At a look
Knowledgeable’s Score
Execs
- Gorgeous, distinctive design
- Stellar battery life
- Unbelievable efficiency
- The perfect audio system of any telephone
Cons
- Disappointing low-light images
- Annoying bloatware
- Solely 4 main Android updates
Our Verdict
The Poco F8 Extremely delivers the no-compromise flagship {hardware} that I’ve been craving from a less expensive system. However small shortcomings imply I’d nonetheless advocate the Pixel 10 and Galaxy S25 over it – until yow will discover an enormous low cost.
Value When Reviewed
This worth will present the geolocated pricing textual content for product undefined
Greatest Pricing Right now
Greatest Costs Right now: Xiaomi Poco F8 Extremely
Xiaomi-owned Poco has targeted on reasonably priced handsets for its total existence, however the firm is starting to vary tack.
The launch of its first-ever ‘Extremely’ telephone sees Poco nearly step into flagship territory. At £749, it undercuts three key rivals – the common Pixel 10, Galaxy S25 and iPhone 17 – but gives a extra premium expertise in a number of key areas.
Is that this a budget flagship breakthrough that we’ve been ready for? I’ve been testing the Poco F8 Extremely for over three weeks to search out out.
Design & Construct: Lovely end, cumbersome dimension
The Poco F8 Extremely is out there in both Black or Denim Blue finishes, however I’d solely critically contemplate the latter.
In my hands-on evaluation, I described it as “the best design I’ve ever seen”. Whereas the novelty has worn off since then, I stand by it. Regardless of not being manufactured from actual denim, it intently reproduces the feel and sample of a pair of denims.
I actually haven’t been having fun with the majority of this telephone
The grip it provides makes it preferable to go case-free, whereas my evaluation pattern hasn’t collected any vital grime within the three weeks I’ve been utilizing it.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
It’s additionally properly protected towards the weather. An IP68 score verifies its skill to tolerate submersion in as much as 1.5m of freshwater for as much as half-hour and means it’s totally dust-proof. As somebody who likes visiting the seaside and often will get caught within the rain, this peace of thoughts is essential.
Nonetheless, I actually haven’t been having fun with the majority of this telephone. The Denim Blue model is a fairly chunky 8.3mm thick, and it weighs 220g. That’s not unparalleled for a 6.9-inch telephone, however it may be uncomfortable to carry at instances.
Additional ideas
- The Denim Blue model makes use of fibre-reinforced plastic on the again, whereas the Black variant has a silicone polymer
- Its aluminium alloy body feels powerful and sturdy
Display screen & Audio system: World-class sound
It speaks volumes that the Poco F8 Extremely’s spectacular show isn’t considered one of its highlights. However make no mistake, this expansive 6.9-inch panel doesn’t disappoint.
A 1200 x 2608 decision provides it pin-sharp readability, whereas the 120Hz refresh fee ensures silky-smooth visuals.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
On the whole, it’s an excellent AMOLED, providing the excessive distinction and deep blacks that we all know and love. I used to be very joyful to make use of it as my solely display for journeys away, even whereas watching longer YouTube movies.
Whereas barely muted colors make it a small step down from the most effective telephone screens round, the identical can’t be mentioned for the audio system. Tuned by Bose, the F8 Extremely has two devoted audio system (one high, one backside) and a separate subwoofer on the again.
…the most effective audio high quality I’ve ever heard from a smartphone
They mix for the most effective audio high quality I’ve ever heard from a smartphone. Sound is wealthy, full-bodied and dripping in bass, getting impressively near room-filling. It tolerates excessive volumes properly, avoiding any audible distortion.
It’s so good to have the ability to have a premium listening expertise with out connecting to headphones or an exterior speaker.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Additional ideas
- The show lacks LTPO tech, that means the refresh fee can’t go under 60Hz
- The optical under-display fingerprint sensor is without doubt one of the greatest round
- Peak brightness of 3500 nits ensures glorious out of doors visibility
Specs & Efficiency: Stutter-free with out breaking a sweat
The Poco F8 Extremely couldn’t supply higher efficiency if it tried. With Qualcomm’s newest and biggest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset underneath the hood and 12- or 16GB of RAM, it’s a stellar performer in each conceivable scenario.
If you need top-class telephone efficiency throughout the board, look no additional than the Poco F8 Extremely
With my typical utilization – numerous net searching, messages, e-mail, navigation and photo-taking – the F8 Extremely has an virtually embarrassing quantity of energy in reserve. It’s additionally a extremely competent multitasker, with the big show making it ideally suited for productiveness duties.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Even when you push it more durable, the telephone doesn’t break a sweat. I examined it throughout 4 of essentially the most demanding titles: Name of Responsibility Cell, Asphalt Legends, PUBG Cell and Genshin Affect. Gameplay remained {smooth}, sustaining excessive body charges all through, with a barely heat again the one indicator that the telephone was working exhausting.
If you need top-class telephone efficiency throughout the board, look no additional than the Poco F8 Extremely.
Xiaomi Poco F8 Extremely benchmarks
Additional ideas
- Accessible in both 12/256GB or 16/512GB choices
- Helps twin bodily SIM playing cards and eSIM
- Gives the newest Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 requirements
Cameras: The primary disappointment seems
The cameras on the Poco F8 Extremely are a blended bag.
On one hand, the telephone excels in good lighting situations, with the 50Mp predominant lens an actual spotlight. Regardless of having no actual digicam experience, I used to be in a position to constantly seize dozens of attractive images throughout my three-week testing interval.
On the whole, you may anticipate photographs which can be vibrant, well-exposed and brimming with element. Dynamic vary is great, and colors are typically true to life.
