Poco F8 Ultra: Xiaomi softens the design of its gaming smartphone, but boosts its technical sheet

It is a partner of choice that the latest Poco smartphones, the Xiaomi brand, feature. While some are banking on the association with photography specialists (Hasselblad, Ricoh, Zeiss, etc.), it is one of the pillars of audio that is highlighted by the new series, namely the Poco F8. “Sound by Bose” technology, which offers several listening profiles, is accompanied by stereo speakers, and even by an additional speaker dedicated to bass on the Ultra model.

Beautiful people under the hood

The Poco F8 Ultra, in addition to its sound system that Xiaomi promises to be particularly careful, offers a technical sheet that has nothing to envy of the big names in its sector. It corresponds to the sketch of the premium smartphone of the moment, even if it means losing its “gamer” profile in terms of design: we find a 6.9-inch Amoled screen with a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz (maximum brightness of 3,500 cd/m²), behind which hides the star chip of this end of the year: the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 from Qualcomm. THE chipsetcurrently reserved for rare smartphones (OnePlus 15 notably), is flanked by a dedicated cooling system (LiquidCool), designed to guarantee an experience gaming satisfying, even during intensive gaming sessions; less visible in the design of the device, the game still remains at the heart of the smartphone’s concerns. We also note that to support the Qualcomm SoC, Xiaomi places a second chip in its smartphone, the VisionBoost D8, designed to improve the graphics rendering of certain games using AI.

Autonomy also promises to be there, thanks to a screen that consumes less energy than that of the F7 Ultra (which nevertheless exceeded 24 hours of endurance on our Viser test) and a 6,500 mAh battery, combined with fast charging at 100 W. Daily uses are not forgotten, the device benefits from both a triple back photo module (three 50 megapixel sensors with a wide-angle, an ultra-wide-angle and a telephoto lens equivalent to 115 mm), i.e. a 5x zoom, support for Bluetooth 6.0 and compatibility with wifi 7.

Streamlined design, aggressive price

Playing on the gaming rope, but also seeking to seduce the general public for whom Genchin Impact et al has little appeal, the Poco F8 Ultra appears under a toned down design, even more so than that of the F7 Ultra, which had already largely attenuated the presence of the codes of the genre. Farewell to the emblematic yellow color of the Poco, the smartphone is dressed in a black or textured shell, imitating jeans.

The price, for its part, remains one of its key arguments. It is located below that of the flagships with which it claims to compete, since Xiaomi announces it at €833 in 12/256 GB version, or €903 in 16/512 GB; these prices are also reduced for its launch, Xiaomi offering a special offer until December 9, and charging the 12/256 GB model at €699.90 and the 16/512 GB smartphone, at €749.90.

A more accessible, but well-equipped F8 Pro

Xiaomi proceeded in the same way with the release of the F7 series: the “standard” model waited a few months before making its debut, initially leaving the field open to Pro and Ultra versions. Rebelote this year, since the F8 Ultra arrives in tandem with an F8 Pro, without F8 on the horizon. The Pro version, also wise in terms of colors (light gray, light belu and black), is a little more compact, thanks to its 6.59-inch screen (Amoled, 3,500 cd/m²). Xiaomi opts for the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip to power it, that is to say the star of 2025, which seems more than sufficient. Its smaller case does not prevent it from packing a 6,210 mAh battery, which seems very sufficient, but compatible with wired charging only (100 W), when the F8 Ultra has wireless charging at 50 W.

The photo pane of the F8 Pro loses a few elements. Its main sensor, a LightFusion 800, is a little less sophisticated than the Ultra’s LightFusion 950, but offers a definition of 50 Mpx; its second module, also 50 Mpx, is entitled to a telephoto lens equivalent to 60 mm, i.e. slightly less magnification; finally, its ultra wide-angle is satisfied with an 8 Mpx sensor. But should we complain, when the Bose brand is in the game and the launch price of the terminal is set at €653 (12/256 GB) or €703 (12/512 GB), with launch offers bringing these prices to €519.90 and €549.90?

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