Xiaomi Poco X8 Pro Max
Poco X8 Pro Max review: Endless energy
Pros
- Exceptional battery life of nearly 25.5 hours
- Very good main camera performance in daylight and low light
- Large, bright 120Hz OLED display with high resolution
- Competitive chipset performance for modern gaming
- Fast 100W charging capable of full charge in 52 minutes
Cons
- Lacks a dedicated zoom camera
- Poor thermal management, leading to performance throttling
- Ultra-wide camera video stabilization needs improvement
- Refresh rate scaling is less efficient than LTPO panels
The Poco X8 Pro Max stands out as a strong recommendation for value-conscious buyers, offering an impressive blend of features for its price point. It boasts some of the best battery life seen, thanks to its huge 8500 mAh cell and 100W fast charging.
The phone features a large, bright 120Hz OLED display and a competent 50MP main camera that performs well in various lighting conditions. While its MediaTek Dimensity 9500S chipset provides competitive power, thermal management is a clear weakness.
Despite some camera limitations like the lack of a zoom lens and less adaptive refresh rate, the overall package delivers a solid experience. It's especially recommended for those prioritizing battery endurance and overall bang for their buck.
“So, there you have it, guys. The Poco X8 Pro Max. It's a great phone with unique LED lights on the backside, and some of the best battery life we've ever seen.”
“So, in the end, the Poco X8 Pro Max is a very easy phone to recommend for anyone looking to maximize the bang for their buck.”
POCO X8 Pro Max - The best smartphone for under 2000 PLN? - Review, Mobzilla episode 610
Pros
- Sensational 8500 mAh battery.
- Unprecedented performance for its price range.
- Excellent and bright AMOLED screen.
- Very good photo quality from the main camera.
- High water resistance and excellent build quality.
Cons
- Weak photo quality from the wide-angle camera.
- Limited screen functionality due to software.
- No wireless charging.
- HyperOS software includes ads.
The Poco X8 Pro Max is a smartphone that, for its price (around 1700-1999 PLN [Polish Złoty]), offers an exceptionally favorable package of features, standing out with its sensational 8500 mAh battery and unprecedented performance in this class thanks to the Dimensity 9500S processor. The device also impresses with its excellent AMOLED screen with high brightness and solid photo quality from the main camera.
Its aluminum frame, high water resistance (IP66/IP68), and overall build quality indicate high standards. Key advantages also include turbosonic speakers and a fast, ultrasonic in-display fingerprint reader.
The main drawbacks concern the weaker wide-angle camera, limited screen functionality due to software, and the presence of ads in HyperOS. Nevertheless, the phone is considered an excellent choice that users will be satisfied with.
“And at this price, the device is an excellent, beautiful, excellently made choice, with a very good screen, unheard-of performance in this class, turbosonic speakers, and a sensational battery. The cameras, important for many people, also hold their own.”
“And at this price, the device is an excellent, beautiful, excellently made choice, with a very good screen, unheard-of performance in this class, turbosonic speakers, and a sensational battery. The cameras, important for many people, also hold their own.”
Poco X8 Pro Max / X8 Pro Iron Man Edition
Pros
- Massive 8,500mAh battery with 100W fast charging
- Flagship-level MediaTek Dimensity 9500S processor
- Large 6.83-inch AMOLED display with 3500 nits brightness and 120Hz refresh rate
- Exceptional value for its sub-$500 price point
- Identical and capable camera system to the Pro model
Cons
- Lacks a heart rate monitor
- Inconsistent "always on display" functionality
- Lacks wireless charging
- No expandable memory
- No headphone jack
The Poco X8 Pro Max is heralded as an "absolute beast" and a "flagship-level device" for under $500, positioning it as a top contender in its price category for 2026. It boasts a massive 8,500mAh battery with 100W fast charging, a powerful MediaTek Dimensity 9500S processor, and a large, vibrant 6.83-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.
While it offers a capable camera system and unique features like Super Wallpapers, it does lack some functionalities such as a heart rate monitor, wireless charging, expandable memory, and a headphone jack. Despite these omissions, the phone's exceptional value and robust specifications lead to a strong overall recommendation.
“This is the Poco X8 Pro Max. Now, this is going to be in the runins for one of the best phones for under 500 bucks for 2026.”
“This is the Poco X8 Pro Max. Now, this is going to be in the runins for one of the best phones for under 500 bucks for 2026.”
“8,500 milliamps. Now, y'all see when I did a Galaxy S26 Ultra, 1,300 bucks with a 5,000 millah battery. This is under 500 bucks with an 8,500 millia battery. Let that sink in.”