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Poco recently introduced its two latest flagship models, the Poco F8 Pro and F8 Ultra. Based on first glances, both phones retain a similar design to the Redmi K90, with a combination of modern design, solid performance, and versatile cameras suitable for everyday use.
Ahead of its launch in Malaysia, I had the opportunity to see the Poco F8 Pro in person. To give you a clearer picture of the new model, here is my initial hands-on experience, covering the physical aspects of the device as well as some of the key features that the POCO F8 Pro has to offer.
SPECIFICATIONS
Poco F8 Pro
6.59″ AMOLED screen, 120Hz
Dolby Vision, HDR10+
Snapdragon 8 Elite processor (3nm)
2 x 4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L chips
6 x 3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M
Adreno 830 Graphics Chip
RAM 12GB LPDDR5X
Internal Storage 256/512GB UFS 4.1
Main Camera 50MP f/1.9, OIS (Wide Angle)
8MP f/2.2 (Ultra Wide)
50MP f/2.2 (Telephoto)
8K@30fps
20MP Selfie Camera
FHD 60FPS
6210 mAh battery
100W wired charging
22.5W reverse charging
SIM/Telephony Nano/eSIM
NFC Yes
No Audio Jack
Waterproof IP68
Scanning System Ultrasonic under-screen fingerprint scanner
Face scan
Selling Price RM2499 (12/256 GB)
RM2699 (12/512 GB)
DESIGN and SCREEN
Poco F8 Pro comes with a sleeker, thinner and premium design with a thickness of only 8.0mm. Despite bringing a more elegant build, it still maintains durability through an IP68 rating, making it safe to use in various daily conditions.
The screen part is one of the main attractions. The 6.59-inch AMOLED panel used supports an adaptive refresh rate of 1Hz to 120Hz with a peak brightness of up to 3000 nits, providing a clear display even under bright sunlight.
With the bezels getting thinner, the viewing experience feels more immersive. Not only that, it also supports a 2560Hz touch detection rate for video games that require precision. In addition, the screen panel can also display Dolby Vision and HDR10+ content.
Next, the Poco F8 Pro also uses a Corning Gorilla Glass 7i screen which is said to have received TUV Rheinland certification recognition for good eye care all day long.
Performance and Software
In terms of power generation, the Poco F8 Pro is equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip built through a 3nm process. Initial performance shows that this chip is capable of providing consistent power for all types of use, whether for multi-tasking or high-graphics games.
With a configuration option of 12GB LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB UFS 4.1 storage, the overall experience also feels smooth. The Snapdragon 8 Elite chip may be a year old but it is still able to offer high performance for running common applications.
According to Poco, the brand is seen to have improved their AI engine which is expected to help optimize the use of applications and background processes.
For your information, the Poco F8 Pro uses HyperOS 3, an operating system based on Android 16. This makes it the first to be marketed with HyperOS 3 in Malaysia straight out of the box without having to be updated first.
The new version features a refreshed interface, more responsive performance, and enhanced artificial intelligence (AI) features via HyperAI, including writing, speech, search, translation, and dynamic displays such as Dynamic Wallpapers and Cinematic Lock Screen.
Camera
The POCO F8 Pro comes with a triple-camera system designed to deliver consistent performance in a variety of conditions. The 50MP main camera uses a Light Fusion 800 sensor with OIS to produce stable and detailed images.
The 50MP telephoto lens offers a 60mm-equivalent focal length that is ideal for portraits and distant subjects, while the 8MP ultra-wide camera completes the shooting flexibility. It should be noted that the telephoto lens does not come with an OIS system. A rather strange choice considering that the majority of devices in the same class now include OIS on the wide-angle and telephoto cameras as standard.
For selfies, the 20MP front camera delivers clear and balanced results. The phone's camera system emphasizes stable color control, better low-light performance, and less excessive detail.
Here are the results of the photos taken using the Poco F8 Pro.
BATTERY
Speaking of battery capacity, the POCO F8 Pro is equipped with a 6210mAh battery, which is much larger than most current flagship models. In daily use, the battery can last a long time even when used for heavy tasks.
For this model too, POCO is seen featuring 100W HyperCharge charging technology which allows the device to be fully charged in a short time. Not only that, it also supports 22.5W reverse wireless charging which is expected to be an additional convenience for charging accessories such as earphones and smartwatches.
IN THE BOX
Here is what is included in the box.
1x Poco F8 Pro
1x USB-A to USB-C charging cable.
1x 100W USB-A charger.
1x Frame
1x Manual.
1x SIM Pin.
Conclusion
Overall, the POCO F8 Pro appears to be an affordable flagship device that offers a combination of high performance, quality screen, exceptional battery life and Bose audio system. Initial experience did not disappoint and even though the chip used is over a year old, it still offers quite satisfactory performance.
In Malaysia, the Poco F8 Pro is priced at RM 2499 for the 12/256GB model and RM 2699 for the 12/512GB model. However, for the launch, it is being offered at RM 2199 and RM 2299, which is very affordable for a Snapdragon 8 Elite device. Early buyers will also receive a free Redmi Pad SE 8.7 (6GB+128GB) worth RM499.
