POCO has officially launched its highly anticipated budget gaming duo, the POCO F8 Ultra and POCO F8 Pro, in a global event held in Bali, Indonesia. This launch marks a significant step for POCO in strengthening its lineup of high-performance yet affordable smartphones. According to POCO Global and Xiaomi UK’s official announcements, the specifications of these devices are impressive enough to challenge expensive flagship phones like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.
POCO F8 Ultra: Premium Power and Display
The POCO F8 Ultra stands as the premium model in the series, equipped with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. It also features the VisionBoost D8 chipset to enhance visual quality significantly. To maintain stable performance, the phone uses a massive 6,700 mm² vapor chamber cooling system. This enables gaming performance comparable to very high-end flagship devices.
The Ultra’s display is a 6.9-inch AMOLED panel with a 1.5K resolution, reaching a peak brightness of 3,500 nits and supporting an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate. Its ultra-thin bezels and an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor embedded in the screen contribute to a highly immersive viewing experience.
On the camera front, the F8 Ultra has a triple rear setup led by a Light Fusion 950 sensor with a 50MP resolution and a large 1/1.31-inch sensor size, complemented by Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). Additionally, a 50MP periscope telephoto lens offers 5x optical zoom, along with a 50MP ultra-wide sensor. The front camera features a 32MP shooter ideal for selfies and video calls.
The phone also boasts a 2.1 channel audio system powered by a separate woofer, enhanced through POCO’s official partnership with Bose. This collaboration delivers some of the best audio quality available in the midrange price category.
POCO backs the Ultra with a large 6,500 mAh battery supporting 100W wired and 50W wireless fast charging. It runs on HyperOS 3 based on Android 16, integrating advanced AI features and Google Gemini support. The device sports a metal frame with an IP68 rating and eSIM support. It is available in Denim Blue and Black colors.
In the UK market, the starting price is £549 (~$650) for the 12GB/256GB variant, while the 16GB/512GB model costs £599 (~$710). These prices are competitive even against premium flagship phones.
POCO F8 Pro: Affordable High Performance
The POCO F8 Pro is designed as a more affordable option without compromising on solid performance. It runs on the previous generation Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and uses a triple-layer 3D IceLoop cooling system for efficient thermal management.
This model features a 6.59-inch LTPS AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The design includes a metal frame and a textured matte glass back, delivering a premium look and feel.
Camera-wise, the F8 Pro also has a triple rear camera system, headlined by a Light Fusion 800 50MP sensor with OIS, paired with a 50MP telephoto lens offering 2.5x optical zoom, and an 8MP ultra-wide camera. The front camera sports a 20MP sensor for crisp selfies.
The phone packs a 6,210 mAh battery with 100W fast charging support. Other key features include an IP68 rating, Bose audio support, an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, and eSIM compatibility. It also runs on HyperOS 3 based on Android 16.
Available colors for the F8 Pro are Black, Blue, and Titanium Silver. Pricing in the UK starts at £399 (~$470) for the 12GB/256GB version, with the 12GB/512GB variant priced at £449 (~$530), sold via Xiaomi Official Store UK.
Competitive Flagship Killers
With top-tier performance, advanced audio technology, excellent camera setups, and prices significantly lower than flagship phones, the POCO F8 series aims to aggressively disrupt the market this year. Both the F8 Ultra and F8 Pro are compelling choices for gamers and power users seeking high-end specs without premium price tags.
These devices highlight POCO’s strategy to offer flagship-level experiences at more accessible prices. The combination of Qualcomm’s latest chipsets, large batteries, fast charging, and premium materials makes the F8 series worthy contenders in the 2025 smartphone landscape.
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