Poco M8: Budget King or Just a Mid-Range Blip?

First Impressions: That Instant Vibe Check

Alright, fam, let's talk about the Poco M8. Straight out the box, this bad boy arrives with a slim profile, but it's not skimping on the essentials. In these no-accessory times, Poco still delivers. You’re getting a grey silicone case, a 45W power adapter, and a USB-C cable bundled right in, though our European friends might miss out on that charger. It’s like, lowkey, Poco gets it.

Unboxing it felt pretty standard, but the M8 immediately feels good in the hand. That dual curved approach on both the 6.77-inch AMOLED screen and the back just hits different, making it feel way slimmer than its actual 7.4mm thickness. At 178 grams, it’s no chonker either. Definitely giving a 'main character' vibe without breaking the bank.

Aesthetic Vibes: Design Evolution or Just a Facelift?

Poco opted for a matte dual-tone vibe on the back of our Green variant, which is a nice touch. The textured finish on the sides also adds some grip, preventing those accidental phone drops that send shivers down your spine. But it’s not just about looks; this phone means business.

With an IP66 dust and water protection rating, the M8 can handle a splash or two, which is pretty solid for its price point. No need to stress if you're doom-scrolling TikTok at 2 AM and spill your hydration. Plus, an IR blaster on the top? Real talk, that’s a throwback feature we love to see, turning your phone into a universal remote. Dual SIM with microSD card support rounds out the practical design choices, reminding us that sometimes, the basics are just better.

Screen Time: Dive into the Display's Pixels, Brightness, and Overall Viewing Pleasure

The M8 greets you with a gorgeous 6.77-inch curved AMOLED screen. We're talking FHD+ resolution and a buttery smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Scrolling through feeds feels seamless, and content consumption is definitely elevated.

But here’s where it shines: this display boasts up to a whopping 3,200 nits peak brightness and features 3,840Hz PWM dimming for your eyes' comfort. Plus, with 12-bit color depth, your Netflix binges are going to look vibrant and punchy. Honestly, it’s giving premium display energy in a budget phone. If you're upgrading from a relic, this'll feel like leveling up in your fave RPG.

Under the Hood: Benchmark Brawls and Everyday Performance

Powering the Poco M8 is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip, paired with a respectable 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM. This setup, alongside 256GB or 512GB of UFS 2.2 internal storage, should handle daily tasks and light gaming without too much fuss. It's not a flagship killer, but it's got enough horsepower to keep things ticking.

Poco has also packed in some neat AI features, including Google Gemini and Circle to Search, which are becoming standard fare for a smarter smartphone experience. While we're not running intense benchmarks right now, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 is a solid performer for its segment, ensuring a responsive user experience.

Software Swirl: Navigating the OS and UI

The M8 ships with HyperOS 2, which is built on Android 15. It’s a modern OS that offers a range of features and customizability. However, in a perfect world, we would have loved to see the newer HyperOS 3 with Android 16 right out of the box, as noted by gsmarena.com. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it does mean you’re starting a generation behind on the software front.

Hopefully, Poco is quick with updates, but for now, HyperOS 2 provides a fluid interface. The inclusion of current AI features like Circle to Search hints at a commitment to a smart, user-friendly experience, even if the base Android version isn't the absolute latest.

Camera Flex: Photo and Video Showdown

For capturing life's moments, the Poco M8 features a 50MP main camera with a Light Fusion 400 sensor, complemented by a 2MP depth helper. Around the front, you’ll find a 20MP selfie camera for all your portrait needs. On paper, it sounds decent for the price.

But let's keep it 💯: gsmarena.com points out that while the M8's camera setup is okay, it's essentially identical to the Redmi Note 15 5G, which packs a more robust 108MP main camera and an added ultrawide. The M8 has other cutouts in its camera island, but one is just for the LED flash and another for a sticker. So, if you're a photography enthusiast, this might not be your next go-to.

Sound Check: Testing Audio Output

Good news for audiophiles (or just people who hate tinny phone speakers): the Poco M8 comes equipped with stereo speakers featuring Dolby Atmos. This means you should get a more immersive and richer audio experience whether you're gaming, watching videos, or just vibing to your favorite playlist. No more having to connect to a Bluetooth speaker just to hear your notifications clearly.

Connected World: Staying in Sync

In terms of staying connected, the M8 ticks a lot of boxes. It supports 5G for speedy mobile data, Wi-Fi 6 for faster home internet, and Bluetooth 5.1 for your wireless accessories. The inclusion of an IR blaster is a cool old-school bonus, and the dual SIM slot with microSD card support means you’re covered on both connectivity and expandable storage. An in-display fingerprint scanner adds a modern, seamless touch for security.

Endurance Test: Pushing the Battery to its Limits

Nobody likes a dead device, and the Poco M8 aims to keep you going with a hefty 5,520 mAh Si/C battery. That’s a respectable capacity that should easily last most users a full day, if not more, depending on usage. When you do need to juice up, the phone supports 45W fast charging, which is pretty solid for a budget device.

And for those moments when your friend’s phone is dying, the M8 offers 18W reverse wired charging. Talk about being the ultimate lifesaver in your squad.

Quick Hits (Pros/Cons)

Pros:

• Fantastic 6.77-inch 120Hz AMOLED display with 3,200 nits peak brightness and 3,840Hz PWM dimming.
• Solid Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 performance for the price segment.
• Generous 5,520 mAh battery with 45W fast charging and 18W reverse wired charging.
• IP66 rating, IR blaster, stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, and expandable storage are all clutch features.
• Aggressive early-bird pricing (e.g., $209/£189/€229 for 8GB/256GB until Jan 14).
• Comes with a charger and case in the box (outside EU).

Cons:

• Camera setup is basic compared to rivals like the Redmi Note 15 5G, which offers a 108MP main camera and an ultrawide.
• Ships with HyperOS 2 based on Android 15, not the latest HyperOS 3 or Android 16.
• Only 2MP depth sensor, with other camera cutouts essentially decorative.

Wrap-Up Thoughts: Connecting the Dots

The Poco M8 steps into the budget-friendly arena looking like a solid contender. With a stunning AMOLED display, a capable Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip, and a truly massive battery with decent fast charging, it delivers a lot of bang for your buck. gsmarena.com even calls it 'a good deal' cheaper than the Redmi Note 15 5G, especially with those early-bird offers that shave off a significant chunk of change. (We’re talking base variants starting at $209/£189/€229, down from $229/£229/€269).

However, it's not without its compromises. The camera setup feels a little dated when compared to its Redmi Note 15 5G sibling, which packs a 108MP main sensor and an ultrawide. And shipping with HyperOS 2 instead of HyperOS 3 means you're not getting the absolute latest software experience. But for casual users who prioritize screen quality, battery life, and a robust overall package at an killer price, the M8 is definitely giving main character energy. It's a pragmatic choice, especially if you snatch it up before January 14.

Final Score: 8/10

The Poco M8 earns a solid 8 out of 10. It’s a compelling package that punches above its weight class in several key areas, particularly the display and battery. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 is a reliable workhorse, and the inclusion of essentials like an IR blaster, IP66 rating, and in-box accessories are huge wins. The camera could be better, and the slightly older software is a bummer, but considering its aggressive early-bird pricing and what it does deliver, the M8 is a seriously strong contender for anyone looking for value without feeling like they’re settling. If you’re not a camera snob, this phone is a no-brainer.