Launched in India in mid-2025, the Poco X8 Ultra 5G is a premium mid-range smartphone designed for gamers, tech enthusiasts, and multimedia users. Priced between ₹35,000 and ₹45,000 (ex-showroom), it competes with the Vivo V40 5G, Oppo Reno 11 Pro 5G, and Samsung Galaxy A35 5G. With a powerful Snapdragon chipset, a massive battery, and advanced AI camera features, it delivers flagship-like performance at a competitive price. Here’s a detailed review of its price, specifications, features, and performance in India as of August 31, 2025.
Bold and Premium Design
The Poco X8 Ultra 5G features a luxury design with a glass back and a metallic frame, available in vibrant colors like Racing Yellow, Phantom Black, and Electric Blue. It measures approximately 161.5 x 74.5 x 8.5 mm and weighs ~195-200 grams. The IP54 splash-resistant build ensures durability, though it’s less robust than the Vivo V40 5G’s IP68/IP69 rating. The sleek camera island with large POCO branding adds a bold aesthetic, but the glossy finish attracts fingerprints, and some users find the design slightly bulky compared to slimmer rivals.
Vibrant AMOLED Display
The 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED display offers a 1080 x 2400 resolution (~395 ppi), 120Hz refresh rate, 1920Hz PWM dimming, and up to 1300 nits peak brightness. Supporting HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, it delivers vivid colors and smooth visuals, ideal for gaming and streaming. Protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, it features an in-display fingerprint sensor and AI adaptive brightness. The display performs well in sunlight, but some users note minor color shifts at curved edges, and peak brightness lags behind competitors like the Vivo V40 5G (4500 nits).
High-Performance Chipset
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 (4nm, octa-core, up to 3.0 GHz) with an Adreno 735 GPU, the Poco X8 Ultra 5G delivers flagship-grade performance, scoring ~1.1 million on AnTuTu. Available with 12GB LPDDR5X RAM (plus 12GB virtual RAM) and 512GB UFS 4.0 storage (non-expandable), it excels in gaming (Genshin Impact at ultra settings) and multitasking. Running Android 15 with HyperOS 2.0, it includes AI features like AI Noise Reduction and Game Turbo mode. The active cooling mechanism keeps temperatures below 42°C during heavy use, but some users report bloatware in HyperOS, slightly impacting UI smoothness.
Advanced Camera System
The triple rear camera setup is optimized for versatility:
- 200MP primary camera (Samsung ISOCELL HP3, f/1.7, OIS): Captures sharp, detailed images with Super Night Mode and 4K video recording.
- 8MP ultra-wide (f/2.2, 120° FOV): Suitable for landscapes, though low-light performance is average.
- 2MP macro (f/2.4): Offers close-up shots, but detail is limited.
The 16MP front camera (f/2.4) supports 1080p video and AI Beauty modes, ideal for selfies but lacking 4K recording. Features like AI-driven night mode and custom watermarks enhance creativity, but the macro lens and ultra-wide underperform compared to rivals like the Vivo V40 5G’s 50MP ultra-wide.
Massive Battery Life
The 7000mAh battery is a standout, offering ~2 days of mixed use with ~10-12 hours of screen-on time, supporting intensive gaming and streaming. It supports 90W fast charging, reaching 100% in ~40 minutes, with the charger included. The battery retains 80% capacity after 1000 cycles, but slight warming occurs during charging. The lack of wireless charging is a minor drawback, but the massive capacity outshines competitors like the Oppo Reno 11 Pro 5G (4600mAh).
Connectivity and Sensors
Supporting 14 5G bands (n1/n2/n3/n5/n7/n8/n20/n28/n38/n40/n41/n48/n77/n78), dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, IR blaster, and USB-C, it ensures robust connectivity with Airtel and Jio networks. Sensors include an in-display fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity, and compass. The stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos deliver immersive audio, but the absence of Wi-Fi 6E and a 3.5mm headphone jack may disappoint some users.
Pricing and Availability
Priced at ₹35,000 (12GB/256GB) to ₹45,000 (12GB/512GB, ex-showroom), on-road prices in Delhi range from ₹39,500-50,500, including RTO (~₹2,800-3,600) and insurance (~₹1,800-2,500). Available at Poco’s e-store, Flipkart, Amazon, and retail stores, bookings require a ₹2,000 token amount. Offers include ₹3,000 bank discounts (HDFC, SBI, ICICI), ₹7,000 exchange bonuses, and no-cost EMI for 6-12 months. Maintenance costs are ~₹2,500-4,000/year, supported by Poco’s 500+ service centers. Delivery wait times are 5-10 days, with high demand for Electric Blue. The warranty is 1 year for the device and 6 months for accessories, extendable to 2 years.
User Feedback and Drawbacks
Users praise the 200MP camera, 7000mAh battery, Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 performance, vibrant AMOLED display, and value for money. The large battery and cooling system appeal to gamers. Drawbacks include:
- Weak macro camera, limiting versatility.
- HyperOS bloatware, slowing the UI for some.
- No wireless charging, unlike some rivals.
- IP54 rating, less durable than IP68 competitors.
- Average low-light ultra-wide performance.
Comparison with Competitors
The Poco X8 Ultra 5G competes with:
- Vivo V40 5G (₹34,999, Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, 50MP+50MP): Better ultra-wide and IP68/IP69, but smaller battery.
- Oppo Reno 11 Pro 5G (₹29,999, Dimensity 8200, 50MP+32MP+8MP): Telephoto lens, but less powerful chipset.
- Samsung Galaxy A35 5G (₹20,439, Exynos 1380, 50MP+8MP): Smoother UI, but no 200MP camera.
It excels in battery life, performance, and display quality, but lags in water resistance and camera versatility.
Final Thoughts
The Poco X8 Ultra 5G, launched in mid-2025, offers a 6.67-inch AMOLED display, Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, 200MP triple camera, and a massive 7000mAh battery with 90W charging. Priced from ₹35,000-45,000, it’s a top choice for gamers and power users, though bloatware and a weaker macro camera are drawbacks. Backed by Poco’s growing service network, it’s a compelling option in India’s premium mid-range 5G segment.
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