POCO is known for delivering solid performance at mid-range and budget prices, and the POCO M8 Pro 5G continues that approach in the Philippines. Built for everyday use, it focuses on the things that matter most, which are long battery life, a tough and reliable build, a bright display, and performance that stays smooth for everyday use.
After spending time using the POCO M8 Pro 5G as a daily driver, it feels less like a phone focused on specs and more like one made for everyday routines. This review takes a closer look at how the phone fits into real-world use, and how well it delivers the kind of reliable performance POCO is known for.
POCO M8 Pro 5G Key Specs
OS: Xiaomi HyperOS
Display: 6.83-inch CrystalRes AMOLED, 1.5K (2772 × 1280), up to 120Hz
Processor: Snapdragon® 7s Gen 4 (4nm)
RAM and Storage: Up to 12GB RAM and 512GB storage (LPDDR4X + UFS 2.2)
Rear Cameras: 50MP main with OIS + 8MP ultra-wide
Front Camera: 32MP
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 / 6E, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, IR blaster, USB Type-C
Mobile Data: 2G / 3G / 4G LTE / 5G, Dual SIM
Audio: Dual stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio
Battery: 6500mAh, 100W HyperCharge, up to 22.5W reverse wired charging
Protection: IP66 / IP68 / IP69 / IP69K, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Weight: 205.9g
Processor: Snapdragon® 7s Gen 4 (4nm)
RAM and Storage: Up to 12GB RAM and 512GB storage (LPDDR4X + UFS 2.2)
Rear Cameras: 50MP main with OIS + 8MP ultra-wide
Front Camera: 32MP
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 / 6E, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, IR blaster, USB Type-C
Mobile Data: 2G / 3G / 4G LTE / 5G, Dual SIM
Audio: Dual stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio
Battery: 6500mAh, 100W HyperCharge, up to 22.5W reverse wired charging
Protection: IP66 / IP68 / IP69 / IP69K, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Weight: 205.9g
Design and Build Quality
In hand, the POCO M8 Pro 5G feels solid and reassuring. It follows an all-around fluid design, with the display and back panel uniformly curved to create a smooth, seamless feel. This shape makes the phone easier to hold despite its large size, especially during long scrolling sessions. The glossy finish helps keep fingerprints to a minimum, though it can feel a bit slippery without a case.
The floating crater-style camera module sits cleanly on the back, giving the phone a modern and slightly premium look without being overdone. Ultra-narrow bezels around the display also help the screen feel more immersive when watching videos or playing games.
At 8.31mm thick and just over 205g, it’s a big phone, but the weight is well balanced. One-handed scrolling and taking calls are still manageable, although users with smaller hands may find extended one-hand use a bit tiring.
Button placement is straightforward and practical. The power and volume buttons are on the right side and are easy to reach. At the bottom, you’ll find the SIM tray, speaker, USB Type-C port, and microphone. Up top sits the IR blaster, along with a second speaker and microphone, rounding out a familiar and user-friendly layout.
The POCO M8 Pro 5G comes in three color options—Black, Silver, and Green. The review unit used here is the Silver variant, which looks clean and understated, fitting well with the phone’s overall design.
Durability
These days, many of the latest smartphone releases put more focus on durability, and the POCO M8 Pro 5G clearly follows that direction. It uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus on the display, which adds confidence against scratches and everyday drops. The frame feels sturdy in hand, with no flex or creaking when the phone is gripped firmly.
In daily use, the phone feels worry-free around water and dust. With IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K ratings, it handled rain, splashes, and damp conditions without issues. It has also passed a 2-meter, 24-hour water-resistance test by TÜV SÜD, which adds peace of mind during accidental spills or brief submersion. The phone also went through multiple airtightness and waterproof durability tests, helping ensure the seals hold up even after extended use.
Beyond water protection, the device is SGS-certified for full-device high-strength protection against drops, bends, and crushing pressure. This shows in how solid the phone feels during everyday handling, whether it’s being tossed into a bag, placed on rough surfaces, or used outdoors.
Wet Touch Technology 2.0 is another practical feature. The screen stays responsive even with wet fingers, which is useful when using the phone in the rain or right after washing hands.
Knowing all this, the phone’s durability brings real peace of mind in everyday use. Accidental drops, sudden rain, or even a quick dip in the pool don’t feel as stressful as usual. Still, despite how tough the POCO M8 Pro 5G feels, keeping it in a case is a smart move, not because it needs it, but simply to add an extra layer of protection over time.
