Poco M8 5G: The Affordable 5G Smartphone in India

Xiaomi’s sub-brand, Poco, introduced the Poco M8 5G in India, marking the launch of its new generation M series. This smartphone offers numerous enhancements over its predecessor, the POCO M7, including design, display, and performance features, positioning it strongly within the sub-Rs 20,000 market segment.

Poco M8 5G: Examining Design and Display

The Poco M8 5G showcases an eye-catching aesthetic with its ultra-slim profile, dual-tone rear panel, and curved display. While many brands are leaning towards flat screens, Poco is among those reviving curved designs in the marketplace.

The smartphone is impressively slim at 7.35mm and weighs merely 178 grams, providing a comfortable grip. Its two-tone design features a matte finish in the centre, accompanied by decorative stripes on either side inspired by racing tracks, lending it a classy and distinctive appearance.

Additionally, the Poco M8 boasts an IP66 rating for dust and water resistance, along with MIL-STD-810H certification for impact durability. Although the curved display design raises questions about edge impact resistance, it still feels robust overall.

The display features a 6.77-inch FHD+ AMOLED pane with a 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness reaching up to 3,200 nits. This marks a significant upgrade from the LCD panel of the previous year. Users will enjoy crisp visuals, accurate colours, and smooth animations. However, it’s important to note the absence of HDR support for OTT platforms like Netflix, limiting the experience to standard dynamic range.

Despite potential concerns related to the curved screen, there were no accidental touches experienced during testing, with the slimmer bezels contributing to an immersive viewing experience without compromising usability. Moreover, the M8’s bright display ensures usability outdoors, even in direct sunlight.

Poco M8 5G: Camera Features

The camera setup on the Poco M8 5G includes a dual-camera configuration, featuring a 50MP main camera and a 2MP depth sensor. During daylight, the smartphone produces commendable images with decent clarity; however, colours may lack vibrancy, often resulting in a noticeable yellow tint in many photos.

Under low light conditions, the camera struggles with detail and colour accuracy, making it less reliable for night photography. Additionally, the absence of an ultra-wide camera limits the ability to capture expansive scenes.

The front-facing camera is equipped with a 20MP sensor that captures good facial detail, although the skin tones may appear somewhat artificial.

Poco M8 5G: Performance and Software Analysis

At its core, the Poco M8 5G features Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor, coupled with 8GB of RAM and a storage option of up to 256GB. In real-world use, the smartphone performs reliably for daily activities, meeting basic needs effectively. Users can run social media apps and stream content without experiencing lag or stuttering, even when switching between multiple applications.

When it comes to gaming, the device handles BGMI smoothly at the lowest graphics settings. It maintained performance for over 30 minutes of continuous play without significant crashes or thermal throttling, though it does warm up slightly.

On the software front, the Poco M8 5G is based on Android 15 and runs HyperOS 2. While having an older software version is a downside, the presence of bloatware detracts from the user experience. Pre-installed apps can be annoying, necessitating manual removal one at a time.

Despite this, the animations and controls feel decent, albeit not the most impressive in the segment. The Poco M8 offers four years of OS updates and six years of security enhancements, ensuring longevity for users.

Poco M8 5G: Battery Life

The Poco M8 5G houses a robust 5,520mAh battery, delivering exceptional longevity. Users can expect more than 24 hours of usage with basic activities, alongside an impressive screen time of around 18 to 20 hours, making it commendable for a budget device.

The smartphone supports 45W charging, with the adapter included in the packaging. Full charging from 1% to 100% takes slightly over an hour.

Poco M8 5G: Evaluation

Is the Poco M8 5G an optimal choice for those seeking an affordable 5G smartphone? It presents an attractive design, a bright responsive display, dependable daily performance, and excellent battery life, catering well to users prioritising these features.

However, the smartphone’s camera performance is average, and the outdated software combined with bloatware could diminish its appeal for more demanding users. Despite these drawbacks, the Poco M8 5G stands out as a suitable option for students, first-time smartphone buyers, and casual consumers.