POCO has quietly turned its mid-range “M” series into something far more serious with the POCO M8 Pro 5G, a phone that mixes near-flagship hardware, a massive 6,500mAh battery, crazy IP ratings and some genuinely useful AI and offline communication tricks.
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If you’ve been waiting for a mid-ranger that can game hard, survive rain, and still last a day and a half, this one deserves attention – especially with its early-bird pricing.
POCO M8 Pro 5G: Key Specs At A Glance
- 6.83-inch 1.5K OLED, 120Hz, up to 3,200 nits brightness.
- Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 (4nm) with Adreno 810 GPU.
- 8GB/12GB RAM, 256GB/512GB UFS 2.2 storage.
- 50MP OIS main camera + 8MP ultra-wide, 32MP front.
- 6,500mAh battery, 100W fast charging, reverse charging support.
- Xiaomi HyperOS with Google Gemini and Circle to Search.
- IP66, IP68, IP69, IP69K dust and water resistance.
This hardware combination is very close to the Redmi Note 15 Pro+ formula, which is not a coincidence.
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Display & Design: Flagship Feel In a Mid-Range Body
The POCO M8 Pro uses a 6.83‑inch 1.5K CrystalRes Flow AMOLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate and up to 3,200 nits peak brightness, which is flagship-level brightness for outdoor use.
You also get 12‑bit color, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 3840Hz high-frequency PWM dimming and DC dimming, so it’s not just bright but also tuned for eye comfort during long binge-watching or late-night scrolling.
Design-wise, it’s a big phone: around 8.31mm thick and 205.9g, with quad‑curved edges to make it feel less brick-like in the hand.
Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and insane IP66 + IP68 + IP69 + IP69K ratings mean it’s built to handle dust, rain, accidental drops into water and even high‑pressure water jets – far more than typical mid-range phones.
Wet Touch 2.0 is a nice real-world touch; it keeps the screen responsive when your fingers or the display are wet, which actually matters if you use your phone in rain or sweat a lot while gaming.
Performance & Cooling: Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 With Serious Thermals
Under the hood, the M8 Pro runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 4, a 4nm chip that sits in the upper mid-range segment and is designed for efficient high-refresh gaming and heavy multitasking.
POCO claims up to around 66% performance boost over its previous generation and AnTuTu scores above 1.06 million, which lines up with how this chipset is positioned in other devices like the Redmi Note 15 Pro+ series.
The more interesting part is the POCO IceLoop Cooling System – this is the first time proper liquid cooling has been added to an M‑series device.
For users who game for long sessions or record 4K video frequently, better cooling usually means more stable frame rates and fewer throttling issues over time.
You can buy the phone in 8GB + 256GB or 12GB + 512GB variants, both using LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 2.2 storage, which is fast enough for the segment even if it isn’t the latest standard.
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Battery, Charging & Reverse Power: 100W Meets 6,500mAh
This is where the POCO M8 Pro really stands out: a 6,500mAh silicon‑carbon battery paired with 100W fast charging.
Official figures suggest a 0–100% top up in around 40 minutes, which is impressive for such a large battery and should easily deliver more than a full day of mixed use for most people.
The phone also supports up to 22.5W reverse charging, effectively turning it into a big power bank for accessories like earbuds, smartwatches, or even another phone in an emergency.
On the software side, HyperOS adds battery management and charging optimization features aimed at reducing long‑term battery wear, which is essential when you combine high wattage and high capacity.
If your priority is battery life + fast top‑ups, there are very few phones at this price point with this kind of combination, especially with such high IP ratings.
Cameras: 50MP OIS Main, 4K Video And 32MP Selfie
On the rear, the M8 Pro features a 50MP Light Fusion 800 main camera with f/1.6 aperture and OIS, paired with an 8MP ultra‑wide sensor.
The main sensor supports 4K video recording at 30fps and uses DXG high‑dynamic range video tech, which should help preserve details in tricky lighting conditions like sunsets or backlit scenes.
On the front, there’s an upgraded 32MP selfie camera with 1080p recording, supported by AI tools for editing, filters and motion capture.
Given the hardware and OIS, the phone is clearly tuned for social media creators who want stable video and good night shots without stepping into full flagship territory.
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Audio, Connectivity & Offline Communication: More Than Just 5G
The M8 Pro offers stereo sound through dual 1115F speakers, with Dolby Atmos support and Dual Gold Hi‑Res Audio certification, which should make it a solid device for content consumption and casual gaming.
There’s USB Type‑C audio, and connectivity includes 5G SA/NSA, Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi‑Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, GPS/GLONASS, NFC, and an infrared blaster – a combo that covers almost every real-world scenario.
