POCO launched today X8 Pro series in UAE and globally, introduces two performance-focused Android phones that bring cutting-edge processors and unusually large batteries to the mid-range market. Included in the list POCO X8 Pro and the higher-end POCO X8 Pro Max, the latter marking POCO’s first “Pro Max” model and the first device to break the 8,000mAh battery mark.
What’s New: Flagship Chipsets in a Mid-Range Package
The notable hardware decision here is the choice of processor. The X8 Pro Max is the first phone to ship globally with MediaTek Size 9500sThe 3nm flagship chip from POCO’s claimed 9000 series scored more than 3 million in AnTuTu benchmarks in internal testing. (Independent tests suggest a score of around 3.3 million, which puts it on par with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite in raw computing power.)
The standard X8 Pro also uses the global debut of the Dimensity 8500-Ultra, which POCO says delivers a 15.8% AnTuTu improvement and a 25% GPU performance boost over last year’s X7 Pro. Both chips support hardware ray tracing and are paired with LPDDR5X RAM (up to 9600Mbps Max) and UFS 4.1 storage – features usually reserved for phones priced well above AED 2,000.
If you’re interested in gaming performance or future-proofing, this is a big deal. The Dimensity 9500s in particular is a true flagship chip, not a cost-optimized variant, and its presence here shows that POCO is aiming higher than its usual value proposition.
Battery Life: POCO’s Biggest Yet
The X8 Pro Max packs an 8,500mAh battery, the biggest POCO has ever put into a phone. The company claims a battery life of two days in mixed use, and says the cell retains more than 80% capacity after 1,600 charge cycles — about six years of daily charging. The X8 Pro gets a smaller but still substantial 6,500 mAh silicon-carbon battery.
Both models support 100W wired charging and 27W reverse wired charging, the latter of which is unusually fast for most phones at 5-10W. POCO said reverse charging will work with iPhone 17 models via an OTA update released in March.
In practice, this should translate into easily getting through a full day of heavy use on the X8 Pro, and potentially stretching to a second day on the Max without searching for a charger. Real-life longevity will depend on your usage, but the raw capacity here is competitive with gaming phones like the RedMagic series.
Show and Build: Brilliant Screens, Premium Materials
The X8 Pro Max has a 6.83-inch AMOLED display, while the X8 Pro uses a 6.59-inch panel. Both reached a peak brightness of 3500 nits (25% of the screen) and run at 120Hz. POCO says the displays use new M10 panels with improved red-light material, which increases efficiency by 20% on the X8 Pro compared to last year’s model, which should help offset power consumption from higher brightness levels.
The phones are built with metal frames and fiberglass backs, and both have IP66, IP68 and IP69 water and dust resistance ratings. The X8 Pro Max also passed SGS 5-star drop, crush and bend tests. Corning Gorilla Glass 7 covers the front. That’s a stack of durability you’d typically see on phones $200-$300 more.
Cameras: Capable but not Focus
Imaging isn’t the headline here, but the X8 Pro Series gets serviceable hardware: a 50MP main camera (Light Fusion 600 sensor on the Max, Sony IMX882 on the Pro), an 8MP ultra-wide-angle and a 20MP selfie shooter. POCO includes features like UltraSnap for motion capture and AI Creative Assistant for editing, though we haven’t tested these yet.
It’s still a performance-first phone, so don’t expect Pixel-level computational photography or advanced zoom capabilities. The cameras should handle day-to-day shooting competently, but they may not be the standout reason to buy.
Software and availability
Both phones run Android 16-based Xiaomi HyperOS 3, which includes features like Xiaomi HyperConnect for cross-device workflows, Google Gemini integration, and a new “Ticket Purchase Mode” that POCO says optimizes touch response and processing during high-demand online ticketing. (This feature requires an OTA update and initially supports select apps like EVENTI and BookMyShow.)
POCO also introduced Xiaomi Offline Communication, which enables voice calls at distances of up to 500 meters (X8 Pro Max) or 1 kilometer (X8 Pro) without a cellular network in outdoor environments. It’s not a replacement for an emergency call, but it’s a smart addition for outdoor use or crowded events where cell towers are congested.
The X8 Pro Max starts at AED 1,599 (12GB/256GB) and goes up to AED 1,799 (12GB/512GB). The X8 Pro starts at AED 1,199 (8GB/256GB), while the 12GB/512GB variant starts at AED 1,399. Both are now available in the UAE Regional site of POCO and third-party retailers in black, white and blue (Max) or black, white and mint green (Pro).
Buyers also get a three-month Spotify Premium trial and two months of YouTube Premium.
Bottom line
The X8 Pro Series represents a clear change for POCO’s X line, selling its usual budget position at mid-range prices for flagship-adjacent features. The Dimensity 9500s in the X8 Pro Max is a really high-end chip, and the 8500mAh battery is a notable feature in a market where most phones are dominated by around 5000-6000mAh.
Interestingly, these are not very affordable anymore. At AED 1,599-1,799, the X8 Pro Max is about as much as last year’s flagship killers from OnePlus or Nothing. You’re paying for extreme battery life and high-end processing power, but you’re sacrificing camera versatility and some of the polish you’d get from more established premium brands.
If gaming performance, multi-day battery and future-proof internals are your priorities, the X8 Pro Max is a compelling choice. If you want a more balanced experience for less, the standard X8 Pro at AED 1,199 offers most of the same software and a capable (if less extreme) processor with a still impressive 6,500 mAh battery.
