POCO F8 Ultra review: POCO F8 Ultra Review: Full Specs, Features & Performance – The 2025 Flagship Killer.
The POCO F8 Ultra, launched globally on November 26, 2025, is Xiaomi’s bold push into premium territory under the POCO brand. This beast packs the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, a massive 6500mAh battery, and a unique Bose-tuned 2.1 speaker system with a dedicated subwoofer – all while maintaining POCO’s value-for-money ethos. Priced starting around £749 (with early bird deals under £600), it’s challenging established flagships like the Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max. POCO F8 Ultra excels in performance and audio but has some camera quirks in low light.
Building on the F7 Ultra, this second-gen model introduces a standout faux-denim back (in select colors), 5x periscope telephoto, and wireless charging. Expert tests from PhoneArena highlight its comfortable grip and top-tier brightness, while TechAdvisor calls it a “no-compromise flagship at a cheaper price.”
If you’re hunting for a 2025 phone with flagship specs without the premium markup, the POCO F8 Ultra demands attention.
Design and Build: Premium Feel with Unique Flair
The POCO F8 Ultra measures 163.33 x 77.82 x 7.9mm (black) or 8.3mm (denim blue) and weighs 218-220g. The aluminum frame pairs with a nano-tech faux-denim back for grip and fingerprint resistance – a refreshing departure from glass slabs. The front uses POCO Shield Glass with a pre-applied protector.
IP68 dust/water resistance, ultrasonic in-display fingerprint (fast and accurate), and a large camera island complete the look. Colors: Black and Denim Blue.
It’s comfortable despite the 6.9-inch size, with curved edges aiding handling.
Display: Bright and Vibrant OLED
The 6.9-inch HyperRGB OLED (Poco’s full RGB subpixel tech) supports 120Hz adaptive refresh, HDR10+/Dolby Vision, and peaks at ~3400 nits brightness (tested). Minimum brightness under 1 nit for night use.
Resolution: Likely QHD+ (around 3200×1440), with excellent color accuracy (deltaE 1.7).
Ideal for media and gaming – bright outdoors, vivid indoors.
Performance: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Dominates
Powered by Qualcomm’s 3nm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, with Adreno 840 GPU, 12/16GB LPDDR5X RAM, and UFS 4.1 storage (256/512GB).
Benchmarks: AnTuTu ~3.9 million, top-class GeekBench scores. Sustained performance strong thanks to 3D IceLoop cooling, though it warms during intensive gaming.
HyperOS 3 on Android 16: Smooth, with 4 OS upgrades and 6 years security promised. Some bloatware noted.
Gaming: Handles Genshin Impact at max settings with stable frames; VisionBoost for enhanced visuals.
Camera: Versatile Triple 50MP Setup with 5x Zoom
Rear:
- 50MP main (Light Fusion 950, OIS, f/1.67)
- 50MP 5x periscope telephoto (OIS)
- 50MP ultrawide (fixed focus)
Front: 32MP.
Daylight photos superb – detailed, natural colors. 5x zoom excellent. Ultrawide good for landscapes but lacks macro/autofocus. Low-light main/telephoto strong; ultrawide softer.
Video: 8K30 main, 4K60 all lenses; strong stabilization.
As GSMArena’s camera review concludes, daylight excellence but low-light ultrawide lags.
| Camera Mode | Performance Highlights |
|---|---|
| Main (Day) | Superb detail, dynamic range |
| Telephoto 5x | Sharp, great portrait bokeh |
| Ultrawide | Good vistas; no macro |
| Low-Light | Main/tele strong; ultrawide soft |
| Video | 8K/4K smooth, excellent EIS |
Battery and Charging: All-Day Monster
6500mAh silicon-carbon battery: 18-20+ hours mixed use, 20+ hours in PCMark tests.
Charging: 100W wired (full in ~30-40 min), 50W wireless, 22.5W reverse.
Excellent longevity – easily 1.5-2 days moderate use.
Audio: Standout Bose-Tuned 2.1 System
Unique 2.1 speakers with dedicated subwoofer: Best-in-class volume, bass, clarity. Dolby Atmos support.
As PhoneArena raves, media consumption shines.
Price and Availability
Starting ~£749/€830 (12GB/256GB); early deals ~£550. Available globally via POCO channels.
POCO F8 ULTRA: Pros and Cons Table
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Top-tier performance | Some bloatware |
| Massive battery & fast charging | Low-light ultrawide average |
| Excellent Bose speakers | Heats during heavy gaming |
| Bright, vibrant display | Only 4 major OS updates |
| Versatile cameras with 5x zoom | Premium price for POCO |
Final Verdict: Flagship Experience at Value Price
The POCO F8 Ultra delivers 90% of premium flagship perks – blistering speed, epic battery, standout audio – at a fraction of the cost. Camera versatile but not perfect; software polished yet with ads.
For power users seeking value, it’s a top 2025 contender.
FAQs
What is the price of POCO F8 Ultra?
Starts at around £749/€830 for 12GB/256GB; early deals lower.
Does POCO F8 Ultra have wireless charging?
Yes, 50W wireless and 22.5W reverse.
How good is the camera on POCO F8 Ultra?
Excellent daylight/main/telephoto; good video; ultrawide lacks autofocus.
What processor does POCO F8 Ultra use?
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3nm) – flagship performance.
How long does the battery last on POCO F8 Ultra?
6500mAh: 18-20+ hours mixed use; easily 1-2 days.