Spectacular efficiency continues whenever you change to the 50Mp telephoto, which gives a reliable 5x optical zoom. Even pictures at 10x, which depend on digital zoom, are sometimes very usable.
I’d additionally advocate utilizing the telephoto lens for portrait mode, which struggles with edge detection at instances however typically delivers a satisfying picture with a professional-looking background blur.
The cameras on the Poco F8 Extremely are a blended bag
The 50Mp ultrawide is rather less spectacular, with some noticeable drop-off in color accuracy and a few lacking particulars, however that’s solely actually obvious when evaluating it on to the principle lens.
And the front-facing 32Mp digicam has been a pleasure to make use of more often than not. The element I’ve been in a position to seize in some selfies has been astounding, whereas the portrait mode right here is arguably much more convincing.
Nonetheless, the cameras are badly let down by their low-light efficiency. The robotically enabled night time mode overcompensates, dropping color accuracy and giving faces a bizarre AI-like look.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Additionally, the lengthy publicity required to make this occur means there’s a noticeable delay between hitting the shutter button and the photograph being taken. This was a nightmare throughout a gig I went to, the place the headlining duo had been leaping round on stage.
I attempted turning off night time mode, however the images had been virtually unusable, so there’s no good resolution right here.
Additional ideas
- The ultrawide lens solely has a 102-degree area of view, which isn’t as large as many rivals
- The F8 Extremely can shoot video at as much as 8K at 30fps. Each the principle and telephoto lenses supply OIS (optical picture stabilisation)
Battery Life & Charging: Two days on a single cost
With a 6500mAh capability, the Poco F8 Extremely has one of many largest batteries of any telephone proper now, and it’s one of many issues the telephone excels at.
Whereas working from residence, I used to be in a position to comfortably get two full days on a single cost, regardless of round six hours of utilization in whole. On one event, I headed out for the day with solely 30% cost, however it didn’t even drop into single figures eight hours later.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
And even on these extra demanding days, I by no means frightened about making it to the top of the day, giving me whole peace of thoughts.
Poco claims that the F8 Extremely’s 100W wired charging can get you from 0-100% in simply 38 minutes, however you want a suitable charger – there isn’t one within the field.
I solely had a 67W one out there, that means it took 68 minutes for me. Nonetheless, half-hour was nonetheless sufficient for 64% cost, which was lots for a full day in all however essentially the most excessive circumstances.
Additional ideas
- The F8 Extremely has a lithium-ion battery, which takes up more room than equal silicon-carbon cells however ought to maintain up higher over time
- 22.5W reverse wi-fi charging means you need to use the telephone to high up earbuds and different Qi equipment shortly
Software program & Apps: Slick however bloated with add-ons
- Software program is stuffed with helpful options
- Too many adverts and numerous bloatware
The F8 Extremely ships working the identical HyperOS 3 software program as Poco’s mother or father firm, Xiaomi. It’s based mostly on Android 16 however appears to be like and feels fairly completely different – and never in a great way.
My predominant gripe is the bloatware, with numerous additional pre-installed apps from Xiaomi and third events. A number of the bloatware is probably helpful, different apps are a complete waste of time, and none of it must be on the system with out your consent.
A number of the bloatware is probably helpful, different apps are a complete waste of time, and none of it must be on the system with out your consent
Then there’s the ‘Wallpaper Carousel’, an excuse for Xiaomi to serve a special lock display picture and related article each time. It’s very annoying, and I’m but to see one I’d click on on.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
You possibly can take away a lot of the offending apps and switch off a lot of the adverts, but it surely shouldn’t should be that method. HyperOS 3 can really feel overwhelming, particularly if you’re coming from one other model of Android or an iPhone.
It’s a disgrace, as a result of the remainder of HyperOS is slick, quick and typically well-organised. It’s filled with helpful options and gives virtually countless customisation alternatives.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Additional ideas
- AI instruments embrace the standard suspects, similar to writing, transcription and picture era instruments, however there’s nothing revolutionary right here
- Xiaomi gives solely 4 main Android OS updates, however six years of safety patches
Value & Availability: Aggressive at its present value
Formally, the Poco F8 Extremely begins at £749, placing it in direct competitors with the common Pixel 10, Galaxy S25 and iPhone 17 (all from £799).
Nonetheless, each Xiaomi and Amazon have often been promoting the telephone for a lot much less following its launch, and you will get it for £549 from the previous on the time of writing.
With reductions like these, it turns into one of the most effective choices within the ultra-competitive mid-range telephone market. However sadly, it’s not out there within the US.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Do you have to purchase the Xiaomi Poco F8 Extremely?
Sure – however provided that yow will discover it at a reduction. At something underneath £600, the F8 Extremely represents excellent worth for cash, combining flagship-level efficiency with unbelievable battery life.
At full value, the shortcomings change into more durable to disregard, most notably within the software program and low-light digicam efficiency. However Poco’s first ‘Extremely’ telephone is an undoubted success, and it provides extra established rivals an actual run for his or her cash.
Specs
- HyperOS 3, based mostly on Android 16
- 6.9-inch, 1200 x 2608 AMOLED, 120Hz
- Optical fingerprint scanner
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset
- 12/16GB RAM
- 256/512GB storage
- 50Mp, f/1.7 predominant digicam
- 50Mp, f/3.0 periscope telephoto
- 50Mp, f/2.4 ultrawide
- 32Mp, f/2.2 selfie
- As much as 8K @ 30fps rear video
- Stereo audio system tuned by Bose
- Wi-Fi 7
- Bluetooth 6.0
- 6500mAh battery
- 100W wired charging
- 50W Qi wi-fi charging
- 163.3 x 77.8 x 7.9 mm or 8.3 mm
- IP68 licensed
- 218 or 220g
- Colors: Black, Denim Blue