In the budget to mid-range smartphone space, it is no longer enough to simply be affordable. Phones in this segment are now expected to look good, feel modern, last all day, and handle everything from social media to games without complaint. The POCO M8 5G enters this crowded field with a clear promise: a thin and stylish phone that is also tough enough for daily life, and powerful enough to keep up with entertainment.
The real question is whether this balance of design, durability, and performance works in everyday use. Here’s our full review.
POCO M8 5G Specifications
- Display: 6.77-inch Flow AMOLED, 2392 x 1080, up to 120Hz, 800 nits typical, up to 3200 nits peak, 100% DCI-P3, 12-bit color, 3840Hz PWM dimming, TÜV Rheinland certifications
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4nm)
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB or 512GB, expandable up to 1TB via microSD
- Rear Cameras: 50MP main (f/1.8) + 2MP depth
- Selfie Camera: 20MP (f/2.2)
- Connectivity: 5G, 4G LTE, 3G, 2G, Wi-Fi ac, Bluetooth 5.1, NFC
- Other Features: In-display fingerprint sensor, dual speakers, Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, IR blaster, IP66 dust and water resistance, Wet Touch Technology 2.0
- OS: Xiaomi HyperOS
- Battery and Fast Charge Tech: 5520mAh battery, 45W fast charging, up to 18W reverse wired charging
- Colors: Green, Black, Silver
What’s inside the box? We have the phone itself, a TPU case, the SIM tray pin, a few papers, the 45-watt charger, and the USB A to C data and charging cable.
POCO M8 5G: Design and Construction
The strongest first impression of the POCO M8 5G is how slim and light it feels. At just 7.35mm thick and around 178 grams, it is noticeably easier to handle than many phones with similar screen size and battery capacity. It sits comfortably in the hand, does not strain the wrist during long sessions, and fits easily in a pocket or small bag.
The design is clean and restrained. The curved back and frame blend smoothly into each other, making the phone feel less boxy and more refined. The camera module is modern but not overly dramatic. In Green, Black, or Silver, the phone looks simple and inoffensive, which suits its role as a daily device rather than a statement piece.
What makes the design more interesting is the contrast between how thin it feels and how tough it is meant to be. The phone is rated for dust and water resistance and is built to survive everyday drops and bumps. There is also support for Wet Touch Technology, which allows the screen to remain usable even when your fingers are slightly wet. In daily life, this combination of slimness and durability gives the phone a sense of quiet confidence. You do not feel like you need to treat it like a fragile object.
POCO M8 5G: Display and Audio
The 6.77-inch AMOLED display is one of the highlights of the POCO M8 5G. It is large, sharp, and smooth, thanks to its 120Hz refresh rate. Scrolling through social media, browsing the web, and moving between apps all feel fluid and responsive.
Brightness is another strong point. The screen remains readable even under harsh outdoor light, which makes it practical for commuting or traveling. Colors look rich without being overly aggressive, and the display supports a wide color gamut and 12-bit color depth, which helps photos and videos look more natural and pleasing.
Long viewing sessions are also easier on the eyes thanks to the flicker-free and low blue light features. Whether you are watching a series, reading articles, or playing games, the display stays comfortable over time.
Audio quality is handled by dual speakers with Dolby Atmos support. The phone can get impressively loud, making it easy to share videos or watch content without headphones. Sound is clear and well-balanced for its class, even if it does not aim to replace a good pair of earphones.
POCO M8 5G: Camera
The POCO M8 5G uses a 50MP main camera with a Light Fusion 400 sensor paired with a 2MP depth sensor, plus a 20MP front camera for selfies. There is no ultra-wide lens, so all standard photos depend on the primary wide-angle camera.
In everyday use, the setup is straightforward and consistent, with its strongest results appearing in good lighting conditions. In daylight, the main camera produces clear and usable images with visible textures in foliage, buildings, and other fine details. Sharpness is good for its class without looking overly processed, making photos ready for social media with little to no editing. Indoors and at night, the smaller sensor begins to show its limits. While the f/1.8 aperture helps gather more light, finer details can soften and noise reduction becomes more aggressive, sometimes giving darker shots a slightly smoothed or “painterly” appearance. Night mode improves brightness, but it cannot fully recover lost detail.
