There’s a lot to like about the Xiaomi Poco X8, but the camera probably isn’t a reason to rejoice. There are also issues with performance and Wi-Fi. We summarize the findings from our review regarding the smartphone’s weaknesses.
In many areas, the competition hardly stands a chance against the Xiaomi Poco X8: The battery life and screen of this phone, available for just US$ 350, are excellent. It also offers plenty of RAM, which is not a given amid the memory crisis.
The promise of updates until 2032 is also compelling, and the manufacturer even includes a sturdy chassis with IP69K certification and Gorilla Glass 2.
Xiaomi phone with a significantly weaker camera system
We were already expecting the Poco X8 to storm our mid-range rankings, and then came this: Xiaomi makes a serious misstep with the camera.
A basic single camera on the back that can barely take usable photos in low light. Even its predecessor, the Poco X7, had a much more versatile and higher-quality camera system.
Now edges often look artificial, especially around bright objects, and bright areas quickly become overexposed.
Snapdragon in Xiaomi phone is weak
The Xiaomi Poco X8 is hardly convincing in terms of performance either: Its SoC is a Snapdragon 6s Gen 4, which is sometimes even slightly weaker than the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 in its predecessor. While everyday use is mostly stutter-free, the shortcomings quickly become apparent when multitasking or using slightly more demanding apps.
The fact that Xiaomi also uses a slow Wi-Fi modem that only manages around 350 Mbps is another annoyance. eSIM support and a microSD slot are also missing.
Advertising on Xiaomi phones is annoying
Anyone who uses the software for an extended period will notice recurring advertising notifications. Sure, these days you first have to remove some preinstalled apps on devices from many manufacturers, but advertising is rarely as intrusive as it is on Xiaomi phones. At least you can turn it off, even if the option is somewhat hidden.
With the Xiaomi Poco X8, you therefore need to weigh the positives and negatives and then decide whether the phone is right for you. Naturally, our in-depth review can help, with all the details about this Xiaomi phone.
Editor of the original article: Florian Schmitt - Managing Editor Mobile - 1702 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2009
I initially wrote about gaming laptops when I joined Notebookcheck in 2009. I was then involved with the setup of the comparison portal Notebookinfo and worked with social media concepts for large companies like BMW and Adidas, while also returning to work for Notebookcheck in 2012. Nowadays, I focus on smartphones, tablets, and future technologies. Since 2018 I have been Managing Editor for mobile device reviews, working alongside my colleague Daniel Schmidt.