With the Xiaomi Poco X8, the manufacturer is making a real statement: a low price, a huge battery, a bright screen and outdoor durability – all in one phone. There are a few things to bear in mind before buying, though...
Xiaomi is launching a new affordable smartphone that aims to shake up the mid-range segment from the bottom up. And the Xiaomi Poco X8 does a really good job, considering that it costs less than US$ 350.
Thanks to an 8,340 mAh battery, for example, it offers very long battery life, with the Poco X8 lasting up to 40% longer than similarly priced phones. Then there is the bright display, which is well suited to outdoor use, offers a high resolution and responds very precisely to touch.
Plenty of RAM despite RAMageddon
Despite the memory crisis, you also get a generous 8 GB or 12 GB of RAM, which is no longer a given on current phones.
These days, you also need to be careful about manufacturers' update promises: If software updates stop after only a short time, you may be forced to buy a new phone. Not so with Xiaomi: Despite the low price, you are promised updates until 2032, as well as five new Android versions.
What we like less about Xiaomi's operating system is the constant advertising in preinstalled apps and sometimes even directly in the operating system. However, these ads can easily be disabled with the right guide from the internet.
Affordable phone with accurate satellite positioning
Satellite positioning is of course also on board, and the phone performs quite well in our real-world test, even though our position is often shown slightly off the road. Overall, however, the Xiaomi phone can be used for navigation without any issues.
Support for many 5G and 4G bands allows for trouble-free use in other countries, while numerous Bluetooth audio codecs let you connect your audio accessories wirelessly with good sound quality. Unfortunately, the built-in speakers sound a little thin, and Xiaomi could have included a more up-to-date Bluetooth version.
A good deal in the mid-range smartphone segment
Overall, the Xiaomi Poco X8 is a well-equipped mid-range phone for relatively little money. You can find our detailed assessment of the phone in our in-depth review.
Editor of the original article: Florian Schmitt - Managing Editor Mobile - 1698 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.