Color reproduction is generally natural but tends to lean slightly warm, especially under artificial indoor lighting where a mild yellow tint can appear. Outdoors, colors remain balanced and not overly saturated, which can actually be helpful if you prefer adjusting tones later in editing. Dynamic range is respectable for the segment, doing a decent job of preventing skies and bright areas from blowing out, although it does not deliver the more dramatic HDR effect seen on higher-end devices. Contrast is moderate rather than punchy, again leaving room for post-processing if desired.
Portrait shots rely heavily on the 2MP depth sensor for subject separation. Background blur is usually smooth in simple scenes, producing a pleasing bokeh effect, but edge detection can struggle with complex outlines such as loose hair or thin branches. Skin tones come out fairly realistic, and the camera avoids excessive beautification and heavy smoothing, which helps selfies and portraits look more natural instead of overly filtered.
The POCO M8 5G uses a 50MP main camera with a Light Fusion 400 sensor paired with a 2MP depth sensor, plus a 20MP front camera for selfies. There is no ultra-wide lens, so all standard photos depend on the primary wide-angle camera. In everyday use, the setup is straightforward and consistent, with its strongest results appearing in good lighting conditions.
Overall, the POCO M8 5G’s camera system is dependable for daily documentation, social media posts, and casual portraits. It performs best in daylight and controlled lighting, while low-light detail and advanced edge detection remain its main compromises.
POCO M8 5G: Performance
At the heart of the POCO M8 5G is the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, a mid-range chipset built on a 4nm process. In everyday use, the phone feels smooth and stable. Apps open quickly, switching between tasks is easy, and there are no obvious slowdowns in normal use.
The combination of 8GB RAM and fast storage helps keep the system responsive, and the software experience is familiar and mostly clean. There are some pre-installed apps, but nothing that seriously interferes with daily use. Useful modern features are also present, making the phone feel up to date.
Gaming performance depends on expectations. Lighter and well-optimized games run smoothly, often at medium to high settings. The 120Hz display helps make gameplay feel more fluid and responsive.
Heavier games like Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail will run, but they require lowered graphics settings to stay playable. Even then, you can expect some frame drops during busy scenes and longer sessions. Heat and performance throttling can appear over time. This is clearly not a phone designed for high-end gaming, but it is capable enough for casual and moderate play.
Connectivity is complete and practical, with 5G support, dual SIM, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, and an IR blaster for controlling appliances.
POCO M8 5G: Battery and Charging
The 5520mAh battery is one of the phone’s most reliable strengths. For most users, it is easy to get through a full day of mixed use with plenty of charge left. Lighter users can even stretch it further.
Charging is handled by a 45W fast charger, which is fast enough to be convenient in daily life. A short top-up already gives several more hours of use, which is helpful when you are in a hurry. The phone also supports reverse wired charging, which can be useful in emergencies.
The Rundown
So, who is the POCO M8 5G really for? It is for users who want a slim and modern-looking smartphone that still feels tough enough for daily life. It is for students and young professionals who spend a lot of time on social media, watching videos, browsing the web, and doing school or work tasks. It is also for people who play games casually and want a phone that can handle popular titles, even if it is not meant for high-end gaming at maximum settings.
It is not for users who buy a phone mainly for its camera, and it is not for those who want to push demanding games at the highest graphics. The POCO M8 5G is best understood as a balanced daily driver that focuses on screen quality, battery life, comfort, and overall usability.
The POCO M8 5G is available in two variants, a 256GB storage variant for PHP 12,999, and a 512GB storage model for PHP 14,999. Buy yours here.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Slim and light design that still feels durable
- Large, bright, and smooth 120Hz AMOLED display
- Good battery life with 45W fast charging
- Smooth performance for everyday use
- Loud and clear dual speakers
- Useful extras like NFC, IR blaster, and expandable storage
Cons:
- Limited performance for heavy games
- Camera is only average, especially in low light
- Some pre-installed apps
- Not aimed at performance-focused users
Conclusion