Display and Sound
The POCO M8 Pro 5G comes with a large 6.83-inch 1.5K AMOLED display, and it performs well in everyday use. The refresh rate can be adjusted up to 120Hz for supported apps, which helps scrolling and animations feel smooth without forcing high refresh all the time. When gaming, the 2560Hz instant touch sampling rate activates under Game Turbo mode, making touch response feel quick and accurate.
Eye comfort is handled properly. At lower brightness levels, the screen uses 3840Hz PWM dimming to reduce flicker and eye strain during night use. Once brightness goes above 80 nits, it switches to DC dimming, keeping the display steady for longer viewing sessions. This makes late-night scrolling and video watching easier on the eyes.
Audio comes from dual 1115F stereo speakers, and overall sound quality is only good. The speakers are clear enough for videos, calls, and casual gaming, and the 400% volume boost helps when using the phone outdoors. However, bass is limited, and audio can sound a bit flat at higher volumes. For everyday use it gets the job done, but for better sound quality, headphones are still the better option.
Performance (Daily Use and Gaming)
Performance matters because it affects almost everything you do on a phone. From opening apps and switching between tasks to gaming and long screen sessions, smooth and stable performance makes daily use feel effortless. That’s why a capable chipset and proper cooling both play an important role in real-world use.
Powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chipset with clock speeds of up to 2.7GHz, the POCO M8 Pro 5G feels fast and responsive in daily tasks. Scrolling through social media, browsing the web, streaming videos, and jumping between apps all feel smooth, with no noticeable slowdowns during regular use. Multitasking is handled well, especially on higher RAM variants, with apps staying active in the background without frequent reloads.
Gaming performance stays consistent even during longer sessions. Titles like Red Dead Redemption, Once Human, and popular MMORPG games run smoothly on medium to high settings. The phone manages heat well thanks to its LiquidCool Technology, which includes a large IceLoop cooling system. With a 5200mm² IceLoop area and a 5954mm² mid-frame graphite layer, heat is spread more efficiently across the body, helping prevent sudden performance drops.
During extended play, the phone warms up but remains comfortable to hold. Heat dissipation feels more controlled compared to phones without advanced cooling, allowing longer gaming sessions without throttling. Touch response stays quick, especially with Game Turbo enabled, which helps during fast-paced moments.
On benchmarks, the POCO M8 Pro 5G scored around 1,054,821 on AnTuTu, which lines up well with how it performs in real-world use. Rather than chasing peak numbers, the focus here is steady performance that holds up throughout the day, whether for gaming, streaming, or everyday tasks.
OS and User Interface
The POCO M8 Pro 5G runs on Xiaomi HyperOS, and in daily use, the software feels clean and easy to navigate. The layout is straightforward, menus are well organized, and most settings are easy to find. Even for users coming from other Android phones, getting comfortable with the interface doesn’t take long.
Google Gemini is deeply integrated into the system and feels useful in real situations. The Gemini overlay gives quick access without switching apps, while Gemini Live lets you ask about anything on your screen or even share your camera view during conversations. Image generation is also built in, making it easy to create visuals on the fly. With connected apps support, Gemini can take action across supported apps, including some Xiaomi apps, which helps save time during daily tasks.
Animations feel smooth, and the system responds quickly to taps and swipes. Opening apps, switching screens, and pulling down notifications all feel fluid, adding to the overall sense of reliability.
There are still a few pre-installed apps out of the box, and most can be removed or disabled during setup to fully clean things up. Once that’s done, the interface feels light and comfortable for long-term use, making the POCO M8 Pro 5G easy to live with day to day.
There are still a few pre-installed apps out of the box, and most can be removed or disabled during setup to fully clean things up. Once that’s done, the interface feels light and comfortable for long-term use, making the POCO M8 Pro 5G easy to live with day to day.
Connectivity
Connectivity on the POCO M8 Pro 5G feels reliable in everyday use. Calls stay clear, mobile data remains stable, and switching between Wi-Fi and mobile networks happens smoothly without sudden drops. Browsing, streaming, and online gaming all feel consistent across different locations.
One new addition to the POCO M Series is the Xiaomi Surge T1S tuner, developed in-house to help improve cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth signals through smarter antenna handling. The difference may not always be obvious in daily use, but it’s a nice extra to have for more stable wireless connectivity, especially in weaker signal areas.
5G support keeps speeds fast when available, while 4G LTE remains dependable where 5G coverage is still limited. Dual SIM support makes it easy to manage work and personal numbers on one device, without needing to carry a second phone.
