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POCO enters premium smartphone segment with new F8 series

POCO launches the F8 Ultra, F8 Pro, and two new tablets as it enters the premium flagship market with new performance and audio features.

POCO has introduced the POCO F8 Ultra and POCO F8 Pro, marking its first move into the premium flagship space. The global launch took place in Bali on 26 November, where the company outlined its aim to blend top-tier performance with the value-driven approach that has defined its brand since 2018. The event also marked the debut of POCO’s audio partnership with Bose as the company expands its focus on high-end experiences across its ecosystem.

Kang Lou, Senior Product Marketing Manager and spokesperson at POCO Global, said the F8 line reflects the company’s broader ambition to serve a more demanding audience. He noted that the Ultra model sets “a new benchmark for true flagships”, while the Pro variant continues POCO’s push to make advanced hardware accessible to more users. The launch also included two tablets, the POCO Pad X1 and POCO Pad M1, signalling further expansion of the brand’s AIoT portfolio.

F8 Ultra introduces new hardware, audio, and display advances

POCO enters premium smartphone segment with new F8 series - 1

The POCO F8 Ultra serves as the flagship model, built around a dual-chipset system led by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and the VisionBoost D8 chipset. The combination enables the device to achieve an AnTuTu score of more than 3,944,934, supported by performance features such as Smart Frame Rate up to 120 FPS, Super Resolution up to 1.5K, and Game HDR. In addition, AI Super Resolution has been optimised for popular titles including Call of Duty: Mobile and Honkai: Star Rail. Internal tests showed an RPG title sustaining 4.5 hours at 120 FPS with no visible performance drop.

Thermal performance is managed by the company’s latest IceLoop system, which uses a 3D dual-channel and dual-layer structure designed to disperse heat from the chipset and camera module. POCO reports that the system’s 6700 mm² cooling area helps maintain stability during extended gaming or high-load tasks.

A major feature of the F8 Ultra is its audio system developed in collaboration with Bose. The device uses a 2.1-channel speaker architecture to enhance bass, clarity, and overall soundstage. Bose President of the Audio Technology Business, Nick Smith, said the combination of Bose engineering and POCO’s design capabilities allows the series to “redefine what’s possible in mobile sound”. Two sound profiles, Dynamic and Balanced, are available to suit different listening preferences.

The F8 Ultra also debuts POCO HyperRGB display technology, which uses a full RGB subpixel structure designed to mimic 2K clarity while reducing power consumption by 19.5 per cent compared to the F7 Ultra. It is supported by a new M10 luminescent material that improves efficiency and reduces energy use further. The display spans 6.9 inches with narrow bezels and supports ultra-low brightness down to 1 nit for extended viewing comfort.

On the camera front, the F8 Ultra features a 50MP Light Fusion 950 sensor with OIS and a 1/1.31-inch sensor size offering 43 per cent better light sensitivity than before. It also includes a 50MP 5x periscope telephoto lens capable of 10x in-sensor zoom and up to 20x Ultra Zoom, along with an automatic Super Moon Mode. A 50MP ultra-wide camera and 32MP front camera complete the imaging setup.

The device incorporates a 6500mAh battery with 100W wired charging that reaches full capacity in 38 minutes, alongside 50W wireless charging. Smart charging features help regulate temperature and optimise charging speed based on real-time usage.

Design elements include an aluminium alloy chassis, narrow bezels, and IP68 dust and water resistance. It is available in Denim Blue, made from Xiaomi’s nano-tech material for enhanced durability, and Black, which features a glass fibre finish.

F8 Pro and new AIoT tablets join the lineup

POCO enters premium smartphone segment with new F8 series - 2

The POCO F8 Pro delivers many of the premium features seen in the Ultra model while targeting a wider audience. It includes the same HyperRGB display and Sound by Bose technology, with IP68 durability and Xiaomi HyperOS 3. Its design incorporates a one-piece milled glass back panel created through CNC cold-carving, producing a glossy and matte contrast around the camera module. The device weighs 199g and uses a 6.59-inch display built with rounded corners for comfort.

Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform, the F8 Pro features a 6210mAh battery with 100W fast charging capable of reaching full charge in 37 minutes. Cooling is handled by a triple-layer IceLoop system that increases thermal capacity by 40 per cent compared with the F7 Pro. The camera system includes a 50MP telephoto camera with 2.5x optical zoom and 5x lossless zoom, alongside a 50MP Light Fusion 800 main sensor.

POCO also expanded its tablet range with the Pad X1 and Pad M1. The Pad X1 is built for gaming and multitasking with a Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 processor, 8GB RAM, 512GB storage, a 3.2K display with up to 144Hz refresh rate, and an 8850mAh battery with 45W charging. The Pad M1 features a 12.1-inch display at up to 120Hz, quad speakers with Dolby Atmos, and a 12,000mAh battery. Both tablets run on Xiaomi HyperOS and support cross-device collaboration and AI tools.

POCO states that it now operates in 98 markets with more than 93 million cumulative shipments, and it recently ranked 35th on the 2025 Kantar BrandZ Top 50 Chinese Global Brand Builders list. Its focus remains on delivering high-value devices aimed at younger audiences and enthusiasts.

The POCO F8 Ultra will be sold in Denim Blue and Black, with prices set at S$949 for the 12GB+256GB model and S$999 for the 16GB+512GB model. Early bird pricing lowers these to S$899 and S$949 respectively. The POCO F8 Pro comes in Titanium Silver, Blue, and Black, starting at S$699 for the 12GB+256GB variant and S$759 for the 12GB+512GB option, with early bird prices of S$659 and S$719. The POCO Pad X1, available in Grey and Blue in an 8GB+512GB configuration, retails at S$499 and includes a complimentary cover during the promotion period. The POCO Pad M1, offered in the same colour options with 8GB+256GB, is priced at S$399 and also comes with a free cover.

Promotions run from 26 November to 18 December, while stocks last.

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