PhoneSentral Tech in Simplicity
The smartphone world moves fast, but every now and then, a device comes along that makes you stop and question why we’ve been paying RM5,000 for a phone.
After spending a solid week with the POCO F8 Ultra, I’ve realized that POCO isn’t just playing the “budget” game anymore.
They’ve built something that feels like it belongs in the big leagues, and frankly, it has some features that even the most expensive brands haven’t mastered yet.
Main Highlights
The POCO F8 Ultra is essentially a powerhouse wrapped in a surprisingly premium package. The biggest draw here is the sheer muscle – it’s running the absolute latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, which makes everything from scrolling through TikTok to heavy video editing feel instant.
But the real “mic drop” moment is the audio.
POCO teamed up with Bose to include a dedicated subwoofer. Yes, a subwoofer in a phone. Pair that with a massive 6,500mAh battery and a triple 50MP camera system, and you start to see why they called this the “Ultra.”
Design, Body, and Durability
Holding the F8 Ultra is a different experience than previous POCO phones. I’ve been using the “Black” version, and it’s as good as premium phones you have out there.
It doesn’t feel cheap, its smooth, and doesn’t leave any fingerprint smudges when in use.
It’s a bit of a chunky boy at 8.3mm thick and weighing 220g, so you definitely feel it in your pocket, but that’s still lighter and thinner than an iPhone 17 Pro Max.
On top of that, the ‘bulk’ is actually a very sturdy aluminum frame.
It also comes with an IP68 rating, meaning it can survive a drop in the pool or a heavy Sarawakian rainstorm without breaking a sweat.
Screen & Display
The screen is absolutely massive at 6.9 inches. It’s an AMOLED panel that POCO calls “HyperRGB,” and the clarity is stunning.
Everything looks incredibly sharp, and with a peak brightness of 3,500 nits, I had zero issues reading my messages even under the direct afternoon sun.
It has a 120Hz refresh rate, so animations are buttery smooth. Whether you’re watching Netflix or gaming, the colors pop without looking fake or overly saturated. It’s a canvas that’s hard to find fault with.
Audio System
This is where the POCO F8 Ultra genuinely shocked me. Usually, phone speakers are just “okay,” but this setup is legendary.
It has a 2.1-channel system tuned by Bose. There are the usual speakers at the top and bottom, but there’s an actual dedicated subwoofer grille on the back.
When you play music or watch an action movie, you can actually feel the vibration and the depth of the bass.
It’s easily the best audio experience I’ve ever had on a mobile device—it’s loud, rich, and puts most other flagships to shame.
Processor, RAM & Storage
Under the hood, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is a beast. My unit has 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, and I haven’t been able to make it lag once.
I tried playing PUBG and EAFC at the highest settings, and the phone stayed remarkably cool thanks to its new “IceLoop” cooling system.
It doesn’t just run games; it cruises through them at 120 FPS. If you’re someone who keeps 50 apps open at once, this phone won’t even flinch.
Software
The phone runs on HyperOS 3 based on Android 16.
It feels much more refined and “grown-up” than older versions. The animations are fluid, and there are some cool AI features for photo editing and live translations.
However, it still comes with a fair bit of pre-installed apps (bloatware) and some occasional ads in the system folders, which is a bit of a letdown for a device that feels this premium. I guess this is where that feeling “you can’t have everything” comes.
Removing these bloatware would improve performances and clear storage space making it more snappy.
Aside from that, there’s also the Xiaomi Share which works so well to move items and share ‘things’ if you are using more than one Xiaomi based device.
Camera
POCO finally got serious about photography. You get three 50MP cameras on the back: a main sensor, an ultra-wide, and a 5x periscope telephoto zoom.
The main camera uses the same sensor found in much more expensive Xiaomi flagships, and it shows.
Daytime photos are packed with detail and have a great “professional” look with natural background blur.
The 5x zoom is a game-changer for taking clear shots from a distance, and the night mode does a great job of brightening up dark scenes without making them look grainy.
Here’s a sample of the camera zoom in action, taken while I was stopping at the traffic light and aiming to shoot people working on the roof of the Kuching Civic Centre.
It’s a very versatile setup that finally closes the gap with the “big” brands.
Here’s some sample photos I took using this photo.
I do note that photos do take a few seconds to be sharpen after being captured, but once they are, it’s just mindblowing.
For video capabilities, you can check my video test below.
Battery
With a 6,500mAh battery, this phone is a marathon runner.
Even with heavy use—GPS, gaming, and lots of camera work—I consistently ended the day with 40% to 50% left.
If you’re a light user, you could easily get two days out of this. When you do need to top up, the 100W wired charging gets you from zero to full in about 38 minutes.
It also supports 50W wireless charging, which is faster than most other phones’ wired charging!
Conclusion and Where to Buy
The POCO F8 Ultra is a statement. It proves you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a “no-compromise” flagship experience.
Between the insane performance, the industry-leading Bose speakers, and a battery that refuses to die, it’s an easy recommendation for anyone who wants the best tech without the “tax” of a big brand name.
In Malaysia, the POCO F8 Ultra starts at RM3,199 for the 12GB+256GB model, while the 16GB+512GB version goes for RM3,599.
You can find it on the official Xiaomi Global Store on Shopee and Lazada, or via the mi.com website.
Keep an eye out for “special” sales where you can often snag it for a few hundred ringgit less!