One unique talking point is Xiaomi Offline Communication, a feature in Xiaomi HyperOS that lets compatible devices make short-range voice calls without a cellular network, using kilometer‑level communication in open environments.
It requires a SIM card, a Xiaomi account and another supported device, and is clearly not meant for emergencies, but it hints at a future where phones create their own mini mesh networks in areas with poor coverage.
Software & AI Features: HyperOS With Google Gemini
The POCO M8 Pro ships with Android 15 running Xiaomi’s HyperOS, which brings a refreshed UI plus tighter integration with Google services.
You get Google Gemini, Circle to Search with Google, and Xiaomi’s own AI features for photos, video and system-level enhancements, aligning the phone with Google’s AI-first direction.
The Surge T1S connectivity tuner is designed to improve signal stability, which can make a meaningful difference if you live in areas with patchy networks or travel frequently.
For security and convenience, you also get an in‑display fingerprint scanner and an IR sensor for remote control functionality.
Price, Colors & Availability: Global Now, India Later
Here’s how the pricing looks internationally:
| Variant | Price (Global) | Approx. India Equivalent* | Early-Bird Offer | Colors (Global) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8GB + 256GB | USD 299 | Around Rs. 26,900 | USD 279 | Silver, Black, Green |
| 12GB + 512GB | USD 359 | Around Rs. 32,300 | USD 339 | Silver, Black, Green |
*Approximate conversion, final Indian pricing may differ with taxes and local strategy.
The phone has already started rolling out across multiple global markets including the UK and parts of Europe from January 8.
An India launch is expected around late February, though the brand has not yet officially announced exact dates or Indian pricing.
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Why The POCO M8 Pro Matters Right Now
- The mid-range segment is crowded, but very few phones combine a 6,500mAh battery, 100W charging, IP69K, and a 1.5K 120Hz OLED display at this price.
- By matching a lot of the Redmi Note 15 Pro+ specs, POCO is signaling that its “M” series is no longer just about budget entertainment but about serious all‑rounders for power users.
For buyers, this means you no longer have to jump to premium “Pro+” or “Flagship killer” phones to get proper durability, fast charging and top‑tier display tech.
When it lands in India, it will directly pressure rivals from Realme, Redmi, iQOO and OnePlus that still skip IP69K or stick to smaller batteries in this price band.
Who Should Consider The POCO M8 Pro?
The POCO M8 Pro looks ideal if:
- You game regularly and need stable performance + strong cooling without paying flagship prices.
- You want a phone that can survive rains, rough usage and still last a full day and beyond on a single charge.
- You care about display quality, brightness and HDR streaming, and don’t want to compromise on multimedia.
If you already own a recent Snapdragon 7‑series phone with decent battery, this might feel like an incremental upgrade.
But if you are coming from older 4G/early 5G mid-rangers, the M8 Pro’s combination of battery, display, durability and AI features makes it one of the most complete packages to watch in 2026.
FAQ Section
1. What is the price of POCO M8 Pro 5G?
Global pricing starts at USD 299 (around Rs. 26,900) for the 8GB + 256GB model. The 12GB + 512GB variant costs USD 359 (around Rs. 32,300). First sales offer a USD 20 discount. Indian prices expected soon after late February launch.
2. When will POCO M8 Pro 5G launch in India?
Global rollout began January 8, 2026 in markets like UK and Europe. India launch expected around late February 2026, though official dates pending confirmation.
3. What are the battery specs of POCO M8 Pro 5G?
It packs a 6,500mAh silicon-carbon battery with 100W HyperCharge (full charge in ~40 minutes). Also supports 22.5W reverse charging for accessories.
4. Does POCO M8 Pro 5G have good water and dust resistance?
Yes, it carries top-tier IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K ratings – survives dust, water immersion, and high-pressure jets. Wet Touch 2.0 keeps the screen responsive when wet.
5. What processor powers the POCO M8 Pro 5G?
6. How’s the display on POCO M8 Pro 5G?
6.83-inch 1.5K OLED with 120Hz refresh, 3,200 nits peak brightness, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection. Eye-friendly with 3840Hz PWM dimming.
7. What cameras does POCO M8 Pro 5G offer?
8. What colors and storage options are available?
Available in Silver, Black, Green. Storage: 8GB+256GB or 12GB+512GB (LPDDR4X RAM, UFS 2.2).
9. Is POCO M8 Pro 5G worth buying vs Redmi Note 15 Pro+?
Very similar specs, but POCO adds first liquid cooling for M-series, better global pricing, and Offline Communication. Great if you prioritize battery life and durability.