Wi-Fi 6 and 6E support help maintain faster and more stable connections on compatible networks, while Bluetooth pairing with wireless accessories is quick and reliable. Xiaomi Offline Communication is also available, allowing voice calls up to around 1.9 km without mobile signal, Wi-Fi, or internet, useful in outdoor situations or areas with poor coverage.
Extras like NFC add everyday convenience, while the IR blaster is a useful bonus for controlling TVs and other home devices. Overall, connectivity on the POCO M8 Pro 5G feels reliable and flexible, blending smoothly into daily use without getting in the way.
Camera (Day and Night Performance)
The camera is something that gets used almost every day, even for small moments. Whether it’s a quick photo, a short video, or a night shot. Having a camera that’s simple to use and delivers reliable results makes everyday moments easier to capture.
Using the POCO M8 Pro 5G, the 50MP main camera with OIS feels reliable in regular situations. During the day, photos come out clear with decent detail and natural colors. There’s no need to tweak settings most of the time, which makes it easy to just point and shoot. Dynamic range is handled well enough for everyday scenes, keeping highlights from blowing out.
Sample Photo Album can be found here: Adobotech
The 8MP ultra-wide camera comes in handy for group shots and wider scenes. Detail is more limited compared to the main camera, but in good lighting, it’s fine for casual photos and social media use.
At night, OIS helps keep shots steady, especially when taking photos one-handed. Images stay usable in low light, though some noise is still visible in darker areas. It’s not meant for heavy night photography, but it works well enough for everyday situations.
For video, the rear camera records up to 4K at 30fps, which is fine for casual clips and short recordings. The front camera supports 1080p at 30 or 60fps, making it suitable for video calls, vlogs, and quick social media videos.
The 32MP front camera is dependable for selfies and video calls. Skin tones look natural, and images don’t feel overly processed. Indoor shots also turn out fine, which is useful for daily calls and quick selfies.
Editing tools are there when needed. Film filters are easy to use and add a bit of character with a single tap. The AI Creativity Assistant includes features like AI Erase Pro, AI Image Expansion, and AI Reflection Removal, which help with quick edits after a photo is taken. These tools work as expected, though they do require an internet connection.
Overall, the camera experience feels straightforward and easy to live with, focusing more on consistency and ease of use than pushing for dramatic results.
Battery and Charging
Battery life is one of the areas where the POCO M8 Pro 5G makes daily use easier. With a 6500mAh battery, it comfortably lasts through a full day without constantly worrying about running low. On regular days filled with browsing, messaging, videos, and some gaming, there’s usually still enough charge left by night.
The phone also supports 22.5W reverse wired charging, letting it double as a small power bank for charging other phones, earbuds, or a smartwatch. It’s genuinely useful when you’re out and don’t want to carry extra accessories. That said, the box doesn’t include a USB-C to USB-C cable, which you’ll need to use this feature. It’s a small miss, and it would’ve been nice if POCO included one, especially since reverse charging is actually handy.
Long-term use is clearly part of the design as well. With POCO’s Surge P3 and Surge G1 charging chips handling charging speed and battery health, the phone is built to age more slowly over time. POCO claims the battery can retain 80% or more of its capacity after 1,600 charge cycles, roughly equal to around six years of regular use. While only time will fully prove that, it does add confidence that the battery is built for the long run, not just fast charging today.
Pros
Clean, modern design with a solid in-hand feelLong battery life with very fast charging
Bright and smooth AMOLED display
Stable performance for daily use and gaming
Tough build with strong water and dust protection
Useful extras like NFC, IR blaster, and reverse charging
Cons
Large and a bit heavy for one-handed useSpeaker quality is just average
Ultra-wide camera works best in good light
USB-C to USB-C cable not included for reverse charging
Verdict
After using the POCO M8 Pro 5G as a daily phone, it feels like a device built for people who value reliability over flashy extras. It doesn’t try to impress with extreme specs, but instead focuses on things you actually notice every day, long battery life, fast charging, a bright and smooth display, stable performance, and a build that feels tough enough for real-world use.Overall, the POCO M8 Pro 5G feels practical, dependable, and easy to live with. If you’re looking for a phone that handles everyday tasks well without needing constant attention or care, this one fits that role comfortably.
In the Philippines, the POCO M8 Pro 5G is available in Silver, Black, and Green. It comes in two variants: the 8GB + 256GB model priced at ₱13,149 on promo (from ₱16,999), and the 12GB + 512GB version priced at ₱15,899 on promo (from ₱19,999). Taken as a whole, it’s a smartphone that makes sense for users looking for a reliable daily device.
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