR content pops perfectly well. The screen supports Dolby Vision too. It handles HDR10+ and HDR Vivid as well. Your series will look magnificent on it.

But what about real-world usage? The immersion is total. The bezels are extremely thin. They are also perfectly symmetrical. There is no thick “chin” at the bottom of the screen. It is visually very satisfying. Visual fatigue is reduced too. DC dimming technology is present. It eliminates unpleasant flickering for the eyes.

By default, I find the calibration correct. “Original Pro” mode is faithful to reality. However, I prefer the “Vivid” mode. Colors pop more this way. It feels more alive on a daily basis. The original mode suits precise photo editing better.

POCO F8 Pro: A Power Monster for Gaming

Generally, the F series targets demanding gamers. This model does not break the rule. It packs the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. This is an ultra-high-performance chip. It uses Qualcomm Oryon architecture. We have two super cores here. Six performance cores back them up. The gain is clear. We note 30% more power than the previous model.

The Adreno 830 manages the graphics part. Rendering improved by 40%. This is a colossal leap forward for gaming. In addition, software optimization is present. The Wild Boost 5.0 system manages all this. It ensures great thermal stability.

Concretely, what does this give in-game? FPS stability is exemplary. Even on heavy titles, it holds the pace. Does the phone heat up? Yes, a little. You feel it after an hour of play. It is normal to dissipate intense heat. But it does not burn your fingers. Performance does not drop. That matters most for a competitive gamer.

For classic usage, it is a rocket. Everything opens instantly. Navigation is smooth. I noticed no slowdowns. It is perfect for intensive multitasking.

Record Battery Life and Fast Charging

Battery life is often the weak point of powerful mobiles. Here, it is quite the opposite. The POCO F8 Pro integrates a huge battery. It is 6210 mAh. That is rare in the current mid-range. The battery uses innovative dual-cell technology.

I tested this in real conditions. For gaming, it is very solid. I played CarX Drift Racing 3. Graphics were set to maximum. I lost only 5% in 30 minutes. That is an excellent result. The game demands many resources.

For more classic usage, it is even better. You don’t play all the time? Then battery life explodes literally. The phone lasts a day and a half without pain. Maybe even two full days with moderate use. You check your emails? You scroll Twitter or Instagram? The battery won’t drop fast. It is a real comfort daily.

Moreover, charging is very fast. The phone supports 100W HyperCharge. You recover energy very quickly. It is ideal if you are in a rush in the morning.

Audio: The Surprise Signed by Bose

Let’s return to that famous Bose logo. Talking about sound is rare for a phone. Often, it is mediocre or just passable. But here, it is very different. This partnership brings real auditory value. The acoustic architecture is particularly careful.

The phone has three distinct speakers. One sits on the left. Another is located on the right. But that is not all. An integrated independent subwoofer exists. It is like a mini pocket cinema.

Is the sound just loud? No, it is mostly high quality. The balance is really very good. Immersion in movies is top notch. Even for YouTube videos, it is very pleasant. Bass is present without crushing the rest of the spectrum. For this price, it is stunning. Nothing beats it on the market currently. It is a huge strong point of this specific model.

Photography: A Notable Leap Forward

Last year, photos were just correct in this range. This year, POCO worked seriously on this point. The change is radical. You see the difference immediately on shots. No more useless macro sensor from old versions. Make way for a really useful configuration.

We have a 50-megapixel main sensor. It possesses effective optical stabilization. It captures 30% more light. Shots are therefore brighter and detailed. Then, we have a dedicated telephoto lens. It offers 2.5x optical zoom. This is very welcome for portraits. This zoom is practical daily. It is better than a sometimes too powerful and restrictive 5x zoom.

The 8-megapixel ultra-wide is slightly behind on details. But it does the job correctly. We feel a “house touch” on photos. Tints sometimes pull towards orange or brown. It is visible on faces or hair. It is a particular colorimetric style.

However, nature photos are very realistic. The 5x zoom remains fully usable. Beyond that, it is digital gimmickry. Forget the 10x zoom for sharp photos. Night photos are a nice surprise. They keep many details in the shadows. Night mode does not abuse artificial light. The nocturnal atmosphere is well respected.

Finally, let’s talk video quickly. The POCO F8 Pro films in 4K at 60 frames per second. Focus is reactive. Light management is good even under snow. It is very satisfying for capturing your vacation memories.

Software and User Experience

The phone runs on the HyperOS 3.0 system. It comes installed natively out of the box. The interface is fluid and modern. There are many practical features. I am preparing a full guide on this soon.

User experience has become mature. You feel the brand progressing. It is not just a phone of raw power anymore. The software accompanies the premium hardware well. Menus are clear and intuitive. Customization goes deep according to your tastes. It is pleasant to use every day.

Review Conclusion: Should You Buy It?

To conclude, my opinion is very positive. POCO did remarkable work this year. This POCO F8 Pro is a finished product. It is much more mature than its direct predecessor.

Last year, we sought power mostly. Today, we have a complete and versatile phone. The format is totally validated and the grip is excellent and pleasant. The weight is well distributed. It is ideal for long intense gaming sessions.

Sound is a real differentiating factor. The Bose partnership really changes the game. It is comfort worthy of the high-end segment. The photo part is no longer a major flaw. It even becomes an asset thanks to the versatile telephoto lens.

The 6210 mAh battery is simply royal. You won’t hunt for your charger at 6 PM in panic. The power of the Snapdragon 8 Elite ensures the future serenely. You will keep this phone for a long time without slowdowns.

So, is it a gem? For me, the answer is a big yes. The value for money is hard to beat today. If you want a premium mid-range, go for it. I recommend this choice without hesitation.

Do not hesitate to give me your opinion in the comments. Have you tested the brand before? Does this model tempt you? I await your feedback impatiently.