The Poco M8 5G is Xiaomi’s latest budget contender, striking the ultimate “sweet spot” between affordability and premium hardware. Starting under $300, it boasts a massive 6.77-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, the efficient Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset, and a colossal 5,520mAh battery. If you are looking for flagship-tier endurance without breaking the bank, this might be the smartest purchase of the year.
The Redmi Note 15 5G Connection
After reviewing the Redmi Note 15 5G, it became clear that the Poco M8 5G is essentially its close sibling. Xiaomi has utilized its familiar, highly successful formula here. Why rock the boat when sales are good?
The primary differences lie in the camera department. The Poco M8 drops the ultrawide lens and utilizes a slightly lower-resolution 50MP main camera (f/1.8, 1/2.88″). Consequently, if you do not mind sacrificing ultrawide photography, the Poco M8 offers the exact same core experience as the Redmi Note 15 5G, but for significantly less money.
Design, Durability, and Display
Despite its plastic body and frame, the Poco M8 5G brings solid durability credentials to the budget space. It features drop resistance up to 1.7 meters. Furthermore, European models benefit from an IP65 rating, while other regions receive an IP66 rating for robust dust and water resistance.
The centerpiece, however, is the screen. Xiaomi equipped this device with a stunning 6.77-inch AMOLED panel capable of pushing 68 billion colors. With a 120Hz refresh rate, 3840Hz PWM dimming to reduce eye strain, and a blinding peak brightness of 3,200 nits, HDR playback on this phone punches far above its price bracket.
Performance and Battery Life
Choosing the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm) was a sensible midrange decision. It entirely avoids the performance limitations we observed in the MediaTek Helio G200 Ultra found in older models. Paired with up to 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and expandable UFS 2.2 storage via a shared microSDXC slot, the phone handles daily multitasking and moderate gaming with ease.
Additionally, the software longevity is impressive. The phone ships with Android 15 (HyperOS 2) out of the box, and Xiaomi promises up to 4 major Android upgrades.
The 5,520mAh battery size is highly respectable. It supports 45W fast wired charging and even offers 18W reverse wired charging to top up your accessories on the go.
The Unboxing Experience
In typical Poco fashion, the M8 arrives in a thick, highly protective bright yellow box with zero plastic packaging. The retail bundle remains remarkably generous by today’s standards:
- A sturdy 5A USB Type-A to Type-C cable.
- A thick, grey, soft-touch TPU case for immediate protection.
- A 45W wall adapter (Note: Due to EU regulations, buyers in European markets will not find a charger in the box).
Pricing and Configurations
The Poco M8 5G aggressively undercuts the competition. Here are the current global configurations and their respective pricing:
| Storage / RAM | Price (USD) | Price (GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| 256GB / 8GB RAM | $289.50 | £189.00 |
| 512GB / 8GB RAM | $369.99 | £219.00 |
*Prices reflect current affiliate partner offers and are subject to change.
🏆 Tech Mansion Verdict
The Poco M8 5G successfully hits the value sweet spot. There are very few corners cut here. You get a flagship-tier display, a highly efficient Snapdragon processor, and phenomenal battery tech. If you can live without an ultrawide camera, this is arguably the best budget smartphone purchase you can make right now.
